Nintendo announced ‘Switch Online Playtest Program’ last week, around a mysterious new project that would be exclusive to Expansion Pack subscribers, who also got lucky enough to get into it, and although it’s meant to be somewhat secretive with NDA details, players are, of course, sharing all the details online.

I’m not sharing any images or links to what has been shared on social media and forums this afternoon, but I’ll try to get to the gist of it.

Whatever we’re going for—the game, the experience — has a purpose, which is explained as being “to work with others to fully ‘develop’ a massive, expansive planet by utilising creativity and farmed resources.”

If that sounds like a Minecraft game but on a larger scale, I think that’s kind of the goal, as it also says, “As you progress across the planet, you’ll discover new lands, enemies, and resources that will become essential to your journey.”

Players will get a Beacon, which they’ll place to heal the land, and it also means anything you’re doing within your Beacon’s light can’t be touched by other players. Outside that, it’s free reign.

You’ll also be levelling up your character and socialising with others, and there will be User-Generated-Content, but you must obtain a ‘TGC License’ by taking a test before you can do that — presumably so Nintendo can ward off anyone wanting to put anything unsavoury in the game.

The ‘Switch Online Playtest Program’ isn’t happening in Australia, but that’s presumably just because Nintendo initially wanted to test in specific locations.

Are you keen to learn more about this game/experience? Do you think Nintnedo’s secrecy about it is odd? Let me know in the comment section below.