Well, THAT's Disappointing ;-;

[Winona]

I understand that it might be a problem for young people. 20$ was like my monthly pocket money back when I was 12. Also, parents often times don't really seem to understand the need of certain online purchases. I imagine my parents would have been like: 'Why do you even need that online service? You shouldn't meet people online anyway, that's dangerous!'

But you aren't even that young anymore. At 21, most people live by themselves already and earn their own money. I moved out at 18, started working at the same time to afford university and my costs of living. And even I don't mind paying the online fee. Of course there are always circumstances that make it impossible for some people to even afford these 20$ - but then they wouldn't be able to buy a Switch + ACNH anyway. Nintendo is a profit-based company and they have to adjust their prices to market level. I think the price is perfectly reasonable for what we're getting (and, as previously mentioned, a lot cheaper than other companies), especially with all of these retro games.

 

[Lavamaize]

In my opionion, it is kind of stupid. Nintendo online basically makes you pay $20 a year to connect to your OWN interent and play their games with other people. I think it is just another way for them to make money off of us, but I will still pay for it due to New Horizons.

 

[Futre]

In my opionion, it is kind of stupid. Nintendo online basically makes you pay $20 a year to connect to your OWN interent and play their games with other people. I think it is just another way for them to make money off of us, but I will still pay for it due to New Horizons.

Well.. no...

You're paying to connect to THEIR service that they are providing. You simply having internet doesn't get you free Netflix either does it?

Of course Nintendo want to make money, they have servers and a network to maintain for online connectivity.

 

[tajikey]

I know trust is a difficult thing this day and age, but if you, OP, want access to Nintendo Switch Online, I've got 5 spots open on my Family Plan, and would be more than happy to give you access for the cost of zero dollars.

Feel free to send me your Nintendo information through PM, and I'll get it done for you.

 

[MelliePie]

This was definitely expected, multiplayer online games from Nintendo will most likely be for paid membership, more than not. There are cheaper options than the year subscription also, look into those if you don't have the year funds

 

[Daveyx0]

I can see it being a bit of a hassle for some... but I can definitely recommend trying to go for the family plan option with some friends/family/acquaintances. I pay about $5 per year for it and that's definitely worth it, but you do need to stay in contact with the one who arranged it ofc.

You get some NES and SNES games as a bonus

 

[Blue Triangles]

I have no issue with the subscription fee but I do have an issue with not being able to save my game on the provided cloud service. Pathetic really.

 

[tajikey]

I have no issue with the subscription fee but I do have an issue with not being able to save my game on the provided cloud service. Pathetic really.

I see this as being a problem as well. I was considering getting a Switch Lite to keep on my nightstand, but without cloud saves, it makes it next to impossible to play the same village on both systems.

 

[KnoxUK]

Compared to Microsoft and Sony's asking price of ?60 per year (Which is a complete rip off) I consider Nintendo not as bad with ?17 a year.

 

[Nicole.]

Exactly, it's super cheap compared to other services, and saving up $20 for a year of online pay isn't that bad.

Times change, this was bound to happen, better to just go with it and not fight change.

I agree, it's not bad price at all especially when you know you're gonna be playing it regularly and getting as much out of the online services as possible. I don't mind paying out for this as I know I'm gonna be playing it a lot and online too.

 

[Romaki]

Yeah, that's how Nintendo decided to maximize their profits. You can claim that 20 bucks a year for online functions is cheap, but it's really not something anyone should be paying for. Especially not from such a successful company. It's not a necessity.

And you know, the fact is that many families don't have the same life and liquidity as many people here do, there's a reason families have a problem with subscriptions when one big purchase is doable. But the problem is more so that a free service shouldn't just go premium for a successful company that makes bank off of apps alone. Just think about how much money Pok?mon Go makes.

On the upside, many games do come with individual online subscriptions - and many people buying the games are already subscribed and thus are selling or maybe even gifting them. I'd highly recommend looking for people in your area selling stuff like that, many sellers want to get the most money back but I think accumulating months like this can be easier for a lot of people if needed. Just get your hands on 3x 3 months until March and then see if you want to wish for more months this Christmas, for example.

 

[Dacroze]

I'm in a family group with 7 other people and we all give our group owner (a mutual friend) 5? a year. That's like one time going to some fast food joint a year less.

In Germany, a 1-year subscription costs 20? and a family plan 35?. This means you just need one friend to make the family plan the cheaper option. The more people you or your friends find, the cheaper it will become for everyone. You should also be careful with joining family groups of people from the internet, because they can set you to a child account, prevent you from purchasing on the e-shop and leaving the group again, which means you are stuck in the group with your account. I not saying they will, only they can, so make sure you trust them enough.

There also was a free 1-year subscription for Switch Online with Twitch Prime a while ago, maybe that will return again.

 

[Winona]

Yeah, that's how Nintendo decided to maximize their profits. You can claim that 20 bucks a year for online functions is cheap, but it's really not something anyone should be paying for. Especially not from such a successful company. It's not a necessity.

