Square Enix to Nintendo: "No game-specific Friend Codes"

[Doctor Setebos]

Cubed3 scored an interview with Square Enix Senior Vice President, Hiromichi Tanaka (http://www.cubed3.com/news/6729/). The focus of the conversation was obviously centered on Final Fantasy projects. However, one interesting topic of discussion related to Nintendo's horrendous online play mechanism, which would require every person who wants to play online with other people to exchange game-specific friend codes. Square Enix hopes to change Nintendo's mind on this subject (at least where Square Enix games are concerned):

Sadly Tanaka-san does not believe the Wii hardware would be able to cope with Final Fantasy XI, which was sad to hear since the game has already appeared on the far inferior PlayStation 2. When pressed on this matter, it was revealed that the problem lies more with Nintendo’s current online stance – not wanting people to interact online without the aid of Friends Codes. However, the key point to mention is that Square Enix is currently in talks with Nintendo about resolving this point of contention!Here's hoping they can convince Nintendo that not ALL of their fanbase consists of 8-year-old kids.

[Sl1pstream]

I need to play my consoles online as I don't really have friends over every week. While singleplayer games are fun, I need multiplayer, especially on something like the Wii, as the system is all about multiplayer.
Nintendo's FCs make this really, really hard.

The good thing is that we won't see another port of FFXI, the bad thing is that we'll never see a true Pokemon MMO.

[Gorvi]

The Wii wouldn't be able to do FFXI anyway. It's more than powerful enough, but it woud require an HDD, as the game is given major updates every 2 months. I guess they could bundle the game with a USB HDD (the Wii supports those, doesn't it?).

Kudos to SE if they can get Nintendo to see reason and get rid of the whole friend code design.

[agentgray]

The gamertag system is brilliant. The friend code system can suck monkey dung.

Do I think Square can pull it off? Uh....no. What have they really done for Nintendo in the last five years. I don't think they have leverage (according to Nintendo) anymore.

FFTA and FF:CC are all that comes to mind and they are both niche. Kinda.

[JazGalaxy]

While I'm not sure the friend code system is a good idea, I do support Nintendo in their efforts to actually take online play out of the gutter.

Microsoft is bent on trying to connect the world together and they basically ignore that fact that civilised gamers have absolutely no desire to play with 80% of the world.

[Sl1pstream]

The gamertag system is brilliant. The friend code system can suck monkey dung.

Do I think Square can pull it off? Uh....no. What have they really done for Nintendo in the last five years. I don't think they have leverage (according to Nintendo) anymore.

FFTA and FF:CC are all that comes to mind and they are both niche. Kinda.

They do have Dragon Quest on its way to the DS. Not exactly a niche title, especially in Japan.

[Bydo_Empire]

However, one interesting topic of discussion related to Nintendo's horrendous online play mechanism, which would require every person who wants to play online with other people to exchange game-specific friend codes.Nowhere in that article, nor in any Nintendo announcement does it mention the requirement of game-specific friend codes for online play. It's my understanding that Elebits' online features use the Wii Number, NOT a game-specific friend code. Pokemon's game-specific friend code is very likely due to the DS linking. In other words, people are talking about game-specific friend codes as if it were fact when it's not. Of course it's a possibility, but let's not jump the gun. Oh wait, this is a gaming message board...

[Gorvi]

The gamertag system is brilliant. The friend code system can suck monkey dung.

Do I think Square can pull it off? Uh....no. What have they really done for Nintendo in the last five years. I don't think they have leverage (according to Nintendo) anymore.

FFTA and FF:CC are all that comes to mind and they are both niche. Kinda.

Dragon Quest IX I think would be all the leverage SE needs. ;)

[TheFlyingOrc]

There aren't game-specific friend codes, and there's likely not to be, except for ones linked to DS games.

[Johan]

Nobody else has been successful in changing Nintendo's mind on this subject...good luck in trying to do that. I predict failure, but it's worth a shot and needs to be changed.

[Doctor Setebos]

Do I think Square can pull it off?Don't think as far as what they've already done, which I agree hasn't been much. Think of the potential. They can wave all these enormous rock-star IPs and empty promises in front of Nintendo's face and see if they bite. Who knows what kind of projects they have under their belts that could potentially get Nintendo to change their minds?

[Doctor Setebos]

There aren't game-specific friend codes, and there's likely not to be, except for ones linked to DS games.Pokemon Battle Revolution uses game-specific friend codes, and this conversation from Square Enix suggests that this is Nintendo's preferred method for all Wii games, just like the DS ones.

[Heretic Machine]

My worst problem with Nintendo's online system is the fact that you are never notified on the Wii when people add you as a friend. I have my friend code in my profile, but if someone here added me we'd never be able to interact on the Wii unless they contact me and tell me their friend codes, so that I could go through the same process that they went through. That is fucking ridiculous! When someone adds me, I want to see that show up in my little Wii message box, along with a button that says "Confirm" so that they are automatically added to my friend's list, and we are actually able to play together.

