According to a poster on the IGN Wii boards, in the latest issue of Ngamer UK mag, it is apparently revealed that the UK version of Pokemon Battle Revolution will feature online play FREE OF THE BURDEN OF FRIEND CODES. There have also been scans posted to back it up.
I dunno, I find several things fishy about this, but I don't want to jinx it. Let's just hope this news is true and that we'll be getting SOME (not full) reprieve from the dreaded friend codes.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Infernal Monkey on March 25, 2007, 10:31:11 PM
Doesn't really make up for the fact that it'll be released like a year or eight after America.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: odifiend on March 25, 2007, 11:52:49 PM
Is it too early for April Fools? It is the May issue... If true, it is nice that work arounds are possible.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Pale on March 26, 2007, 12:58:36 AM
It's most likely the "worldwide mode" that is already in every single DS online game. /sigh. This isn't anything different. You don't NEED friend codes to go online with any game Nintendo has released so far.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: UncleBob on March 26, 2007, 01:16:39 AM
Ummm... Animal Crossing: Wild World?
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Pale on March 26, 2007, 01:40:43 AM
thank you for finding one exception bob... =P My point still stands.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: UncleBob on March 26, 2007, 01:53:39 AM
Also, Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis - Although, technically, you can download 8 levels directly from Nintendo without a friend code...
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: 31 Flavas on March 26, 2007, 03:02:40 AM
Quote Originally posted by: Pittbboi According to a poster on the IGN Wii boards, in the latest issue of Ngamer UK mag, it is apparently revealed that the UK version of Pokemon Battle Revolution will feature online play FREE OF THE BURDEN OF FRIEND CODES. There have also been scans posted to back it up.
Like you were not already "FREE OF THE BURDEN" by worldwide random match making.
You'll have to answer a question for me since either that link was taken down or I need and IGN account to view it. If they're not doing FCs in the UK version, then how are they allowing friends to battle against each other individually? Just like in any other online game you need an IP address, a gamer tag, or a FC to find individual people. If they have a Lobby(ies) listing people online to play against, thats cool. But if you are "FREE OF THE BURDEN" by virtue of just not being able to individually match make that's rather lame.
Quote I dunno, I find several things fishy about this, but I don't want to jinx it. Let's just hope this news is true and that we'll be getting SOME (not full) reprieve from the dreaded friend codes.
Sounds quite fishy. Seeing as how zero account setup was one of the reasons why Nintendo went with random numbers. If they are setting up some kind of persistent database of accounts to facilitate a "gamertag" kind of FC, that's going to involve setup on the user end. Not that Nintendo is saying you (Pittboi) aren't capable account set up, but its a feature they want for their new WiiSport/WiiPlay kind of gamers.
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: 31 Flavas on March 26, 2007, 03:03:06 AM
wth? Double post.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Pittbboi on March 26, 2007, 03:15:41 AM
Quote Like you were not already "FREE OF THE BURDEN" by worldwide random match making.
Erm, there's something in this statement that negates your whole point...(hint: it's in bold)
Quote You'll have to answer a question for me since either that link was taken down or I need and IGN account to view it. If they're not doing FCs in the UK version, then how are they allowing friends to battle against each other individually? Just like in any other online game you need and IP address, a gamer tag, or a FC to find individual people. If they have a Lobby(ies) listing people online to play against, thats cool. But if you are "FREE OF THE BURDEN" by virtue of just not being able to individually match make that's rather lame.
Actually, there's been a short whirlwind of drama since this news was unveiled. Apparently Falafelkid got wind of this, contacted his sources, and determined that while the scans are definitely legit, the context isn't. (http://nintendo-revolution.blogspot.com/2007/03/pokemon-battle-revolution-friend-code.html)
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: 31 Flavas on March 26, 2007, 03:59:51 AM
Quote Originally posted by: Pittbboi Erm, there's something in this statement that negates your whole point...(hint: it's in bold)
I guess the point was so obvious it just flew right over you.
Quote Actually, there's been a short whirlwind of drama since this news was unveiled. Apparently Falafelkid got wind of this, contacted his sources, and determined that while the scans are definitely legit, the context isn't. (http://nintendo-revolution.blogspot.com/2007/03/pokemon-battle-revolution-friend-code.html)
So if the phrase that pays, "will not have the restrictions of the friend code system" is ligit, but out of context, that probably means FCs are still in existence. Woe is you. Instead, some other restrictions may be relaxed. Maybe they are doing a persistent database to allow permanent aliases to a Wii system code or maybe they're allowing voice chat as an option in random match makes. Maybe they'll allow automatic transferal of FCs.
