New Horizons and the Switch Online App

[Nooblord]

Will QR codes be a thing of the past? With the Switch missing a camera, it felt safe to assume that QR codes would not be making a return. I personally would prefer some kind of gallery where everyone can share their designs, with a ton of categorization options like type of clothing, color, house interiors, paths etc. But what about the countless NL QR codes that have been archived throughout the years? It?d be a shame for all that to go to waste.

What if there was a way to download QR codes to your Switch via the Nintendo Switch Online app?
For those who don?t know what it is, it?s an app that?s compatible with select Switch titles where you can voice chat and access features of the game without having to be on your Switch. Such as buying gear and checking stats/stages for Splatoon 2, or saving shared content in Smash Ultimate.

It?d be pretty nifty to use your phone camera to save QR codes that you can transfer to your NH character. Although, I doubt Nintendo would implement this feature, I don?t think it?s outside the realm of possibility.
I am curious to find out how the NSO app will connect with NH, other than voice chat. Maybe we can use it to check turnip prices at friend?s towns, or transfer bells to a friend?s account. Imagine if you could do trades through the app, and the next day the items will be in your mailbox.

I barely touch the app now, but I know I?ll probably use it a lot once NH drops. What NH features would you like to see on the app?

 

[Boccages]

I think it would be easier to manage (for Nintendo) to do it with codes (like Super Mario Maker courses) than having to coordinate Nintendo accounts, Nintendo Switch Online app and the Nintendo Switch software.

 

[Nooblord]

That’s the point of the app. Your Nintendo account and the app pretty much go hand in hand, and accessing features of games through the app is already a thing.

But yeah, using codes does sound like something Nintendo would do. That still makes all NL QR codes obsolete, though

 

[LokiBoy]

With the graphical overhaul, why would you even want to use the New Leaf designs? They would look terrible.

 

[Nooblord]

It’s pixel art. I doubt we’ll be free-handing designs in NH, especially since most Switch owners don’t have a stylus.

 

[dizzy bone]

While that sounds cool, (kinda like splatnet for splatoon) I hope there's also an in-game database with codes for the designs like in Happy Home Designer. I can't use the Switch Online app because of country restrictions (and I really hate altering my phone's ishop just to download apps because it confuses me lol) so I would hate for the design sharing to be limited to that. I have a feeling the Nookphone will have some kinda image code sharing option though :> It is a phone after all. Buttt if there was some kinda Switch Online compatibility with NH, it would be nice to see people share photos of their island, kinda like good ol Miiverse :'D It could also display your island's/character's accomplishments and milestones for others to see. It could even have DLC downloadable through it, kinda like how you can buy different clothing options for Splatoon.

 

[Nooblord]

The designs should definitely be available in-game too, but scrolling through designs on your phone if you don’t have your Switch with you would be super convenient.

And yesss, a MiiVerse-esque “social media” app on the Nookphone would be amazing. I forgot about Miiverse, lol.

 

[jefflomacy]

The unfortunate thing is that any method they choose will have a limited lifespan. If they use codes like Super Mario Maker, then the codes will only be good for as long as the New Horizons servers are running. Furthermore, they will only be useful to individuals with a paid Nintendo Online subscription.

The great thing about the QR code system in New Leaf is that the designs will work forever. This system is independent of any online services and QR codes are easily saved and backed up by anyone, given they are just images. The only way they could achieve the level of greatness that QR codes had would be to implement some kind of text-based encoding of pattern data much like the item text encoding for passwords in the GameCube game. I find it unlikely that they would take this route because the passwords would be long, hard to type and the entire process is highly error prone.

 

[Lavamaize]

There is not a big use for QR codes in NH as we can make dirt paths.

 

[jefflomacy]

There is not a big use for QR codes in NH as we can make dirt paths.

I would hope that this is only an early game thing. Depending on the theme people want for their islands, they may prefer a pattern-based path to mimic things like cobblestone or modern concrete. Hopefully the paths can be patterned, with rounded corners as well.