In the end, I see Nintendo once again falling behind the curve when it comes to innovative new technologies on consoles. A motion sensitive controller doesn't have dick on a practical online play system.

[Doctor Setebos]

My worst problem with Nintendo's online system is the fact that you are never notified on the Wii when people add you as a friend. I have my friend code in my profile, but if someone here added me we'd never be able to interact on the Wii unless they contact me and tell me their friend codes, so that I could go through the same process that they went through. That is fucking ridiculous! When someone adds me, I want to see that show up in my little Wii message box, along with a button that says "Confirm" so that they are automatically added to my friend's list, and we are actually able to play together.That would be brilliant. :D But it will never happen. :(

[TheFlyingOrc]

Pokemon Battle Revolution uses game-specific friend codes, and this conversation from Square Enix suggests that this is Nintendo's preferred method for all Wii games, just like the DS ones.

Except that the reason for that is that it's linked to the DS game, just like I said. Also, the words "game specific" never appear in what you linked. The concept of friend codes WILL NOT work in FFXI, which needs you to connect to their servers, not a peer service. I think you mistitled your post.

[TheFlyingOrc]

That would be brilliant. :D But it will never happen. :(
But then random people could contact you, and rape you over the internet with no work on your part - once they contact you, they can teleport to your house, and rape you.

I'm joking, of course - but this seems to be the mindset Nintendo does NOT do this for.

[BigJonno]

Nowhere in that article, nor in any Nintendo announcement does it mention the requirement of game-specific friend codes for online play. It's my understanding that Elebits' online features use the Wii Number, NOT a game-specific friend code. Pokemon's game-specific friend code is very likely due to the DS linking. In other words, people are talking about game-specific friend codes as if it were fact when it's not. Of course it's a possibility, but let's not jump the gun. Oh wait, this is a gaming message board...

Don't you still have to exchange some form of code if you want to play with someone? I think that's what they're getting at. It's obviously completely impossible to have MMORPGs using this kind of system.

[KamaItachi]

The gamertag system is brilliant. The friend code system can suck monkey dung.

Do I think Square can pull it off? Uh....no. What have they really done for Nintendo in the last five years. I don't think they have leverage (according to Nintendo) anymore.

FFTA and FF:CC are all that comes to mind and they are both niche. Kinda.

As others have mentioned, DQ9, but I think SE might be doing a lot of slinking back to Nintendo this generation. Despite only paying them lip service this last few years, with ports of old FF and some fairly terrible mana games, the DS has become a machine they can't ignore, and the Wii shows signs of following suit. This generation almost certainly won't see the dominance of any one home platform like we saw with the PS2 and devs are learning that they need to hedge their bets.

This interview reminds me of one of those sit-com episodes where the main character has a fight with his/her best friend, and they're trying to make up, standing awkwardly at either end of the room trading passive agressive insults "You use friend codes for online!" "Well you ran off with that PlayStation Hussy!"

Then they'll get back together and have some cheesecake, and Sophia will tell us an amusing anecdote about Sicily.

[ECM]

Who knows what kind of projects they have under their belts that could potentially get Nintendo to change their minds?

There's nothing to change. There won't be FFXI on Wii due to a lack of HDD, not horsepower reasons.

Pokemon Battle Revolution uses game-specific friend codes, and this conversation from Square Enix suggests that this is Nintendo's preferred method for all Wii games, just like the DS ones.

As several people have already noted, Pokemon is due to the DS, not the Wii. Further, Elebits doesn't use friends codes for its online implementation pretty much nullifying this entire line of reasoning.

I imagine that Square's big issue is that Nintendo probably doesn't want them charging additional fees, which would undermine Nintendo's 'play cheap or don't play at all' policy. This is, of course, idle speculation...

[Panthera]

Don't you still have to exchange some form of code if you want to play with someone? I think that's what they're getting at. It's obviously completely impossible to have MMORPGs using this kind of system.

Oh, christ. I just remembered Toontown Online.

Yes, it's possible.

And by the way, Elebits uses the system code, not a game-specific friends code.

[Doctor Setebos]

As several people have already noted, Pokemon is due to the DS, not the Wii. Further, Elebits doesn't use friends codes for its online implementation pretty much nullifying this entire line of reasoning.I don't think enough people have mentioned this yet. Could we please get five more people to say this so I can really grasp the concept, please? :rolleyes:

[DaXIthR]

Survey says:

The accountants will provide the answer, when look at the bottom line.

With all due respect, I believe the child predator lurking at the other end of a friend code is largely an American problem. If my hunch is right, I'd like to Nintendo/Square-Enix bend their rules and see if they come up with something more accessible than Friend Codes in another region.

[KamaItachi]

Survey says:

The accountants will provide the answer, when look at the bottom line.

