Nintendo partners with GameSpy for enhanced online play
by John Bardinelli 
{ Mar 13th 2007 at 10:48AM }
In a press release sent out today, GameSpy has announced it will provide "multiplayer technology" to publishers developing games for the Wii. The middleware allows the same online functionality found in DS games but will include friend rosters, matchmaking, and ranking data similar to Xbox Live. It's about time! Looks like Nintendo is finally willing to share their online service with 3rd party developers.Nintendo has had a toe in the online world since Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection launched in 2005, but game-specific friend codes and the lack of a central hub have made the service a cumbersome experience. Could this mean the end of friend codes and the beginning of a beautiful online experience?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Clark @ Mar 13th 2007 1:20PM
Please make it happen.
Jack of No Trades @ Mar 13th 2007 10:53AM
It will most likely be mediocre compared to live but something is better than nothing.
summercamp @ Mar 13th 2007 10:56AM
Friend codes are great. They allow me to keep my online games free of Americans.
I would never pollute my HDTV with XBox filth
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c203/Emotep032/IMGP0157.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c203/Emotep032/IMGP0158.jpg
NintendoFanbot @ Mar 13th 2007 10:59AM
I was wondering when this would re-surface again. I heard something about Nintendo and GameSpy last year but since before and after the NWC launch nothing has been said about GameSpy. Hmm.
Jack of No Trades @ Mar 13th 2007 10:59AM
@ summercamp
You sure like showing off your pics. The funny thing is that you most likely want a 360.
Jake @ Mar 13th 2007 11:00AM
It is amazing that it has been this long and they are finally announcing some kind of respectable online effort. Crazy. I have always wondered why Nintendo has drug their feet on working towards a decent online system. Here are my possibilities:
1) Fear of vulgar online a-holes ruining the kid-friendly game experiences.
2) They don't think online is a big deal.
3) Simply just thought it wasn't worth resources that could be spent elsewhere.
That is all I can come up with. I know I can't speak for every gamer out there, but I think online multiplayer is the most important aspect of games that can use it. Obviously, most rpg's and such don't need it.
I would just rather play with/against humans than AI.
Liqwid @ Mar 13th 2007 11:02AM
Hmmm, just like what they did with the DS. Sounds good. The DS works pretty well, in my opinion, in online play. And friend codes have never really been a problem for me.
Summercamp, leave your hatred in your mind. I'm an American, and damned proud to be one.
KnuxSonic @ Mar 14th 2007 5:30PM
Hahaha, beautiful online experience with GameSpy, that's a good one.
pete @ Mar 13th 2007 11:11AM
summercamp nice set up. anyway, usa rocks! and i dont know to much of gamespy to begin with so ill wait and see.
sheppy @ Mar 13th 2007 11:15AM
Wow, maybe this is why most logical children dread summercamp.
RUSKULL @ Mar 13th 2007 11:19AM
Strange that we're only hearing about this now, seeing as how Reggie told everyone before launch that we'll be playing online Wii games by early 2007. So what's early? December? :P
ZenGaijin @ Mar 13th 2007 11:24AM
I give up on Nintendo, they will never get their s*** together. All I hope is that SmashBros has a online like MarioDS had were I could just find random people to battle against.
I didn't buy the Wii for online anything, in fact I'm starting to wonder why I bought a Wii in the first place.
Josh @ Mar 13th 2007 11:25AM
Summercamp is just jealous because she doesn't have the skill to play on XBL. When you're ready to step up and play with the big boys we'll be waiting.
baby sea tuna @ Mar 13th 2007 11:26AM
Well, this is probably isn't going to let me play Mario Kart online as effortlessly as I'd like, but it's certainly a good start.
And summercamp, I think I speak for all of Xbox live when I say that you won't be missed, douche-nozzle.
summercamp @ Mar 13th 2007 11:27AM
My favourite macro in Final Fantasy XI is...
{Looking for party}?{American}{Xbox360}{player}?{Thanks for the offer, but I'll have to pass} ^_^
I would never pollute my HDTV with Xbox filth
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c203/Emotep032/IMGP0157.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c203/Emotep032/IMGP0158.jpg
BOK @ Mar 13th 2007 11:29AM
I wish I hated a plastic-encased toy as much as you do, summercamp.
Slaziman @ Mar 13th 2007 11:32AM
Though Summercamp's comment is ridiculous, he does have a nice set-up. You can't deny the beauty of a black PSP and a black PS3 on one side and a white DS Lite and a white Wii on the other, coupled with a cool looking TV
Diskoboy @ Mar 13th 2007 11:33AM
Yrah summercamp. Good luck finding someone to play you on your Gaystation 3.
And BTW - my setup (a 1080p 62 inch DLP) blows yours out of the water. I should probably also show you my room full of consoles dating from the RCA Studio 2 to the Xbox 360.
Jesus - stuck up sony's ass much, brand whore? Oh - and no American would want to play you you uneducated pice of shit.
