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Nintendo planning Direct presentation for Miiverse details, Friend Codes not required
A month from launch, we're all still terrifyingly in the dark as to the Wii U's online functionality. Nintendo will help correct that soon, by hosting a Nintendo Direct streaming presentation about the Miiverse service.In an investor Q&A, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata described the primary purpose of Miiverse as a way to amass friends for gameplay opportunities, and for players to spread the word about under-the-radar games. " "As there are many excellent but buried games in the world, and you must be impressed by some of them," he said, "the important mission of Miiverse is to create opportunities to let you know about such games without spending our finite advertising budget on it." Please continue advertising games, Nintendo.The friend gathering will take place through "empathizing." Players can choose to become friends with people they interact with on Miiverse, rather than through a Friend Code process. "As Miiverse is not confined to dedicated gaming platforms and will be available on smart devices in the near future," Iwata said, "we hope that, even on a train where many people are using smart devices, you will know how your gaming friends are enjoying their games."
Wii U achievements not mandatory for devs, friend codes to change for the better
There won't be a pervasive "achievement" system on Wii U, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime suggested to Kotaku. Referring to the 3DS's system-specific achievements, which honor StreetPass-based activities in the system software, "We will have that," Fils-Aime said. "Once you start getting into game-specific [Achievements] that's developer driven."Fils-Aime hinted at changes to the friend code system for connecting to online friends, calling the new system "friend codes, but it's not the existing friend code system." He added, "you will be able to identify people as friends and have a certain level of interaction versus a different level of interaction for the more general population. The method by which you identify someone as a friend is a lot simpler than what's happening today with Friend Codes." However, he didn't go into detail.Fils-Aime also had good news regarding the announced content filtering system. It turns out that messages that aren't flagged by an automatic scan won't be subject to manual scanning. If a message is flagged by that, and then by the community, then Nintendo steps in.
Farewell, Friend Codes: Wii U to have single online identity and friends list [update]
Surprisingly, Nintendo wasn't the one to answer the question that's been at the forefront of our minds since John Riccitiello talked up the Wii U's online capabilities: Ubisoft recently told MTV Multiplayer that the system will get rid of the maligned Friend Codes system in favor of a single online identity (think: Gamertag). Players will also be able to build friends lists without the laborious process of swapping serial numbers. The publisher reiterated the system's new, streamlined online network during a Nintendo developer roundtable, explaining that the studio is aiming for the Wii U to be Ghost Recon Online's backbone. The title will apparently play host to leaderboards, parties and a live activity feed of your Wii U friends which appears on the WiiPad. We'll press Nintendo for more info! Update: From what we're hearing from Nintendo's developer roundtable, Ubisoft isn't absolutely certain if the Ghost Recon Online features they mentioned will actually make it into the game -- they're just features they'd like to see implemented. As far as the Wii U's unified online functionality, they wouldn't give any details at the developer roundtable.
Modojo launches 3DS Friend Code Finder app
Is your 3DS Mii Plaza a lonely, vacant wasteland? Your large-headed avatars have depth, you know, and with depth comes feelings. Why not get them some company using Modojo's new 3DS Friend Code Finder app on Facebook? It's a simple enough tool: Just input your code, which every one of your Facebook friends who accesses the app will be able to see -- and vice versa, naturally. It's a pretty neat application, not only because it saves you the trouble of asking each of your real-life cohorts what their code is individually, but because it provides you with a surprising catalog of everyone you know that owns the system. For instance, Mr. Jeffries, your fourth grade biology teacher? He's got one, and man, does that dude love him some Nintendogs.
3DS features only one Friend Code
Glory, glory saints be praised! The days of game-specific Friend Codes are behind us! ... At least, they are on the 3DS. At today's 3DS launch reveal, Reggie Fils-Aiie announced that the system will use only one friend code across all games. Plus, if someone's on the same WiFi network as you, you don't have to enter their codes! It's a Christmas miracle! (Just, you know, 26 days late.)
