Anyone think there should be fewer features locked behind Nintendo Online?

[Starboard]

Now that there is a new update, according to the small-print 2 of the 3 new features would be unusable for those who don't have the subscription. So far I've been playing without online as I always have with games (I'm a super casual gamer with only one Switch game) but now that I can't use the dream suite like I could in New Leaf I feel a bit gutted. So I'm considering getting the subscription. (I've never subscribed to anything so I'll have to learn how it all works lol)

Having said that, I actually feel a little bit bad doing it. At this point there are heaps of things I feel like I'm missing out on including several things that I could do in New Leaf without a subscription, and I've heard from others that they can't use Online for various reasons (like their country doesn't support it or the app or something, or they're kids whose parents won't pay it, or they're literally in such a bad place they can't afford it) which makes me feel bad for them since this game seems very catered towards those who do use it, much more so than previous games were. And even though it's not that expensive it feels a bit icky that I paid hundreds already for the console and game and I still feel like I'm missing out on stuff that I could do before. So even if I caved and bought the membership I couldn't shake the feeling that I'm just supporting a non-user-friendly approach, as petty as that sounds.

Bottom line is, anyone else feel the same? I'm not trying to talk bad about Nintendo, I do love them as a company and I know other companies are much worse with this stuff, but sometimes I don't like the direction they're taking things and I don't know if that's just me being petty. Maybe if they only required a subscription for visiting friends and trading, (but removed the need to trade to have access to sooo many items), I wouldn't feel so bad. I don't know, I just needed to vent a bit!

 

[Yujian]

I completely agree. The fact that you basically have to have it just get different colored furniture really rubs me the wrong way.

 

[-Zora-]

I dont know, the 3ds didn't have one but it's an older console so idrk? But playstation, x-box, everything has an online subscription so we cant really say like omg why would nintendo do this (I'm not saying you were btw I know you werent) because it's just how every console is nowadays

I'm sure there are people like omg why do I have to pay 50$ for my playstation subscription!? So at least Nintendos subscription isnt over priced like others

 

[tajikey]

If you can find 6 people you trust that don't have NOL, you could always split the cost.

 

[Starboard]

I completely agree. The fact that you basically have to have it just get different colored furniture really rubs me the wrong way.

Yeah, I agree, I know you can get different colours through balloons and things but it makes it a lot harder and there's a chance you might never find the thing you want.

I dont know, the 3ds didn't have one but it's an older console so idrk? But playstation, x-box, everything has an online subscription so we cant really say like omg why would nintendo do this (I'm not saying you were btw I know you werent) because it's just how every console is nowadays

I'm sure there are people like omg why do I have to pay 50$ for my playstation subscription!? So at least Nintendos subscription isnt over priced like others

Yeah, I know it's not Nintendo's fault that online is a subscription these days, I guess what I'm saying is that they're a super rich company and I'm not sure that they necessarily need the money that urgently that they suddenly have to lock so many things behind it. I don't know, as I said I was just venting a bit lol.

 

[rubyrubert]

NSO is super lacking. There’s no servers, the host just supports everything. This was all free during the DS, Wii, and 3DS eras

 

[Larsi]

Well "non-user-friendly" is not totally true as everyone is warned that some features require a Nintendo Online subscription. With the WiiU the company made big losses so it's not strange they began to ask money for online gaming just like Micosoft and Sony do.

That's just how gaming is nowadays.

But the only thing I don't like is that you can't get all kind of fruits which is a strange choice of Nintendo. Or do your villagers can send every type? It happened once but with fruit which was also found with island hopping.

Post automatically merged: Jul 29, 2020

I'm sure there are people like omg why do I have to pay 50$ for my playstation subscription!? So at least Nintendos subscription isnt over priced like others

Haha true but now you also pay for what you get. You pay less but the connection is a lot worse too

 

[moon_child]

Honestly, I think the only fair service to require charging an online subscription is backing up data and / or cloud saves because that requires a lot of storage and so that particular service must be paid to maintain infrastructures and such. Other than that, every other feature shouldn’t have been locked behind the online subscription. So far, all these are locked behind online subscription:

- Scanning and using QR codes for paths and designs.
- Visiting friends’ islands.
- Trading and selling turnips and other produce you have in other islands.
- Dream Suite

All of those things used to be accessible to everyone before without the need for an online subscription. Not to mention, we even had multiplayer games in Tortimer’s Island and that was also free. Since this is the case, there is absolutely no way they can rationalize asking people to pay for those now when they were able to offer them (and more) for free before. And that very fact is the one thing turning me off of this game the most. It’s a very blatant and in your face display of “we’re doing it this way because we can” philosophy and it irks me.

Most people avail of it because they don’t really have much choice. Unless you want a very bare bones island with limited items and design features. Yes, for most, the online monthly subscription fee may be next to nothing especially if you play with a family plan and also play other games too. But it’s the very principle of it that doesn’t sit right with me. Also, for some people, it just doesn’t make sense, especially if you only play this game. It makes the entire thing feel like a free to play mobile game with an agenda. Cheapened the experience, definitely.

