We already know that online multiplayer is now, sadly, paywalled on the Nintendo Switch as well, behind the new Nintendo Switch Online service. Diablo 3: Eternal Collection, coming to the Switch, is one of the games that we know will be supporting said service. However, the wording regarding this has been a bit confusing, and has led to some panic amongst some circles.
Specifically, people have been concerned regarding whether or not the Seasons mode for the Switch version of the game will require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription too. To be clear, this is separate from the actual online multiplayer component of the game.
However, now Blizzard themselves have stepped in to clear the air: they have specified that, no, Diablo 3 Eternal Collection on Nintendo Switch will not need Nintendo Switch Online for Seasons mode. It will need it for online play proper, but not for Seasons mode. This mimics how the game works on PlayStation and Xbox as well.
“I see there’s some confusion about the necessity of the Nintendo Switch Online service in relations to the upcoming Diablo 3: Eternal Collection. To clarify, access to playing Seasons does not require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. However, access to online multiplayer does. This is identical to the way gameplay features function for the Xbox One and PS4 versions of Diablo 3 as well. Hope this makes the situation more clear!” they said on their forums.
So that’s good news for everyone, then. Diablo 3 launches for Nintendo Switch on November 2. It’s out now on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC. Nintendo will also be launching a special Switch bundle with Diablo 3 in November, for those of you who are big fans of the franchise.