Nintendo Switch users, take note: a fresh system update has rolled out, introducing the innovative Virtual Game Cards system in anticipation of the upcoming Switch 2 launch. However, this update has also tightened the rules around sharing digital games online across multiple systems simultaneously, closing a previously exploited loophole.

As reported by Eurogamer, the update means that you can no longer use a primary console to play a game online while the game's owner is logged into another Switch at the same time. The introduction of Virtual Game Cards is the mechanism behind this change.

However, there's a silver lining for those who prefer offline gaming. Users have discovered that you can still enjoy a single copy of a digital game on two different Switches by going offline. By navigating to your profile's user settings and enabling the Online Licenses option, you can play a digital game without the Virtual Game Card, provided it isn't being used elsewhere or if the Switch playing it is offline. The setting's description reads:

"If this option is enabled, purchased digital software will be playable while the console is connected to the internet, even when the virtual game card for that software isn't loaded to the console. However, when using an online licence, only the user signed into the Nintendo Account that was used to purchase the software will be able to play it; it will not be playable for other users on the console. Your virtual game cards can be used to play software regardless of this setting. Online licences cannot be used on multiple consoles at the same time. The online licence and virtual game card for a software title cannot be used at the same time."

In essence, if one Switch is offline, you can still play the same game across two Switches simultaneously. Eurogamer has confirmed that this workaround is effective. The key change here is that the ability to play the same game online at the same time has been restricted.

The gaming community has expressed dissatisfaction with this change, with users on platforms like ResetEra and Reddit voicing their frustrations. The main issue is the loss of the ability to play online together, which affected families and groups who enjoyed games like Splatoon or Minecraft. The new system could potentially double the cost of games for families with multiple children wanting to play together, as they will need to purchase additional copies.

This update comes just over a month before the launch of the Switch 2, which will also implement this system. Additionally, the Switch 2 will utilize Game-Key Cards, meaning some games will require an online download to access the full game, as the cartridges won't contain the entire game.