 

[Hobowire]

I agree with that if you're paying for a FULL game you should have the ability to obtain everything for that game since it's not pay to play kinda deal.

Nintendo Online is cheaper compared to their competitors but its overall service is very less than desirable compared to others. The chat system is abysmal. I have to sync my phone to roll a die for a chance of it to work properly. There are server but most games are still P2P to eliminate advantage to those living closer to the hub. I cant play multi smash without lag or at time mario maker 2's lag is a joke. There were discussion that Nintendo was collab with microsoft to enhance it which would translate to higher cost. So... Yay. woo. nintendo online. sigh.

 

[loveclove]

I think fruits, flowers and all furniture should be available to everyone. I can see Dreaming, visiting other people, custom designs and turnips being locked behind the subscription, that's totally logic and reasonable. But I can't see why Nooks can't rotate all the furniture, why can't all flowers and fruit be available on mistery islands

 

[Cosmic-chan]

I mean..yes and no. I think some features shouldn't be locked behind a membership but at the same time..Nintendo is doing what is current af 2020. Every newer game console does things with an membership. It's so that'll encourage the player to keep that particular system and play more of the content available for said game or console. I mean Nintendo is doing a lot of people favor by making their membership at most 20 dollars for a year meanwhile Xbox live gold is like 70 dollars a year. Most platforms and even online websites have some sort of membership. It's just a way to bring in some money. I mean I understand I get it not everyone can pay for the membership but again Nintendo made theirs exceptional cheap. I mean I think like 3 months is only 5 dollars or something. I get what you're saying about features shouldn't be locked behind a membership but.. Nintendo provided most of the free update for well free. Most games DLC cost major dollars..I don't know. Nintendo is following the new model of 2020 gaming while still be rather cheaper and more fair than most.

 

[-Blue-]

I'm glad I wasn't the first to say it, but Nintendo's online service is very barebone. Most of the games I played don't have dedicated servers and the connection is based off of everyone's internet. Which is why SmashUlt like Smash4 has horrible lag. But the kicker is you got to pay for SmashUlt when the same services were free on Smash4 (and are actually worst than Smash4)

Same thing with AC. It's based off everyone's connection. So if someone disconnects in anyway we all disconnect. It's really stupid and they could fix it but Nintendo is assbackwards when it comes to online. They always have been and won't change until we stop defending them for terrible online practices.

I literally never use any of the Nintendo online services except to play SmashUlt (don't even bother now cause online is a lag and cheese fest) and occasionally NH, but all my friends are already bored of the game before I got the chance to play with them thanks to Covid-19 forcing me to work so many days and hours.

The other online services that they were supposed to have never worked for most games. (Cloud data) and they finally caved in with back-ups, but that should had been a thing from the start. We shouldn't have had to fight for it.

 

[LuchaSloth]

When it comes to online...if you want it to be reliable, you need to pay for the servers. These companies can't keep things running smoothly if they don't have the money to do so. And while it's true that the Nintendo Online service offers a lot less than Xbox or PS does...it should also be noted, that the things you get for free are exactly that. You pay to keep the servers humming...otherwise, there would be no visiting other islands, or playing your friends in Mario Kart, etc. It's just a necessary evil. The NES and SNES games are truly a free bonus...so, no one should view the Nintendo Online situation as "not good enough" or whatever. You aren't even paying for those.

When it comes to Animal Crossing...I understand the complaint about "exclusive" items that you can't get unless you can use an online aspect. That said...the online service really is as cheap as it can be. I'm not sure what solution people would suggest here. It would seem like the only alternative would be not adding any exclusive content to the online features...and then everyone who does pay for the service would complain (rightfully so) that there isn't enough substance.

 

[kayleee]

I mean the membership is pretty cheap, many games across all platforms require an online subscription to access part of the game so I don’t think this is any different. The 3ds/wii etc. were the exception to the rule by not requiring an online subscription, it was already standard at the time for other consoles so it just makes sense that Nintendo changed to a paid subscription. And again it’s less than $2 a month to get it, that seems pretty fair to me to access a couple extra things in an otherwise perfectly playable game without the subscription

 

[daringred_]

I mean..yes and no. I think some features shouldn't be locked behind a membership but at the same time..Nintendo is doing what is current af 2020. Every newer game console does things with an membership. It's so that'll encourage the player to keep that particular system and play more of the content available for said game or console. I mean Nintendo is doing a lot of people favor by making their membership at most 20 dollars for a year meanwhile Xbox live gold is like 70 dollars a year. Most platforms and even online websites have some sort of membership. It's just a way to bring in some money. I mean I understand I get it not everyone can pay for the membership but again Nintendo made theirs exceptional cheap. I mean I think like 3 months is only 5 dollars or something. I get what you're saying about features shouldn't be locked behind a membership but.. Nintendo provided most of the free update for well free. Most games DLC cost major dollars..I don't know. Nintendo is following the new model of 2020 gaming while still be rather cheaper and more fair than most.

