The Nintendo Switch Online Family Plan is a gouge to families

Gowans · May 8, 2018

I'm lucky to be in a family of four where we all play games together and the kids share my hobby.

On console I pay for one online sub and it covers the console with all accounts that play on it and also my account for any device (and even other accounts on the other device I'm i'm also signed in.)

On out Switch we have 4 accounts for us all but instead of the one subscription I have to pay almost double for all the accounts?

That's terrible, I'd have to buy it when Fortnite comes out or for Minecraft and I could swallow the standard price for happy kids but their new concept of this Family Plan is the worst.

EDIT

on Playstation and Xbox you only need to buy one sub and all the accounts on that console are covered.

Nintendo have came up with something different and worse with this and the Family Plan offering is a solution to the new problem they have made.

Deleted member 8112 · May 8, 2018

OrangeNova · May 8, 2018

Isn't it $35 annually for up to 8 people?

Isn't that much better than an individual payment for every account?

z0m3le · May 8, 2018

You all share 1 Switch? Good news is if you had 4 Switch devices, it might work on all 4? It's really not detailed enough for anyone beyond your situation it seems.

BY2K · May 8, 2018

You pay 35$ a year for 8 accounts, no matter how many accounts you have.

Phunkydiabetic · May 8, 2018

Toni Codrea said:
You pay 35 for 8 different accounts, lol.

Individually you'd pay 80 for all 8 accounts.

Annnnd done. Mods lock the thread, hyperbole is over.

Eolz · May 8, 2018

How is 35$ for 8 accounts price gouging when it's 20$ for one? I honestly don't get what you're trying to say OP.

Vareon · May 8, 2018

The family plan is $35 for 8 accounts and works even though they're on different devices, right? Did I get that wrong or is this a different complaint?

FiXalaS · May 8, 2018

Toni Codrea said:
You pay 35 for 8 different accounts, lol.

Individually you'd pay 80 for all 4 accounts.

on PS4 if your main account has plus for $60, all the accounts on the system can play online and enjoy the service.

stull cheaper on switch of course but I get op

Lite_Agent · May 8, 2018

The family plan is only really useful for families where everyone has their own Switch. If there's only one Switch that's shared between all family members, then just buy a sub for a main account and use it.

Kyoufu · May 8, 2018

Phunkydiabetic said:
Annnnd done. Mods lock the thread, whining is over.

You guys need to read the OP.

He's saying he shouldn't have to pay $35 for all users to have access to online multiplayer.

Deleted member 8112 · May 8, 2018

Gowans · May 8, 2018

Lite_Agent said:
The family plan is only really useful for families where everyone has their own Switch. If there's only one Switch that's shared between all family members, then just buy a sub for a main account and use it.

But then what is they want to use their own accounts online like they would on other consoles?

Frankie_baby · May 8, 2018

And there was me thinking it was a bit of a bargain

Deleted member 2791 · May 8, 2018

Lite_Agent said:
The family plan is only really useful for families where everyone has their own Switch. If there's only one Switch that's shared between all family members, then just buy a sub for a main account and use it.

Then you can't have different progressions on games like Splatoon 2.

Gowans · May 8, 2018

Toni Codrea said:
I think he's complaining that because all family members have different accounts on the same Switch he has to pay more, actually. Alternatively he could just buy it once and have everyone else play games on the same account.

Yup, on Playstation and Xbox you only need to buy one sub and all the accounts on that console are covered.

Nintendo have came up with something different and worse with this and the Family Plan offering is a solution to the new problem they have made.

FiXalaS · May 8, 2018

Toni Codrea said:
I think he's complaining that because all family members have different accounts on the same Switch he has to pay more, actually. Alternatively he could just buy it once and have everyone else play games on the same account.

different saves(?) and on some online games can be troublesome

Chairmanchuck (另一个我) · May 8, 2018

Lite_Agent said:
The family plan is only really useful for families where everyone has their own Switch. If there's only one Switch that's shared between all family members, then just buy a sub for a main account and use it.

Or for Era members who want a cheap sub.

NotLiquid · May 8, 2018

This is splitting hairs pretty hard when the family plan is a discount deal even if you only have two accounts, and it still being a substantially cheaper yearly plan against it's competitors.

Nostremitus · May 8, 2018

Yes, let's all complain that Nintendo is offering a cheaper option for people who don't share their consoles.

Imagine if Sony offered a cheaper version of PS+ for people who don't share their PS4s... That's all Nintendo is doing... And even with the family plan it's still cheaper than PS+ anyway... Sounds like people wanting to complain for the sake of complaining.

