No Friends Codes for Wii

[[VSK]BadCRC]

Finally we get confirmation that Wii will not be using friends codes to engage in online gaming. Instead you are assigned a Wii Number, which will uniquely identify you in any of the online enabled games.

This news comes from IGN's (http://wii.ign.com) own Matt Casamassina. Thanks goes out to PalGN (http://palgn.com.au/article.php?title=Friend+codes+dropped+for+the+Wii&id=5683&sid=58c63b6a6f3482c5381c4850f11b2088) for the heads up on the story.

I knew this was coming already, so this isn't a shock to me, but it's good to see it set in stone at this point.

[inmostlight]

So...umm...how is a unique number assigned by the system not a friend code? It sounds like the exact same thing with a different name.

[The-Builder]

So...umm...how is a unique number assigned by the system not a friend code? It sounds like the exact same thing with a different name.
Cause it's tied to the wii, not the individual games.

[holysin]

Why a number instead of a username?

[Ridlin]

It's the mac address of the machine. If they made it a user name they would have to have a networked database to keep track of them.

[GunnyMo]

You mean I have to keep track of a goddamn number to give to people to find me online with the Wii? Nothing like a gamertag or anything? If so, I'd say that's just as bad as friend codes.

Someone tell me I'm wrong here. Please.

Anyone notice it is the Japanese companies that are completely ass backwards with online technology? For a country that seems to be at the forefront of robotics and loves electronics they sure seem retarded (their companies at least) when it comes to something like online connectivity.

It makes me wonder that when they start making full sized Gundams that they will be fearsome to behold but just be sure you don't need to communicate with one.

[Food Nipple]

It's the mac address of the machine. If they made it a user name they would have to have a networked database to keep track of them.

It's not the MAC address of your machine. Your MAC address isn't visible to any network devices past the router in you house. The reason they use a number instead of a username is so that multiple people can have the same name in game.

The reason this is superior to friend codes is that you only have to trade one number, unlike on the DS where you need a separate friend code for every game, and you can't play your games on a another DS. You'll enter a name on your console, so once your friend enters the code I'm sure it'll say GunnyMo isntead of 09832340.

[Sophism]

Yeah, this was confirmed by Nintendo Europe's Wii mini-site around October 2nd or so, but always good to get the word out again. :)

[bapenguin]

Well it's a step in the right direction at least.

[Heretic Machine]

You mean I have to keep track of a goddamn number to give to people to find me online with the Wii? Nothing like a gamertag or anything? If so, I'd say that's just as bad as friend codes.

Someone tell me I'm wrong here. Please.

Anyone notice it is the Japanese companies that are completely ass backwards with online technology? For a country that seems to be at the forefront of robotics and loves electronics they sure seem retarded (their companies at least) when it comes to something like online connectivity.

It makes me wonder that when they start making full sized Gundams that they will be fearsome to behold but just be sure you don't need to communicate with one.

Agreed... I mean, how fucking hard is it to understand that most people can't remember long strings of numbers? That is why we have URLs and DNS servers, it was too fucking hard to remember IP addresses. Not to mention that long strings of numbers are much harder to type in than a small name.

Nintendo just keeps doing shit that seems to indicate that they are not serious about online play on their console. Luckily for them, the fanboys don't seem to care.

[Ridlin]

It's not the MAC address of your machine. Your MAC address isn't visible to any network devices past the router in you house. The reason they use a number instead of a username is so that multiple people can have the same name in game.


I could write you a program in about 10 minutes that would take your MAC address and proudly send it anywhere you like.

It's probably not a MAC, though, you're right. It's probably just a serial number.

Don't expect to go to a friends house and type in some number to have your profile come up. The number is tied to the machine. There's no networked database.

[[VSK]BadCRC]

And to clear things up a bit, yes, you do get a username of sorts - which is displayed to your friends when you're online, but no, this name is not used to add contacts to your friends list, that is still managed by your assigned number.

You can check out the video (http://media.games.ign.com/articles/693/693580/vids_1.html) that was available on IGN's website (See: Episode 30) (Thanks goes out to Score for the link), and Matt breaks down the Wii UI, it's about as straight forward as you can get.

The "friends code" thing did suck, but one code for the console - add your friends once and you can play any of your online enabled games with them - is hardly a bad thing.

[Deathbane27]

Anyone notice it is the Japanese companies that are completely ass backwards with online technology? For a country that seems to be at the forefront of robotics and loves electronics...

That's just it, they want to turn everyone into robots. Giving people designation numbers instead of names is the first step. :D

[Savok]

Ah Matt, always on the cutting edge of month old news.

http://www.n-europe.com/news.php?nid=9609

EDIT: I ask again, why does this man still have a job?

[TrackZero]

To Nintendo, we're all just numbers. ;)

[Doctor]

GunnyMo.. When you have people call your cell, do they call "GunnyMo" or do you have to give them a phone number in the beginning? Yeahhh.. that's what I thought, it's tough work remembering a number, huh!? Why can't everything be like Microsoft, why why why?!? Blast Nintendo fanboys all you want (or the Japanese apparantly), but you MS fanboys with your gamertags in your sig will find just about anything to bitch about if it's not just like MS. Keep thinking inside that box.

[Camel]

I can't believe people are still finding something to complain about here...oh wait, yes I can. I think this is good news, as I hate the DS system.

EDIT: Also...unless someone's got a easy-to-remember Gamer Tag (i.e. I am pretty sure I could remember GunnyMo and send him a friend invite no problem), I have to write it down and then enter it. Now you have to write down a number and enter it. Piece of cake...just not the same type of cake as the 360. Which I guess is where the complaints come from.

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

GunnyMo.. When you have people call your cell, do they call "GunnyMo" or do you have to give them a phone number in the beginning? Yeahhh.. that's what I thought, it's tough work remembering a number, huh!? Why can't everything be like Microsoft, why why why?!? Blast Nintendo fanboys all you want (or the Japanese apparantly), but you MS fanboys with your gamertags in your sig will find just about anything to bitch about if it's not just like MS. Keep thinking inside that box.

Oooooooh snap!

I guess this is better than a friend code... Wait its the same damn thing basically. Its stupid as hell Im assuming Nintendo is just lazy/cheap.

[thecrazyd]

Oooooooh snap!

I guess this is better than a friend code... Wait its the same damn thing basically. Its stupid as hell Im assuming Nintendo is just lazy/cheap.
Don't be stupid. Do you not see the difference between multiple codes for multiple games, and a single code for all games?

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

Don't be stupid. Do you not see the difference between multiple codes for multiple games, and a single code for all games?

Wasnt it always gonna be one code they just changed how its used? By the way theres no need to be throwing names around asshole.

[LogainAblar]

GunnyMo.. When you have people call your cell, do they call "GunnyMo" or do you have to give them a phone number in the beginning? Yeahhh.. that's what I thought, it's tough work remembering a number, huh!? Why can't everything be like Microsoft, why why why?!? Blast Nintendo fanboys all you want (or the Japanese apparantly), but you MS fanboys with your gamertags in your sig will find just about anything to bitch about if it's not just like MS. Keep thinking inside that box.

Yeah, allowing unique, personalized gamer-tags is so last generation, isn't it? I mean, why would I want to be able to choose my own online ID when I can have a random one assigned to me?