Jack of No Trades @ Mar 13th 2007 11:33AM
I would never pollute my HDTV with PS3 filth.
JJ! I would. I love both PS3 and 360.
ZenGaijin @ Mar 13th 2007 11:33AM
The funny thing about Summercamp is that he/she is foolish enough to believe that Americans don't play PS3 or Nintendo games online.
Nice 20GB PS3 btw.......(couldn't spare and extra hundred?)
summercamp @ Mar 13th 2007 11:37AM
@19
It's a 60GB. Can't you see the flash from the camera reflecting off the silver chrome?
Learn to identify your Playstation 3 models.
I would never pollute my HDTV with Xbox filth
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c203/Emotep032/IMGP0157.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c203/Emotep032/IMGP0158.jpg
summercamp @ Mar 13th 2007 11:43AM
@17
Learn to spell "piece". Perhaps if you played more Brain Age and less Halo, you would be able to use the English language properly.
I would never pollute my HDTV with Xbox filth
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c203/Emotep032/IMGP0157.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c203/Emotep032/IMGP0158.jpg
sheppy @ Mar 13th 2007 11:44AM
God how I yearn for a topic without summercamp...
And by the way,
"Oh - and no American would want to play you you uneducated pice of shit."
Bwahahahahaha
Defferoo @ Mar 13th 2007 11:48AM
wow summercamp.... you kind of fail... just looking at your setup... why the hell is your wii stand backwards?! BAHAHAHAHA. and why do you have wiiplay stickers on your TV? that's ridiculous. btw xbox 360 is not filth, it has some of the best games of this generation. I think somebody is jealous.
Vidikron @ Mar 13th 2007 11:47AM
@20
Oh yeah?
http://www.thraxen.com/extras/games.jpg
And gamers of all nationalities are free to game with me any time.
e-penis +1
Agent MOO @ Mar 13th 2007 11:48AM
No spam please, summercamp
Vidikron @ Mar 13th 2007 11:50AM
@25
[wow summercamp.... you kind of fail... just looking at your setup... why the hell is your wii stand backwards?! ]
Haha... nice find. I didn't even notice that.
Marty @ Mar 13th 2007 11:54AM
LOL @ Summercamp
Aren't you ashamed that you were stupid enough to be duped into buying a PS3?
summercamp @ Mar 13th 2007 11:54AM
@20
Nice TV. It's too bad you polluted it with Xbox filth
I would never pollute my HDTV with Xbox filth
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c203/Emotep032/IMGP0157.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c203/Emotep032/IMGP0158.jpg
Majortom1981 @ Mar 13th 2007 12:01PM
Sumemrcamps wii stand is not backwards. He has it setup right. There is a whole for the exhaust that must line up. He has it setup right.
Alan @ Mar 13th 2007 12:04PM
@ Summercamp
Hey, you're that fool I saw on the Nintendo forums when I used to go there. I see you're just as annoying here as you are there.
As for the GameSpy service; I guess it's better than nothing.
GJM @ Mar 13th 2007 12:04PM
I'm pretty sure this is the first time sheppy and I have seen eye to eye.
Non-biter @ Mar 13th 2007 12:02PM
@Jack Of No Trades You used to diss 360 & Wii in favor of your love for the Playstation brand. I'm just wondering what made you decide to pretend that you love 360 in order to unite fans of both consoles in order to destroy the Wii?
Kaikara @ Mar 13th 2007 12:06PM
@Summercamp, I used to feel the same way about the original Xbox. Pity Sony screwed us PAL customers around so much and the fact that PS3 currently has no games that appeal to me (other than MGS4 and FFXIII which won't be out to 2009 anyhow). I eventually saw the light after playing a couple of rounds of Gears at a friends house on Live, it was the most fun i'd had on a game since Diablo II online, and I bought one 3 weeks ago. Best gaming decision of my life, it is sooo good online playing with mates on weekday evenings- has practically replaced MSN for me. Also it so many good games coming out for it that appeal to me, that aren't coming out on PS3. Sure it has a lot of shooters, but look at all the amazing looking RPGs coming out for it /can't wait for Mass Effect/Blue Dragon/Lost Odyssey!! So in the end I respect you're point of view, but seriously I can't see honestly anything much the PS3 has going for it. BTW don't needlessly be racist online- would you say that to an American citizen's face?
sheppy @ Mar 13th 2007 12:05PM
Only place you two beat me is the TV. But I'm saving up for a $5000 projector... why play on a TV when VF5 can be lifesized?
http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c237/sheppyboy2000/game%20collection/
Majortom1981 @ Mar 13th 2007 12:09PM
Never mind you guys are right (Lol my wii as at home and I looked on nitnendos site )
LOl thats funny coming from a guy spamming the site who shows a picture who cant even setup his console right.
Ps thats not good for your system. there is a hole that must match up . Its the intake for thwe fan. The way you have it setup its blocking the intake.
stevep63 @ Mar 13th 2007 3:30PM
Nice one, summercamp! I'm right there with ya; I own a Wii and will soon own a PS3. I leave the 360 for consumers who don't know any better.
