Nintendo was originally tinkering with a lot of different ideas for the GameChat Button which it incorporated on the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers and Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. In a recent article the Kyoto-based company showcased various icon designs it was torn between choosing before it had decided on the final design. Here’s the thought process that went with finalising the design:
“To make the best choices, we created many prototypes and refined them while actually seeing and touching them. As for the button icon, we not only wanted the design to be easy to understand, but to connect with words regarding speech, such as chat, communication, conversation. Furthermore, we considered multiple
other viewpoints; we wanted players to be able to refer to it easily, for it to be easily understood as part of the console features, and to harmonize with the already existing A and B buttons. Ultimately we decided on writing a simple ‘C’ and placing this C button just below the Home button.”
“I believe that UI/UX design is a job that is not just about the visual, but also about connecting the software and hardware, while considering the overall experience. Even the small C button that fits under the thumb went through many discussions and prototypes, with each leading to a comfortable experience. In this project being able to bring about a new experience while working with the support of the team was greatly rewarding. I want to keep facing these challenges in the future.”
Thanks to Greatsong1 for sending in the news tip!
Bleh. I hate GameChat for hamstringing Switch 2. That core and 1-2GB of RAM being used for games instead would be massive.
I kinda like gamechat with how easy intergraded it is to the console. Just one click and you can call anyone and use gameshare. I like that part of gameshare, but I felt like it was pointless trying to hype up the system with it. Also I think since this is just a application with it’s menu, I don’t think it requires that much power of the system. Still a nice inclusion, but I honestly never used gamechat after the first month.
I agree; I think GameChat really has it’s place (I use my PC to voice chat, but it’s really nice to be able for me and friends of mine to show each-other what we’re doing in-game, via GameChat).
GameShare, on the other hand, I find to be just hands-down AMAZING, and I would even call it “underrated” if more games used it.
I assume that will be fixed with time though; as of now Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment uses it, for what is essentially “online couch–co-op” multiplayer, and it is phenomenal.
Game share brings back that ds multiplayer, it’s way more important than gamechat to me
Look up the definition of intergrade. The word you should have used is “integrated”. You seem to know what the latter word means based on context of what you said. They do sound similar but are completely different words actually. Cheers.
And to add to the conversation I never use gamechat and likely never will. I’m a solo Nintendo gamer. None of my friends care for Nintendo. Plus it says you can get your account completely banned if someone reports you. Possible even if it’s a false report most likely, judging from how many many others games go. Even Pokémon Unite which is on the Switch. Plus I have anger issues and when people are a holes to me on voice chat, it’s hard for me to not get on and fire back, just like I do in real life outside of games. (Imagine if you could get banned from Life for that goddamn… That puts it into perspective huh) Well I don’t wanna lose my account and my thousands of hours of progress, hundred+ games across different systems, and tens of thousands of dollars in money spent. So I will refrain. But it’s cool for the people that enjoy it.
Game chat is something I’d never use, I’d welcome any alternative use of the button and free up the resources being locked away for it.
honestly its in such a stupid spot to be used in any frequent manner. I can’t see any reason to use it for anything else. However, remapping itself would have been cool. Steam has had that for years and lets me do that with my Switch 1 & 2 Pro Controllers. All they have is “swap A and B” which is really wack. GL and GR having the ability to be any other button is great. But at least for a specific controller, literally just let us remap the whole damn thing. If they can do it inside of NSO virtual console, then why can’t the Switch itself do it? That’s my main gripe honestly. I still wouldn’t be using the c button for literally anything though. Putting either thumb all the way to it just feels awkward. I got small to average size hands tho. Maybe someone with bigger hands or longer fingers would feel differently.
I thought I wouldn’t use Gamechat ever, but yesterday I found myself and my buddy playing some Pokopia together and we wanted to chat and realized Discord won’t work the typical way (hope this gets added later!). We tried the Gamechat and, holy crap, it was so clear and smooth and lets you turn on screenshare in mid-game so we were able to see each other’s screens. Even though he was an hour away, it truly felt like we were side by side. The Pro 2 controller has a built-in mic and my buddy used his as handheld. I connected a headset to my controller and it was even better. Clear audio from the game as well as the chat with zero buffering or breaks. On top of that, Gameshare is the greatest thing Nintendo has ever done. IMO, allowing one to Share a game without being next to them but limiting them to 7 days instead of 14 or something like that could potentially make that better.