Seems contrary to what Nintendo has set WFC up to be, but if the quote is ligit...
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Pittbboi on March 26, 2007, 04:24:06 AM
Quote I guess the point was so obvious it just flew right over you.
You should try having something of worth to say before any sort of wit is applied to your posts. I know exactly what your original point was, and was pointing out that "random" match making is nowhere near the functionality the other systems provide and that friend codes deprive you of. So no, that minor reprieve does not free us of the burden of friend codes.
Quote So if the phrase that pays, "will not have the restrictions of the friend code system" is ligit, but out of context, that probably means FCs are still in existence. Woe is you.
You're jumping the gun here on me. I'm merely posting the news. Granted, I despise friend codes, but that wasn't my motive in posting this. I'll be happy if friend codes are even somewhat relaxed, if this article debacle indicates even that much. So don't get your panties in a twist.
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: 31 Flavas on March 26, 2007, 05:19:45 AM
Quote Originally posted by: Pittbboi I know exactly what your original point was, and was pointing out that "random" match making is nowhere near the functionality the other systems provide and that friend codes deprive you of.
You're spending all this time explaining how FCs make your life miserable, just play the games. That's my point.
Quote You're jumping the gun here on me. I'm merely posting the news. Granted, I despise friend codes, but that wasn't my motive in posting this. I'll be happy if friend codes are even somewhat relaxed, if this article debacle indicates even that much. So don't get your panties in a twist.
Stop worrying about details and just have fun. If you've got a few friends you want to play with punch in their FC and play with them. But don't try to use the system for something its not been designed for. WFC was not created for socialization, it was created to play games online safely, without account setup or game setup hassel, and to do so for free, while finding you an opponent of similar skill to your own.
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Ceric on March 26, 2007, 05:22:34 AM
Quote Originally posted by: UncleBob Also, Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis - Although, technically, you can download 8 levels directly from Nintendo without a friend code...
I wish I would have known that I finished the game yesterday and just sent it back...
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Kairon on March 26, 2007, 05:47:39 AM
Quote EDIT The scans are real, but the story is not. Here is the magazine´s reply:
Unfortunately, the curse of the magazine lead time has struck again. Since we wrote this piece -- with the understanding that our information was correct -- Nintendo has seemingly confirmed that Pokemon Battle Revolution *will* use game-specific Friend Codes.
~Carmine "Cai" M. Red Kairon@aol.com
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Blue Plant on March 26, 2007, 06:45:50 AM
Ugh, Falafelkid...
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Pittbboi on March 26, 2007, 07:32:28 PM
Quote You're spending all this time explaining how FCs make your life miserable, just play the games. That's my point.
I didn't spend time "explaining" anything. I posted a bit of rumor that I thought would interest people (seeing as it has to do with the Wii and the giant question mark that is Wii online play), and it seems like you went into attack mode because everything apparently everything Pittbboi writes is worthy of attack.
Quote Stop worrying about details and just have fun.
Hmm, some would argue that "fun" is the very thing friend codes makes it hard to have, especially if you happen to be the only person you know with a Wii. And safety? Let's see how safe things get when people have to search through random message boards meeting strangers to exchange friend codes with.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Deguello on March 26, 2007, 08:10:09 PM
Fun facts:
Xbox Live started in November 2002. March 2007, Xbox Live hit 6 million users, spread over two platforms.
Nintendo Wifi Connection launches in November 2005. January 2007, a little over a year later, Nintendo Wifi Connection has had 3.5 million users, on only one platform.
Seems like Friends Codes aren't as big a deterrent as people suspect.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Pittbboi on March 26, 2007, 08:21:00 PM
it's not really fair to compare the handheld to the console. The DS's service is not only free, but a first for handlheld gaming. It's not illogical to assumethat that could possibly affect the numbers.
Oh, and there's the fact that a majority of people who have heavily criticised the DS's online still use it because it's the only option on the DS. The raw numbers aren't at all indicative of quality, the brunt of the gaming community hates friend codes, that's not exactly hard to see.
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: wandering on March 26, 2007, 08:30:36 PM
Quote Originally posted by: Pittbboi it's not really fair to complain about friend codes. The DS's service is not only free, but a first for handlheld gaming.
