Nintendo’s mysterious online test is a Minecraft-like MMO

Last week, Nintendo announced the Switch Online Playtest Program, a mystery playtest for Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack members who were lucky enough to sign up (and live in one of the participating countries). Now that codes are appearing, we finally know what it is.

Just the mentioned Nintendo Switch Online Playtest Programit’s a new game where the goal is to work with others to fully ‘develop’ a huge, vast planet by using creativity and farmed resources. As you progress through the planet, you will discover new lands, enemies, and resources that can help you on your journey.

As you play the game, you will receive special tools called Beacons. These Beacons emit a healing light that purifies and develops the land. The higher your Beacon is placed, the larger the area it purifies. Within your Beacon Zone you can move, lift, and edit items. In this zone you can create whatever you want: platforms, stairs, Minecraft-style blocks, trees and other items, as shown in the screenshots.

However, you can only edit your own zone, not anyone else’s nearby. Areas outside the Beacon Zones are public spaces where anyone can work and place items.

The game also includes a Developer corea separate area of ​​the planet that serves as a social center where players gather. Here you can take your character to the next level, which looks like a cross between a Fall Guy and Pushmo. Each player has a special ability, the Development Positioning System (DPS), which allows him to see the development status of the planet and the position of other players.

Anyone can create content for the game, but you must first earn a UGC license to do so, essentially to prove that you aren’t going to cause any problems. “To create UGC, you must obtain a UGC license by taking an in-game test to demonstrate that you understand the importance of respectful communication.”

We have chosen not to share screenshots of the game as they are hidden behind the player agreement.

Australia and New Zealand were not included in the list of participating countries, so we’ll have to sit back and watch how those lucky enough to participate enjoy it. The playtest starts at 12pm AEDT on Thursday.

What will this be? A brand new IP address, or is it just an experiment, or perhaps a test for Nintendo’s networks? We’ll have to wait and see.