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Nintendo Switch’s X integration ends on June 10

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Nintendo has announced that it will make major changes to the social media integration on the Nintendo Switch platform starting June 10, 2024. After this date, users of Nintendo Switch will no longer be able to share screenshots or videos to X from the console’s album or send friend requests using the Friend Suggestion feature.

However, the company has allowed players to utilise the friend suggestion feature through other platforms such as smart devices, Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.

While players can still post screenshots and videos to Facebook, this service may also be phased out at a later date.

“While posting screenshots and videos to Facebook will continue to be available, this service may also be discontinued at a later date,” Nintendo said.

Furthermore, the company has stopped the functionality where users could post screenshots of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate to Smash World via the Nintendo Switch Online smart device app.

The company has also made some changes to the Splatoon 3 title. In locations like Splatsville, Inkopolis Plaza, or Inkopolis Square within the Splatoon games, players can post content (such as messages or images) to social media platforms like X or Facebook directly from the in-game mailbox feature.

Photo: Ascannio / Shutterstock.com
While Nintendo is silent, experts suggest this move is probably because of high X API costs. | Photo: Ascannio / Shutterstock.com

With the upcoming changes, instead of posting directly to X or Facebook, the data (including posts, messages, or images) will be sent directly to Nintendo servers. This means that the content will be stored on Nintendo’s servers rather than posted publicly on social media platforms.

This change enables users to make posts without needing active social media accounts. After the content is sent to Nintendo servers, the image created for the post will be automatically copied to the Album in the Nintendo Switch Home Menu. This Album stores various screenshots and images captured during gameplay.

From the Album, users can wirelessly transfer these images to their smart devices or a PC using a USB cable.

In Splatoon 2, players will no longer have the option to post directly to X from the mailbox feature located in Inkopolis Square. As a result, the characters and posts that typically appear in Inkopolis Square will be replaced by pre-prepared data within the game. Simply put, the social interactions and posts visible in Inkopolis Square will be generated by the game rather than influenced by player-generated content from social media.

Nintendo did not offer any explanations for this move. However, experts suggest that the rising cost of X API may be one reason. In 2023, Sony also removed X integration on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles.

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Kumar Hemant

Kumar Hemant

Deputy Editor at Candid.Technology. Hemant writes at the intersection of tech and culture and has a keen interest in science, social issues and international relations. You can contact him here: kumarhemant@pm.me

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