With all due respect, I believe the child predator lurking at the other end of a friend code is largely an American problem.

Oh god, no... child abduction, abuse, attacking whole schools is rife in Japan. there were articles on the news about this sort of thing at least twice a week when I was living there, and I had to attend workshops every few months regarding child safety, aggressive people on school grounds, and notifying closest authorities if I saw anyone within several streets of where I worked.

Trust me, this is far, far more about child safety in the home region that it ever was about the U.S.

But that's a rant for another day...

[Captain Awesome]

I don't think enough people have mentioned this yet. Could we please get five more people to say this so I can really grasp the concept, please? :rolleyes:

As several people have already noted, Pokemon is due to the DS, not the Wii. Further, Elebits doesn't use friends codes for its online implementation pretty much nullifying this entire line of reasoning.

[D_Reaper]

I'm still trying to find out where my Wii friend code is. :(

[Skyelan]

I don't think enough people have mentioned this yet. Could we please get five more people to say this so I can really grasp the concept, please? :rolleyes:

As several people have already noted, Pokemon is due to the DS, not the Wii. Further, Elebits doesn't use friends codes for its online implementation pretty much nullifying this entire line of reasoning.

[AbinSur]

I'm still trying to find out where my Wii friend code is. :(
From the Wii Menu, click on the Message icon, then click on the Create Message button, and then go to the Address Book. It should tell you your Wii code on that page.

[[VSK]BadCRC]

I think the Friends Codes thing should be an optional parental control for the console, and not the standard for how it operates. I think it's a great thing to keep kids safe, but this technology has such a profound limitation on the entertainment value of their online games that it's really hurting them in a bad way.

My personal gripe is that without a dedicated friends code or ID from console to console, instead of game to game, that I don't want to be inputing several codes for each friend I want to play with. Sometimes I just want my online gaming experiences to be spontanious and fun.

I could deal with a console code, that would make sense, and while limiting, would be far less frustrating than making note of all my friend's games.

The other issue is space - there's only so much information I can store locally on my machine, and this has become evident when I ran out of space recently while downloading my friends' Miis. They have a 100 Mii limit. They have a limited number of contacts too to add to my console's mailing service list.

[D_Reaper]

From the Wii Menu, click on the Message icon, then click on the Create Message button, and then go to the Address Book. It should tell you your Wii code on that page.
Oooh okay, thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

[Phanto]

Nintendo should make a feature or some kind of online system that you can choose to enter the friends codes or just go online and play with whatever person you find to play aka "matchmaking system" but they really need to get the online support of games up and running not everyone can play with their friends in the same house.

[GunnyMo]

This is really good news. Squenix muscle should, hopefully, be able to make Nintendo drop or ease back on their silly and backwards online system.

[thecrazyd]

I still think that charging for an online service is far less user friendly and far more likely to prevent people from playing online then using the friend code system.

[Sensei-X]

Anything that keeps that FFXI garbage from polluting another console is fine by me. SE needs to put FFXII or FFXIII on Wii or STFU.

[Gorvi]

Anything that keeps that FFXI garbage from polluting another console is fine by me. SE needs to put FFXII or FFXIII on Wii or STFU.

Booo to the FFXI bashing, it's a good game, don't knock what you don't understand. :mad:

[[VSK]BadCRC]

Booo to the FFXI bashing, it's a good game, don't knock what you don't understand. :mad:

Oh please, I wasted 8 months of my life on that game. You heard it from an insider folks, the game is shallow and a major grind-fest, also, it's not fun.

[Gorvi]

BadCRC']Oh please, I wasted 8 months of my life on that game. You heard it from an insider folks, the game is shallow and a major grind-fest, also, it's not fun.

Wait, it's not fun? But you spent 8 months playing it? That makes no sense. Every person I hear bashing it says they played it until about level 25-30 and they stopped. That's the equivlant to playing SMB and jumping on the first goomba and thinking you know the whole game.

[doyama]

To be honest I think the friend codes were implement purely because of the United States. I mean not that there aren't predators in other countries, but in the US it seems to be on the forefront of political minds. Also used as a red herring to take away our freedoms but that's another topic.

On another vein of US stupidity, can anyone find even a single anecdotal case of someone in Japan injuring themselves or others with a Wii? I've scoured Japanese online mags and BBS but can't find even someone claiming they've remotely hurt themselves. Someone mentioned in a podcast that the whole Wii injury thing might be a hoax, and there's something to be said for that. Or it could just be that we just lack common sense in the US, which isn't too hard a conclusion to reach either.

[bitwise]

I don't think enough people have mentioned this yet. Could we please get five more people to say this so I can really grasp the concept, please? :rolleyes:

As several people have already noted, Pokemon is due to the DS, not the Wii. Further, Elebits doesn't use friends codes for its online implementation pretty much nullifying this entire line of reasoning.

Mmmm love that copypasta.