Fixed.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Deguello on March 26, 2007, 08:35:45 PM
So? The reality seems to be that people are willing to put up with it, so much so that Nintendo's online service is growing exponentially faster than Microsofts's, the ones who seem to get all the credit.
You don't seem to grasp points do you?
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Pittbboi on March 26, 2007, 08:47:05 PM
Quote You don't seem to grasp points do you?
Only as far as your inability to make them goes.
Microsoft's online gets all the credit because so far it's the only platform that strives to give gamers exactly what they're asking for in a competent online structure. Not only that, but you're quoting a number that was tallied months ago. Who knows how the systems are stacking up to each other now, as Xbox online continues to grow and provide heaps more content than that on the DS. Anything can happen. But I bet that if you were to conduct a poll on any gaming site or medium questioning gamers as to which service is more compelling...despite the numbers I bet you any kind of money that support would go to Xbox Live.
Friend codes aren't conducive at all to giving gamers what they want. Nintendo just knows that their gamers are willing to suck it up to get the online Nintendo games they've been wanting for so long. But imagine how much more successful the DS' (and most likely the Wii's) online structure would be if gamers didn't have to be "willing to put up with it"? It would be heaps more intuitive and twice as successful. Not to mention it would get a bit of praise now and then.
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Pittbboi on March 26, 2007, 08:54:15 PM
Quote Originally posted by: wandering
Quote Originally posted by: Pittbboi it's not really fair to complain about friend codes. The DS's service is not only free, but a first for handlheld gaming.
Fixed.
Nope
What's your excuse going to be when friend codes makes their appearance on the Wii? In all truthfulness I don't really care about friend codes on the DS. I don't have a DS, and yes, for it being a first for handheld gaming it's competent enough.
My complaint had more to do with:
a) Nintendo seemingly disregarding the many disadvantages of friend codes and using raw numbers to convince themselves that friend codes are a smash success with gamers and thinking that the system would be just peachy in the completely different and more complex home console market, and
b) Dequello trying to compare the DS friend code system to Xbox Live, despite the glaringly obvious differences.
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: IceCold on March 27, 2007, 11:38:38 AM
Quote it's not really fair to compare the handheld to the console. The DS's service is not only free, but a first for handlheld gaming. It's not illogical to assumethat that could possibly affect the numbers.
I thought the PSP was both free and before the DS.. don't think the numbers are as high for it.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: odifiend on March 27, 2007, 04:10:40 PM
DS has sold a lot more. Xbox Live should be given credit. It service is good enough that it has generated respectable numbers for a pay service that requires broadband. Honestly though Xbox has nothing to do with this. I think we can all agree friend codes are inconvenient. Would less people have gotten on Nintendo WiFi if there was a system other than friend codes? No is the answer. If friend codes aren't the best system and could be economically streamlined, Nintendo should do better on the Wii.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Deguello on March 27, 2007, 06:27:51 PM
Quote b) Dequello trying to compare the DS friend code system to Xbox Live, despite the glaringly obvious differences.
I fail to see them. One is an online service, so is the other. You can't conveniently separate handhelds from the gaming spectrum just because you don't like the data. They still count even though Sony isn't doing well in it. All I'm saying is, if friend codes are supposed to be some kind of deterrent or something, why is Nintendo Wifi connection zooming up like that, already reaching more than half Xbox Live's userbase? And that's basically just Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing, and Japan's Pokemon, In one year. It was new to handhelds? Sure.
Pittbboi, your argument is couched in the "giving gamers what they want" logic hole. What's the hole? Simple. Many gamers want different things. We furthermore do not all want the same things from an online service too. Know what I want? To not pay any sort of money for it. That rules out Xbox Live for me. Money's tight. Hey wifi is free? Neat. I have to put in a number for each of my buds if I want to race exclusively with them? No problem, because I'm not paying a cent. THAT is why Nintendo Wifi Connection is soaring upward. You can take your poll as to whether or not gamers want to put in friend codes in, but at the same time, ask them if they would like to pay $50 a year for it. Hey that poll has already been taken! 2002 Microsoft asked gamers if they wanted to pay $50 a year for Online play. By 2007, 6 million people said yes. In 2005 Nintendo asked gamers if they would want to pay $0 for online play, while having to input codes if you want to play with your friends and not a bunch of random people. By 2007, 3.5 million people said yes. In fact it is probably BECAUSE of this setup that Nintendo Wifi Connection is flourishing faster. And to see why, you'd need to get your head out of the cynical and pansy-sensitive forums and take a look at differing opinions. Here's mine.
