Nintendo is developing its first MMO (massively multiplayer online) game. It has announced a playtest for this upcoming game as part of the Nintendo Switch Online membership, inviting 10,000 participants from October 23 to November 5, 2024.

The MMO game will allow players to collaboratively build and explore a vast planet, discovering new lands, enemies, and resources along the way. Players will use special items called "Beacons" to create and manage their building zones, with only the Beacon's owner able to modify the area directly. In addition, a social space known as the Dev Core will facilitate player interaction and leveling.

Since its launch in 2018, Nintendo has continued to enhance its Switch Online subscription service. The revamped service offers exclusive access to a wider range of games, including classic titles, and has attracted over 38 million paid subscribers worldwide. 

Analyst QuickTake: Nintendo is strategically developing its first MMO-style game to compete with popular titles such as Minecraft and Roblox, which dominate the social gaming space. The move reflects Nintendo's desire to tap into a huge audience of school-age children and families increasingly drawn to interactive, user-generated content. By creating an expansive world for players to build and explore together, Nintendo is positioning itself to capture the attention of the millions of active users on these platforms.