Update #2: [Thu 10th Oct, 2024 16:15 BST]: Well, as expected, that was quick. As per Nintendo's tweet, posted a whopping seven minutes after the application pages went live, registration for the 'test' is now full.
The mystery continues until 21st October - check out the full details below and let us know in the comments if you got in.
Update #1: [Thu 10th Oct, 2024 16:00 BST]: Applications are open now!
After applying and being 'Selected', we were told to return to the same application page on 21st October via the following message:
We will provide detailed guidance on how to participate, along with the download code for the software, on this application page. Please come back around 21/10/2024 (UTC) for more information.
Nintendo has announced it will perform a test called the 'Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program' which is related to a "new feature" for the online service available on the Switch.
It plans to recruit people to participate in this test from customers who already have an active NSO + Expansion Pack membership. If you are invited, you'll need to then download "exclusive software" to your Switch to participate.
This playtest will be open to residents in Japan, the US, the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. You can apply via the application page and it's a "first-come-first-serve basis" for participants outside of Japan.
This recruitment period will run from 10th October until 15th October, and the playtest period will take place between 23rd October until 5th November (with the test expected to accept "as many as 10,000 participants")
In some other breaking news on the Nintendo front this week, the Japanese firm unveiled a sound clock called Alarmo.