Nintendo: the great pioneers of the video-game industry. If you can't understand what they're doing, it's because their vision is just too far-reaching for your little mind to comprehend.

[CapnBob]

Yeah, allowing unique, personalized gamer-tags is so last generation, isn't it? I mean, why would I want to be able to choose my own online ID when I can have a random one assigned to me?

Nintendo: the great pioneers of the video-game industry. If you can't understand what they're doing, it's because their vision is just too far-reaching for your little mind to comprehend.

You have it backwards. The number is just the initial connection with friends, after that you can call yourself whatever the hell you want and that's what all of your friends can see. Someone else already picked your username? YOU CAN STILL USE IT. No more adding retarded little AOL numbers after your name.

[LogainAblar]

You have it backwards. The number is just the initial connection with friends, after that you can call yourself whatever the hell you want and that's what all of your friends can see. Someone else already picked your username? YOU CAN STILL USE IT. No more adding retarded little AOL numbers after your name.

I understand that, but we still have to trouble ourselves to remember a 10-digit number just to play games with our friends, and I don't know about you, but I would prefer that my name be unique, even if I have to put those retarded little numbers after my name.

I don't have a problem with the system, but calling it a sign of "outside the box" thinking is pure fantasy. Microsoft gaming division has done alot wrong, but their uinque gamer-tab system isn't one of them.

[Savok]

Why god invented Post-Its.

[Food Nipple]

I understand that, but we still have to trouble ourselves to remember a 10-digit number just to play games with our friends

You only have to enter this number once. It's like adding someone's number to your cell phone, you enter it once and then you can forget it. I'm really failing to see the huge problem here.

In fact, I actually like Nintendo's system.

On my DS I don't enter my name as FoodNipple or some other silly name. I usally just put 'Dan'. I've noticed there's plenty of other people that do the same thing. If you play tetris online it's often against other people using their nice normal name. This changes the whole atmosphere online. Playing tetris against other people feels more casual and more fun.

Of course, if you want to still go by some avatar, that's totally fine too. You can have whatever name you want, and you won't have to worry about whether or not someone picked your name before you did.

[Heretic Machine]

GunnyMo.. When you have people call your cell, do they call "GunnyMo" or do you have to give them a phone number in the beginning? Yeahhh.. that's what I thought, it's tough work remembering a number, huh!? Why can't everything be like Microsoft, why why why?!? Blast Nintendo fanboys all you want (or the Japanese apparantly), but you MS fanboys with your gamertags in your sig will find just about anything to bitch about if it's not just like MS. Keep thinking inside that box.

Ya, phone numbers are super easy to remember. I wonder why all of these companies bother getting numbers that actually spell out words on the keypad (1-800-CAL-LATT, 1-800-4MY-XBOX... etc)? I mean that must be a waste of time, surely people can memorize a long number just by glancing at it.

[GammaKitsune]

The phone number comment still applies. It won't be that hard to remember ten numbers, espeicially since you only have to remember them once, ever. I can agree that the original friend code system for the DS was bull, but it's just whining to make a big deal about this. You just have to trade friend codes once, and you'll never have to do it again. It won't be that hard.

[muddi900]

I think I will enjoy the fall more...

[Heretic Machine]

The phone number comment still applies. It won't be that hard to remember ten numbers

The phone number comparison never worked to begin with. When someone gives me their phone number, I don't remember the full eleven digits. I remember four. The rest is all assumed, much of it by the phone system itself. Remembering a ten digit number for all of my friends just isn't going to happen. In fact, I'd be surprised if I ever actually memorize my own number.

espeicially since you only have to remember them once

Shouldn't have to remember it, ever. The technology is there to make it easier, and Nintendo opted to make it harder. No reason at all, they just did. Just answer me this, what benefit does this give me? Why is assigning me a ten digit number better than letting me assign myself a two-to-ten character name?

[RMan]

I mean that must be a waste of time, surely people can memorize a long number just by glancing at it.
Oh please. Precisely when in the real world is that required of you? We have phone books and 411, and half the time I get the number on my cell phone and I just have to store it. Look, we have plenty of examples of the same system, ICQ assigns you a number, but you can still search for people by all sorts of other criteria if they choose to supply it.

With a user supplied unique name, you have to pick a name that isn’t taken. Invariably with these systems you have to pick something like Jim5825 to get a unique name after some time, so quit trying to play it up like it’s so easy, like I can just enter my friend’s name as the gamertag. Everyone who’s been around knows that it’s not that easy, unless you’re one of the hardcore gamers that’s learned to pick weird names like Perigon, bapenguin, or Kefkataran.

With the number assignment method, joining the system is painless no matter how many people are already on it, and with fairly basic searching mechanisms the number can be pretty much transparent if the user wants it to be (I don’t know the number of a single one of my ICQ contacts, nor do I have them written down, nor is it a problem). I swear, some of you guy’s ability to imagine the best of anything MS does and the worst of anyone else is amazing. Both implementations have their merits, period.

[Heretic Machine]

Oh please. Precisely when in the real world is that required of you? We have phone books and 411, and half the time I get the number on my cell phone and I just have to store it. Look, we have plenty of examples of the same system, ICQ assigns you a number, but you can still search for people by all sorts of other criteria if they choose to supply it.

1) The Wii won't let you search for anything but the number.

2) ICQ got it's ass kicked by services that were based on names, instead of numbers. Why? Because people like using names, not numbers.

With a user supplied unique name, you have to pick a name that isn’t taken. Invariably with these systems you have to pick something like Jim5825 to get a unique name after some time, so quit trying to play it up like it’s so easy, like I can just enter my friend’s name as the gamertag. Everyone who’s been around knows that it’s not that easy, unless you’re one of the hardcore gamers that’s learned to pick weird names like Perigon, bapenguin, or Kefkataran.

You only have to pick a "weird" name one time. Once you have it on a big service, you have a very good chance of being able to use it on other services. If you plan to spend any significant time on the internet, you need a handle.

With the number assignment method, joining the system is painless no matter how many people are already on it, and with fairly basic searching mechanisms the number can be pretty much transparent if the user wants it to be (I don’t know the number of a single one of my ICQ contacts, nor do I have them written down, nor is it a problem). I swear, some of you guy’s ability to imagine the best of anything MS does and the worst of anyone else is amazing. Both implementations have their merits, period.

Nintendo's system has one benefit: to allow people to use any name they want, no matter how many people are already using it. To me, that does not outweight the benefits of Microsoft's system of easy to remember handles, which can be transfered between consoles or stored on a memory card. Something that can be used from my computer to track my stats, something that allows me to have a unique identity.

[Kefkataran]

Pretty sure Savok's right and this was reported (right here, even) at least a month ago. This discussion's giving me deja vu

[GunnyMo]

GunnyMo.. When you have people call your cell, do they call "GunnyMo" or do you have to give them a phone number in the beginning? Yeahhh.. that's what I thought, it's tough work remembering a number, huh!? Why can't everything be like Microsoft, why why why?!? Blast Nintendo fanboys all you want (or the Japanese apparantly), but you MS fanboys with your gamertags in your sig will find just about anything to bitch about if it's not just like MS. Keep thinking inside that box.

That is the dumbest argument I've ever heard for friend codes or this Wii code thing. Hands down. I'm not even going to try to argue with you.

And for the record, I'm not a fanboy of any system. I buy and play all of them for the games, not the system.

