Well, we've seen some publishers push their luck with their marketing at times, but this one really takes the biscuit.
RedDeer Games has unveiled nOS: New Operating System, a new game for the Switch that lightly simulates the experience of a personal computer, albeit with cute visuals and a significantly more simplified user experience. It's due to release at some point later this month.
The problem, however, is that the marketing for this game is doing its absolute best to try and fool you into thinking that this is an actual, bonafide new operating system for the Switch. RedDeer's press release even mixes up the name of the game, calling it 'New Operating System' in one sentence, and 'Nintendo Operating System' in another.
You'll have no doubt noticed that the latter is also the title of the above YouTube video; we can't imagine it'll be called that for long if Nintendo itself has anything to say about it. In the bottom right-hand side of the video, you'll also see that the Switch logo is present for the duration of the trailer, something that - to our knowledge, at least - isn't utilised in most third-party reveals for the Switch.
It's odd, because the game itself looks kind of okay..?! Granted, it's not for everyone, but we imagine there are probably some folks our there who are interested in something like this; perhaps for their kids to get a taste of how a proper PC operating system might function, maybe.
Either way, we're pretty sure the misleading marketing isn't really necessary.
What do you make of nOS: New Operating System? Reckon the publisher has overstepped its bounds here? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Comments 28
To be honest, if it has a web browser on it, it's better than the Nintendo one
@Bunkerneath This actually makes me think: is there any rule against a third party developer releasing their own web browser on the eShop?
@SwitchVogel
I believe so, Nintendo most likely requires that all Switch software available on the eShop must be "sandboxed", in that they cannot be used to potentially gain evalated access to other parts of the system.
There was a Switch game on the eShop where the developer put in an easter egg that let you into a programming environment, that Nintendo did not approve and lead to the game's temporary removal. I can't remember what the game was called, though.
I doubt it can mislead anyone (if Switch ever did get a whole new OS, what are the odds Nintendo would make a separate trailer for it, let alone publish it OUTSIDE their own channels?), but it feels like an amusingly fitting title for the library that also has a "PC Building Simulator" thereon.😄 What do you mean this isn't a real game? It's even made it to NL frontpage before THQ Nordic's Remnant: From the Ashes port reveal!
Still not sold, fandom? OK, trump card bait time: imagine if this nOS comes with... themes.😎
@SwitchVogel,
Sound like a good idea, and I can't think of any specific rule unless of course it slows the home screen down, both the Wii and Wii U had pretty decent web browsers.
This is the one time we finally want their IP ninjas to strike quickly.
It's a cute PDA-like app for the Switch. Similar to Microsoft Bob. (yeah, I'm old)
I really don't see the point of this software. Maybe it's for kids that don't have smart phones, but that's about it.
@johnvboy The problem with an open webbrowser is exploits. Otherwise you are going to have to sandbox/userlevel it. Which would make it quite useless.
Imagine how you can pull out your switch at work when the boss is around to check your e-mail.
@sanderev,
Good points, never considered that, always assumed it was down to the home screens performance. As the Wii and Wii U both had a web browser.
I didn't think that at all
@Bunkerneath Yeah coz browsing the web from the switch is a great idea.
@aoleu22 As opposed to just using your phone you mean?
I let the trailer fool me and like the New OS over Nintendo's own.
@Phon yea, probably they would fire you by the end of the day
Red Deer Games are becoming the shovelware kings on Switch man. When they jump about genres so much you know it must be rubbish.
@PessitheMystic This actually has a few useful apps so I wouldn't call it shovelware, but it's definitely NOT a game.
@Phon its not something that's absolutely needed but it is something that would be nice to have
Cool
I don’t remember asking for this but old PC stuff is neat nonetheless
Gives me Windows XP simulation homebrew on DS/PSP vibes. Or Microsoft Bob. I think it's a bit odd but for a game sure as long as it's fair and not selling itself as an OS skin or otherwise not that Nintendo would allow that I assume, for other meaning I mean sure............................. But bit of a jab even if most games or OS want to be tiles as much as possible and yeah many of us are sick of it and want more personality.
I guess it also reminds me of a game where you look at 90s websites and have to uncover details I can't remember what it's called. I'd have to check the Nitro Rad video (I think it may have been that 2020 or 2021 games video of games they played in the year maybe as I don't remember them doing a review on it) or some other I remember of some Indie making that to cover nostalgia/a different angle of thing.
After the Ninja 3DS game that opened up hacking yeah I assume Switch games have to be locked down enough (which seeing the comment above about a programming thing that's a surprise hadn't heard about that one) or not be confusing to a customer.
What a strange article for more strange Red Deer Games junk...
Please Nintendo, delete reddeer from eshop. I'm so tired of a new version every 2 days of clock, calculator, chess master etc
@TheNumbr24 Why though?
@RupeeClock Well, you could probably make it happen without security concerns by streaming a web browser to the Switch.
I mean similar to how cloud game streaming works, but with a web browser. You need internet connectivity to make use of a web browser anyway, so I see no problem in streaming it.
@Bunkerneath I really could care less about a web browser being on my switch. If I want to get on the internet then I’ll use my phone
I was already very confused about why this product exists, but I just browsed the eShop and found out it costs 39,99€. That's ridiculous for an app that does like five things that you can do on your phone
Major scam for the price it’s at. Absolutely insane.
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