Since October 10 at 3 pm (UTC), holders of Nintendo Swich Online accounts have had the chance to sign up for the enigmatic Playtest program. The search for 10,000 testers was wrapped up swiftly, meaning that applications are no longer being accepted. It's important to note that only those with an active Expansion Pack membership were allowed to apply in the first place.
Testing Details
The testing period is set to run from October 24 to November 6, 2024. Participants will receive a 2.2 GB program, which is advised to be used in TV mode with a LAN connection for the best experience. Nintendo has chosen not to disclose any details about the content of the playtest. In fact, participants are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement that forbids them from sharing any information.
Speculations and Theories
One common theory is that this playtest might be related to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, as there are already some render images and additional info circulating. Alternatively, it could be a feature linked to the Alarmo clock, which was announced on October 9 and showcases beloved Nintendo characters such as Mario, Link, and Pikmin to tell the time on a round screen.
Online Rumors
The chatter on Reddit has taken things even further. Some users speculate that it might involve a game streaming service, while others think it could be a feature that allows users to download large games in stages.