[RMan]

1) The Wii won't let you search for anything but the number.
Please supply the link where Nintendo has stated that they will not allow any search mechanisms. Heck, with a simple API they don’t even need to supply the database and search criteria, just like the ranking systems for Quake and the like, the system can be largely handled by a 3rd party if you think Nintendo is just too lazy to do it themselves.
2) ICQ got it's ass kicked by services that were based on names, instead of numbers. Why? Because people like using names, not numbers.
Hehe, whatever, dude. ICQ got beat by AOL because people don’t like their number system, not because AOL supplied disks with corn flakes, had significant marketing, or runs the largest ISP. Yea, keep holding onto that idea. ICQ’s failure to beat AOL, much like the Xbox’s failure to beat the PS2, had NOTHING to do with the quality of the technology.
You only have to pick a "weird" name one time. Once you have it on a big service, you have a very good chance of being able to use it on other services. If you plan to spend any significant time on the internet, you need a handle.
Again, the Mii system will be your handle and online personality, the number is just the underlying identification mechanism. YOU WILL NOT BE IDENTIFIED IN GAME AS A NUMBER.
To me, that does not outweight the benefits of Microsoft's system of easy to remember handles, which can be transfered between consoles or stored on a memory card.
Again, Microsoft’s system allows easy to remember handles if you’re very lucky, and as more people join the system, your chances dwindle. A reasonable implementation of the number based system is visible in ICQ, and is clearly not the sucktastic system you make it out to be. Nintendo has far more resources than ICQ, and will almost assuredly do a better job, so no matter which system you prefer it’s far from the night and day difference in functionality you propose, at least not from the scant information we have now.

[Kefkataran]

Anyone arguing the numbers are somehow better than names is delusional. I'm not saying the number system won't work. It will, I'm sure. There's just no way a name system wouldn't be more convenient and appreciated by most gamers.

[31 Flavas]

Yeah, allowing unique, personalized gamer-tags is so last generation, isn't it? I mean, why would I want to be able to choose my own online ID when I can have a random one assigned to me?But geez on Live!, if I want to change my online name, I have to pay Microsoft, what, 400 points? What about on the Wii? You just go into Wii settings and change it. Pay to change my name? I guess that's pretty sheek and fashionable to some people.

An underlying number also meens you can duplicate names. So if you Joe wants to use the name of his favorite video game character, he doesn't have to compete with the 9 million other fans of said character. How many Live! users here have had to spend time finding a "GamerTag" that wasn't already taken?

Nintendo: the great pioneers of the video-game industry. If you can't understand what they're doing, it's because their vision is just too far-reaching for your little mind to comprehend.Or too obvious....

[bapenguin]

I'm curious why this wouldn't be tied to a profile still. Now you can't have multiple people online using the same console because the number is tied to your console? That's kinda silly.

[Sophism]

I can't wait to see the guy whose friend code is 1234567890 selling his Wii on eBay for $1000.

[31 Flavas]

I'm curious why this wouldn't be tied to a profile still. Now you can't have multiple people online using the same console because the number is tied to your console? That's kinda silly.And you can't call Timmy at his parents house because you only know the phone number to the house?

Besides unless you're playing a Multiplayer online game as in Matt and Doug (in Washington) vs Kim and Nancy (in New York). How can you have multiple people online using the same console.

If you're just talking about multiple profiles for each Wii, we already know that the indivual Wii controllers will hole your profile info. The Wii console will know who is playing games. And hence the video game will know who is Online.

[Achilles]

I'm curious why this wouldn't be tied to a profile still. Now you can't have multiple people online using the same console because the number is tied to your console? That's kinda silly.Well they don’t have achievements or anything. You really wouldn’t need multiple people online at the same time on a console unless you wanted to access their friends lists. The system’s not some kind of interconnected Xbox Live system with game invites and that sort of thing where you’d actually want to take your profile around, it’s pretty much the most basic system they could have come up with that requires the smallest possible commitment from them on their end. They don’t even have any on-line games at launch if I recall.

Numbers are hard to remember, and most people don’t keep a log of all their numbers after they’ve entered them into the device. If the Wii breaks, you’ve got to go contact your friends, if you can (if you met them in an online game you probably won't have their personal contact info), and get their friends numbers again. Those are my two big problems with this from the previous thread. It's simply inconvenient, no matter how the Wii fans try to spin it.Please supply the link where Nintendo has stated that they will not allow any search mechanisms. Heck, with a simple API they don’t even need to supply the database and search criteria, just like the ranking systems for Quake and the like, the system can be largely handled by a 3rd party if you think Nintendo is just too lazy to do it themselves.So you’re refuting him by saying that you want proof that Nintendo said they won’t allow any search mechanisms. Why would they make a statement like that? 'And here's every possible thing our online system's not going to do!' Nintendo has never said that they’ll have people input other search criteria that they can search by, and I really doubt that they’d let a 3rd party take down a user’s personal information and search by that information on the Wii.

[Heretic Machine]

And you can't call Timmy at his parents house because you only know the phone number to the house?

It'd be better if Timmy had his own damn line, like he would on a 360 or PS3. Why are you defending this so hard? How much Nintendo stock do you own? This is not a matter of "OMFG this number thing isn't going to work!" I'm saying that it is inferior to what already exists. Microsoft could of made a system just like Nintendo's, it has existed in the past, but it was largely abandoned in the PC world because it isn't needed and is inferior.

Besides unless you're playing a Multiplayer online game as in Matt and Doug (in Washington) vs Kim and Nancy (in New York). How can you have multiple people online using the same console.

And shouldn't Kim and Nancy be able to have multiple profiles on that console? Personally, I think this whole Mii thing would be a lot cooler if I could actually use my profile fully on someone else's Wii. If I went to my friend's house, brought my Mii on my Wiimote, I should be able to add a friend right there on his console when I hook in.

And another thing, with this system in place I'm betting friends are going to be stored on your Wii, not on a centralized database with Nintendo. Get a new Wii, lose your friends list. Hope you remember all those numbers, because the names won't help you.

[donkeydrop]

Your MAC address isn't visible to any network devices past the router in you house.

Yes, it is, you just have to know how to look. That's why MAC filtering is of little value in securing your network.

[Heretic Machine]

Yes, it is, you just have to know how to look. That's why MAC filtering is of little value in securing your network.

I disagree with that. Mac Filtering is one of several things that you should have active on a Wi-fi network. One of several. By itself, it isn't a great defense, but when used with other things it makes a pretty good wall.

[donkeydrop]

I disagree with that. Mac Filtering is one of several things that you should have active on a Wi-fi network. One of several. By itself, it isn't a great defense, but when used with other things it makes a pretty good wall.

Well, like not broadcasting your SSID it will stop someone from casually connecting to your network. However, for anyone who actually intends to hack into your network it's going to be just a few extra seconds. By all means do both of these, but if you ever have friends or family visiting, who have wireless devices, it's really more hassle than it's worth.

The only thing thats going to slow down a hacker is enabling WPA (Which is why it sucks that the DS doesn't support it.)

