As everyone gears up for the launch of the Nintendo Switch next month, we’re learning a bit more about online functionality on the new console, specifically with Splatoon 2.
The Japanese Splatoon Twitter account posted some details about online functionality for the sequel, which you can see below.
『スプラトゥーン2』は、Nintendo Switchのスマートフォン向け「オンラインロビー＆ボイスチャット」アプリに対応する。
このアプリはゲームと連動しており、フレンドやSNSで招待した仲間と待ち合わせて、そのままゲームでマッチングし、ボイスチャットもできる仕組みだ。 pic.twitter.com/mfpEIpAo1t— Splatoon（スプラトゥーン） (@SplatoonJP) February 1, 2017
ボイスチャットもゲームと連動している。
例えば、プライベートマッチでは、チーム分けする前は待ち合わせた仲間全員と会話ができるが、チーム分け後は同じチーム内だけの会話に切り替わる。
なお、見知らぬ誰かと会話することはできない。 pic.twitter.com/hSmix8URg2— Splatoon（スプラトゥーン） (@SplatoonJP) February 1, 2017
Roughly translated:
Splatoon 2 (will use) the "Online Lobby and Voice Chat" Smartphone app for Nintendo Switch. This app, linking with the game, is the (tool) to do matching in the game, and meeting up with friends invited by SNS and (friend list?), it even does voice chat.
Voice chat is also linked to the game.
For instance, in a private match, you can chat with all rendezvousing members before splitting into teams, and then the conversation changes to only speaking to those on the same team.
Now you can't converse with someone you don't know.
We already knew the Switch was going to include a smartphone companion app for online features, but the Splatoon 2 online functionality is showing us that in order to use Nintendo’s online features to its max, you’re going to need to be glued to your companion device while you play.
