Nintendo makes annoying "fun" again; sticking to game specific Wii friend codes?
by Blake Snow 
{ Mar 15th 2007 at 2:37AM }
Like the DS before it, it appears Wii will only support title-specific friend codes for online play according to GameSpy PR folk in an interview with Falafelkid from Wii: Definitive Speculation. When asked via email if Wii friend rosters were console specific (read: logical, usable, accessible, you know, fully operational), a representative from Nintendo's online partner replied by saying, "for the Wii friend lists are game specific."Were not just talking certain games that also connect to DS here (i.e. Pokemon Battle Revolution), we're talking all games. Our team on the inside has yet to penetrate the GameSpy vault to confirm or deny the rumor, but what a rancid, partially substantiated rumor this is. Keep hope alive?
[Thanks to all who sent this in]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Azerael @ Mar 15th 2007 2:44AM
...and I thought the Playstation Network was bad.
dxprog @ Mar 15th 2007 2:45AM
It could just mean you huild a faves list out of the people you have in your contacts list. Nothing was really said here, I don't get what the big deal is. It's a very open ended statement.
cc123 @ Mar 15th 2007 2:46AM
The vaginization of Nintendo continues...
BOK @ Mar 15th 2007 2:49AM
Yet again, Joystiq puts the sizzle before the steak.
Friend LISTS do not mean friend CODES. No one's said a word about friend codes on the Wii.
Try a little responsibility, eh?
syco @ Mar 15th 2007 2:52AM
I still don't see why people want to play console games online. None of the games I'm interested in for the Wii are announced as online or would even be any good online, so basically Nintendo could just not have any friend codes or online games at all and I would be just as content.
Actually none of the games I want for the 360 are online either. Funny.
NoHitHair @ Mar 15th 2007 2:53AM
I have to admit, dxprog and BOK were both dead on - this story obviously has no grounding.
Do you have anymore evidence?
http://blog.myspace.com/nohithair
Next-Gen-Gamer @ Mar 15th 2007 2:59AM
It seems as though no one can take this news without mentioning friend codes. Why? The only company I see using friend codes is Nintendo. That being said, this isn't the DS we're talking about. Third-party developers will probably establish their own systems for all of their online-capable franchises (perhaps via Wii Numbers).
Rubang B @ Mar 15th 2007 3:07AM
If this does mean friend codes, which it doesn't yet, it'll suck a little bit, but I won't mind too much, because I only really need me some Strikers: Charged and Smash Bros. Brawl for my Wii online action.
It's not like this is gonna convince me to drop $600 on a competitor or anything. Besides, with the Wii outselling everything else with NO online, imagine how much better it will sell with CRAPPY online. Ouch. Online is not the battle winning this war apparently.
Frost @ Mar 15th 2007 3:11AM
Syco: its almost as if these two console manufacturers have different target audiences...
AzaMcWazza @ Mar 15th 2007 6:20AM
OK, all these damned blogs are starting to piss me off. You guys are journalists and you can't even read, comprehend or use basic logic.
That interview DID NOT say anything about friends codes. It was talking about friends lists. They are not necessarily the same thing. We have not been told if they are or not.
You're just sensationalising something prior to doing research on it.
For all we know, games could reference or import the address book to make their friend list and then allow alterations to it. Game specific yes, tedious for entry - NO!
syco @ Mar 15th 2007 3:14AM
I was afraid I might have been wrong about the games I want for the 360 being offline, but I checked the full list of games (this doesn't even count Xbox1 games I want like Panzer Dragoon Orta and the Fatal Frames) but...
Blue Dragon
Dead Rising (bargin bin?)
Obvlivion
Kameo (Bargin Bin!)
Too Human
The vertical arcade shooter Treasure is working on
None of those are online, and when they're all out I'll probably get a 360. And this is on the console that's supposed to be all about online...