Did you know you actually do have to put in numbers for Xbox Live? Yeah! your credit card. Oh you don't have one? Better get one. And after you fill out the forms to get one, you can fill out some more and enter your 16-digits credit card number and set up a profile and persona and join the Xbox Live gaming Community. But I don't want all that. Gamercard? Nah, I don't feel the need to gloat about what games I'm playing. Achievements? This is what I'm playing $50 for, so they can keep score for me? I'll take a picture if I ever find anybody that cares what my time in Excite Truck is. And you know what, I really don't like voice chat. Seriously, most of the time I tried Xbox Live at a friend's place I just muted it because I couldn't stand the idiocy or the drama. This is why I like Nintendo Wifi. I can get what I want out of online games without paying for stuff I don't. And that's why Nintendo Wifi is moving faster, despite all the surface bitching about it.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Infernal Monkey on March 27, 2007, 07:02:08 PM
^^ Post of the year confirmed.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Pittbboi on March 27, 2007, 07:10:54 PM
You completely overlooked everything I said in an attempt to make friend codes look attractive.
You basically made my point for me. The DS, even with it's crappy friend code system, is a HANDHELD that is selling like wildfire. And the service is free. So of course, as odifiend said, it's going to do better than a home console online service that you have to pay for WITH a credit card, and NEED a broadband connection to work with (these are the glaring differences, by the way)...if you look at pure numbers. One thing that absolutely frustrates me with a lot of Nintendo fans is this idea that the Wii and DS are completely interchangeable in EVERY scenario--that it's always ok to speak for one with the other. That is not true, and it definitely isn't true in this case. Yes, they're both online services, but you're kidding yourself if you think the DS isn't more accessible, despite not being out longer. But, being more accessible doesn't always make it better because, feature for feature, Xbox Live slams it. Simple as that.
People play online with the DS but that doesn't mean they LOVE the setup or that Nintendo shouldn't improve it. People play online with DS because the want to play Nintendo handheld games online and are willing to suffer through a terrible system to do it, and right now what I fear is that they're going to use the raw numbers to convince themselves they don't have to improve it. What I fear the most is that they're going tothink that this is a brilliant system for their home console, and I don't think it is. This is console gaming we're talking about--not an experimental handheld. There are higher standards, and when comparing to Xbox360's brilliant Live services, and PS3's impending Home service which is looking to be more innovative than both Xbox Live and the Wii's online by a mile, as far as online infrastructures go (AND it's free and on a system that is costing Sony money to produce, so that blows the "but friend codes are free!" argument out of the water), the Wii won't have an excuse. And with rumors going around that Xbox Live is going to become a completely free service in the future, I just fear that the Wii's online is not going to stand out in any way. Free doesn't have to mean mediocre. And I think calling friend codes "mediocre" is a compliment.
It doesn't matter if you personally don't like certain Live features, but plenty of people do. Plenty of people like features that have been commonplace in free online gaming for years that friend codes restrict. If there's a feature you personally don't like you don't have to use it, but why restrict other people from having access to these features? That's what friend codes do. No matter what side of the fence you sit on, there's no denying that. And that's what I mean when I say Xbox Live deserves the credit, because it strives to give games what they want by offering the basics and then some, and giving you OPTIONS. And Sony, surprisingly, is striving to do the very same thing free of charge. You can't say the same about Nintendo with friend codes.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Infernal Monkey on March 27, 2007, 08:28:34 PM
Except, you know, people don't WANT some silly complex online world to walk around and talk to eachother in. That's all Home is. It's like WoW but without anything else to do. And with more nerds. Sims Online bombed for a reason you know.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Deguello on March 27, 2007, 08:40:21 PM
Quote If there's a feature you personally don't like you don't have to use it, but why restrict other people from having access to these features?
BECAUSE WHEN I USE XBOX LIVE I AM PAYING FOR IT AND I DO NOT LIKE PAYING FOR THINGS I DO NOT USE.
God sake's, I never said that Nintendo Wifi Connection was BETTER. I just said it is growing faster and therefore more successful. And it is better to me, personally, because I don't like most of the Live features and I will be damned before I pay for it, because I don't like them.
