Nintendo Switch Press Reactions

[Dark Jaguar]

Netflix and the like are maintaining code bases for about two dozen versions of their streaming apps. That's gotta be a headache, especially since the user interface isn't even consistent between hardware. Between all the consoles, multiple mobile phone OSes, streaming boxes like Roku, and a bunch of individual "Smart TV" OSes, that's a LOT to maintain. The Switch added to that isn't really that big a deal, so yes it's weird we haven't heard much yet (though I'm set as far as that goes either way), but this points to a bigger issue. Why should Netflix and others be put in this situation in the first place? Unlike a game, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon (and a billion others now) do just ONE thing, they stream video (DRM'd video). Really, ONE good program should be able to handle ALL of those services. Instead of 100 providers making 20 different versions of their software, why not just make 20 versions of streaming software that works with every service? It'd be set up so it works with one predictable interface and all a user needs to do is punch in the site's address and plug in their credentials and they are off to the races. They can add credentials for each account they are signed up for and all of it will appear in that one program. That program would handle the DRM and any commercials and all the service would need to do is describe the DRM to the program and tell it which commercials to play. I'm talking standardized meta data for how a series is organized into seasons and previous for movies and grabbing quick descriptions and "box art" for each item. So, Apple would make their streaming option, MS would make their version for Windows 10 (and that would extend to their phones and console as a natural result) and Nintendo would make their version (probably resembling their short-lived TVii experiment).

Now, as to why it seems like all these major features are missing at launch, I've seen people kicking around the term "soft launch" lately. I have no idea where this started, and frankly dismissed the notion out of hand, but then I watched this video:



And this talking piece of felt was pretty convincing. Apparently it's a launch option that's become more popular lately because it works pretty well. Do an initial launch aimed at the Nintendo diehards, then after building momentum and fixing issues with that initial user base this base also promoting the thing to their friends and family and building up some hype, do a full blown "holiday launch" marketing push closer to Christmas. It wouldn't be a true "soft launch" as it's normally used, but it would be a similar idea and how the 3DS ultimately ended up taking off after a pretty dry first few months. No clue if this is actually what Nintendo's plan is, but it would explain things. That said, if it's the case, I do feel like a bit of a sucker paying premium price for the chance to be Nintendo's beta tester, but hey I gotta get me that Zelda.

They really do have to bring that Miiverse to the Switch though. I mean they just gotta.