Square Enix blames Wii friend codes for lack of FFXI [update 1]

by Ross Miller { Feb 1st 2007 at 3:27PM }

Friend codes. Nintendo's self-imposed restriction on online gaming has been a burden to many who want to play with their friends without having to share a different 12-digit friend code for every game. When the Wii was revealed to have a console-specific friend code, we thought Nintendo had somewhat listened to the community's grumblings. When Pokemon Battle Revolution, the first online Wii title, launched in Japan with friend codes, we realized the folly of our optimism.

Square Enix's Senior Vice President Hiromichi Tanaka empathizes, highlighting the friend code system as the primary reason they haven't brought an online game like Final Fantasy XI onto the console. In an interview with Cubed's Adam Riley, Tanaka reveals that the RPG powerhouse is now in negotiations with Nintendo about "resolving this point of contention." A publisher of Square Enix's magnitude does not necessarily guarantee Nintendo will listen, but perhaps Nintendo will ease off or at least allow exceptions for some titles.

Then again, Final Fantasy XI on the Wii would surely be profitable even if gamers were required to enter over 300,000 12-digit codes to fully experience the world. That's how much, we suspect, Wii owners our clamoring for Nintendo to join the rest its brethren in this generation.

[Update 1: As White Rose Duelist and others have pointed out, Pokemon Battle Revolution's extra friend code might be an exception and not a rule, and Elebits is a cited example where one can exchange in-game pictures with Wii friends. However, as we do not have any other details from impending online games, and Nintendo has not readily clarified, we're just not sure.]

Tags: enix, ffxi, final fantasy, final fantasy xi, FinalFantasy, FinalFantasyXi, friend code, friend codes, FriendCode, FriendCodes, mmo, nintendo wii, NintendoWii, online, square, square enix, SquareEnix, wi fi, WiFi, wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

silkylove @ Feb 1st 2007 3:32PM

I love my Wii, but this friend code shit has to go>:(

Shagittarius @ Feb 1st 2007 3:48PM

FFXI is the biggest pile of MMORPG ever made. The only way I could see liking this game is if its the first MMORPG you have ever played.

They can keep that stinky garbage off as many consoles as possible please.

Agent MOO @ Feb 1st 2007 3:34PM

Friend code per game makes NO SENSE at all. The only reason in favor of friend codes is to keep kids from meeting strangers through the console. If you've already done the "handshake" step of exchanging codes with someone, you should be all set for every game

Ryan @ Feb 1st 2007 3:36PM

I totally agree. The friend code system is nothing but a hassle and I feel as if its more limiting than it is protecting. Nintendo would have so many great online games if this friend code crap would go away.

White Rose Duelist @ Feb 1st 2007 3:37PM

I thought that the only reason Pokémon Battle Revolution had friend codes was that it linked with a DS game. Aren't Wii-only games still using the one code per console system?

NintendoFanbot @ Feb 1st 2007 3:38PM

But we're getting Crystal Chronicles?

???

There is no doubt that we should see games that are exceptions to Nintendo's Online policies. The most extra work I'd think there'd be would be pre-planning so Nintendo and whatever company can make a deal.

The only "mmo-ish" game I would play for Wii would be a sequel for PSO (not PSUniverse). If they made a sequel for PC, why not Wii? :)

WillTheSecond @ Feb 1st 2007 3:42PM

@White Rose Duelist.

That's what I thought too, I heard Elebits does that anyway, your existing friends just get uploaded automatically onto the game.

Crono @ Feb 1st 2007 3:42PM

I play WoW. There's only room for one MMO at a time in my life.

Nick @ Feb 1st 2007 3:42PM

It has already been demonstrated by Elebits, that developers are fully capable of using entries from the address book, meaning that Pokemon Battle Revolution's game specific friend code was an exception, not the rule, especially considering that it's linked with a DS game, which required game specific friend codes for technical reasons.

Ninx @ Feb 1st 2007 3:50PM

There is something fishy here...
Square Enix's President said he loved how Nintendo had set up their online systems and would be jumping to support the DS (which we've seen) and the Wii with Chronicles which should be online when it reaches....

He even called it like a platform in itself at the time.

SO then I guess we can say it's not Square Enix who believes that, just that guy.

Then there is the case that Nintendo said (and we have seen with actual proof) that the console can work with universal friend codes and I think it was Reggie who said it's up to the developer and Nintendo themselves would judge based off the game's content....

So uhm......yeah....something here is fishy...

