Nintendo Switch owners won't have to purchase the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service to enjoy free-to-play games, even though they focus exclusively on online and multiplayer play. This confirms previous rumors that the paid service will have no impact on free-to-play games like the recently released Fortnite.
Online play for the Nintendo Switch has been free since the console's launch in March 2017. However, that will change when Nintendo Switch Online goes live in September. The subscription service will require players to pay $3.99 a month, $7.99 for three months, or $19.99 for an entire year. Family memberships can be purchased for $34.99. In addition to online features, subscribers will also have free access to a library of classic NES games, including Donkey Kong, Legend of Zelda, and Super Mario Bros. 3.
Related: How to Unlock the Galaxy Skin in Fortnite
Video game studio Tencent has confirmed to Variety that their upcoming game, Arena of Valor, won't be affected by Nintendo Switch Online. Arena of Valor is a free-to-play MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) for iOS and Android that will launch on the Switch in September.
This exception will presumably extend to other free-to-play online multiplayer titles on the Switch, including battle royale game Fortnite and first-person shooter Paladins. This policy is shared by Sony who doesn't require a PlayStation Plus subscription for free-to-play games, but not by Microsoft who doesn't allow any exceptions with its Xbox Live Gold service.
The exception is a good thing not just for fans, but also for the developers and Nintendo, as it encourages fans to keep playing Fortnite, Paladins, and other games after September. After all, free-to-play games still make a ton of money with microtransactions. Without the exception, free-to-play games would take a major hit to their player bases with the launch of Nintendo Switch Online next month. A sizable chunk of their communities may lose incentive to play once payment becomes a requirement. While this may not fix all of the Switch's online problems, it's still a positive step for the company.
Free-to-play games with online multiplayer started launching on the Switch earlier this summer with the release of Fortnite on June 12. Paladins, which was released on the same day, was made free-to-play at the end of July. The online free-to-play trend will continue with Arena of Valor. If the free-to-play format is successful for the Switch, more free-to-play ports for the console may be announced in the months to come.
More: Microsoft Prepping New Xbox All Access Subscription Service
Nintendo Switch Online launches in September.
Source: Variety