[RMan]

So you’re refuting him by saying that you want proof that Nintendo said they won’t allow any search mechanisms. Why would they make a statement like that?
Uhh, yea, when someone says a company won't allow something, it's reasonable to ask how they know this. Of course Nintendo wouldn't say that, that's the point, but it's no more silly to assume that they won't do it just because they haven't said so yet. It's just like saying "Nintendo won't allow Tetris on the Wii", it's perfectly reasonable to expect some evidence of that kind of statement, just assuming they won't do something based solely on a lack of confirmation that they will is stupid.
Nintendo has never said that they’ll have people input other search criteria that they can search by, and I really doubt that they’d let a 3rd party take down a user’s personal information and search by that information on the Wii.
Well, I think they’ll do it themselves, but having a 3rd party do these types of things is not unreasonable. They wouldn’t need any form of sharing personal information, Nintendo in fact wouldn’t even need to release a player’s number, all they need is to allow a web page to call a function for linking to another friend code that the player can confirm. The personal information could be supplied to the website optionally by the player if they want to share it, like a phone book. I’d likely have a Wii setting that was off by default that didn’t allow web based incoming connections, but still, it’s not an unreasonable thing for Nintendo to do, wouldn’t hurt players at all and would get other companies working for them.

[Achilles]

Uhh, yea, when someone says a company won't allow something, it's reasonable to ask how they know this. Of course Nintendo wouldn't say that, that's the point, but it's no more silly to assume that they won't do it just because they haven't said so yet. It's just like saying "Nintendo won't allow Tetris on the Wii", it's perfectly reasonable to expect some evidence of that kind of statement, just assuming they won't do something based solely on a lack of confirmation that they will is stupid.And I guess when it comes out in 3 weeks and there's no way to input personal information it'll still be 'too soon to say' and a 'stupid thing to assume.'. Yep, even when the system is sitting in our homes and the service doesn't work that way, we can't call a spade a spade because eventually some 3rd party might release a Wii game that allows entry of personal information and searching of that information. Give me a break. You won’t let anyone say anything that can be perceived as remotely bad about the Wii without an argument.

[dist0rtedwave]

One advantage is that if there is a number under the hood, your name can be whatever you want it to be... You won't have to be Xxb4llzhaxxX because plain old ballshacks is already taken... sort of like MSN vs AIM

[bapenguin]

And you can't call Timmy at his parents house because you only know the phone number to the house?

Besides unless you're playing a Multiplayer online game as in Matt and Doug (in Washington) vs Kim and Nancy (in New York). How can you have multiple people online using the same console.

If you're just talking about multiple profiles for each Wii, we already know that the indivual Wii controllers will hole your profile info. The Wii console will know who is playing games. And hence the video game will know who is Online.

Umm...friends list? My wife and I don't have the same friends yet we use the same phone number. I don't want to sift through a speed dial directory to pick out my friends, same thing with an online system.

If it's not tied to a profile, then say Joe is online on Sally's box. On my friend's list I have Sally. Me and Sally got a thing on the side and I send her a message about it. Uh oh...it's not Sally on..it's joe! ;)

[RMan]

And I guess when it comes out in 3 weeks and there's no way to input personal information it'll still be 'too soon to say' and a 'stupid thing to assume.'.
The statement would have more merit after the system’s released, but it’d make a lot more sense to say it DOESN’T have an ability instead of it WON’T have the ability. Saying it won’t have the ability suggests a continued limitation, like saying “The 360 won’t have a good RPG.”, that clearly suggests that it will continue to have this limitation throughout it’s life (I’m sure that’d go over well on this site).
Yep, even when the system is sitting in our homes and the service doesn't work that way, we can't call a spade a spade because eventually some 3rd party might release a Wii game that allows entry of personal information and searching of that information.
Well, you changed it didn’t you, you used the correct phrase “doesn’t work that way”. Again, think about it in terms of a negative statement against the 360, the baseless nature of the statement will be far clearer to you.
Give me a break. You won’t let anyone say anything that can be perceived as remotely bad about the Wii without an argument.
So, you think if I made the above statement about the 360 before it’s launch I wouldn’t have gotten a “correction” from you or other 360 fans? Please. A baseless statement is baseless regardless of the subject.

Also, if you actually read my responses, I asked for a link to support this statement, even said please. You’re the one flying off the handle just because I want someone to support a statement that seems based solely on the most negative assumption possible, but presented as fact.

[Sandman]

One problem I've always had with Nintendo's numbering system....what if you were cybering or whatever with the hot chick on 1142 7895 3365 and accidentally send it to 1152 7865 3365? Yeah....you'd be screwed.

[Jack B]

Not sure if I understand this correctly, but if they have ingame chat is this how it might go... :)

83434584 say's, "OK, here's the plan. 456345235 you go with 845654738 and flank them on the left. 845764394 you stay back and guard the base. 586747448 and I will go up on that ridge and snipe them, because 586747448 is a crack sniper."'

586747448 say's, "83434584, you're confusing me with 456345235. He has the sniper weapons. I'm a heavy gunner.".

456345235 say's, "huh, what are you talking about? I've never met you before in my life...".

586747448 say's, "oh snap, I must be thinking of someone else.". Didn't I play Mario Kart with you yesterday?".

83434584 say's "look would you guys cut the crap. We need crisp communication here if we're going to win. Let's quit with the Mario Cart bullshit and move out!".

Probably got this wrong, but it sure seems like online community isn't a high priority for Nintendo. :o

[RMan]

If it's not tied to a profile, then say Joe is online on Sally's box. On my friend's list I have Sally. Me and Sally got a thing on the side and I send her a message about it. Uh oh...it's not Sally on..it's joe! ;)
That would be a limitation of the messaging software, it’s certainly not the way it’d have to be (and the clearly safest assumption is it’s not). The concept is nothing new, when programs communicate with a computer, they get an IP (which represents the machine) and communicate through a port (which generally represents the application). When you run two different networking programs, they don’t freak out, because they have unique ports along with the machine’s IP. With a messenger application, it’s trivial to tie message sending to a Mii (which is clearly the logical way to go) and send messages through the “friend code”+Mii “code”.

Really, it seems the “friend code” is a misleading name for each of Nintendo’s uses of it, on the DS it seems a cartridge code, and on the Wii it’s a machine code. In the end though, if the application wants person to person communication, it’s the Wii code + Mii code, if it’s just creating a machine to machine connection for a game (say to connect a pair of players on one Wii to another pair of players on another Wii) then the connection wouldn’t consider what player is currently on the machine.

Edit: Actually, there's an interesting plus to this system. I’m sure the 360 has some way of accomplishing this, but the idea of connecting to a machine allows a simpler method for handling group connects. After the initial connection, you can hook up to “Uncle Rick’s House” and your family can play 2v2 tennis with two members of their family, all the time switching out their Miis whenever they like. The 360 has more shooters, and moreso than the Wii will concentrate on single player per machine games, and with Nintendo’s system it’s seemingly geared more towards multiplayer per machine games, so the system-to-system connect method fits that philosophy better. Personally, I think they should have “Family Codes” or just “Wii Codes” or something, because the “Friend Code” just sounds too much like it’s for an individual, and clearly that’s not the case.

[Achilles]

So, you think if I made the above statement about the 360 before it’s launch I wouldn’t have gotten a “correction” from you or other 360 fans? Please. A baseless statement is baseless regardless of the subject.Why would I have corrected you? The old Xbox Live didn't support searching by personal player information and I think it was assumed that the new one wouldn't either. Maybe that's something that it's lacking, but there hasn't been a large call for it that I've seen. Also I don't think that MS would have allowed a 3rd party to collect personal information unless it was EA, and even then you have to jump through some hoops and connect to their service.

