Topic: Online Matchmaking Confirmed For Wii Through Gamespy?

[Pittbboi]

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070313005397&newsLang=en

I know this isn't exactly new news, but it's cool to see that this partnership with Nintendo and Gamespy wasn't completely forgotten.

Is this a good thing or bad thing? I don't have a DS, so I'm not exactly sure how Gamespy's matchmaking middleware works for it. Anyone care to fill me in? Does this mean an end to friend codes, or is it merely to supplement them? I don't know, but it seems like a good deal to me.  

[31 Flavas]

YOU LIKE FRIEND CODES? THEN ALL FRIEND CODES ALL THE TIME!

[31 Flavas]

Games like Tetris, StarFox, Mario Kart, Metroid Hunters they all do random match ups for you no sweat. And for the most part only sticks you with people of your skill level. One on One matches, or matches between select friends only happens through Friend Codes.

Other games like Contact, Castelvania, Tenchu, Mario Vs. DK, Animal Crossing, only let you trade levels, items, or visit each other, but do NOT have a competitive online portion.

Assuming there are users out there and waiting, you're not likely have any problem and a match (or matches) will be found in roughly 30 seconds or less. But if noone plays the game, like with Contact, Tenchu, Lost Magic, Open Season, or anything in Clubhouse Games that's not BlackJack or Texas Hold'em, then you'll be waiting a long long time for someone to trade/play with.

[DAaaMan64]

theprototype on digg put this perfectly:

"Great matchmaking! Now i'll know when my buddies 4126 2665 1265 7984 and 9631 1456 7851 1532 are online!"

[Bill Aurion]

Except that's pretty retarded considering you have a nick set to the friend code...Whoops...

[Smash_Brother]

The worst part is that friend codes are exchanged in 100 page long threads all the time, meaning that pedophiles can add their codes to the list and immediately have a roster of unknowing children to talk to in MPH or AC:WW.

[31 Flavas]

Too bad for Mr. Pedo that those FC threads don't list A/S/L. He's going to have to go through a lot of codes and PMs/emailing to get the chance. I mean why use PMs or E-mail, or go to a playground, when he can go through the hassle of FC's and type out 20 characters at a time in AC:WW or have a kid kick his ass and call him a Mexican Jew Lizard in MPH.

[Smash_Brother]

Because he doesn't risk being seen at a playground and can deduce that most people playing Pokemon online will probably be 15 or younger (and Pokemon features voice chat).

Pedophiles have been using xbox live to lure children already, despite the voice filters and the fact that most of the games will be played by adults. The reason Nintendo went with friend codes is because of the tendency for some of their games to have younger audiences, but like I said, these lists negate their purpose which is to keep children from playing online with people they don't know.

I could have a pedophile's friend code programmed into my Wii right now and not even know it, but the only thing that matters is that I had to have a proxy (the internet) in order to swap codes with him so Nintendo is technically not to blame.

[darknight06]

One could argue that friend codes were initially created as a way to connect gaming to the outside world...

[31 Flavas]

Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
Because he doesn't risk being seen at a playground and can deduce that most people playing Pokemon online will probably be 15 or younger (and Pokemon features voice chat).

But he doesn't risk being seen though email, private messages, IRC, or game forums like this either. The point is, the initial contact can't be made in the game. The pedo has to use a FC listing website, email, PMs, IRC whatever, first. At which the avenue of attack is through said method, not the Nintendo published/licensed video game. It's the other way around on XBL. A pedo can use Viva Pinata, or GRAW, or whatever as the initial contact.

Or to put it another way... Why would a pedo ask a kid to get into his car so he can get said kid's email and THEN try to make a relationship/abduction/whatever through e-mail? That's a terribly inefficient way to be a pedophile. Why not just try to make the relationship/abduction/whatever, when the kid is in the car?

Quote
I could have a pedophile's friend code programmed into my Wii right now and not even know it, but the only thing that matters is that I had to have a proxy (the internet) in order to swap codes with him so Nintendo is technically not to blame.

And with out that other means of communication you'd never be have said pedophiles code. In otherwords, if you give your child internet access only through Pokemon or AC:WW or MPH, there is no way a child predator can attack your child. An attack can only be made if the child and predator make contact through some other communication. And monitoring the child internet usage is the responsibility of the parent. All the parent has to do is completely cut off all other internet communication. An attack can not be made through internet usage in the video game otherwise.

No matter if you like it or not, its important to Nintendo. This isn't a popularity contest to Nintendo.

[NeoThunder]

I hate this whole "protect the children".....gotta protect the children, it's all about the children.  I get so sick of hearing this crap.  If parents are so scared, KEEP YOUR KIDS OFF THE INTERNET!!!!  The amount of children (if any) that are abused by online preditors on video game consoles is so small.  There are other things in life that we accept that carry are far greater risk.  You are more likely to have you kid snatched at the park, at the same time, there is no reason to stop going to the park.  

It's very simple, have a talk with your kids.....maybe an extension of the whole "don't talk to strangers".  I get so sick of hearing about an online game, and then finding out you can only play with people on your friends list.  I always thought the point of online gaming was to play against people you don't know, and the bonus was teaming up with your friends and playing against people you don't know, or playing against your friends.  Not just against friends.  Let us not forget.....a stranger is a friend you haven't met yet.  LET US MEET SOME FRIENDS NINTENDO!!!!!

[Bloodworth]

You're late to the party.
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