It has been nearly four years now since Splatoon 2 released for the Nintendo Switch and while support for the game did begin to slow down some time ago (the monthly Splatfest events stopped in July 2019, barring a few special one-offs), regular players will soon lose access to a certain feature on the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app. Specifically, the Online Lounge feature, which Nintendo announced it will be retiring next month.

According to Nintendo's customer support page, and announced via the official Nintendo Versus Twitter account, the Online Lounge feature will stop being supported on the app from July 28th. For anyone unfamiliar with it, the app is compatible with a number of Switch games with online functionality, including Splatoon 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

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The app offers unique features for each game. In Splatoon 2's case, the Online Lounge let players arrange online matches with each other. Its removal doesn't mean that players will become incapable of organizing matches in the future; that will still be possible within the game itself. Plus, Nintendo assures that no other changes are planned for the time being and no other features are being removed, meaning players can still use it for voice chat.

While it doesn't mention it, no doubt the existence of Splatoon 3 has played a part in the decision. It was only announced back in February, but is currently scheduled to release for Switch next year in 2022. Details are still very thin but it's most definitely retaining the core formula of the series, with layers engaging in online multiplayer turf wars to cover as much of the map with their team's ink color. The new game will obviously take priority at Nintendo over Splatoon 2.

Splatoon 3 will likely be made compatible with the app, meaning the Online Lounge feature could be brought back just for the sequel. Unless Nintendo plans on handling Splatoon 3's online functionality differently. One thing that some players may wish to see changed is how Nintendo handles voice chat. Unlike the PlayStation and Xbox consoles, the Switch doesn't have a voice chat feature, with the app being the only official way for friends to chat with each other while playing Switch games.

Nintendo did explain and defend the decision to limit voice chat to a separate mobile app, but some find it to be much more inconvenient compared to voice chat features on other consoles and PC. Unless Nintendo has some secret plans to add voice chat to the Switch alongside Splatoon 3, however, players will either need to stick with the app or just fall back on Discord or Skype.

Splatoon 2 is available on the Nintendo Switch.

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Source: Nintendo