I guess you're implying that I'll just defend whatever the 360 does. I defend a lot of what they do because I think they've taken a good direction, but I won't just mindlessly defend every tiny decision they've made just because the subject is the 360.

[[VSK]BadCRC]

Probably got this wrong, but it sure seems like online community isn't a high priority for Nintendo.

And you did.

The code is just your ID, it makes you unique to every other Wii player out there, but the number isn't what your friends see when they log onto the service and see which of their friends are online. You have a WiiConnect name. A name, an actual contact name, it can be anything you want at that point.

So when they check their online friends they won't see "14579910712", they'll see "Joe", or "Mike", or "Dave", or whatever you name yourself.


Originally Posted by bapenguin
If it's not tied to a profile, then say Joe is online on Sally's box. On my friend's list I have Sally. Me and Sally got a thing on the side and I send her a message about it. Uh oh...it's not Sally on..it's joe!

That's a valid point. With any luck, you'll be assigned something that makes them uniquely identifiable based on maybe a Wii e-mail address, or maybe they can tie it into their actual E-mail address. Then the process could possibly be like MSN Messenger is - where you not only get a name, but a validation is their E-mail address.

O r better yet - allow you to change your friends names as they appear on your own console. Or allow you to add notes to your friends information. Then I could label them with information that only I could have access to so that I knew if this person was the person I intended to contact.

[RMan]

Why would I have corrected you?
I was referring to the "The 360 won’t have a good RPG.” statement.

[Achilles]

I was referring to the "The 360 won’t have a good RPG.” statement.Would you say, before the 360 launch when we’ve got at least 4 big name RPGs including Oblvion and Blue Dragon announced and shown running, that was a valid statement?

I don't know of any talk of a system that allows users to search by personal information on the Wii. Much less one shown running, or an announcement of one. It's possible that one could be made, but your post is the first suggestion I've heard of such a thing.

[Jack B]

BadCRC']And you did.

The code is just your ID, it makes you unique to every other Wii player out there, but the number isn't what your friends see when they log onto the service and see which of their friends are online. You have a WiiConnect name. A name, an actual contact name, it can be anything you want at that point.

So when they check their online friends they won't see "14579910712", they'll see "Joe", or "Mike", or "Dave", or whatever you name yourself.

Thanks for the clarification re friends. What about when you join a game/lobby where some of the players are people, who aren't your friends? Will they appear as 8495960703 or "Bob"?

[Heretic Machine]

Thanks for the clarification re friends. What about when you join a game/lobby where some of the players are people, who aren't your friends? Will they appear as 8495960703 or "Bob"?

They'll appear with their name. But lets say you played a game with MarioMario, and you lose connection to the game (as often happens on the DS), or your power goes out. Now the game might sitll be going on, and you want to get back in on it, but you don't have MarioMario on your friends list. Well, now you're screwed, go find another game because you can't add him with just the name as it appears to you.

[Chameleo]

Thanks for the clarification re friends. What about when you join a game/lobby where some of the players are people, who aren't your friends? Will they appear as 8495960703 or "Bob"?

no lobbies. add wii console numbers to play with friends.

this is all to stop strangers from meeting each other and kids getting raped.

[GunnyMo]

this is all to stop strangers from meeting each other and kids getting raped.

lol sad thing is I've actually heard this come straight from Nintendo. Moronic. I guess Nintendo has never heard of the "Internets".

[Jack B]

no lobbies. add wii console numbers to play with friends.

this is all to stop strangers from meeting each other and kids getting raped.

I was wondering about that... How do you find friends in the first place, if you can't go into a lobby?

I suppose you could try real life friends or people you meet on websites like EvAv, but why are the weirdos on EvAv any better than the weirdos in a Wii multiplayer lobby? :confused:

Most people would have a pretty small friends list if this were the case and coming home, popping in Red Steel or similar and finding a multiplayer game sounds difficult... although, extremely safe.... not much fun, but very safe. Terrific... :(

[Feltoar]

Agreed... I mean, how fucking hard is it to understand that most people can't remember long strings of numbers?
You cant remember your phone number?

[RMan]

Would you say, before the 360 launch when we’ve got at least 4 big name RPGs including Oblvion and Blue Dragon announced and shown running, that was a valid statement?
Hehe, no, that was my point, it’s not a valid statement, but I can assume the worst, I can assume that every RPG that will ever be done on the system will suck, and it’d be just as valid a statement what Perigon said. But if you want something clearer, pick a large game franchise or publisher that simply didn’t announce a title or support for the 360 before it’s launch, substitute that for “a good RPG”, and tell me you and others wouldn’t correct/bash me.
I don't know of any talk of a system that allows users to search by personal information on the Wii.
And that leads you to the conclusion that it won’t?
It's possible that one could be made, but your post is the first suggestion I've heard of such a thing.
And there you go, that was all I was doing. I did not say it will have such a system, only that to definitively say it won’t is baseless and the worst possible assumption that can be made (besides assuming some kind of automatic eye-poking device :)).

My suggestions of how it can be done were just to make it clear that it’s not a great hardship to enhance the system to handle what some here seem to think is all but impossible. At the same time, everyone here is using a machine with an automatically assigned MAC address and IP, and most likely don’t know eachother’s IP and don’t really care, they don’t have to deal with it. The code is there as the base connection layer, and like everything built on top of your IP it’s not hard to understand how that can be made very manageable and nearly transparent to players. While it’s possible that throughout the machine’s life these layers will not be added and the machine ID will be all players have, it’s definitely the worst possible assumption and very unlikely, and without a doubt to say it WILL work that way is completely baseless.

[mattcoz]

I suppose you could try real life friends or people you meet on websites like EvAv, but why are the weirdos on EvAv any better than the weirdos in a Wii multiplayer lobby? :confused:Nintendo can't get sued if you trade friend codes on EvAv. It isn't so much about protecting children, it's about protecting themselves legally. Same reason why they have that stupid seizure warning before every game. Does it make things a little more difficult for us serious gamers? Yeah. Is it really that big of a deal? No.

[shnastybiznastic]

So I want to call Tim on my (cellphone|Wii). I already have Tim's number, so I just scroll down in the list untill I get to it, then press the call button. Wow, that's easy. :cool:

[Kefkataran]

Summing up discussion: People who are pro-Nintendo are overplaying the simplicity, ease, and "convenience" of the number system.

People who are anti-Nintendo are overplaying the difficulty and probably misreading how the system will actually work.

Everyone can relax a little. Both sides are right.

[KingGorilla]

Numbers are Dumb.

Here is one great way that they are fantastic-BANNING! If Nintendo cracks hard on cheaters, I am talking Blizzard level here(not going to happen); your console just became unable to work online.

[Sandman]

Numbers are Dumb.

Here is one great way that they are fantastic-BANNING! If Nintendo cracks hard on cheaters, I am talking Blizzard level here(not going to happen); your console just became unable to work online.

thats when you cut your losses and take the console to Gamestop for store credit and buy another one

[31 Flavas]

If it's not tied to a profile, then say Joe is online on Sally's box. On my friend's list I have Sally. Me and Sally got a thing on the side and I send her a message about it. Uh oh...it's not Sally on..it's joe! ;)Ok perhaps everyone missed this, your profile, i.e. YOUR NAME, is stored on your Wii remote, they've told us this. You and Sally will have seperate Wii remotes. When you go online, the name reported as online, and i'm just taking a wild wild completely random guess, is going to be the name stored in the profile on your Wii remote. In otherwords You OR Sally. If it's multiplayer online (i.e. probably Smash Brothers Wii) then both of you.