Nintendo 3DS gets new friend code system, finds beauty in unification
Ever try to do multiplayer on a DS game? We're really sorry to hear that. It's a mess of lengthy friend codes that does more to discourage online play than enable it. That's going away with the 3DS. At Nintendo's 3DS press event in New York the company announced a new system where there's only a single code, assigned per-console and registered only once. You'll have a single group of friends and, when they pop online in a new game, you'll see them there. No need for multiple lists and, we hope, less of a need for Tylenol.
Wii Guitar Hero 5 doesn't use in-game Friend Codes
And we thought the announcement of a returning feature from a previous game was exciting. In an interview with IGN, Vicarious Visions' Karthik Bala revealed that the Wii version of Guitar Hero 5 won't bother you for Friend Codes when you try to play online."For GH5, we've implemented support for your global Wii Friend Codes," Bala told IGN. "If you've got friends in your Wii address book, they'll automatically be added to your friends list in game, so you can easily connect up with them in online multiplayer games."GH5 on Wii is now at "full feature parity" with the other versions, Bala said. It includes eight-player online play (no longer limited to two Wii consoles), and also adds a couple of Wii-exclusive features like a "Roadie Battle" mode and DS control of aspects of the (updated) Mii Freestyle.
Upcoming game ditching Friend Codes?
We imagine going against Nintendo is a bit like going against the mob. Don't talk out against Friend Codes and you won't find your house burned down. You know, that kind of thing. And, if the latest IGN Nintendo Voice Chat Podcast is to be believed, a "major" upcoming game will be doing away with Nintendo's antiquated system.So, which game is it? Well, speculation first moved to The Conduit, but Joystiq confirmed with inside sources that it would indeed utilize Friend Codes. Which upcoming online-compatible major game could it be? Well, we're not sure, so toss us your guesses. [Via Joystiq]
Wii Fanboy presents: Game Night [update 2]
Update: The staff is no longer in the Game Night chat. If you missed us, then we'll see you after the holidays.It's Thursday again, which means you're one day closer to the weekend. It also means that it's time for Game Night, our weekly break from our hectic lives so we can spend time with who really matter: you! That's right, tonight we'll be throwing down in the best online-compatible games the DS and Wii have to offer. Want to get on board? Simply head past the break for the details.See you all tonight!
DS Fanboy presents: Game Night [update 2]
Update: The staff is no longer in the Game Night chat. If you missed us, then we'll see you after the holidays.It's Thursday again, which means you're one day closer to the weekend. It also means that it's time for Game Night, our weekly break from our hectic lives so we can spend time with who really matter: you! That's right, tonight we'll be throwing down in the best online-compatible games the DS and Wii have to offer. Want to get on board? Simply head past the break for the details.See you all tonight!
Wii Warm Up: Your own multiplayer experiences
Yesterday, our latest Top 5 focused on multiplayer experiences and it got us thinking about you all. What are your most treasured multiplayer games? Do you prefer multiplayer online, or are you a fan of being in the room with the people you're playing against? What are your favorite multiplayer games and why?
Wii Fanboy presents: Game Night [update]
Game Night chat is open (join us!) Update: The staff have left the Game Night chat, but there's still plenty of people in there looking for a game! Hit the link and get involved!With all of the breaking news today, we nearly forgot that it's Thursday, which means we've got some games to play! So, won't you join us? If not to play games, then to just chat about all of the crazy news that went down in Japan and North America today. It'll be good times!For you first-timers, head past the break. All of the details you need to get involved are there.
DS Fanboy presents: Game Night [update]
Game Night chat is open (join us!) Update: The staff have left the Game Night chat, but there's still plenty of people in there looking for a game! Hit the link and get involved!With all of the crazy Nintendo news today, we nearly forgot that it's Thursday! We love Thursday. Why? Because we actually get to take a break and play some games! Interested in joining us? Newbs can go past the break for details on how to get involved. For the rest of you, we hope to see you tonight!
