The Nintendo Switch will be abandoning social aspects present on the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Wii U. David Young, Nintendo’s assistant public relations manager, told GamesBeat that the system would not be using either Miiverse or StreetPass. In regards to StreetPass, Young elaborated to say its omission was due to the view that the Nintendo Switch is more of a console than a handheld.
Young also noted that the Nintendo Switch will rely on other social media platforms for sharing. A share button is present on the left Joy-Con controller. At launch, it can be pressed to share screenshots on as-yet unidentified social media networks, and eventually will allow people to share gameplay footage online.
StreetPass, Nintendo’s tag mode service, was introduced on the Nintendo 3DS in 2011. It allows people who pass each other by while systems are in sleep mode to exchange information. Miiverse launched on the Nintendo Wii U in 2012, followed by Nintendo 3DS, smart device, and PC appearances in 2013. It is a social media network that allows people to share screenshots and post on message boards for specific games.
The Nintendo Switch will launch on March 3, 2017.