As stated before, Nintendo is of course a profit-orientated company and there is nothing wrong with that. Of course they do this to maximize their profits. That's how companies work and expand. Nintendo wouldn't be what it is today if they didn't do everything to maximize their profits in the past. All the other gaming console producers switched to paid online services years ago. Nintendo is just adapting to the new standard and would be public welfare if they didn't.

Just think about how much money Pok?mon Go makes.

That really has nothing to do with Nintendo at all. Pok?mon Go was published by Niantic and Nintendo clarified several times that they did not make profit with it. But even if they did - Pok?mon Go is the best example of a free mobile game offering hundreds of hours of fun without urging you to commit to micro-transactions. You can very well enjoy the game to the fullest for years without paying a single penny.

 

[KeatAlex]

I think most people don't understand that online functions are not built into the games, they have to access servers and software that aren't on the switch or the cartridge themself. They charge you to access these services so they can keep them running instead of integrating it into the game costs when not everyone will use them.

So yeah I get people don't like having to pay for it but it's a service, and to keep it running it requires employees and maintenance, that cost money.
I'm at least grateful it's only $20 a year and not more.

 

[SheepMareep]

Yeah, that's how Nintendo decided to maximize their profits. You can claim that 20 bucks a year for online functions is cheap, but it's really not something anyone should be paying for. Especially not from such a successful company. It's not a necessity.

And you know, the fact is that many families don't have the same life and liquidity as many people here do, there's a reason families have a problem with subscriptions when one big purchase is doable. But the problem is more so that a free service shouldn't just go premium for a successful company that makes bank off of apps alone. Just think about how much money Pok?mon Go makes.

I mean every recent game console outside of nintendo has people buy subscriptions for online service thats $60 a year. nintendo is offering this function for 1/3 of that price. and if you have friends or family you can split up the family plan thats $35 to $5 a year... that is as cheap as cheap can get. memberships on club penguin were $5 a month like.......... it is cheap.

Also I barely live paycheck to paycheck so I wouldn't assume everyone is of a well off financial background just because they don't think this is expensive. expensive is rent and medical bills not $20 I could save by not going out to lunch or dinner.

 

[Speeny]

Yeah, I thought about that but now that it's confirmed it's a real shame.

 

[Brookie]

As stated before, Nintendo is of course a profit-orientated company and there is nothing wrong with that. Of course they do this to maximize their profits. That's how companies work and expand. Nintendo wouldn't be what it is today if they didn't do everything to maximize their profits in the past. All the other gaming console producers switched to paid online services years ago. Nintendo is just adapting to the new standard and would be public welfare if they didn't.

I think most people don't understand that online functions are not built into the games, they have to access servers and software that aren't on the switch or the cartridge themself. They charge you to access these services so they can keep them running instead of integrating it into the game costs when not everyone will use them.

So yeah I get people don't like having to pay for it but it's a service, and to keep it running it requires employees and maintenance, that cost money.
I'm at least grateful it's only $20 a year and not more.

You two are so right. I'm not trying to sound naive and insensitive, but it's literally around $1.50 per month...that's less than daily Starbucks!

A business exists to make profit. This is way better than Apple with their "removing headphone jacks" to pay for other accessories by them...it's ridiculous. This reminds me when I used to be a Virtual Assistant (Independent contractor) and charged my clients a set rate per hour. Overtime I started to get faster at what I was doing, learned more knowledge from courses, and able to provide extra services. So I increased my hourly rate by $2, and half of them FLIPPED. They failed to see what I brought to the table and how much that costed me to be able to do.

 

[Soot Sprite]

I agree that it kinda sucks, especially for kids or people dependant on their parents, but it's honestly not that expensive, especially compared to other online subscriptions. OTher people are right, a family plan was under $40 for me and all that really means is I didn't get to be lazy and pick up dinner once or twice on the way home and I had to cook. You don't have to have online services to play animal crossing, I think we can all just agree it's better with it.

Also, I have a few slots left over on my switch family plan, it's only around a month old so if anyone is looking to join someone else's PM me and I'll see what I can do

 

[AlexCrossing22]

It's $20 a year???? If you cant afford that then I dont think you should be buying a $60 game and or $200/$300 console.

 

[Shawna]

Look guys? ^^;

I DO have a debbit card. And I have over $20 on it ATM that will give me over a year of Wi-Fi, provided I don't spend on it on anything else. The thing is, my dad does not think it's a good idea for me and my brother to use subscrictions with our debbit cards. Even if he was okay with it, it's not something I feel comfortable with, regardless of how cheap something is. ^^;

I can understand that we all have different stances on the matter, but we can agree to disagree. ^^;

Some of you need to also take into mind that some people have different things going on. Some of us have different features planned for us. I may be 21, but my family has decided that college, a job or a career is not right for me right now (I am on the spectrum, which causes me to have learning issues and causes me to behind on life, if you will).

I am NOT saying these people disagreeing are being rude, I just want you guys to take into mind that different people have different things going on.

Like I said earlier, I will talk to my dad about the matter, and let him offer his two cents.