Vareon · May 8, 2018

Toni Codrea said:
I think he's complaining that because all family members have different accounts on the same Switch he has to pay more, actually. Alternatively he could just buy it once and have everyone else play games on the same account.

Ah, I understand. I don't know how exactly PSN works, though. If my account has Plus, and I have the account on two PS4s, does that mean both PS4 had Plus for all accounts?

Well it's what Nintendo offers anyway so I guess it's a take it or leave it situation.

Gowans · May 8, 2018

NotLiquid said:
This is splitting hairs pretty hard when the family plan is a discount deal even if you only have two accounts, and it still being a substantially cheaper yearly plan against it's competitors.

I don't think it is, every other paid for console allows all user accounts on that device to be covered so families can use their own accounts to play online as their own identities, friends, progress as part of the sub.

The family play is a discount for something only Nintendo are asking you to pay more for.

GJ · May 8, 2018

I don't understand the problem here. It's $20 for a year for one account, or $35 a year for a maximum of 8 accounts. OP has 4 accounts, which is less than 8, so it'll be $35... Right? Which is only fair since more people are using the service, more people are going to host their saves in the cloud, and maybe even multiple people on multiple Switches would play online using the same Family Plan.

Am I reading things wrong?

DeuceGamer · May 8, 2018

I think one thing to keep in mind is that Nintendo's pricing on the family plan is based more on the portability of Switch and the fact that some families will likely own multiple Switch consoles. This allows a family to pay $35 a year and each child and parent should be able to have paid online.

Lite_Agent · May 8, 2018

LordKano said:
Then you can't have different progressions on games like Splatoon 2.

Hmm, you got a point there. Was thinking more of games like MK8D or Smash where this wouldn't really be an issue.

theytookourjobz · May 8, 2018

I see both sides. Even the family plan is cheaper than either PS+ or Live Gold but both those services offer much more robust online offerings, free games every month, and a pretty solid track record of being worth the money.

Deleted member 12790 · May 8, 2018

Just to add to the edit in the OP, in steam, you can share your purchases with 10 accounts, without subscription fees.

Wamb0wneD · May 8, 2018

You pay $35 for 8 accounts. If you have that many or less on your PS4 or Xbone you still pay almost double.
Hyperbole much, OP?

theytookourjobz said:
I see both sides. Even the family plan is cheaper than either PS+ or Live Gold but both those services offer much more robust online offerings, free games every month, and a pretty solid track record of being worth the money.

The weekend I started to pay for PS+ I couldn't play the entire weekend, let alone see whether my friends were online or not. It was a fucking joke. They make so much cash with this shit and can't even get that straight.

Wiseblade · May 8, 2018

The family plan is still cheaper than both PSN and XBL, I don't see how it's a gouge.

jts · May 8, 2018

That's it, I'm getting a divorce.

Thanks, Nintendo!

Braaier · May 8, 2018

GJ said:
I don't understand the problem here. It's $20 for a year for one account, or $35 a year for a maximum of 8 accounts. OP has 4 accounts, which is less than 8, so it'll be $35... Right? Which is only fair since more people are using the service, more people are going to host their saves in the cloud, and maybe even multiple people on multiple Switches would play online using the same Family Plan.

Am I reading things wrong?

But he only wants to pay $20. This is how Microsoft and Sony do it. Nintendo should do it this way too

ApeEscaper · May 8, 2018

z0m3le said:
You all share 1 Switch? Good news is if you had 4 Switch devices, it might work on all 4? It's really not detailed enough for anyone beyond your situation it seems.

I share my Switch and we often play it in docked mode too so yes

Big Boy · May 8, 2018

Think of it as the family plan = ps+/live

All the same features except multi-device support is better and the annual sub is cheaper.

Now think of the individual plan as a discounted rate for solo use only.

Black_Red · May 8, 2018

If the online works with many consoles in the same house then it's a better solution for families, considering the portable nature of the switch I thinks that's the case.

Gowans · May 8, 2018

Wiseblade said:
The family plan is still cheaper than both PSN and XBL, I don't see how it's a gouge.

Value is a different thing, it you think its worth it or not for what you get is a different topic.

As I've said and my only point here is:
Nintendo are the only console with a paid sub that will require you to pay more if you want other family members to play online with their own accounts.

NotLiquid · May 8, 2018

Gowans said:
I don't think it is, every other paid for console allows all user accounts on that device to be covered so families can use their own accounts to play online as their own identities, friends, progress as part of the sub.

The family play is a discount for something only Nintendo are asking you to pay more for.

