Will Nintendo's 3DS Be Implementing Friend Codes?

By Jorge Ba-oh 13.01.2011 16

Will Nintendo

A recent preview of Super Street Fighter IV 3DS in Japanese magazine Famitsu suggests the use of friend codes for online play.

According to CVG, the article states that playing random opponents is possible in the 3DS version, however those who want to virtually punch and kick their buddies online will have to manage a friends list using "friend codes".

It's uncertain whether these codes are specific to the game, a global 3DS code per user or Capcom's own system, however.

Nintendo have kept quiet regarding friend codes in the new 3DS, but expect online specifics to become clearer closer to launch.

What do you think of friend codes - should these be scrapped in favour of a global Nintendo username/code?

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SirLink is offline. SirLink 13.01.2011#1

Global Nintendo usernames/codes, please. Thanks. Smilie

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WP-Final is offline. WP-Final 13.01.2011#2

Even global numbers is lame. I don't see why they're so afraid of usernames.

 
Yoshindo1 is offline. Yoshindo1 13.01.2011#3

For crying out loud, Nintendo, no one likes the use of friend codes. I thought the friend codes were for the protection of casual players but yet casual players don't even play online. No one complains about how Xbox and Playstation use player names, making this forced system of long codes, which was dated and unnecessary from the start, an unintuitive online experience.

It makes me sad to see Nintendo stubbornly stick with bad ideas when there are more successful ways of operating out there. No one will speak badly of them if they use an idea that isn't their's once in a while, especially when they innovate so much. At the very least implement what SirLink said, one code to rule them all. Though I'd rather just see the end of friend codes forever.

 
WP-Final is offline. WP-Final 13.01.2011#4

What I find funny though is that games like Conduit and Mario Kart Wii have their own 'player name' systems. I can see the names of random players. This is no different to profile usernames so Nintendo aren't afraid of giving players more freedom.

( Edited 13.01.2011 16:36 by Ifrit XXII )

 
EdEN is offline. EdEN 13.01.2011#5

Friend codes are used so it's harder for you to add someone at random just by looking at their username and thus preventing a bit of the "45 year old woman contacts 15 year old with his Xbox and trades sex for candies" type of scenarios.

Hoping for a universal system number but no info has been made available for this.

 
Teetrab is offline. Teetrab 13.01.2011#6

Come on Nintendo. You can do it. It's like encouraging your older brother to ask a girl out or something. I don't know. Ditch the freakin codes!

Its like using the super old phone with the color reference of Game Boy.

Like using a VCR. Who is making these decisions?

Using the usernames show that you're with the times. What is this the freakin 90's? Did the Dreamcast even use friendcodes? How about the PSO (Phantasy Star Online) port that you transferred over to the Gamecube for crying out loud. Did that use codes?

Get with it.

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GreythaGreat is offline. GreythaGreat 13.01.2011#7

For the love of God, Nintendo, WHY?!
This is getting beyond ridiculous. You think they would listen to developers and fans about friend codes.

Nintendo needs an account-based system.

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Glenjamin is offline. Glenjamin 13.01.2011#8

Please, please, please Nintendo, just one global username or code please!

 
Darkflame is offline. Darkflame 13.01.2011#9

Nothing wrong with numbers, just make them global!

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bornforthis43 is offline. bornforthis43 13.01.2011#10

I understand Nintendo doesn't want a bad image with casuals, but c'mon, this is getting ridiculous.

 
Martin_ is offline. Martin_ 14.01.2011#11

EdEN said:
Friend codes are used so it's harder for you to add someone at random just by looking at their username and thus preventing a bit of the "45 year old woman contacts 15 year old with his Xbox and trades sex for candies" type of scenarios.

Hoping for a universal system number but no info has been made available for this.

Could be, but if true then that's a pathetic reason. Those type of fringe scenarios do not happen as a rule. So for the sake of those extreme-minority of cases, they're going to make the whole online experience worse for everyone?

I don't even think that it's the reason, anyway.

 
Birdo Is A Tranny is offline. Birdo Is A Tranny 14.01.2011#12

I have to agree with EdEN on the one Martin, it seems like Nindendo don't want to be in the spotlight for headlines like "Pedo grooms child on 3DS".

What other genuine reason could there be?

 
Marzeee is offline. Marzeee 14.01.2011#13

This is probably why they do it. They got complained about, even when it was just local Wi-Fi. Smilie

( Edited 14.01.2011 13:41 by Marzy )

 
jb is offline. jb 14.01.2011#14

They should really just rack up the parental controls, perhaps an option to send an email to the parent's address whenever someone wants to become a friend. Sounds strict and whatever, but I know some parents who would easily lap that up.

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SirLink is offline. SirLink 14.01.2011#15

jb said:
They should really just rack up the parental controls, perhaps an option to send an email to the parent's address whenever someone wants to become a friend. Sounds strict and whatever, but I know some parents who would easily lap that up.

Yeah, they are already including a 3D lock feature so they might as well add other stuff for parental controls too. I even heard about an option where parents could set a certain amount of time that the kid can play a day or something.

It's going to suck for kids with strict parents but it would allow Nintendo to stop worrying about that kind of stuff.

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sporkhead (guest) 16.01.2011#16

There's some evidence here to suggest what seems to be a non-universal friend code system might not be in the future:

http://3dstribe.com/news/friend-codes-making-an-unwelcome-return-to-3ds/

Not sure what you think about it but I reckon it seems likely Nintendo WFC isn't ready yet (focus on the second half of the article). Not to mention Nintendo are keeping quiet about any online gaming features of the 3DS so I do question whether Street Fighter IV uses friend codes from a universal list off the 3DS's menu.

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