“This is not a Switch 2 game” – More details about the Switch online play test leaked

The leaks are now quite bold.

Details about the Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest program continue to be announced.

Yesterday we shared the key aspects of the playtest, which is an online cooperative multiplayer game. Nintendo has added several unique gameplay features, particularly encouraging creativity and interaction with other players. At the same time, Nintendo attaches great importance to security and user protection.

Bluesky user sky :3, who uses the handle @sky.femboyfurry.net, has come forward with even more leaks. They started with a screen showing that they had managed to transfer the playtest program to the Nintendo Switch emulator Ryujinx.

Regarding the pull quote in our headline; sky :3 themselves joked, “I’m pretty sure this isn’t a Switch 2 game,” as they shared this text they found in the playtest files:

“We will be conducting a test called the Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program, which relates to a new feature for the Nintendo Switch Online service offered for the Nintendo Switch system.”

Since the Switch 2 is believed to be backwards compatible with Switch 2 games and programs, it is possible that the playtest, or whatever program or game emerges from it, will be compatible on both generations of consoles. If our guesses are correct, Nintendo is using the Switch as a base, allowing current Switch owners to continue playing with Switch 2 owners.

sky :3 has discovered through data analysis that there will be a focus on PVP in this supposedly cooperative multiplayer game. But that may be related to the various mini-games and experiences they found in the Dev Core too. The Dev Core will be a separate space from the planet players develop, so it makes sense that Nintendo would also provide other activities outside of the main game.

Finally, we quote sky :3 on this data that they shared in a single post:

“Code name for the playtest is “Rockstock”

Probably developed by EPD4

Using NPLN Netcode”

sky :3 assumes that her posts will be removed at some point. And yes, we can confirm that decentralized social microblogging network Bluesky, founded in 2021, has its own copyright and DMCA policies.

These leaks have certainly gotten pretty bold, but with the playtest program set to launch soon, it’s unlikely that Nintendo will be able to take action any time soon, or that it’ll be worth it.

It’s definitely exciting to learn about these new details, but we don’t think it’s wrong to question whether we should learn everything about the program so early. Some players and the press may argue about legalities and principles, but let’s be honest.

The situation here is that Nintendo has trusted its customers to help them with this playtest. Several players who appear to be Switch Online subscribers have broken that trust. What does that say about us gamers who call ourselves Nintendo fans?

And yes, it’s entirely possible that these fans decided to hold off on these leaks until the end of the playtest, potentially sharing information that Nintendo would never have revealed. And they could have done it in circumstances where it wouldn’t have harmed Nintendo or the hard work of the people who make these games and experiences.

Some fans like to bring this back to talk about Nintendo Ninjas or their reputation in the legal world. But I would like to point out that gamers need to take a look in the mirror and think about whether these are the kind of “fans” they wanted to be.