Poor fools.
Jack of No Trades @ Mar 13th 2007 12:10PM
@ Non-biter
I always defend the PS3 and 360. I like the 360 more than PS3 so I tend to shoot down the PS3 when there is a argument between them. I was never pro-wii.
And yes, sometimes its fun to start up wars when its boring at work.
sheppy @ Mar 13th 2007 12:11PM
"And yes, sometimes its fun to start up wars when its boring at work."
Agreed...
Vidikron @ Mar 13th 2007 12:13PM
@33
Nice, Sheppy. You've got a crapload of games. I do have many older systems, but they are retired to other TVsor have been replaced by more capable emulators. Actually, the modded Xbox in the picture doubles as an Atari 2600, MSX 1/2, Sharp 68000, Lynx, Game Gear, NES, SNES, PC Engine, etc, etc... thanks to all the fantastic emulators. I also didn't bother putting any portables in the picture as summercamp did. But my wife and I both love our portables and have 3 DSs (1 phat, 2 lites) and 2 PSPs in the house.
sheppy @ Mar 13th 2007 12:19PM
@Vidikron
I do the emu scene from time to time (I have 2 Sega Saturn arcade sticks ready to hook up to my PC for Mame fun) but for the most part, nothing feels better than the original controllers. Of course it sucks when your LCD gets weird random flashes from your CDX, limiting your Genesis gaming to the bedroom. I also have two PSPs (one hacked, one white) but a single DS Lite. Traded in my DS Phat for a Lite, traded that Lite in for a black Lite. Currently mulling over adding a working GP2X (have a bricked one... thanks, Lik-Sang) or maybe a Neo Geo MVS 6 cabinet....
spaceboy @ Mar 13th 2007 12:24PM
you guys are all nerds and need girlfriends.
bounchfx @ Mar 13th 2007 12:22PM
gamespy is fucking terrible
WHY NINTENDO WHY!
kdanarch @ Mar 13th 2007 12:23PM
Man, way to go off topic for the sake of a troll, guys :P
ssuk @ Mar 13th 2007 12:24PM
Reason to buy a Wii +1! I was converted to the wonders of online gaming by the 360. However, Wii just doesn't have enough interesting titles for me to justify the £180 buy. =/
Slaziman @ Mar 13th 2007 12:24PM
Dude Sheppy, did I count wrong, or do you really have THREE PS2's? WTF? Anyway that's a pretty sweet collection of games you got there. And the collection of system boxes... pretty amazing. Also, why do you have two copies of Halo 2?
Vidikron @ Mar 13th 2007 12:34PM
@39
I know what you mean about the original systems. That's why I don't usually bother with PC emulators. But I also don't have the room or patience for having a dozen systems connected to a couple of TVs. I have enough trouble controlling the wiring as is. So, IMO, the modded Xbox was the next best option. It feels more natural to be playing classic console games on an actual console and on my TV rather than at my PC... Actually, the emulated computer systems (Amiga, Sharp, Commodore 64, etc...) can be a bit tedious since you have to switch out virtual disks with many games, but I still prefer them all in one place. The modded Xbox can also scale the games to HD resolutions, so that's another plus over the originals (for me anyway... I'm not as anal about pixel perfect reproduction as some people).
How do you like your white PSP? I personally prefer black in anything (I hate how the 360 and Wii stand out in the picture I posted), but the black PSP really makes the finger prints stand out... which is another pet peeve of mine. I'm always wiping it down with a microfibre cloth.
JodyAnthony @ Mar 13th 2007 12:36PM
All I have is SNES, PS1, PS2, Dreamcast, Wii, DS, DSLite, and PSP.
Zertoss @ Mar 13th 2007 12:37PM
Gamespy?! Nooooooooooooooooo! DO NOT WANT!
Seriously, Gamespy's service is worse than game-specific friend codes. Ugh!
sheppy @ Mar 13th 2007 12:38PM
"Dude Sheppy, did I count wrong, or do you really have THREE PS2's? WTF? Anyway that's a pretty sweet collection of games you got there. And the collection of system boxes... pretty amazing. Also, why do you have two copies of Halo 2?"
Probably the mistake found in the boxes. I had a slimline PS2 that died due to a botched mod (and too many LEDs added to the circuit board... damn my addiction to LEDs and amatuer soldering) so I replaced it with a domestic Silver slimeline and an imported White slimline (because I love import games... thus, the Beatmania on the LCD). So yeah, I have a domestic PS2 and an import PS2. But I apparently haven't thrown out the old slimline PS2 box... gotta do that this weekend then (I have to make room for some new boxes, primarily a PG Zaku II I need to find the time to do).
And the Halo 2 story is this. When I hosted some gaming nights, we started getting into Halo. Then Halo 2 launched and I got the CE of the game and used the Microsoft Retail Training program to snag the free bonus copy of Halo 2 to make sure we had a spare on hand.