If you are a fan of playing DS or Wii online then you are also likely to have an opinion on Nintendo’s very own friend codes system – with many gamers still being critical of the way in which the closed system locks you into only being able to play with friends you already have.
The reason for this, of course, is to protect younger gamers from meeting strangers online - and it works.
Although that still doesn’t stop many older gamers asking for ways to get around the friend code system.
Nintendo’s US PR guy, Eric Walter, was recently asked in an interview if Capcom’s forthcoming Wii exclusive Monster Hunter 3 might be the first to "circumvent" friend codes, to which he simply replied:
So, that’s a no then. Let us know your own thoughts on the friend code system below.
Source: Gamasutra
The reason for this, of course, is to protect younger gamers from meeting strangers online - and it works.
Although that still doesn’t stop many older gamers asking for ways to get around the friend code system.
Nintendo’s US PR guy, Eric Walter, was recently asked in an interview if Capcom’s forthcoming Wii exclusive Monster Hunter 3 might be the first to "circumvent" friend codes, to which he simply replied:
"The way that we think about friend codes is, when folks are online, and they want to play, they typically want to play with their friends. And so, they want to keep it to groups of people they know. We've seen, in the feedback we've gotten, that people don't mind the friend codes. They like them, because it keeps them playing with the friends that they do know."
So, that’s a no then. Let us know your own thoughts on the friend code system below.
Source: Gamasutra
Companies:
Nintendo
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Comments
actionmonkey 29 Oct 2007 11:30
1/8
I think anybody who complains about friend codes is a whining tool. It takes about 10 seconds to enter one in on the wii or ds, is that really too much to ask?
You'd think with all the texting going on people would have more important things to moan about, after all people enter numbers into phones every day.
You'd think with all the texting going on people would have more important things to moan about, after all people enter numbers into phones every day.
Shaun 29 Oct 2007 12:19
2/8
"I think anybody who complains about friend codes is a whining tool"
Riiiiiight...
So you don't have a problem with it? Well you're in the minority there then. Not only do we have to enter codes, but exchanging codes is a pain in the ass too. You have to write them down and exit the game to send a message to your Wii Friend. Then when you get a reply you have to write the code down before entering the game to enter it.
OK so it takes only a few minutes, but why make us have to do it in the first place? I've swapped codes for the Wii once and that was annoying. I played Strikers for about half an hour and then never played using friend codes or online on the game again. Lack of communication kills the online service.
Nintendo hate online, they want nothing to do with it. There service is clunky, unreliable and incredibly painful to use. When you're finally using it you might as well just play against local AI at least you don't have lag then.
It's yet another aspect of the Wii and Nintendo that not only makes no sense but annoys almost every Wii owner. One question to Nintendo...
What will it take before you listen to Wii owners?"
Riiiiiight...
So you don't have a problem with it? Well you're in the minority there then. Not only do we have to enter codes, but exchanging codes is a pain in the ass too. You have to write them down and exit the game to send a message to your Wii Friend. Then when you get a reply you have to write the code down before entering the game to enter it.
OK so it takes only a few minutes, but why make us have to do it in the first place? I've swapped codes for the Wii once and that was annoying. I played Strikers for about half an hour and then never played using friend codes or online on the game again. Lack of communication kills the online service.
Nintendo hate online, they want nothing to do with it. There service is clunky, unreliable and incredibly painful to use. When you're finally using it you might as well just play against local AI at least you don't have lag then.
It's yet another aspect of the Wii and Nintendo that not only makes no sense but annoys almost every Wii owner. One question to Nintendo...
What will it take before you listen to Wii owners?"
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tyrion 29 Oct 2007 13:20
3/8
Eric Walter wrote:
when folks are online, and they want to play, they typically want to play with their friends
Tell that to the hundreds and thousands that play random matches on games like Halo 3 and Warhawk. I know if I could only play with the 10 or so gamers I've met who like Warhawk, I'd have a lot less fun than jumping into a 24-32 player battle that may or may not contain some of those gamers I know.
daz 29 Oct 2007 14:10
4/8
the Friend codes suck, it doen't do nintendo's "kiddie image" any favors, they seriously need to get thier act together
Joji 29 Oct 2007 14:35
5/8
I agree, Nintendo, you clearly have no idea how to do an online service properly. Friend codes are awful digits. Don't we have enough bloody numbers to remember every day. Phone number, bank account codes and such, its damn crazy. Where'd Nintendo get this supposed info from?
What's wrong with letting gamers create their own account name, the same way you let them create their own Mii?
If you don't know how to do online, speak to or work with people who do? It might be free but if its awkward to use, many might just stick with Live and PSN.
Damn, I can't wait to see what Nintendo do with Wii Ware, because I'm sure it won't be very successful without a hard drive, that many want. I doubt that sweet looking new FF:CC game, will fit on 512 internal memory.
What's wrong with letting gamers create their own account name, the same way you let them create their own Mii?
If you don't know how to do online, speak to or work with people who do? It might be free but if its awkward to use, many might just stick with Live and PSN.
Damn, I can't wait to see what Nintendo do with Wii Ware, because I'm sure it won't be very successful without a hard drive, that many want. I doubt that sweet looking new FF:CC game, will fit on 512 internal memory.
Tiggy 29 Oct 2007 20:12
6/8
Its not that putting in numbers bothers me. It bothers me at the frequency that I'd need to if I wanted to play with my friends on a number of different online enabled games. If I had say 8 friends who I'd like to play with on a regular basis on Mario strikers, Fifa, Medal of Honour and mariokart say for example. Thats one code per friend per game = 32 separate times I have to input a number to play with the same 8 people, whereas on Live I add the 8 separately and I'm done. Sony's system isn't much better but no one can say that the wii friend code system is anywhere near as good as Live, and if you do then you clearly haven't used it. And don't go saying "but live is £40; firstly you can get it for between 30-35 if you shop around, and secondly, I'd prefer to pay for the superior service than have to put up the friend code mess. It puts me off playing online.
actionmonkey 30 Oct 2007 11:48
7/8
Live is better no doubt about it. But if you're saying that £30 equates to inputing 32 codes then you are far, far richer than me or a lot lazier.
As I play friends individually on the Wii/Ds I enter these codes one at a time if the need arises. I dial phone numbers every day when I want to speak to my friends. Ordering pizza is more hassle.
As I play friends individually on the Wii/Ds I enter these codes one at a time if the need arises. I dial phone numbers every day when I want to speak to my friends. Ordering pizza is more hassle.
idiot 1 Nov 2007 15:19
8/8
The main gripe is that everyone with a Wii and a friends list already entered friend codes. The console maintains a list of friends you've exchanged system codes with. There is no logic in requiring Wii games to use separate friend codes from a usability stand point. It is unnecessary and delays the experience, which is contrary to Nintendo's philosophy that playing online with friends should be as easy as playing offline.
I buy a game my friend has, I should be able to go home and see if he's online right away.
I buy a game my friend has, I should be able to go home and see if he's online right away.