Quote It doesn't matter if you personally don't like certain Live features, but plenty of people do.
So it's OK for you to blather on and on about your opinions all day long but another poster, a mod no less, is denied his opinion's worth when we are TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE THINK? Is nobody allowed to actually like the no-strings-attached approach Nintendo Wifi takes? And what is allowed to be said the next time you find yourself standing alone with your opinion, Pittbboi, which happens quite frequently? Tough ****?
Friend codes are adequate enough for people who don't spend all day bitching about them, and since Nintendo's Wifi is growing by leaps and bounds, I would say the market has weighed in there too, so who cares what the ivory-tower forum people say?. Free is better than pay everyday. Your opinion has absolutely zero effect on the numbers, which are favoring Nintendo's online connection to possibly even grow past Xbox Live, all by being free to the average user, who probably doesn't care about leaderboards or achievements or virtual houses or game trophies, but does want to play somebody in Mario Kart fom Sweden.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Mario on March 27, 2007, 08:44:33 PM
Quote It doesn't matter if you personally don't like certain Live features, but plenty of people do.
Good job contradicting everything you've ever said about the DS online system. This thread is a complete joke, no real person has a problem with entering a code to play someone online, LMAO. If that seriously affects you, you have other problems to worry about.
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: mottsc on March 28, 2007, 02:19:19 AM
Here is how entering friend codes for each game can be made without it being the burden everyone is anticipating. You go to add a friend and it pops up a list of all the Wii friend codes you already have with the option to add a new one. Then in the average case it's just a few seconds instead of the error-prone process of entering the code from scratch every time. It seems like the logical way to implement this scheme, but that doesn't mean it will happen.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Pittbboi on March 28, 2007, 02:52:16 AM
Quote BECAUSE WHEN I USE XBOX LIVE I AM PAYING FOR IT AND I DO NOT LIKE PAYING FOR THINGS I DO NOT USE.
And did you just completely disregard Home, and OTHER online structures that give you tons more functionality for free? FORGET about Xbox Live for a second, it's not JUST a comparison to Xbox Live. You're using Xbox Live as a shield to try and insinuate that friend codes are the entry fee for a free online service, and that just isn't true. Because its been done before...PLENTY of times.
Quote So it's OK for you to blather on and on about your opinions all day long but another poster, a mod no less, is denied his opinion's worth when we are TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE THINK? Is nobody allowed to actually like the no-strings-attached approach Nintendo Wifi takes? And what is allowed to be said the next time you find yourself standing alone with your opinion, Pittbboi, which happens quite frequently? Tough ****?
Oh, who's denying you your opinion? I'm just disagreeing with you (which I do quite frequently). Maybe this is a bit of insight as to why you seem to get so personally offended every time I disagree with you. Feel free to disagree with me all you want, but you won't see me get so personally invested in it. You can love friend codes all you want, but I don't...and a LOT of people don't (so I highly doubt it's just me standing alone with this OUTLANDISH opinion). The only difference I'm pointing out is that you still have yet to explain to me how friend codes DON'T restrict basic features that other, FREE online structures, have had standard for years.
Quote Friend codes are adequate enough for people who don't spend all day bitching about them
They're not adequate for the person who, for example, lives in an area or amongst a group where he is the only person with a DS and doesn't have anyone to exchange friend codes with. And it's not as accessible to the non-gamer who is in this same environment who doesn't know enough to go crawling around message boards to exchange codes with strangers.
Quote Free is better than pay everyday. Your opinion has absolutely zero effect on the numbers, which are favoring Nintendo's online connection to possibly even grow past Xbox Live,
Of course free is better than pay. But should we not expect a higher standard from Nintendo just because what they're offering is free? Home may offer a Sim Online-esque atmosphere that some people might not want to go through to play a game online, but is that ENOUGH to overlook the fact that Home is providing tons more functionality to online play for FREE? Should we overlook the fact that the Dreamcast provided more functionality over a modem for FREE? Should we also overlook that compared to PCs, ALL consoles are late to the party?
And you continue to disregard that maybe there's more of a factor here than just numbers. Or that the DS is a HANDHELD that provides the service for free at a cost of friend codes. Most people pro-friend codes can really only argue that they're not that bad. Very few people actually prefer them.