 

[Blood Eclipse]

I think there will still be a way to share patterns with other users, but how Nintendo chooses to do this, who knows? Maybe they *will* have you download an app on your phone for this or maybe they'll sell an extra camera attachment for that extra ca$$$h.

I'm still perplexed why you have to use a phone to voice chat on the switch. Really?

 

[jefflomacy]

The voice chat requiring a phone app is something that makes me extremely anxious about the quality of online play. To play the game effectively with voice chat I'd have to get a bluetooth headset of some kind, because there's no way I would be able to hear people talking from my phone over the music coming from the game on my TV. If I don't want to talk (which is usually the case), I still will have to run the app to listen to what people are saying because the voices won't be streamed through the television.

I am at least glad we will have USB keyboard support again. But I suspect I am in the minority of people who will use one and most people will be opting for voice chat. Hopefully the game at least communicates state information above players (such as, this player is the one talking).

On the topic of USB keyboards, there are some very neat 3rd party USB keyboards that let you put the joycons directly into it. I am considering buying one for use in this game.

 

[Nooblord]

The thing about voice chat is that the Switch natively supports it; so, I don’t know why they opted to use the app to voice chat on the few games that support it. I’m still hopeful for a revamp of the whole online service, a lot can be improved.

And about the path-paving feature in NH, I’m sure there will be different options like stone and brick, but I’m not expecting them to cut out laying tiles in NH. That’d be very limiting to players that depend on tiles to better complement their town’s theme.

 

[Carole]

I love making my very own patterns for my paths in ACNL. This was one of my favorite aspects of that game. Perhaps this is why I have enjoyed thousands of hours of ACNL, whereas some people think there is "nothing to do" after a few hundred hours and abandon the game. Or perhaps not, ha ha! Be that as it may, I love making new patterns for my paths and I love how easy it is to be creative in designing paths.

I have seen some amazing patterns that people have made, but I don't like using them. Even when they are better than mine, it takes away from the creative fun of making my own. I sometimes used them for inspiration but that was about all. When people online occasionally wanted QR codes for my path designs, I'd give them away but I still feel sorry for them that they don't get as much fun out of making designs as I do.

Different strokes for different folks, of course, and I do hope that there is a way for those who want to use other people's path designs to be able to exchange QR codes. But in my case, I just hope I can make my own path designs and use them instead of those dumb dirt paths. LOL

Likewise due to my play style, I do not care about voice chat and have never used it.

 

[Nooblord]

I like making all my designs too, but I have a lot of clothing designs I made in NL that I?d like to easily transfer over to NH, rather than having to replicate them pixel by pixel (which I?ve done for a few designs I made in WW).

 

[LokiBoy]

Why would QR codes be a thing of the past just because the Switch has no camera?

The Nintendo app could easily have a QR code reader which would be easy as hell to make. When a clothing item is made on the switch, it produces a QR code, you could then take a photo with your cellphone, which produces a high quality image copy onto your cellphone. That Code can then be shared via social media. Using your laptop you could also search for other peoples QR codes and take a photo using your phone with the app. Then the app can send the item to the game like items are sent to splatoon through the app.

At least I see that working just fine imo.

 

[Sweetley]

Honestly, I don't care so much for whatever solution Nintendo will use for this. After all, I barely used
designs or the whole QR code thing in general in New Leaf. But thinking about it, I wouldn't be surprised
if they would use codes like they do in Super Mario Maker to solve this problem.

 

[busy.crossing]

One thing I will really miss from NL is QR codes. I am not good at pixel art but I love finding the perfect path and being able to use it. and the cute clothes as well! I really like LokiBoys idea and that would be amazing. NH integration with the switch app would be the best!

 

[EpicGamer12]

It would be cool if Nintendo essentially recreated Miiverse on the Switch Online app where you can share your designs, house decor, achievements, as well as share friend codes and meet friends to play and trade with. Knowing Nintendo, this won't happen and we are going to be stuck with a barely functional app that can be completely ignored by using third-party apps (Discord for voice).

I would appreciate some level of voice chat in NH though. I don't want to have to communicate with everyone over Discord if it's just a random I met on the forum.

 

[Jason Voorhees]

I won't ever be using an app with AC.