I hope this has plainly illustrated how completely unimportant this rumor is.
tmmoore_nc @ Mar 15th 2007 3:17AM
I'm assuming when they say Friend LISTS they mean Friend CODES. However, if it were game specific friends lists, using the one code, then it wouldn't be as bad as we think.
But, like I said, I think it means game-specific Friend Codes.
J @ Mar 15th 2007 3:16AM
I don't think its all that bad. I mean it isn't great but its still free crappy or not. I speculate its to keep the cost down. Someone has to pay for the servers. Just as long as metroid will have something better to offer then the DS version (which wasn't really bad considering its a 1P experience first and then has online 2nd). I would rather have just the wii numbers. They were good enough.
reppy @ Mar 15th 2007 3:21AM
I don't know. I guess I'm not much of an online gamer. The only game I really ever played with strangers online was Counter-Strike. And I usually tried to stick to the same servers.
I like to play against friends or people of the same expertise. I hated going on a server to find some guy that spends 20 hours a day playing. I was happy as long as I had a few more kills than I had deaths. To me, that was considered good. And generally I was able to accomplish that. But here I have a 20-12 record and there's guys with like 43-2. Takes the fun out of the game, IMO.
syco @ Mar 15th 2007 3:22AM
J... I think the day Retro Studios made Metroid multiplayer is the day I started losing faith in them. Hunters wasn't very good... If they can make MP3 as good as the first two I would forgive them for Hunters, and the best way to do that is to just give up on multiplayer.... Metroid isn't supposed to be multiplayer, it's supposed to make you feel like your on an alien planet, alone, isolated from civilization, just you against hordes of barely cognizant Space Pirates and various critters and Metroids.
Metroid is, by definition, a Single Player experience.
J @ Mar 15th 2007 3:33AM
Friends Lists are lists of friend codes. They are coming. There is no way to get around it. I thought wii numbers would be the end all say all.
I don't agree with the above statement. Metroid Prime 3 was supposed to be single player. It was supposed to come out on launch. That means the regular game was done. That also means they have time to polish it up. If they add online to an already finished game then I am happy. Maybe I'd like to kick your butt AS a space pirate :). Games finished and there is no reason it couldn't be multiplayer. Hunters wasn't all that good but I bet that had to do with a lack of data storage on the DS cart. For what its worth you can tell this by the repeat Final Bosses ect. It was a pretty neat game though. Online was extra. Hopefully this will have that extra too.
dark @ Mar 15th 2007 3:35AM
Who cares about other useless junk games. All we need is SSBB and we can forget all about the other games.
Samus @ Mar 15th 2007 3:36AM
@syco
Metroid Prime Hunters was developed by NST, not Retro.
Rubang B @ Mar 15th 2007 3:41AM
Yeah, I've said it before and I'll say it again. Nintendo can launch the Wii's online service and call it The Smash Bros. Network, and have it only compatible with one game, and it will be a huge success.
Daniel @ Mar 15th 2007 3:47AM
12- you know what happens when you assume..... you make an ass out of you and me...
Gavin @ Mar 15th 2007 3:50AM
Nintendo has never been able to figure out online gaming so this is nothing new. The Wii will have the worst online gaming options out of any of the next-gen systems we have to choose from. You knew this was coming and if you make excuses for them, you are just in denial. Online gaming is one of the linchpins of the new face of consoles and Nintendo still can't work it out. The only thing innovative about the console is their ability to sell people the same thing again and again and make it seem fresh and new when in actuality, there is nothing innovative about the system at all.
The Wii is old hardware with media hype heavily smeared all over it. It's like they are still stuck in the last century of gaming but they are still focused on the Power Glove. Hey Nintendo, way to get stuck in the 80's.
syco @ Mar 15th 2007 3:51AM
Samus...
That explains quite a bit.
Rubang B @ Mar 15th 2007 4:00AM
The Power Glove wasn't made by Nintendo. It was made by Mattel, and only had 2 games made for it, Super Glove Ball (which kicks ass and is a perfect candidate for a Wiimake) and Bad Street Brawler (which is the most embarassing game ever made). I own both for some odd reason.