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Shift Key on March 28, 2007, 03:02:30 AM
Quote This is console gaming we're talking about--not an experimental handheld. There are higher standards, and when comparing to Xbox360's brilliant Live services, and PS3's impending Home service which is looking to be more innovative than both Xbox Live and the Wii's online by a mile, as far as online infrastructures go (AND it's free and on a system that is costing Sony money to produce, so that blows the "but friend codes are free!" argument out of the water), the Wii won't have an excuse.
No, you're wrong. Live is not brilliant. It has features. But the interesting and useful features are what the games have implemented, such as matchmaking and setting up games. I still feel that I spend too much time sitting in lobbies waiting for people to join in and configuring games and all that rubbish, and given the choice I'd rather jump into any random game for a couple of quick matches. But the options are there. Its just that you're confusing one game that started the more console-friendly online games (Halo 2) with the entire Xbox library. I'd be surprised if you could name any more games that built on the innovative potential of online gaming for consoles.
And Home is nothing more than Second Life with fewer penis attacks. Well, I can't speak much about what the future will hold. And that's the wrong path to take with online gaming - building an online world. Because that's not what I want to do - I want to play games on my console. I have a computer and a life. Home brings nothing innovative to the table aside from a new attempt to raid my wallet. Pity it was in the form of digital furniture and digital brands. Yeah, that's your subscription. Oh, and the advertising.
Online gaming has potential, but there's nothing really appealing to me. Its currently either excessive or absurd depending on the product.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: ryancoke on March 28, 2007, 03:05:24 AM
I've never used live before. How does it differ from the average PC game lobby?
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Pittbboi on March 28, 2007, 03:17:03 AM
Quote But the options are there.
And that's my ENTIRE POINT in a nutshell.
Just because I'm saying Xbox Live is better doesn't mean I love it to death or something. It's not the second coming or anything, but it strives to provide OPTIONS. The games CAN offer these things within the system. With friend codes, not so much.
Quote And Home is nothing more than Second Life with fewer penis attacks.
But there's a fundamental difference. Second Life is a world all in itself. Home might be doing a similar thing, but it's an interface for Sony's online gaming platform. All the features that Second Life and Home have in common are only integral to Second Life. In Home, they're just extra bells and whistles in addition to online gaming that, from what I know, you don't have to make use of. I could be wrong about that though--I've never played Second Life.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: UltimatePartyBear on March 28, 2007, 03:33:23 AM
What exactly is part of every XBox Live game and what's implemented on a per game basis?
I think there's really only one thing that Nintendo's system as we know it really doesn't support that I would like to see. If I play in a random matchup against a person who turns out to be really fun to play against, I'd like to be able to play against him again in the future. Nintendo has provided for that with the rivals list, but it is game-specific. If I add people who display skill and sportsmanship in one game, I'd like to be able play them in other games, too. Also, without any means of communication, I can't know whether he adds me as a rival. Furthermore, without communication, it's impossible to upgrade to friends. I think it would be better if parental controls could allow or disallow communication with non-friends, at least with rivals. If they were on by default and protected by a random, strong password that can only be obtained by contacting Nintendo and verifying your age, maybe that would be enough to C Nintendo's A. I don't know. I'm just thinking out loud... er, typing out... just typing what I'm thinking.
Per-game friend codes are redundant on the Wii insomuch as I've already OKed personal contact with people through the Wii, so I hope that in games it's as simple as pulling them in from the main list. That would make a lot of sense, really, since it's possible that I might like to play certain games with some of my friends but not with others. The same could be true of rivals, so per game lists do make sense as long as it's easy to fill them in.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Plugabugz on March 28, 2007, 07:23:22 AM
Would this argument be any different if it weren't per game friend codes but per game username?
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: 31 Flavas on March 28, 2007, 08:36:12 AM
I'm guessing not. You could use a centralized nickname like XBL (which would intoduce setup hassel for the user), but I know Nintendo and they will want to maintain the double lock on "friends". Which is the main point of frustration for many are expressing. So you'd still have people vehemntly trashing the system.
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: SixthAngel on March 28, 2007, 10:17:40 AM
Quote Originally posted by: Pittbboi
Quote But the options are there.
And that's my ENTIRE POINT in a nutshell.
Just because I'm saying Xbox Live is better doesn't mean I love it to death or something. It's not the second coming or anything, but it strives to provide OPTIONS. The games CAN offer these things within the system. With friend codes, not so much.
