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Nintendo explains why they require a mobile phone for voice chat on Switch, say they're constantly thinking about VR

by rawmeatcowboy
04 October 2018
GN Version 5.0

We don't often get a look behind the curtain with Nintendo, but when we do, it usually comes from a PR statement from Reggie Fils-Aime. Indeed, Nintendo's big guy has once again opened up on some topics that Nintendo fans want to know about. First up, we get the most straightforward answer Nintendo has given as to why they require a mobile phone to enable voice chat on Switch.

"What we see is a situation where we know that Nintendo Switch is being played in the open, at a park, on a metro bus. We believe the easiest way for you to connect and have a peer-to-peer experience with voice chat is with your mobile phone. It’s always there, it’s always with you."

It might not be an answer you like hearing, but at least it's an answer. There's some logic to it, but I think we can all agree that there would be some better workarounds for this.

Second, Reggie addressed the topic of VR. Nintendo has talked about VR numerous times, as many wonder why the Big N hasn't pushed into that market. Here's the latest thoughts on VR from Reggie.

"This is something we constantly think about, experiment with. For virtual reality, we’ve said: it’s tech that we’re looking at, but in the end it has to be fun. That’s our mission, and that is what we do arguably better than anyone else. We have nothing to announce here on this stage. These are going to be technologies that we’ll continue to experiment with. There are new experiences we want to bring to life."

[Link, Link]