Nintendo’s Online Service recently launched last week, and the divisive opinion regarding the company’s infrastructure continues to subsist. With the recent announcement that certain titles do not support cloud saves, gamers continue to be frustrated with Nintendo’s constant struggles in establishing a modern online system.
With a barebones mobile app, no reliable way of messaging or inviting friends, a lack of dedicated servers, rampant hacking problems, and mandatory paid service for non-universal cloud saves, it would seem as if Nintendo’s age old mantra of “one step forward, two steps back” persists even with its highly successful flagship console.
An ambiguous statement found on Nintendo’s website recently set off another wave of backlash amongst the online community, where it implied that should the online subscription stop for whatever reason, the cloud saves associated with the account would be wiped. Citing Playstation’s 6-month policy as the industry standard, fans were outraged at the lack of a grace period on Nintendo’s part.
Well, this time it seemed as if Nintendo finally listened.
A Nintendo spokesperson told IGN earlier today that the grace period is set at 6 months, just like Sony’s PSN cloud save system. Previous cloud saves could be recovered if the membership is renewed within the 180-day period. This seems to be a much more reasonable take on saving progress to the cloud, and makes the purchase of an online membership much more appealing.
The official statement states:
If a Nintendo Switch Online membership expires, users won’t be able to access their Save Data Cloud backups. However, Nintendo will allow users who resubscribe within 180 days to access their previous Save Data Cloud backups.
Nintendo has never gotten an online system right. Its past systems had very limited online multiplayer infrastructure for support, and with the current Nintendo Switch generation, it had seemed as if Nintendo was ready to make that jump. However, old habits die hard, and the Kyoto-based company still has yet to hit its stride when it comes to reaching the well-established online services of its two major competitors. Only time will tell whether Nintendo will properly address the needs of a growing but increasingly disgruntled fanbase and make the adjustments necessary for its biggest multiplayer game of this generation: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.