"Nintendo Switch Sports" is conducting a closed playtest soon, but playtesters are greeted with a catch.
nintendo switch sports logo
According to Eurogamer, the playtesters are apparently "forbidden" from publicly sharing anything about the game, either gameplay footage, game information, or anything else. It seems to be quite the official request from Nintendo itself, too, so you know it's not "just a suggestion."
This request from Nintendo is present on the My Nintendo page, where interested playtesters can sign up to get a code. However, it doesn't seem to be mentioned anywhere that testers are signing NDAs, so there's a bit of a weird dynamic to being forbidden from sharing info about the "Switch Sports" playtest publicly.
For instance, there seems to be no penalty if any tester decides to leak info about the game. As such, it is unclear how Nintendo will even enforce the "rule," which has made some people online comment on it as a "dumb" and "out of touch" move:
In more news of Nintendo being dumb and out of touch: they are prohibiting players of the Nintendo Switch Sports online playtest from sharing *anything* on social media about it. https://t.co/UWdnCUR9G1 pic.twitter.com/yboRpRZLBS
— Liam Robertson (@liamrobertson.bsky) (@Doctor_Cupcakes) February 16, 2022
Some folks are arguing that the "Switch Sports" playtest differs from other games' closed betas because it is far more open to the public. Literally, anybody can sign up for it, as long as they have a Switch, an online connection, and active Nintendo/Nintendo Switch Online accounts.
On the other hand, a typical closed beta will often be invite-only and will require testers to sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement for the unaware).
Either way, the "Nintendo Switch Sports" playtests are scheduled as intended. It will run from Febr. 1920, and will allow testers to try out online bowling, tennis, and chambara matches against random players.
Announced during the recently concluded Nintendo Direct presentation, "Switch Sports" is billed as the spiritual successor to Wii Sports and was received with relative fanfare. Its initial release date is set for Apr. 29, barring any unforeseen delays.
Read also: Console Supply Issues Continue to Hit Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft
Other 'Nintendo Switch Sports' News
In other news concerning "Switch Sports," it was revealed that the game might not officially work on the Switch Lite. And that's mainly due to how the Lite version of Nintendo's handheld is designed.
Unlike the base Switch, the Lite doesn't have detachable Joy-Cons because it is a strictly portable gaming machine. It was revealed that Joy-Cons would be integral to the "Switch Sports" experience, as they can be detached and held by players when mimicking certain moves. The controllers can even be attached to players' legs with a special strap for playing soccer matches.
But according to NintendoLife, there is a way to use Joy-Cons on the Switch Lite-but it likely won't be the same "Switch Sports" experience that Nintendo intends.
It seems to be that the game will be designed for playing on a big screen when the base Switch is docked and not using a Switch Lite, which will have to be, say, propped up on a table or something. There's no indication of whether Switch Lite owners are eligible for the "Switch Sports" playtest, though, so maybe that's another hint that you're not supposed to play the game on the Lite version at all.
Story posted on GameNGuide
Written by RJ Pierce
