Nintendo rolled out its latest firmware update for the Switch yesterday (version 10.2.0) and while apparently all it did was improve the system stability to enhance the user experience, as always there's a little bit more that's been uncovered.
According to the well-known data miner OatmealDome, some "racially charged terms" - which we won't repeat here - can no longer be used. The nicknames "coronavirus" and "covid" are also no longer acceptable. Twitter user @Akfamilyhome captured a screenshot:
GameXplain took a closer look - and confirmed the previous update allowed users to input the word "covid" as a nickname and in version 10.2.0 it's now blocked, as it's considered to contain "inappropriate language".
So, there you go - Nintendo has wiped out all references to COVID-19 on its system. Have you updated your Switch yet? Noticed anything else? Tell us down below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 67
I saw the list of words and I am honestly kind of shocked at what words weren't already banned. Considering how badly Nintendo tries to avoid this kind of stuff.
So what, we're just pretending it didn't happen now?
Reminds me of Football Manager where they block slightly similar names such as James Saville and Paul Pott and then utter brilliance like Mike Hunt, Wayne Kerr and Fanny Leake.
They didn't ban them already?
"So, there you go - Nintendo has wiped out all references to COVID-19 on its system."
Ah, so a definite bug fix then.
Is this their biggest issue? I thought the bigger issue would be all of the Hitlers on Mario Kart online.
...been happening since the Wii days, he's everywhere!
@nessisonett Those names really are brilliant. Reminds me of Fanni Schmeller.
Apparently a certain current event-related acronym is also banned from being used in nicknames as well as anything COVID-19 related and now some people aren’t as happy about the ban because that.
That said, I’m not that surprised by Nintendo banning these from being nicknames. Nintendo will always keep children in mind when it comes to censorship unless the games are meant for a different audience.
resertera is furious that they can't spread hate on a vieogame platform
Censorship is always a big nope to me.
SpookyDiper and LIV 2 TAP! (tap = tap dance) was as risky as i ever got.
Careful Nintendo. Your Japanese is showing. 😏
How is it that Ninrendo felt they should put resources toward system updates such as this and not include features people have been begging for since the dawn of time, is beyond me. Disappointing for sure
Well, that's stupid. I hope this doesn't affect my Raddle in Animal Crossing. His catch phrase is "covid".
As long as disease names are banned, have they banned "diarrhoea" and "jock itch" too?
And yet somehow people can still call their Animal Crossing islands "Covid" and "Corona" and "Covid19"- I've got friends who have islands called that, and they're still playing.
Covid is the best one i'm going to see if chi-chi works.
It’s pathetic to ban the word Covid. Absolutely pathetic, how does it protect children in any way shape or form? Just nonsense.
@hotgamer77 so what?
Well, as long as they haven’t banned “spaghetti cormorant”...
I wonder if Super Mario Sunshine in 3D All Stars will still call their final level Corona Mountain.
@SpiderSquid I'd assume that's to do with the shape of the island, which is dolphin shaped. So Corona mountain is at the "Crown" of the dolphin's head, hence the name.
...unless they were planning to name it after a beer or a future pandemic. But if they saw that coming I'd be impressed.
Haha, Splatoon 2 was full of Covid related pictures/messages above the characters in the "lobby" a while back.
@Sandro89 People using words out of context in a derogatory manner is also a big no from me. I mean, who is going to defend someone wanting to call themselves Covid? It's moronic.
@hotgamer77 I saw people name their islands that, I thought it was stupid.
COVID-19 is a taboo word ?? 🤨
I have DDR MP3 song with title COVID. (I'm listening to this song right now)
I created my fictional villain named Queen Covidia (Neo Covidia 2.0 as True Final form) with her minions Covid19 viruses with design somewhat like Spiky Koffing.
And not to forget in Super Mario Sunshine there is a place called CORONA whatever.
Also, i have discovered you cannot put Japanese names with Shita name (Shitake, Matsushita, Ashita no Joe, etc) as it spelled sh*t in English.
@GrailUK
I remembered there was a couple in India named their babies with Covid and Corona during pandemic
"A couple in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh have named their newborn twins Corona and Covid."
"The twins — a boy and a girl — were born during the ongoing 21-day long nationwide lockdown that began on March 24."
I cannot imagine if they cannot registered their name on Nintendo Switch user if someday they have Nintendo Switch due to their names from deadly virus.
This topic really has brought out many stupid responses.
Good job. Those names were definitely impacting system stability.
@Anti-Matter Poor children. I used to have a friend with a pet rat called Plague named after the bubonic plague.
@Anti-Matter Lol, I cannot imagine parents calling their children those names! It's just so dumb. Besides, folk don't usually use their real names online, so they are safe hahaha. Covid! Honestly. "Get to your room, Covid!" I will be chuckling at that all day.
@GrailUK
Corona sounds very pretty name as it means Crown but Covid sounds very deadly name as Covid was named from Corona Virus Disease.
