Nintendo Confirms Switch Online Service Will Launch in September

They're giving us a taste for free, but later on this year it's going to cost us. 

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Nintendo has spilled the beans on when their paid online service, Nintendo Online will be going into effect. Starting in September, fans will have to pay an annual fee in order to play games over the internet with friends. According to the Nintendo Switch website:

"After the free-trial period, most games will require a paid online service subscription from Nintendo in order to play online. Currently, the free-trial, the paid service, and online play (for applicable modes in compatible games) is available for customers in the select countries."

Nintendo will also be launching an app to accompany the new service that will have features for certain titles in the Switch catalog:

"The Nintendo Switch Online smart device app is designed to enhance your online experience for compatible games on the Nintendo Switch console"

"This app will initially be compatible with the Splatoon 2 game. It will give you access to SplatNet 2, where you can see your online battle stats, your gear, and much more."

The app will serve as a social hub for friends to connect on to set up chats and gameplay sessions: 

"With the app, you can send online play invitations to players on your Nintendo Switch system's friend list. The app also lets you quickly send invites via social networks and messaging services. When you're invited to a game, you'll get notified right away via a push notification on your smart device."

"Once players are connected, you can use voice chat openly with friends while in the online lobby and during online play (depending on the game)."

Nintendo Online is just for Switch consoles and won't have any effect on online play for Wii U fo the 3DS. No word on price point just yet or if there's a specific date in September for Nintendo Online or if it just goes into effect on September 1st. 

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Blake has been writing and making videos about pop-culture and games for over 10 years now. Although he'd probably prefer you thought of him as a musician and listened to his band, www.cartoonviolencemusic.com. If you see him on the street, buy him a taco or something. Follow him on twitter @ProfRobot

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