MysticX @ Mar 15th 2007 4:10AM
Just take it easy and eat a cookie! It says friend lists (maybe Mii) NOT friend codes!
Gabriel Asseily @ Mar 15th 2007 4:33AM
If this is founded the following applies:
Sony's PR was bought by Nintendo
Nintendo's PR was bought by Sony
New status quo:
"We want to make our customers enjoy the gaming experience" = Sony
"We sold our console and that was all lies about making the console for the mass market" = Nintendo
I currently own the Wii and will get the PS3 at some point but not at launch.
Miles @ Mar 15th 2007 4:33AM
If its true that every game will have individual friend codes, then online should no longer be implemented whatsoever on the Wii. Just make it multi-player like its 1987 and stop wasting your programmers time.
Extinction @ Mar 15th 2007 4:44AM
"Our team on the inside has yet to penetrate the GameSpy vault to confirm or deny the rumor, but what a rancid, partially substantiated rumor this is. Keep hope alive?"
Truth has never matter to you guys before when it came to anti-PS3 rumors, why the change of heart? Oh, right, it's Wii related. Silly me.
Aex @ Mar 15th 2007 5:04AM
It is articles like this that make me glad I havn't purchased a wii. It really shows how much Nintendo cares about its consumers. I guess it is ok, Nintendo is making Butt-loads of money. Yay for ... Nintendo... I guess.
Rubang B @ Mar 15th 2007 5:53AM
Oh I get it Extinction. You're one of the "Joystiq is Tobias!" guys. I will now remember to ignore your posts.
Kazi @ Mar 15th 2007 7:00AM
As a bonus comparerd to the DS there's an e-mail like service for the Wii so you can exchange your Wii FCs then send each other your games FCs through that.
The FC system is just a minor annoyance. Nintendo pretty much doesn't want you making friends over online games. Not a big loss.
I think the hate for the FC system is blown up out of proportion.
IslandLife @ Mar 15th 2007 7:17AM
Wow, it's funny how all the Nintendo fanboys are starting to sound like the fox who couldn't get the grapes. How does that fable go now?....Oh yeah, after trying to reach a bunch sweet delicious grapes and ultimately failing in his attempts, the fox says: "I never wanted those lousy grapes anyway." Sounds familiar, fanboys. It amazes me how you guys let Nintendo get away with anything. Wow.
deaftly @ Mar 15th 2007 7:23AM
syco, why are you trying to defend this shit so bad, who cares, nintendo and online just dont mix, thats the main point, plus metroid is the perfect game for nintendo to really get involved online
WillTheSecond @ Mar 15th 2007 4:34PM
"I think the hate for the FC system is blown up out of proportion."
F**k that, I now know what it's like to be raped by a multinational corporation. It stings.
Okay, okay, it's not that bad, but this move is pointless considering they have a unified friend code in place already.
starburst @ Mar 15th 2007 7:46AM
@Islandlife
WTF so what's you're point? there's fanboys for all consoles mate and all consoles have their problems. Stop acting like a bitch...
majortom1981 @ Mar 15th 2007 7:40AM
ITs people like Island Life who give people who play video games a bad rap.
HE thinkgs anybody who plays video games on a specific system is a fanboy.
I for one couldnt care about the friend codes.
You can still play random people without a friend code. Just like on the computer.
Each Computer game you have to have a seperate list of friends so what makes this any different?
People, The Ds has the same online system and its selling like crazy. That should tell you something.
Air Guitar @ Mar 15th 2007 9:51AM
i would like to say, this sensationalism is really pathetic. given, the individual friend lists smells frighteningly of FCs, but doesnt specifically deal with them.
i just hope nintendo releases online info in the next few weeks. this stock deal is really hurting them.