High Voltage doesn't like Friend Codes either
Click for more screens News flash: High Voltage isn't a big fan of Nintendo's cumbersome Friend Codes system. The developer behind The Conduit recently replied to an email about the latest news that the game could support the system, stating that High Voltage feels "the same way" about Friend Codes and that if "there is any possible way for us to get around this system," they would. In fact, they even point to the system in Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 as "ideal," and if Nintendo allows them a similar exception as they allowed EA, they'd go for it.Well, here's to hoping we don't have to put up with Friend Codes, but we honestly don't see why the game wouldn't. Nintendo isn't going to openly admit their system is broken, after all, and allowing High Voltage to incorporate their own system could be a slight admission of such.%Gallery-25003%[Via Nintendo Everything]
The Conduit: No DLC, friend codes look likely
Now that we've all agreed on our hatred of friend codes, will The Conduit be lumbered with them? High Voltage's Rob Nichols suggested it would in a recent Nintendo Radio podcast, admitting that the studio will "probably" have to use the dreaded digits. Though this isn't outright confirmation and we shouldn't take to the streets in anger yet (Nichols' colleague Tony Mecca promises that High Voltage is considering "every other option"), the general tone of the transcript is rather downbeat. We look forward to grumbling with you, dear reader, at future Game Nights.In other news-we-kind-of-expected, the pair confirmed that the game won't feature downloadable content. A double blow, then, depending on whether you view DLC as a boon or a burden.%Gallery-25003%[Thanks to all who sent this in!]
New info on Tetris Party's game modes
Aside from learning about Balance Board support and when the game would be releasing on WiiWare, we haven't heard much about what's in the Tetris Party game. Well, other than Tetris. We all pretty much know what's going on with that.We now have some idea as to what gamers should expect from the title's many modes of play, though. There will be 18 different modes of play, with 10 of them supposedly being never-before-seen variations of single and multiplayer Tetris. Online modes will be titled World Battle and Friend Battle, where up to six players can take part in play simultaneously. Aside from all of that, other modes were mentioned, including Stage Racer, Wii Balance Board Tetris Marathon, Field Climber, and Duel Space modes. We don't have any specific info on those, though, so we'll just have to wait until the game releases to spend some quality time with those modes.%Gallery-18122%
DS Fanboy regrets to inform you there will be no Game Night
As much as it pains us, we have to call off Game Night for this evening. Sorry, but just because we aren't attending, it shouldn't stop you from gaming with the community! The chat is open (you can click here to enter), so if you still want to have some fun, albeit without the staff, then go for it!
Wii Fanboy regrets to inform you there will be no Game Night
As much as it pains us, we have to call off Game Night for this evening. Sorry, but just because we aren't attending, it shouldn't stop you from gaming with the community! The chat is open (you can click here to enter), so if you still want to have some fun, albeit without the staff, then go for it!
Iwata: Friend codes aren't perfect (Us: Duh)
You know you hate them. No matter how much you love Nintendo, there's no way you can justify those vile things known as friend codes.Nintendo (the company) might not despise them as much as we do (or at all), but at least some of the higher-ups are willing to acknowledge that they're not the best EVAR. In fact, you really don't get much higher up than President Satoru Iwata, who recently admitted in an interview with GameDaily that the friend code system isn't perfect. He then spouted the usual company line when he said, "However, if it's an online world where you can get access to anybody without any restrictions, I as a father do not feel like allowing my daughter be engaged in that kind of world."Iwata said that the purpose of friend codes is to create a harassment-free environment for people less familiar with online video gaming, but we can't help but feel like friend codes are a different kind of harassment that tirelessly bothers those who are experienced online gamers. The prez also said that the company is working on improving the system, though, while keeping it safe.[Via CVG]
DS Fanboy doesn't present: Game Night
Sorry to do this to you guys and gals, but we've got some bad news -- with Dave and JC working their socks off at E3, and the rest of us slogging away on the torrent of news still pouring out of the event, the staff won't be able to make Game Night tonight. We're sorry! We'll totally make this up to you! Chocolates, flowers, the lot!In the meantime, do feel free to drop in on our usual chatroom (located here) -- maybe you'll find someone there who's up for a game of something. We'll see you all next week!
