Nintendo tests a new Minecraft-style online game

Nintendo recently updated the official website of the mysterious “Switch Online: Playtest Program,” privately revealing more information to participants. The playtest will run from October 23 at 9pm ET to November 5 at 8pm Eastern time and will only be accessible to the approximately 10,000 users who have previously registered for the program. The test software, which requires 2.2GB of free space, is already available for download. Despite the absence of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), Nintendo requested participants, through the terms and conditions of the playtest, to refrain from sharing details about the initiative. However, as expected, screenshots and playtest information have been leaked online, on platforms like X and Reddit.

It would appear that Nintendo is experimenting with the development of its first MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) style game. The game’s description reveals the goal of collaborating with other users to “develop” a planet through creativity and available resources. Players will encounter new lands, enemies and resources as they progress, using tools and resources to create livable environment development zones. These zones are personal and editable, and everyone else online can see the results.

There is also a social hub called “Dev Core” where players can level up, obtain items and interact with each other. Nintendo also mentions UGC (User-Generated Content) features for creating and sharing personalized content, accessible only after passing an internal test that verifies understanding of the importance of respectful communication.

At first glance, the game bears similarities to family-friendly MMOs like Minecraft and Roblox. The IP appears to be entirely new, lacking any recognizable Nintendo characters, or could represent an early release, potentially part of an existing franchise at the time of release. The only certainty is that previous speculation about the arrival of GameCube titles on the Nintendo Switch Online service via playtest can be set aside.