JJ @ Mar 15th 2007 7:51AM
but majortom you forgot to realize that unlike the computer the wii is a unified system with a unified service like the e360 and PS3, having different lists for each game would be counterproductive to the whole point of having said unified system.
on the PC unless its a certain service, most of the games are made by different companies and arent . meant to be part of a unified system since every PCs configuration is different.
they two COMPLETELY different types of configurations you're comparing there.
Psycho300x @ Mar 15th 2007 7:59AM
umm... yeah I almost which i didnt buy my wii, I mean no real games coming out till, well atleast this xmas season if not christmas 08 in the case of metroid prime 3, now the online network blows, whats the point of the code to msg people? now even more lame ass numbers, nintendo is really pissing me off
Kelvin @ Mar 15th 2007 8:06AM
"Nintendo and online don't mix, like two dicks and no bitch, find yourself in serious shit"
Jake @ Mar 15th 2007 8:25AM
syco,
I am almost positive that if Nintendo announced it was going to have a solid online in addition to the single player experiences you would be bragging all over about it. You make it sound like since you don't want online it isn't important.
When consoles get online, they become huge. Playing online is fun as hell. Games built on single player are fun too. Personally, I like having both options.
Jake @ Mar 15th 2007 8:25AM
syco,
I am almost positive that if Nintendo announced it was going to have a solid online in addition to the single player experiences you would be bragging all over about it. You make it sound like since you don't want online it isn't important.
When consoles get online, they become huge. Playing online is fun as hell. Games built on single player are fun too. Personally, I like having both options.
baby sea tuna @ Mar 15th 2007 8:37AM
Friend list or friend codes aside, chances are you're still not going to be able to drop in and drop out of games against random people (remember: dangerous child predators are lurking in that series of tubes,) which is bullshit. Believe me, I wanna play Smash Bros and Mario Kart online as bad as anyone but, considering I know like 3 other people with Wiis, competition is going to get real old real fast.
I still have hope, but seeing what they've done with online so far, that hope is fading fast.
JJ @ Mar 15th 2007 8:41AM
somehow i think the same people who say online isn't important and only single player is, are probably the same people who believe you cant have fun with next gen graphics either.
Neither is mutually exclusive to fun and personally i like having GREAT GRAPHICS with GREAT STORY and the option of having both online and offline play if at all possible.
Jack of No Trades @ Mar 15th 2007 8:46AM
Well they did pay $250 for the console. You get what you pay for.
Nintendo fans have gotten the short end of the stick since the 64.
Jack of No Trades @ Mar 15th 2007 8:47AM
Well they did pay $250 for the console. You get what you pay for.
Nintendo fans have gotten the short end of the stick since the 64.
Cap'n Jack @ Mar 15th 2007 9:02AM
This has got to be bogus. I find it hard to believe that Nintendo would make the same mistake as they did with the DS matchmaking service. It's bad enough that you need to put a long code in to make friends with other Wii owners, but now we're going to have to do it with EVERY GAME?? I don't believe.
JodyAnthony @ Mar 15th 2007 9:11AM
""Nintendo and online don't mix, like two dicks and no bitch, find yourself in serious shit"" by Kelvin
The day you have a child will be the darkest day in the history of humankind.
JodyAnthony @ Mar 15th 2007 9:14AM
"chances are you're still not going to be able to drop in and drop out of games against random people "
Have you played any online DS games besides animal crossing? afaik you can play against random people in every other online ds game (at least i know you can in mario kart, tetris ds, metroid prime hunters, star fox, etc)
Pawsie @ Mar 15th 2007 9:24AM
If you solely need to register someone's friend code just to play online.. thenn i would be a problem.. But if you can play against random people.. then I really don't see the big deal.
But I don't have much of a problem with the friend code system... After getting a new DS, all the stuff saved on my game still work.. if they used my DS Mac, I would be screwed..
Liqwid @ Mar 15th 2007 9:29AM
It's just a minor inconvenience. I don't mind it at all. It's like turning on the Wii console by pressing the power button on the console instead of on the controller. Very, very minor. If we're all that lazy, then I think we should cut back more conveniences.