Farseer @ Feb 1st 2007 3:46PM

If we're talking MMO on Wii, are we looking at a keyboard attachment then?

John Z @ Feb 1st 2007 3:46PM

Yeah, sure, it's the friend codes and not, say, the lack of a hard drive preventing XI/Wii (that actually looks kind of cool... "Xiwii", go ahead, say it). FF XI on the 360 chews up about 6 GB of space, and there is no way in hell I will buy a dedicated hard drive for my Wii just to play XI on it. Mind you, this is coming from a guy who has already bought the game THREE different times (PC, PS2, and 360). Yeah, Square could reach out to the Wii owners but they'd have to reach pretty far in return. It's just not financially feasible, for either SE or gamers.

Oh, and while external hard drives are relatively cheap, that's besides the point.

kodec @ Feb 1st 2007 3:48PM

FFXI would most certainly require a USB hard drive.

Chris @ Feb 1st 2007 4:57PM

Well maybe Squeenix is planning on some sort of FFXI DS game to go alone with the wii version. that would make sense since 1) DQ is going only to DS, and 2) they seem pretty stoked about side games on the portable systems from their main franchises.

If there was DS Wii connectivity then the game would also need a Friend Code.

Derbeste @ Feb 1st 2007 3:47PM

Sounds moot anyway as the article even said SE and Nintendo are in talks to figure out a way to bypass the problem anyway.

At least it's nice to see Nintendo trying to work with 3rd parties.

Luckilly....The Wii is the first console N has made that is changeable. So they don't have to act as pigheaded to try to convince us we were better off their way.

chris @ Feb 1st 2007 11:49PM

I never liked this idea of the friend code, but it gave me vague memories of ICQ, and its ID system wasn't tough to handle at all. If ICQ pulled it off properly, then why can't Nintendo? Perhaps if they used less digits in their freaking thing... and let multiple users access the same Wii, instead of multiple users for EACH GAME! ...

>sigh< this is depressing. Knowing something could've been if it weren't for one simple decision. On the other hand, Nintendo got a lot right with the Wii than made errors. All I can complain about is friend codes, slow shopping, and slow internet access. But that's it. Everything else was awesome! So it's too bad that this had to happen.

is @ Feb 1st 2007 4:27PM

"I thought that the only reason Pokémon Battle Revolution had friend codes was that it linked with a DS game. Aren't Wii-only games still using the one code per console system?"

Thats what I thought as well. I think that we are sorely overdue for an offical statement from nintendo regarding the matter. They absolutely MUST have, by this point, a fair idea of how their online plan is going to work. Its only fair that their fans, people like myself, should be given some idea of what their console has in store. Specifically:

Whether friend codes will be console or game specific
Whether the VC game 'updates' that have been alluded to will include onling play
Whether there will be ranking systems, stats posted on wii message board etc.

I suspect however, that the reason this information has not been released is because that it will be negative, and that being the case, even fans like me will be looking to the Wii60 option to fulfil our gaming satisfaction.

gotjpeg @ Feb 1st 2007 4:06PM

yeh too bad ff11 seriously sucks balls now a pokemon mmo wouldnt be too bad at all

mtvernon @ Feb 1st 2007 3:57PM

It's actually a sixteen-digit friend code, isn't it?

juv3nal @ Feb 1st 2007 4:04PM

"When the Wii was revealed to have a console-specific friend code"

How does that work if you have different people playing on the same machine?

MJ @ Feb 1st 2007 4:11PM

[...]Wii owners our clamoring for Nintendo[...]
are?

Darkness @ Feb 1st 2007 4:05PM

I don't know how I feel about friend codes, but I would prefer not to have them. If that's all we have, then I'll use them to play online.

What would be nice is if Nintendo would acutally talk to players about it. Both the hardcore and the casual players. This way they get both sides of the story and are able to make a system that works for everyone. I hate to mention Xbox Live, but I do think Microsoft has a decent backbone already setup. It's easy for players and developers to hook into. What I would like to see is more developers come out publicly and offer Nintendo suggestions on how to do it. It only helps everyone in the long run.

Also, if Nintendo announced the support for a HDD, I would go get one ASAP. External harddrives are coming WAY down in price, so getting a good cheap alternative for those who want to play MMOs or use their Wii as some kind of media hub would be great. I'd clearly support that as I did with the PS2 HDD.

