Nintendo details Animal Crossing: New Horizons online features
App can scan QR code patterns from 3DS games
Nintendo detailed Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ online features in a special Nintendo Direct presentation on Thursday.
In the 25 minute video (which you can view above) Nintendo announced it will launch NookLink, a web service within the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app.
It will launch “soon” after New Horizons releases on March 20 and will allow players to chat in-game via text or voice.
NookLink will also let players scan QR code patterns of custom designs, including those from past 3DS Animal Crossing instalments New Leaf and Happy Home Designer.
In the same presentation, Nintendo confirmed how online play will work in New Horizons.
With one Nintendo Switch system and one game, up to eight players will be able live on the same island and up to four can play at the same time, it said.
With additional systems and games, up to eight players can play on the same island at the same time via local wireless or online play.
Only one island can exist per Switch console, irrespective of the number of users registered to or copies of the game used on one console.
Nintendo Switch Online membership is required for online features.
The platform holder also confirmed an earlier report that Animal Crossing: New Horizons will not support cloud save backups, but it said it will offer Switch Online subscribers a ‘one-time’ server backup in special circumstances, such as damage or loss, later this year.
Nintendo said New Horizons will not support the ability to transfer save files from one Switch console to another. However, a function specific to the game enabling users and save data to be moved to another console is planned for “later this year”.
Nintendo recently announced a special Animal Crossing themed Nintendo Switch for release in North America, Europe and Japan.
The console features unique Joy-Con controllers, a custom design on the back, and a special Nintendo Switch dock. It will release for $299.99 / £319.99.
An Animal Crossing: New Horizons Aloha Edition carrying case and screen protector will also be available.