@Anti-Matter True. Corona would make a good horse name! Is that word one that has been removed?
@GrailUK
I haven't checked yet.
I wonder if Fact Hunt would still work?
OT (not in comments though) there was that Malaysian baby named Google that ended up getting a free gift from Google. I’m sure there are a few babies named Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X out there now.
RIP everyone named Humphrey
@Sandro89 not censorship when nintendo is a family friendly company dont like it go to xbox
@Kalmaro well no but it is a bit insensitive. To a lot of people it's humourous but there's been lots kfy people who have lost loved ones to this disease especially recently. And maybe someone who loads up their switch for a spaltoon game doesn't want to get splatted by covid because of this. It's just a trigger for some people and it's not fair because is it really bringing that much joy to the person using the name.
I read quite far down and some of you don't seem to have considered other people, just censorship bad or they better ban other diseases
just use c0v!d , problem solved ;P
Meanwhile, SCAT is coming to Nintendo Switch Online very soon.
How are we supposed to be super edgy now?
Harrumph! 😒
@nessisonett,
That Jimmy Saville was a menace.
List the terms, you cowards
So, anyone know what happens if you update whilst using these banned names?
Gang of spiky-haired villagers named COVID19 COVID20 and COVID21 showing up on your island.
I can see how that is something you'd want to avoid.
A multiplayer guild with the surname [Covid=Hoax] might also not be appropriate.
Wonder if "plague" and "black death" are also blocked
@VexingInsanity It just seems pointless to try to keep from offending everyone at the same time. Especially when almost no significant amount of people were even complaining about it. Most people don't care.
As long as "Biggus Dickus" get's passed security Nintendo can remove whatever they want.
@Pod
Animal crossing isn't affected.
@TheBigK
Notable blocked names -
Acab, Nazi, Corona, Covid, Wap
Good thing "Rhaoulos" is the name of a disease with only one known case in 7 billion humans.
Wonder if we can still use Benedict Cumberbatch?
So it really is a conspiracy? Woowwww!
EXCUSE ME???
The UK tried to ban the Sex Pistols. And where did they get them, Furukawa-san?
How about:
91-divoC
@SpiderSquid
It still is.
I've been playing since Monday. Even the music track is there
You know what, Nintendo?
You are naught but a band of Yakuza-born, Wii U-making, Metroid-delaying, Internet-averse Motherless STICK-DRIFTERS
A poor berry can't get by in this world. Bad enough that they let a big dumb gorilla stomp my cage, but this...
May a thousand Westerners walk with their shoes on your mat!
That's going to be frustrating for that one kid whose parents named him Covid....
So any list of words deemed inappropriate are not acceptable?
@Heavyarms55
Where do you check the banned words?
@RodSD64 Less child friendly sites have listed them. If you wanna know, you can Google it.
@Kalmaro I mean yeah most people don't care but what about those who do? It's a harmless change after all. I think it's way more likely someone would be upset by a COVID name than someone trying to call themselves COVID. If anything it just made a few peoples experiences slightly nicer. And I don't see the issue with that
@VexingInsanity If it's so harmless and if the majority don't care then there's no real point in making the change then. That's my issue.
You're going to have a hard time finding a group of people who actually would be offended by the name Covid unless you just went to Twitter or something... And those people are offended by everything.
@Kalmaro I don't think it's a matter of being offended but a matter of respect for losses and also to avoid upsetting anybody. There's been hundreds of thousands of deaths to this virus and there's really no reason to make it your username for a laugh. It's unnecessarily provocative and disrespectful.
To put into context covid losses in America alone:
They've lost nearly double the amount of people to Coronavirus than every single military casualty in every war since 1946. That's a lot of people. And that's just America. So there's no need for us to use the virus that has caused so much hurt as a username because I guarantee you there are people that care and there's really no reason to not respect them. They're just here to game like the rest of us.
@VexingInsanity I thought it was odd that you picked that specific date for war deaths, then realized it was right after world War 2,which blows the Covid deaths out of the water.
Not only that but we don't actually know how many people died from Covid. There is not a uniform death investigation system for Covid and we have plenty of evidence that deaths have been overblown.
Regardless, we're getting away from the main problem. If no one is really complaining and you admit the change is harmless, then I don't see why we bother doing it in the first place. So a few people are unhappy. The vast majority of people are fine with things.
I saw a developer mention covid19 on a news article on the Switch News thing a while back. It was the very first time I ever saw covid on anything Nintendo aside from the message at the beginning of the Directs. But when I looked for the article again it was gone, Nintendo must have booted it. They avoid it like the plague, pun intended. Pretty refreshing since every other company in the world uses it as an opportunity to virtue signal or push an agenda.
@acNewUpdates
Well that's good to know. :3
My name is BloJsimson and it is still going strong. Microsoft doesnt allow it but Nintendo still does interestingly enough.
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