I honestly don't think there is going to be much confusion as to who is online.

[RMan]

But lets say you played a game with MarioMario… Well, now you're screwed, go find another game because you can't add him with just the name as it appears to you.
While I’d wager you’re likely going to be right on that one, it certainly doesn’t have to be that way. It really wouldn’t be hard to cache the connection information for players/games that you’ve dealt with or connected to. Even without that, though, let’s be realistic. Right now with the user chosen name method on the 360 players likely still have a problem getting a name they’re happy with, and that’s with at worst 1/5th the system’s eventual userbase and with a higher concentration of hardcore players that already use the funky names. The problem with getting a good name will get much worse, and with average players you’re going to get Joe5482 and the like, and it won’t be long before that’s prevalent. In short, you’re virtually never going to play MarioMario, Link, Spiderman, or anything remotely memorable like that. The user chosen names will, without a doubt, remain easier to remember than a pure number, but I’d wager they still wouldn’t be memorable enough for the scenario you suggested to be relevant.

On the flip side, Microsoft’s system has the potential to do both, since they can (and perhaps do) do aliases for players that are shared between friends or even used automatically within the scope of a game session (even unique for each game). The downside, from a player standpoint, is that to have any chance of gamertags that are anything but randomly generated names, you have to charge money for it to restrict burning up names. If the Nintendo system had unique names, allowed it for free, and let every system have, say, a maximum of 8 users, within the first year players wouldn’t be able to pick remotely memorable names. Given Nintendo’s overall strategy, I really don’t think they could have allowed globally unique player chosen names without seriously degrading the quality of the overall experience (if it was completely free).

[Grave]

Xbox live system

Pros - Diverse community which promotes the idea of randomly encountering like minded people and becoming friends.

Accepted annoyances - Stupid people who don't know how to use a microphone

Major Cons - Guy who flashes his penis to the uno room.



Wii System

Pros - Secure, planned sessions with people whom you know or went out of your way to seek out, which keeps the lag decent (as you tend to continue to play with people you know who have decent connections) also no penis flashing.

Accepted annoyances - getting numbers

Major Cons - Too much security makes it difficult to have spontaneous fun when playing online.


Solution - Buy an Xbox 360 and Xbox live, Buy a Wii.

Discussion over.

[Expugnare]

While I’d wager you’re likely going to be right on that one, it certainly doesn’t have to be that way. It really wouldn’t be hard to cache the connection information for players/games that you’ve dealt with or connected to. Even without that, though, let’s be realistic. Right now with the user chosen name method on the 360 players likely still have a problem getting a name they’re happy with, and that’s with at worst 1/5th the system’s eventual userbase and with a higher concentration of hardcore players that already use the funky names. The problem with getting a good name will get much worse, and with average players you’re going to get Joe5482 and the like, and it won’t be long before that’s prevalent. In short, you’re virtually never going to play MarioMario, Link, Spiderman, or anything remotely memorable like that. The user chosen names will, without a doubt, remain easier to remember than a pure number, but I’d wager they still wouldn’t be memorable enough for the scenario you suggested to be relevant.

On the flip side, Microsoft’s system has the potential to do both, since they can (and perhaps do) do aliases for players that are shared between friends or even used automatically within the scope of a game session (even unique for each game). The downside, from a player standpoint, is that to have any chance of gamertags that are anything but randomly generated names, you have to charge money for it to restrict burning up names. If the Nintendo system had unique names, allowed it for free, and let every system have, say, a maximum of 8 users, within the first year players wouldn’t be able to pick remotely memorable names. Given Nintendo’s overall strategy, I really don’t think they could have allowed globally unique player chosen names without seriously degrading the quality of the overall experience (if it was completely free).
What I don't get is that your whole argument revolves around wanting to have a dull, unimaginative name like Joe. I'm glad it forces people to use their brain (or add unnecessary characters) to make a name for themselves. I don't want to play with 5 guys named "OMG I PWNED U" everyday. I would rather see names like bapenguin, perigon, and others that have a story behind them rather that some forgettable, drab name that does not receive a second thought. When I see a guy named l33tpwn3r432X12 they lose credibility with me and I am more likely to avoid them because from that second on I know that that was the best they could beat out of a keyboard and have not one ounce of imagination to make a good name.

I am tired and don't think that post made much sense but what ever. Make a good name and not just Bob.

[RMan]

What I don't get is that your whole argument revolves around wanting to have a dull, unimaginative name like Joe.
No, it revolves around having the option of a dull name like Joe (thought you Xbox fans were big on options :)). Forcing everyone to spend an hour trying to come up with a unique name then finally getting something like yours, which would be hard to pronounce, much less remember/spell for the vast majority of players would be bad. You can still gravitate towards players with interesting names if you like. The people that would pick “OMG I PWNED U” will just pick “OMG I PWNED U <INSERT RANDOM NUMBER>”, it will not in any way promote people being imaginative, you can’t force someone to be creative by limiting their choices (at least not creative in a positive way).

[SuperKRad]

Oh great, so now I can play games and there will be three "Mike"s listed. Nice.

[Kefkataran]

Solution - Buy an Xbox 360 and Xbox live, Buy a Wii.

Discussion over.

BAM! The end. Thanks for clearing that up, Grave!

[bapenguin]

That would be a limitation of the messaging software, it’s certainly not the way it’d have to be (and the clearly safest assumption is it’s not). The concept is nothing new, when programs communicate with a computer, they get an IP (which represents the machine) and communicate through a port (which generally represents the application). When you run two different networking programs, they don’t freak out, because they have unique ports along with the machine’s IP. With a messenger application, it’s trivial to tie message sending to a Mii (which is clearly the logical way to go) and send messages through the “friend code”+Mii “code”.

Really, it seems the “friend code” is a misleading name for each of Nintendo’s uses of it, on the DS it seems a cartridge code, and on the Wii it’s a machine code. In the end though, if the application wants person to person communication, it’s the Wii code + Mii code, if it’s just creating a machine to machine connection for a game (say to connect a pair of players on one Wii to another pair of players on another Wii) then the connection wouldn’t consider what player is currently on the machine.



The problem is you still have to give out a "friend code" to add someone to your buddy list. So I guess you'll need a friend code and then the user ID you have for each game to be known as well. If I want to add you to my buddy list, and you and your brother share the same Wii...how do I know who I'm adding? How do I know who's online?

[bapenguin]

Ok perhaps everyone missed this, your profile, i.e. YOUR NAME, is stored on your Wii remote, they've told us this. You and Sally will have seperate Wii remotes. When you go online, the name reported as online, and i'm just taking a wild wild completely random guess, is going to be the name stored in the profile on your Wii remote. In otherwords You OR Sally. If it's multiplayer online (i.e. probably Smash Brothers Wii) then both of you.

I honestly don't think there is going to be much confusion as to who is online.

This would make sense.