BPM @ Feb 1st 2007 4:14PM

As much of a fan of Nintendo I am...
And despite the fact I don't think Friend Codes are THAT big of a hassle...
I still think they could've gone about this better. Registering profiles (like with Xbox Live or PS3) would've been much better.
For one, they'd be one-per-person. Since Wii is being marketed as a family machine, there's gonna be more than one person playing it, right? So, it'd make sense to allow everyone to register their own friend lists.
For two, linking downloads to an account would make it possible to play your VC downloads on another Wii, without Nintendo losing out on possible sales (since it'd be only possible to login to one Wii at a time).
For three, it'd be easier to register friends, period.

While I can't say I'd care for FFXI anyways, it still would've been a better system overall.

Mr Khan @ Feb 1st 2007 4:20PM

It's not friend codes that we should be bitching about per se, but the complete inability to chat with people online

If you went online with FFXI, you could simply state your friendcode for all to see, write down, and add to their linkshell (or Wii System)

The key is not friend codes, its the complete lack of chat ability with strangers

Metroid Prime Hunters' Rivals system was certainly a step in the right direction, where you could make friends with a simple confirmation, and i'm sure the rivals system could easily get implemented again (like Brawl), again, it was a bit of a hassle to have to search for your rivals and wait for them to get out of a game (although games were 7:00 max online), then get in a game with them, but in essence, not all that far removed from LIVE

tack @ Feb 1st 2007 7:26PM

The friend code thing is stupid. If they had to use codes, they should have tied the codes to a user name. Its a poor way to start an online community with everyone as a number. Nintendo "innovation"

Joshua @ Feb 1st 2007 4:23PM

Friend Codes are Nintendo's worst development in the past five years, at least.

Unit @ Feb 1st 2007 4:30PM

damn all those sick online bastards for making nintendo go with that damned friends code crap!!

Mr Khan @ Feb 1st 2007 4:45PM

Oh and i'm sorry to mention that System Codes will most likely not be supported, since that is Wii Connect 24, which is not a live system (it works more like an email service, retrieving packets from a server, which is why it is so slow as a messenger), i.e. Wii Connect 24 is useless for Online play, WiFi Connection (the one with individual friend codes) is in use for Pokemon Battle Revolution, which is an actual, real-time internet connection

Although Battle Revolution may be the exception, since it was released so early (nintendo has yet to make the press release as to the launch of their online model, so Battle Revolution was maybe just a half-assed online thrown together with the WiFi Connect Library so that the game could be released for New Years), much like how SEGA released ChuChu Rocket before SEGAnet was operational, and thus ChuChu Rocket ran under a different system

Thryon @ Feb 1st 2007 6:01PM

I did not purchase the Wii to play online, so I care not about friend codes (honestly, this is the first I have heard of them). I have my Xbox 360 for all my online playing needs. I purchased the Wii for it's party friendly mini-games, and nothing more.

Darkness @ Feb 1st 2007 4:49PM

is, I agree with you. My guess is that if Nintendo had an awesome system setup, they'd be talking about it as a selling point for the Wii. Instead, they've been deadly quiet about the whole thing. Even not commenting on the Pokemon Battle Revolution friend code system. To this day they really haven't commented on the whole friend code issue even from day one of the Wii. I have a feeling this is a sore spot that will hit a lot of players who are hoping (and praying) for a seemless online system from them. With Developers talking about it (like in this article) perhaps Nintendo is at least considering what the online situation will do to the momentum of the Wii if they announce something that isn't popular.

My fingers are crossed that they'll be smart about this, but Nintendo is stubborned, so I doubt it'll change.

ShortFuse @ Feb 1st 2007 5:15PM

Unfortunately Nintendo will learn their lesson AFTER Brawl, not before it. =/

Striderhayasa @ Feb 1st 2007 5:43PM

hmmm, Friend Codes blow. What i don't understand, is Nintendo KNEW MS was going to push XBL long before the 360 was on the shelves. Nintendo KNEW that sony was going to try their best to offer a similar service with all the bells and whistles. Nintendo KNEW regardless of what they tell the public about not competing with the 360 and the PS3, they would need a comparable online service in order to compete.

If they didn't think online was that important then why the hell did they push it for the DS? Nintendo blew it big time. They are making money hand over fist with the Wii and the accessories. They should have spent the money and invested in a stable infrastructure that would be ready at launch. Nintendo could have done it. If I'm wrong, I'll eat my shoes.

Look at how many games are going to suffer with the lack of online play...SSX Blur
CoD3
Red Steel
Wii Sports...

Thanks Nintendo...Thanks a lot...

