Nintendo Switch Online: 2nd Playtest Program to take place from late July to mid-August

Back in October, Nintendo held a Playtest Program for a mysterious new online-focused Nintendo Switch game. Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers who were fast enough to register in time were able to try out the game for a few days.

To this day, Nintendo still hasn’t officially revealed/announced the game/service this Playtest Program was for, though details, pictures, and videos did leak during the playtest. Unfortunately, it’s not clear when the company will officially reveal it.

But today, Nintendo has announced that a second Playtest Program will be held in late July to mid-August. Just like the first one, this second playtest will only be open to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers (and you will need a valid Nintendo Switch Online to play during the Playtest if you’re selected).

Nintendo specifies that it’s indeed for the same game/service as the first Playtest Program in October. Naturally, this one is bound to offer additional features, content, and other improvements and fixes that reflect the feedback received during the first one.

This second Playtest Program will work like the first one: players who are selected will have to download exclusive software to their console (either a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2).

The second Playtest Program will take place from:

• Europe: July 29th (3AM) to August 11th (2.59AM)
• UK: July 29th (2AM) to August 11th (1.59AM)
• North America (ET): July 28th (9PM) to August 10th (8.59PM)
• North America (PT): July 28th (6PM) to August 10th (5.59PM)
• Japan: July 29th (10AM) to August 11th (9.59AM)

And here’s the qualifications to apply:

• You must have an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership as of July 17th at 3PM PT / 6PM ET / 11PM BST – July 18th at 12AM CEST / 7AM JST
• You must be at least 18 years of age as of that date.
• Your Nintendo Account must be registered to one of the following countries: Japan, United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, Brazil, or Mexico.

For this second Playtest Program, Nintendo is expected to select up to 40,000 participants. And while no regional breakdown is provided, Nintendo specifies that players in Japan may be selected via raffle if there are many applicants (and there definitely will, if the first Playtest Program is anything to go by!). Players in other regions will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

Unlike the first Playtest Program, you can sign up individually or as part of a group (as long as everyone in the group meets the aforementioned qualifications). A group can have up to 4 players. Nintendo explains that playable content is the same, whether you apply as a group or as an individual. Also, a portion of your save data will be shared among group members on the participant website.

If you choose to apply as a group, all the members will either be selected or rejected. Also, keep in mind that applying as an individual or a group has no impact on your chances of being selected. Another thing to keep in mind is that you cannot apply as both as an individual or as a group: only one application per user, so think carefully before applying!

Some other useful information for people looking to sign up as a group:

• You are advised to select a group representative, who will then create an application and then send an invitation URL to the other members of the group.
• All members of the group must belong to the same region

Region A: The Americas

• Brazil
• Canada
• Mexico
• United States

Region B: Asia

• Japan

Region C: Europe

• Germany
• Spain
• France
• Italy
• United Kingdom

Also, if you change your country/region settings while applying or after applying, your application screen will no longer display. And in the event you are selected, but do not fulfill the qualifications mentioned above (or your country is set to a different one than the one for which you agreed to the End User Licence Agreement), you will not be able to launch the software.

Here’s the schedule for applications for the Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program round #2:

• Create an Application
  • Europe: July 19th at 12AM to July 21st at 4.59PM
  • UK: July 18th at 11PM to July 21st at 3.59PM
  • North America (ET): July 18th at 6PM to July 21s at 10.59AM
  • North America (PT): July 18th at 3PM to July 21st at 7.59AM
  • Japan: July 19th at 7AM to July 21st at 11.59PM
• Apply
  • Europe: July 21st at 5PM to July 23rd at 4.59PM
  • UK: July 21st at 4PM to July 23rd at 3.59PM
  • North America (ET): July 21st at 10AM to July 23rd at 9.59AM
  • North America (PT): July 21st at 7AM to July 23rd at 6.59AM
  • Japan: July 22nd at 12AM to July 23rd at 11.59PM

Finally, Nintendo will have specific information for players who did participate in the first Playtest Program, but said information isn’t available yet (it will be when Nintendo opens application creations in a few hours).

Here’s some additional information from the FAQ:

Nintendo Switch 2 features

Only GameChat is supported, and more specifically audio (no video sharing!). Also, GameShare and mouse controls are not supported.

Languages

The following languages are supported:

• Japanese
• English (North America)
• English (Europe)
• German
• French (France)
• French (Canada)
• Spanish (Latin America)
• Spanish (Spain)
• Italian
• Portuguese (Brazil)

Information share between members when applying as a group

■ When Applying

User icon and nickname.

■ During the Playtest (Only If Selected)

Via the Participant Website, online status, player status, play status (including player’s current in-game location and history of each type of action performed).

In addition, if you participate as a group, you may communicate and exchange information as long as it remains within the bounds of that group.

■ For Participants In Japan

Since the raffle will be uniform, it will be neither favorable nor unfavorable based upon differences in the number of people in the application.

Source: Nintendo