[peeweejd]

GunnyMo.. When you have people call your cell, do they call "GunnyMo" or do you have to give them a phone number in the beginning? Yeahhh.. that's what I thought, it's tough work remembering a number, huh!? Why can't everything be like Microsoft, why why why?!? Blast Nintendo fanboys all you want (or the Japanese apparantly), but you MS fanboys with your gamertags in your sig will find just about anything to bitch about if it's not just like MS. Keep thinking inside that box.


you are a retard... i just wanted to let you know that...

as a matter of fact, people have a hard time with phone numbers... thats why they have to add them to a database on your phone so you dont have to remember them dumbass... and oh yeah, nevermind the fact that almost every major business has a number that translates to a word... like 1-800-mattress or 1-800-flowers or whatever...

But yeah your absolutely right captain Nintendrone, remembering some big string of random numbers is WAY easier than remembering "GunnyMo"? Stupid.

[TheFlyingOrc]

They aren't doing it for us. They're doing it for Timmy's mom. Yes, I know Timmy's mom is an idiot, and that ruins it for everybody. But if one kid gets raped by someone they met through Nintendo's system, they take the biggest PR hit ever, get sued out the yin-yang, and nobody is buying their system because "people can rape you through it", much like how the PSP can make pornography coalesce out of thin air, according to some.

The system is not designed to be Xbox live - it is designed so you can play someone you know at their house from your house. I am really looking forward to playing with all of you guys once some online games come out. It would be nice to be guaranteed that there is someone to play in every game at all hours, but what we're getting is better than nothing.

Again - it has one purpose - to play with people you know without going to their house. Also, it is free.

[RMan]

The problem is you still have to give out a "friend code" to add someone to your buddy list.
Well, technically you give out a “Wii code” to connect to another machine, no further “codes” should be required. It seems no different than a static IP, and it’s likely best to talk about it as such. After making a connection in a MP game, for instance, I don’t have to deal with codes at all to add someone to my buddy list, because the game supplies all relevant information for the connected players.

If I were Nintendo, I would also assign GUIDs to each Mii. Thankfully players would never have to be exposed to these GUIDs (which is good, they’re not pretty) but that would allow players to seamlessly move their Miis to other Wiis and any online persistence would be retained (like status in an MMO or whatever) and it wouldn’t require any kind of centralized management server.

[Achilles]

They aren't doing it for us. They're doing it for Timmy's mom. Yes, I know Timmy's mom is an idiot, and that ruins it for everybody. But if one kid gets raped by someone they met through Nintendo's system, they take the biggest PR hit ever, get sued out the yin-yang, and nobody is buying their system because "people can rape you through it", much like how the PSP can make pornography coalesce out of thin air, according to some.I’ve been thinking about this and wonder how it could actually happen. The Wii doesn’t have a microphone, and there’s no method for inputting any kind of chat stuff unless they make a lobby and give it a virtual keyboard. So most games will probably have no communication, though I can see something like Animal Crossing having a virtual keyboard so you can tell people to stop messing up your town.

If this is Nintendo’s honest reason for using the numbers (essentially intentionally making it inconvenient to meet people) than there’s no way they’ll ever allow the gathering of personal information and using it as search chriteria. Otherwise you’d have the 43 year old pervert searching for 13 year old female ‘friends’ to play animal crossing with.

But if they want to protect the kiddies why include a web browser?

[GunnyMo]

Oh boo-fucking-hoo. "Won't someone protect the children?" Nintendo can suck fat one if they think anyone is buying that BS.

It's a lack of forward vision and innovation (online specifically) when it comes to Nintendo. They want to get away from the image of being "for kids only" and then come up with this kind of garbage.

Sony is just as bad but at least they have the balls to, eventually, blame it on developers and customers for their lack of online innovation.

As I stated before I really think this has something to do with a blockage in Japanese culture and online communication. And if you think the Japanese are at all concerned with sexual "dangers" to children then why is sex such an open subject in Japan? Adult manga dealing with all kinds of school girl perversions (by our Western standards) is sold right alongside every other kind. Boobies, the ultimate sin in the West, are routinely shown in public advertising. Sex is not the stigma it is in America.

Nintendo is hiding behind the guise of "protecting the children" in order to cover their own failings.

/end rant :D

[Kefkataran]

And if you think the Japanese are at all concerned with sexual "dangers" to children then why is sex such an open subject in Japan? Adult manga dealing with all kinds of school girl perversions (by our Western standards) is sold right alongside every other kind. Boobies, the ultimate sin in the West, are routinely shown in public advertising. Sex is not the stigma it is in America.

Because the Japanese realize that protrayal of sex in media does not make sexual deviance more likely in and of itself. That doesn't mean they aren't concerned about sexual danger, much less getting sued for it, which I'm sure is the biggest concern here.

not saying it's not a failing of Nintendo. It is. But I still have no doubt it was likely their primary reason behind making the choice. Just not a wise one.

[GunnyMo]

The sad thing is nothing Nintendo (or any other company for that matter) does will avoid them being sued. They aren't promoting the Wii as the "Pedophiles Newest Acquisition Tool". I'd rather they not have online at all then go this completely moronic, half-assed way.

It's another example of the very small, very inconsequential minority dictating what goes on with the majority.

[RMan]

I do not believe the primary motivation behind the Wii assigned number is “protecting” anyone. There is a side benefit that any connection settings, bans, and what not is handled from the console, and not individual player accounts, allowing the Wii owner to make changes that affect the players on it (ie, their family), but I don’t think that was the primary motivator. I think they wanted to have a free service that would be unified, be easy to setup for the player, and require a small amount of maintenance (with just what we know about, it’s completely automatic from Nintendo’s side). This is a good system for achieving these goals, even if they didn’t care at all about protecting anyone, it’s still a smart system.

The only real complaint I would have about it is that I’d like to be able to optionally setup a name aliased to my Wii number, but for all we know it’s in the works.

[MaxDuo]

I think it does work as a pro that you can be named whatever you want... People keep complaining that you can't have spontaneous fun online... Have you played the DS online? I've only done Mario Kart myself... But if I just want to play a game I can tell it: "I want to play" and then I have someone to play with in a minute or so. It's not like it's impossible to play online w/o knowing everyone you want to play with.

Though I do have to agree with the cons too.... The biggest problem is if you lose your Wii... Well you now need to find a way to contact all your friends and update them on the situation. That's the very worst thing I see coming from this. That's my biggest worry.



And yes the numbers may be hard to remember, the phone number argument does and doesn't work for it. It may be hard to remember *bashes keyboard* 5498498414 forever... But it's not like it's going to kill you to write it down on a PDA, stickynote, paper, wordpad file, or anything else so you can put it on your Wii. It may be hard if you meet someone on the street and don't carry writing utensils with you... but you could still store it on your phone at least if you have one... So you can just go put it in later. It's annoying but oh well.

Xbox360names may be easier to remember when you have something like: "GunnyMo" but it may take some effort to remember: "Xaznsephiroth47X" or some other odd combo... I do like that you can use your profile on any system though.... A sad thing for the Wii :(


As for ICQ losing to AIM because of the number system alone..... I don't agree on that at all. It was the interface in my opinion. I liked it myself but I know lots of others that didn't.... Like when I first used it 8 or 9 years ago you'd say "send message" and it would close your window. AIM was like a chatroom. ICQ was like sending one message... receiving one message.... Sending 1... etc. Funny thing is I still remember my ICQ number, and I haven't used it in years. Weird how that is.

Erm... This message is too long so I'm ending it now.