just because "everyone else" is, doesn't mean they have to. if everyone you knew was jumping off a cliff, would you as well? hopefully not. sure, it could be argued that online subscriptions are the way to go in the current industry to bring in extra money but we're talking about a massive multi-million (billion?) dollar company. i doubt cutting every single NSO subscription would even make a significant dent in their profits.

regardless, NSO in its current state is abysmal. the connection is dodgy as hell due to an absence of dedicated servers, some of the games that need cloud saves/back-ups the most don't have them, and there's no real bonus benefit to buying the subscription if you don't care about NES titles or w/e. yes, it's a cheaper service than those for other consoles but back when my brother was still making our mother fork over for xbox live, i was still getting this same NSO service for free. and the company was doing just as well as it is now.

imo it's not about changing with the times, it's about corporate greed but i have no doubt i'm a minority in thinking that.

 

[SheepMareep]

mmm.... I get what you're saying however I think it should be completely expected to of needed nintendo online for a lot of these features and I don't personally get the point of being upset because of that.
Cloud saves in general require a nintendo online subscription. Vising towns requires nintendo online, so it only makes sense that the dream suite would be online. Same with the new design portal where you need to have access to the internet in order to use the function which was mentioned prior to release with the use of qr codes and the nintendo online app.

Its harder to get different colored furniture than what is sold in the nooklings, but you can still get different colors from villagers, balloons, trees, and redd specifically sells colors you cant get at nooks. Lief also sells all flower types now (rotated ofc, but he appears so often it doesn't really matter) so it's not like at the beginning of the game where you HAD to trade to find new flower types. They also rotate every month/season i believe in the nooklings shop anyway. The only items that you cant get in different colors are the nookmile items. But that's only currently; we don't know what future updates will bring.

Playing without online keeps you from visiting other towns, backing up your data, and using custom designs made by other people but that's kind of it. Other games like Splatoon pretty much require you to have an online subscription or the game is pointless after the story mode, and I honestly did not see as many complaints when nintendo online was created way after its release and forced players to buy it to keep playing online matches compared to how many acnh players complain about nintendo online keeping them from being able to trade.

tl;dr every console has features you can only use with their online subscription and nintendo is just jumping on that wave. this isnt an attack on animal crossing players/shouldn't be taken so personally that nintendo is wanting to ruin your experience. You pay for a license to play the game how nintendo says it can be played and the box also mentions the need for nintendo online for certain features. You can complain ofc, but it doesn't make sense to when you were given info prior to buying the game that it would be needed. corporate greed in relation to paying to use online services sucks but if you buy into it i mean... you get what you get.

 

[-Blue-]

I could get behind Nintendo's online services more if it actually looked like they cared enough to give dedicated servers to their games. They make enough money to do that. We shouldn't be paying for the same services that were once free.

 

[LuchaSloth]

I feel like people would have a reason to be upset if Nintendo said "you need to pay for online service in order to get future updates". But...they haven't done that here, and they never will. Players will miss out on some small things based on services they can't use. But, the major updates with new content are still being given to all players for free. So...that's worth a heavy consideration.

 

[Cosmic-chan]

just because "everyone else" is, doesn't mean they have to. if everyone you knew was jumping off a cliff, would you as well? hopefully not. sure, it could be argued that online subscriptions are the way to go in the current industry to bring in extra money but we're talking about a massive multi-million (billion?) dollar company. i doubt cutting every single NSO subscription would even make a significant dent in their profits.

regardless, NSO in its current state is abysmal. the connection is dodgy as hell due to an absence of dedicated servers, some of the games that need cloud saves/back-ups the most don't have them, and there's no real bonus benefit to buying the subscription if you don't care about NES titles or w/e. yes, it's a cheaper service than those for other consoles but back when my brother was still making our mother fork over for xbox live, i was still getting this same NSO service for free. and the company was doing just as well as it is now.

imo it's not about changing with the times, it's about corporate greed but i have no doubt i'm a minority in thinking that.

I mean depends on the cliff if you ask me. I mean I understand what you're saying the NSO membership isn't amazing but at this point Nintendo is doing whatever they can to get money. Plus we can comfortably say that the money is being used to better ACNH. I mean how else can they afford to provide free Dlc for the game? That cost lots of money to even do that. It's amazing Nintendo can even do that with the cheap rates they charge for the membership. You don't have to get the membership and you can always play the game with local friends. The membership is just an encouragement to play with people all over the world!

 

[-Blue-]

I mean Nintendo managed to give us the biggest update ever with Welcome Amiibo for NewLeaf and they did so for free. All you had to do is log into the E-shop and download WA for free. You only needed to buy it if you didn't already own a copy of WA or the original.

And some of the updates were available in the other games from day one. So if the stuff was locked behind DLC or paid membership, Nintendo would be in some hot-water about how they brought a half-finished game and than expected +dollars more for the full version. By the end of it, you could be spending 100-200 for an AC game.