Sorry but this still sounds like a straight up JC Penney effect at play here. If Nintendo had come out and said that the subscription model wouldn't have a $20 option for singular accounts and that the base price would be $34.99 across all accounts (with the presence of a family plan), then this wouldn't have been such a problem despite the fact that it would have been a worse deal than what we're getting. It seems like what you're frustrated with is just how the way the pricing plays with user psyche by tricking you into thinking it's a worse deal - even though again, the family alternative is still cheaper than the competition.

Cappa · May 8, 2018

Gowans said:
Value is a different thing, it you think its worth it or not for what you get is a different topic.

As I've said and my only point here is:
Nintendo are the only console with a paid sub that will require you to pay more if you want other family members to play online with their own accounts.

No its not.

jts · May 8, 2018

Gowans said:
Value is a different thing, it you think its worth it or not for what you get is a different topic.

As I've said and my only point here is:
Nintendo are the only console with a paid sub that will require you to pay more if you want other family members to play online with their own accounts.

Different pricing scheme. A way cheaper no-frills online play option for 1 subscriber, not the same perks as in the pricier options. The market is free just like that. From that, you can frame bold statements that focus on one side of the story but in reality they make little difference.

GJ · May 8, 2018

Braaier said:
But he only wants to pay $20. This is how Microsoft and Sony do it. Nintendo should do it this way too

I see. I think Nintendo is taking the Spotify approach, where one account can be used by one person on one device at a time, while a Family Plan can be shared with multiple people (I think 6) across multiple devices. PS+ and Xbox LIVE only work on one console and only one person can use it at a time (unless you cheat by doing the 'active PS4' thing on PS4).

LinkStrikesBack · May 8, 2018

Toni Codrea said:
Alternatively he could just buy it once and have everyone else play games on the same account

That's not an option for a lot of games though. Now we know why Nintendo deliberately limited several online games to one save per account at least.

Wamb0wneD · May 8, 2018

Gowans said:
Value is a different thing, it you think its worth it or not for what you get is a different topic.

As I've said and my only point here is:
Nintendo are the only console with a paid sub that will require you to pay more if you want other family members to play online with their own accounts.

So if they made it $34 for one or multiple accounts alike (still cheaper than the others) it would have been better? What?

Fularu · May 8, 2018

Gowans said:
But then what is they want to use their own accounts online like they would on other consoles?

You would still be paying 25$ less yearly than on other devices?

Mutedpenguin · May 8, 2018

Gowans said:
Value is a different thing, it you think its worth it or not for what you get is a different topic.

As I've said and my only point here is:
Nintendo are the only console with a paid sub that will require you to pay more if you want other family members to play online with their own accounts.

...or alternatively...Nintendo are the only console with a paid sub that offers a discounted price for a single player subscription.

Ricky64 · May 8, 2018

Nobody cares about your family, ask them 5 bucks a year and you might even make a profit if you ever shoot out a couple of new kids.

faint · May 8, 2018

This forum finds a way to spin even good piece of Nintendo news into absolute hyperbole.

Jimmyfenix · May 8, 2018

Phunkydiabetic said:
Annnnd done. Mods lock the thread, hyperbole is over.

It's okay to criticize Nintendo's plans not "hyperbole"

Phoenom · May 8, 2018

Closer to September will there be a Family subscription sharing thread on ERA? Good opportunity to save a fair bit of money if multiple people go on one subscription.

NSESN · May 8, 2018

Gowans said:
Value is a different thing, it you think its worth it or not for what you get is a different topic.

As I've said and my only point here is:
Nintendo are the only console with a paid sub that will require you to pay more if you want other family members to play online with their own accounts.

Cmon, they offer a solution for people like me that only have one account and you complain about have options?

OwensboroEsq · May 8, 2018

I always assumed this was more aimed towards people with multiple devices (each family member has their own Switch, facilitating games with one save file per (Mario Kart, Splatoon, etc...)

Mutedpenguin said:
...or alternatively...Nintendo are the only console with a paid sub that offers a discounted price for a single player subscription.

I really am baffled they didn't initially announce it that way. I'd say that they had to have known you never announce the cheaper option first, but this is Nintendo.

Eolz · May 8, 2018

NotLiquid said:
Sorry but this still sounds like a straight up JC Penney effect at play here. If Nintendo had come out and said that the subscription model wouldn't have a $20 option for singular accounts and that the base price would be $34.99 across all accounts (with the presence of a family plan), then this wouldn't have been such a problem despite the fact that it would have been a worse deal than what we're getting. It seems like what you're frustrated with is just how the way the pricing plays with user psyche by tricking you into thinking it's a worse deal - even though again, the family alternative is still cheaper than the competition.

^ This.

The Nintendo Switch Online Family Plan is a gouge to families

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