The option I see is to pay 50 dollars or not play online. Where are the multiple options? Many people, like me, think that nintendo wifi is better because it is free. Whether or not the problem you have with it can be fixed while keeping it free doesn't matter, because even with flaws we find it better then a pay system like live.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Pittbboi on March 28, 2007, 10:43:26 AM
I'll reply with the same thing I said earlier:
Quote And did you just completely disregard Home, and OTHER online structures that give you tons more functionality for free? FORGET about Xbox Live for a second, it's not JUST a comparison to Xbox Live. You're using Xbox Live as a shield to try and insinuate that friend codes are the entry fee for a free online service, and that just isn't true. Because its been done before...PLENTY of time
Also, it's not as though Nintendo made friend codes in order to keep online free--as far as I know that has nothing to do with the purpose of friend codes. It's mostly about keeping online safe for "everyone". I challenge anyone to find a quote of someone from Nintendo saying one of the purposes of friend codes is to keep online free. I mean, I may be wrong and that may very well be a reason; but from everything I've read it doesn't seem like keeping online free is the point of friend codes--so the free defense doesn't really work.
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Shift Key on March 28, 2007, 11:04:40 AM
Quote Originally posted by: Pittbboi Just because I'm saying Xbox Live is better doesn't mean I love it to death or something. It's not the second coming or anything, but it strives to provide OPTIONS. The games CAN offer these things within the system. With friend codes, not so much.
What options besides "live" friends lists and instant messaging are so fundamentally critical to your ideal online gaming environment that you consider them key options? I can't think of anything that the Live service does that can be implemented using friend codes.
I reckon its not a feature issue you're complaining about, but a privacy issue. You want a massive list of random people you meet through randomly generated games to play with. And that's got nothing to do with the friend codes. That's a privacy issue.
Quote But there's a fundamental difference. Second Life is a world all in itself. Home might be doing a similar thing, but it's an interface for Sony's online gaming platform. All the features that Second Life and Home have in common are only integral to Second Life. In Home, they're just extra bells and whistles in addition to online gaming that, from what I know, you don't have to make use of. I could be wrong about that though--I've never played Second Life.
From the homebetatrial.com site
Quote Home™ is a real-time 3D, networked community that serves as a meeting place for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) users from around the world, where they can interact, communicate, join online games, shop, share content and even build their own personal spaces.
Its more than just an interface. Its excessive and ridiculous. If they were going to focus on the online gaming service rather than the social side of things then perhaps I'd be more welcoming. Because it sounds a lot like they're more interested in those Second Life concepts.
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: AwesomeMan on March 28, 2007, 12:34:08 PM
Quote Originally posted by: Shift KeyI can't think of anything that the Live service does that can be implemented using friend codes.
it could do a scoreboard/achievement thing, between all your friends, which i would actually prefer over one with everyone who plays it, with a universal scoreboard you would have no idea if it top scores were hacked.
I'm quite indifferent to friendcodes cause i only recently got a DS. They suck for Mario vs DK2, but i like C:PoR's wfc. ive played online games on pc and DC and i couldn't stand them, too many idiots ruining the experience(kicking you because you are actually doing good or being load and obnoxious). Also i only played one online game that was remotely worth it(diablo2), the rest seem like the devs couldn't make a passable game so the threw in online to convince people it's good(and sadly it works).
maybe it's just because I've never liked competitive games genres though.
Title: RE:All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: Shift Key on March 28, 2007, 01:32:16 PM
Quote Originally posted by: Shift KeyI can't think of anything that the Live service does that can't be implemented using friend codes.
That's what I meant to say. Carry on.
And yes, scoreboards are easy to implement, but require servers to track the game information. Halo 2 has a web interface where you can view your standings or even detailed summaries of games you were involved in.
Title: RE: All Haters of Friend Codes REJOICE (at least in the UK)!!
Post by: vherub on March 29, 2007, 04:26:24 AM
For me, the problem isn't friend codes, but what friend codes stand for, and that is nintendo's resistance to online gaming. The online gaming system they have proposed seems far less robust than Live. If there must be friend codes, I would like one friend code per system, not per game. I just do not see online play getting as much attention and support from nintendo as it should. This might have been the right strategy for the gamecube (maybe not), but it will be the wrong strategy now, and this atttitude/confusion no doubt affects 3rd party publishers.