Windmill @ Feb 1st 2007 6:05PM

Nintendo sticking with friend codes is like Sony refusing to let companies add rumble to their PS3 controller.

Square-enix is obviously VERY interested in developing games for the Wii, and Nintendo shouldn't ruin their chances again like they did when they stuck to stupid cartridges over CD's.

mike @ Feb 1st 2007 7:38PM

Once I heard bout how easy it was to goonline with the xbox (a good year after live came out) I finnaly abandoned my life time long commitment with nintendo. I realized the gamecube games I was buying were not being played by anyone but me and multiplayer modes in games like metroid prime 2 did not even get to be tried as I haveno1 to play with (friends live a distance away, are busy, and generally older now so we dont game really anymore).

fo these reasons I picked up an xbox and burnout 3, my first live game. I played offline mostly untill halo 2 came out, then it was over, I became addicted to online console gaming like I used to play online for my pc. I purchased a 360 with haste and loved it since. Long live xbl. I will never rejoin nintendo until they get a proper online system in place. So It does not look like They will be getting my business untill wii 2 (providing they make a proper online system for that)

Liraco @ Feb 1st 2007 6:47PM

If I recall correctly it was mentioned a while back (when rumblings of friend codes for pokemon wii appeared) that the code was only because the game was using a DS to play, and the DS REQUIRES a friend code per game so it may be the reason. Hopefully, if Elebits is truly how future games will be, we won't have to fumble with too many codes.

Maybe the restrictions Square's reffering to is not having to re-add all your friends but the way the currents friend list works in letting others connect to your wii.

MoonfirePewPEwPEw @ Feb 1st 2007 7:02PM

I applaud Friends Codes, if it means the Wii will not be given shitty games like FF11.

Tyler @ Feb 1st 2007 8:44PM

@13 & 18

Wow, looks like someone couldnt even make it out of Valkrum Dunes in one piece..

I applaud the steep curve of FFXI, keeps the idiots out of the game (well, most of them..)

Freddy @ Feb 1st 2007 7:23PM

What Nintendo needs to do is add a 'Mii Online' channel, where you can register your friends and see what games your friends are playing. It will be like a friend's list. Once registered, you will not have to give your friend code per game.

AzaMcWazza @ Feb 1st 2007 10:13PM

I'm sure someone's said it, but I'll say it too. The additional code is simply cause it's DS compatible and DS has one per game!

Alan @ Feb 1st 2007 8:54PM

The Wii is the best tool to build a community.

Unfortunatley, they gave it the worst possible tools to create it with.

sonicyouth @ Feb 1st 2007 9:58PM

Ha! Ha! Wii owners...You get what you pay for!

Maximus @ Feb 1st 2007 9:10PM

LOL!!!!

And all of those Nintendork fan boys thought that the WiiConnect 24 would be the pinacle of online game play. losers!

*Fuck Nintendo

crazyrabbits @ Feb 1st 2007 9:06PM

"Friend Codes are Nintendo's worst development in the past five years, at least."

Quoted for truth.

evilplushie @ Feb 1st 2007 9:59PM

Hmm, I don't quite get this article. As far as I know, FFXI is a MMO in which the player connects to SE's servers to play. But for normal online games, I was under the impression, we needed friend codes cause people connected to each other machines to play; kinda like xboxlive matchmaking for halo2 and GoW.
So how does a friend code stop people from connecting to SEs server? Or even hinder people from playing FFXI?

NintendoFanbot @ Feb 1st 2007 10:20PM

41. "Ha! Ha! Wii owners...You get what you pay for!"

Yeah... platform-exclusive series (Crystal Chronicles) versus a game that's already been on a few platforms, including PC.

Yeah... don't know what to tell ya...

adolph vega @ Feb 2nd 2007 1:52AM

FF 11 sucked hardcore. Boring lame.
who cares.

MMORPGS are so overrated genre its disgusting.
Kill small animals, than join group of friends, upgrade your weapons, kill bigger animals, and repeat.

ughhhhh i would rather die a horrible death from gunshot than play 3 hours of WOW:BC

syco @ Feb 2nd 2007 1:54AM

People act like trading a number in IM is the most difficult challenge ever to face humankind! Oh no, you'll need to communicate with your friend! Scary!

I'm not saying that other systems don't work as well, but there's not any real advantage that I can see unless you like to play against people you don't know, but you like to play with the same person you don't know more than once... which I don't find very fun and I there are many who disagree.