But I think I did just end this thread. Not because of anything I said... but because usually when I post threads die, haha.

[LogainAblar]

But I think I did just end this thread. Not because of anything I said... but because usually when I post threads die, haha.

A thread isn't dead until I post in it.

Now it's officially dead.

[Jack B]

Oh boo-fucking-hoo. "Won't someone protect the children?" Nintendo can suck fat one if they think anyone is buying that BS.

It's a lack of forward vision and innovation (online specifically) when it comes to Nintendo. They want to get away from the image of being "for kids only" and then come up with this kind of garbage.

Sony is just as bad but at least they have the balls to, eventually, blame it on developers and customers for their lack of online innovation.

As I stated before I really think this has something to do with a blockage in Japanese culture and online communication. And if you think the Japanese are at all concerned with sexual "dangers" to children then why is sex such an open subject in Japan? Adult manga dealing with all kinds of school girl perversions (by our Western standards) is sold right alongside every other kind. Boobies, the ultimate sin in the West, are routinely shown in public advertising. Sex is not the stigma it is in America.

Nintendo is hiding behind the guise of "protecting the children" in order to cover their own failings.

/end rant :D

I agree with Gunny and Achilles. Why include a Web Browser if you're so concerned with children seeing the wrong things. If you can use parental controls in a web browser, you can use parental controls with friends lists, just as Microsoft has done with their parental controls with Live.

I think it's like Gunny said. They just either don't have the vision or they haven't spent the time to do online right.

Maybe next gen or in an update... I predict, it will be like Sony's online, available at launch, but just a beta of things that could be, but just aren't ready or well thought out. I'm disappointed, but online is not why I'll buy a Wii, so in the end, it's not really what the Wii is all about anyway. Serious online will happen most likely with the 360 or PS3 this gen.

That's my take, anyway.

[Jack B]

I do not believe the primary motivation behind the Wii assigned number is “protecting” anyone. There is a side benefit that any connection settings, bans, and what not is handled from the console, and not individual player accounts, allowing the Wii owner to make changes that affect the players on it (ie, their family), but I don’t think that was the primary motivator. I think they wanted to have a free service that would be unified, be easy to setup for the player, and require a small amount of maintenance (with just what we know about, it’s completely automatic from Nintendo’s side). This is a good system for achieving these goals, even if they didn’t care at all about protecting anyone, it’s still a smart system.

The only real complaint I would have about it is that I’d like to be able to optionally setup a name aliased to my Wii number, but for all we know it’s in the works.

The ban idea could be good, but....

1. What about if you send in your Wii for repairs and it's not you when it comes back? It could be someone else???
2. What if it's shipped to someone else and they become you?
3. What if your roommate uses your Wii and gets you banned, because he's pissed at you?
4. What if someone at a party is drunk and decides your Wii needs to be really funny and gets you banned?
5. On Live the Gametag is what gets banned and he/she would be a guest or have their own Gamertag.
6. Or what about if someone gets banned and then sells it to Gamestop and you buy it and can't get online, because that Wii got banned?

I imagine with enough phone calls to tech support you might be able to get you Wii working online again, but who knows...

Banning a Wii could have other problems I haven't even thought of....

Tech support can be challenging at times, I'd hate to see what's involved to straighten some of those issues. Faxing in reciepts. Going back to the kid who you bought it from to ask for a receipt. How do they know it was really sold and it isn't you making up a story to get "unbanned"?

This could be interesting.

[RMan]

1. What about if you send in your Wii for repairs and it's not you when it comes back? It could be someone else???
Hehe, that cracked me up when I read it, I pictured some guy being mailed back to me and me saying “That’s not who I mailed out”. Anyway, I was referring to a local banning system, which could easily be handled by the Wii owner. If you mean you got your Wii exchanged and the one you got back was owned by a globally banned pervert, then you deserve it for playing with a pervert’s Wii :). Seriously though, if they have global bans, then they’d have account management, and repair centers would be able to reset the account. Your on-demand cable box likely works the same way, you can get a new cable box that has charges from the previous owner, and the cable company just resets charges attached to it before it’s given to you.
2. What if it's shipped to someone else and they become you?
Then I’d have to destroy them so I’d be the one :). See point 1.
3. What if your roommate uses your Wii and gets you banned, because he's pissed at you?
4. What if someone at a party is drunk and decides your Wii needs to be really funny and gets you banned?
Same response for both of these, don’t let these scum bags use your personal things. Seriously, drunk or vengeful people will screw up your stuff, you’re the one that has to stop them.
5. On Live the Gametag is what gets banned and he/she would be a guest or have their own Gamertag.
If a guest can be created in order to circumvent a banning system, then the system is flawed.
6. Or what about if someone gets banned and then sells it to Gamestop and you buy it and can't get online, because that Wii got banned?
See point 1.
Banning a Wii could have other problems I haven't even thought of....
Yea, likely would, that’s why my original suggestion wasn’t regarding global banning. I’d say if they have a global banning system, and it’s not well handled, that’d suck but it’s still not something that will affect the vast majority of players. Most people aren’t going to buy a used system, and if they do, it’s very unlikely that the player would have mucked up the system in that way. I’ve bought tons of games from Ebay, for instance, and although I rarely even get pictures of the game disks, the game disks are in the boxes and they’ve all worked (I mention this because there seems to be an assumption of a bunch of sleazy used Wii sellers, and I just don’t think people are generally that evil).

[Jack B]

If you mean you got your Wii exchanged and the one you got back was owned by a globally banned pervert, then you deserve it for playing with a pervert’s Wii :)

Double hehe! I thought I'd LOL'd at my last Wii joke, but I guess not. I spit up my lasagna on my shirt. Good one! :D

[KSmitty]

Wow Nintendo's online offering isn't anywhere near as robust as a game systems' that already had a previous system in place and more money/experience/technology for networking. I don't know why anyone is suprised here. Nintendo's online plan is basic, hell isn't that the whole thing they've been pushing with the Wii? Live caters to the net saavy and is what some would claim as one of the best things about XB/360, obviously people like it and its functionality. Pros and cons just like everything else. Yeah 10 numbers is a pain, but its just as easy to forget or misread someone's screen name (just ask Fitbabits ;) ) I think the phone comparison is completely apt, put it in once use their 'Mii Name' from then on. So what happens when you lose your Wii? Shit I guess you're screwed just like if you lost your damn cell phone. And please stop using the 'Companies have numbers that are easy to remember' argument. Sure 1-800-CALL-ATT is easy to remember but how about the number to Tony's Pizza, or the Best Buy down the street? Quite honestly the only thing I see myself playing online alot is SSB:Brawl.

-K

[MaxDuo]

Same response for both of these, don’t let these scum bags use your personal things. Seriously, drunk or vengeful people will screw up your stuff, you’re the one that has to stop them.


Problem here being that you can't really stop your dorm roommate from using it unless you feel like locking up your Wii in some safe or carrying it with you everytime you leave the room / holding it in your sleep.


....Holding your Wii in your sleep.... Dammit.

[RMan]

Problem here being that you can't really stop your dorm roommate from using it unless you feel like locking up your Wii in some safe or carrying it with you everytime you leave the room / holding it in your sleep.
I was just suggesting that the root problem is the other people, not the system. Still, I'd imagine the system would have password protection, if they're having a marketplace they'd pretty much require that at least.