How Nintendo Switch Is Probably Trying To Make Its Online Features Better

So there's probably one thing that many gamers have complained about when it comes to Nintendo's new premium online service for the Switch: it kind of sucks. Well, not "kind of"... it does suck. It lacks a lot of the content and quality of life features that its other console counterparts sport right out of the gate, but that doesn't mean Nintendo isn't trying to make its online features better.

Over on the official Nintendo website there's actually a job opening for a manager to take over the role of spearheading feature sets and upgrades for the Nintendo Switch Online service.

The job will require a relocation to Redmond, Washington, if you aren't living there already, and you'll need to be experienced in dealing with network managerial solutions and priorities in elevating Nintendo's subscription-based online service. This will include looking over key metric data, evaluating performance and monitoring stats to see what can be improved and where certain focuses need to be in order to evolve the Switch's online platform.

The job also requires being able to properly communicate and articulate the scope of the job and its functionality for improvement to the marketing departments, legal departments, finance, consumer service, and the strategic communication divisions as well. This includes also finding ways to identify shortcomings and improve on the overall online product services for the Nintendo Switch.

You'll need to be fluent in the Japanese language and at least have six years working in project management or working with subscription-based network services. You'll need to be familiar with tools like Tableau, JIRA, Confluence, and show a propensity for making fine use of MS Office suite.

Sounds like a lot for the job, eh? Well, it is.

Essentially Nintendo seems to be looking for a creative, business-focused mind that will basically become the Phil Spencer of its online network service for the Nintendo Switch. Someone will introduce new goals for the service and elevate it to the next step.

I imagine whoever fulfills the position will likely target the acquisition of certain must-have features currently available on the Xbox Live and PlayStation Network services, such as voice chat, party hubs, party chat, improved friend list tracking, out-of-game invites, and maybe some crude version of a messaging system.

Right now, if you want to voice chat with people through the Switch's online services you need to hook your mobile phone up to the system and load in an app. I know; it's a cumbersome, ridiculous mess.

However, if Nintendo does finally add voice chat it will also need to include better headset support, or at least make a wireless headset option available via its own proprietary offerings.

Better netcode, two-step authentication, hack-prevention, and online stat tracking would all be welcome features as well.

Right now the Switch is lagging greatly behind the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, but the gameplay options and quality of those options are on point. Now Nintendo just needs to fill in the managerial position for someone who has a vision to bring the Nintendo Switch's premium network services up to par to at least justify the annual subscription that gamers are paying to play online.