Nintendo's mysterious playtest program already has some of its details leaked online by people who are participating.
The Japanese video games company privately revealed more details about the Switch Online: Playtest Program to participants. The playtest is scheduled to run from Oct. 23, 2024, to Nov. 5, 2024, and includes 10,000 people who registered.
Nintendo's Mysterious Playtest Program
The program's test software has now become available to download ahead of the official start of the playtest with a size of 2.2 GB.
Nintendo did not require participants to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). But it requested them to not share any details about what they will experience or see.
With the release of various leaks, Nintendo has already started to issue copyright strikes to remove them from the internet.
However, screenshots and information about the playtest program can still be found on various platforms, such as X and Reddit, according to The Verge.
One of the major details that was shared online about the playtest is that Nintendo seems to be working on its first massively multiplayer online (MMO) title.
The game's description noted that the goal of players is to work with other people to fully "develop" a massive, expansive planet.
This can be done by being creative and using what resources you are able to farm from the overworld.
Players will supposedly be able to encounter new areas, enemies, and resources as they travel. There are also "Beacons" that can create zones to develop the environment around where they are placed.
A New MMO Title
The leaked screenshots also appear to show a separate area known as the Dev Core. The game describes this as "a social hub to gather with other players."
In this area, players can level up their characters, get items they need, and communicate with other people, the Video Games Chronicle said.
Despite the early leak, the game so far has no official name as of yet and looks to be a brand new intellectual property. The screenshots show characters that seem to resemble Pushmo from a Nintendo perspective.
On top of this, it is currently unknown what developer is responsible for working on the supposed MMO title. The playtest is coming after the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack recently turned three years old.
The Japanese company teased that a lot of new stuff will be coming for members of the premium subscription. One example of this is the arrival of Banjo-Tooie which will be available for subscribers on Oct. 25, 2024, according to Game Spot.