Topic: WOW, Super Mario Strikers Charged is shaping up quite well

[that Baby guy]

Surely, Nintendo wasn't thinking when they made this decision.  I can't see why they would decide to do this.  I understand the reasoning behind friend codes.  We all do, even though we may disagree, there is reasoning there.  But why would you give each Wii it's own ID number, pages and pages of available space to stick other ID numbers, and then not use these at all in other games.  When I read that the game would still use friend codes, I hoped for the best.  I was hoping that you'd basically be allowed to take the list of Wii friend codes already on your console, and copy those codes over, while also being able to add codes specifically for that game.  Maybe I'm misreading that screenshot, and this is the case, but it doesn't look like it.

Sometimes I wonder if Nintendo does any product testing, if they have any customer feedback program, or if it's just that the Japanese consider different things important when they play their games.  But really, I know Nintendo didn't have the foresight to include rewriteable memory available for friend codes in the DS.  I can accept that.  They didn't have the Wi-Fi center finished at that time.  When the Wii came out, I thought they had seen and addressed the main issues people had with the online community.  I don't see how they wouldn't have seen this as a problem.  It doesn't make any sense to me.  Is Reggie on something?

[optimisticlimbo]

Quote
Originally posted by: Luigi Dude
I'd imagine there'll be 2 vs 1 because it doesn't make any sense that they'd allow 1 on 1, 2 on 2 and 3 on 1, but no 2 on 1.

If I had to guess, I'd say they're trying to keep it as an even number for playing online.  Power of 2s are awesome.

[The Traveller]

Well the reason that this game has a new code is because you can have multiple profiles. So using just the Wii code wouldnt allow for that..

[Dirk Temporo]

Yes it would. The profiles are Miis. The friend code for Strikers is going to be the same for any one copy of the game no matter who's playing it.

[ShyGuy]

I can only hope for two ways that this could end up well.

1. The Mario Strikers online code was already implemented with its own system by the time they came out with the Mii friend system. Subsequent games will use the Mii friend codes.

2. Nintendo always wanted multiple online profiles available for each game and a future firmware update will integrate thus by setting up a universal separate friend code system for each Mii. (Similar to the Xbox live Gamertag profiles, you sign in by choosing your Mii and his 12 digit friend code)

[Shift Key]

Quote
Originally posted by: Dirk Temporo
Yes it would. The profiles are Miis. The friend code for Strikers is going to be the same for any one copy of the game no matter who's playing it.

Maybe, but there's also the possibility that the Wii System Code,  the code from the game, and the Mii used to play are combined and produce the Friend Code, rather than just the game itself. They haven't actually told us what information is represented by that code, or what is linked to a 'profile'.

Wait until they actually demo it. I think the system definitely has potential, and the thought of playing online games against the NWR folk would be great!

(oh yeah, i'm going to have to add more Wii system codes now that online actually has potential!)

[KDR_11k]

The code would be tied to the machine, not the game. It's not possible to mark a disc in a way that generates a unique key without serious retooling to the production chain. Why do you think PC games don't have the CD key pressed onto the disc?

[Kairon]

Wow. Just saw the intro to the game.

I think I'm in LOVE.

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[cubist]

Yep...just read the hands-on impressions for this game (especially the online mode) at IGN.  It was a guy in Europe.  Of course, Friends Code was the main complaint...but mentions that it was pretty solid for the Leaderboards and such for people who are your friends.  My favorite part of the impressions was the description of the music to having a 60's sound to "porn funk" or something along those lines...LOL.

Only avid porn viewers would know what porn funk sounds like...and to use it for impressions for a Nintendo game...weird stuff...

[Dirk Temporo]

I like how the guy at IGN kept writing about the friend codes, and the Internet screaming out in agony.

[darknight06]

I don't see what the big deal is.  Deep down you knew DAMN well they were probably gonna go about it this way and personally I didn't really have much of a problem with it anyway.   No need in bashing Next Level games, this isn't their doing.  

[Smash_Brother]

Quote
Originally posted by: darknight06 Deep down you knew DAMN well they were probably gonna go about it this way and personally I didn't really have much of a problem with it anyway.   No need in bashing Next Level games, this isn't their doing.

But the thing is, you've ALREADY swapped codes with the other person in the form if your Wii address book. Why shouldn't games use that instead of having to input a completely new friend code?

ESPECIALLY when Elebits ALREADY USED THE ADDRESS BOOK?!?!?

*sigh...* I'm not mad at you, Dark, I'm miffed at Nintendo for choosing to basically have a redundant security layer which adds no additional protection.

The idea is to avoid pedophiles, and if you've already swapped address book codes, the damage is already done. Why have yet ANOTHER code?

[WuTangTurtle]

You know when its all said and done, all this will do is make you waste a few minutes entering in friend codes ONCE (hopefully ).  If the game is as good as I'm thinking it will be then people are gonna put in the effort to enter friend codes.  Pokemon owners everywhere probably have their friend code lists full by now.

[Smash_Brother]

Thing is, if I know 20 people online (a modest number), then I need to enter those 20 codes EVERY time I want to play a game against them.

If there are even 5 games worthy of owning with online play (Pokemon, Strikers, SSBB, Metroid, Animal Crossing, and there are MANY more), then I need to enter a minimum of 100 friend codes over the course of Wii ownership when I could have instead only had to enter 20.

I'll probably react by just keeping the number of people I play online with to a minimum.

[that Baby guy]

Meh, I've entered about 100 friend codes for Pokemon, and have had to delete them, too.  I just wish they had larger storage provided for these things. at least.

[WuTangTurtle]

Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
Thing is, if I know 20 people online (a modest number), then I need to enter those 20 codes EVERY time I want to play a game against them.

If there are even 5 games worthy of owning with online play (Pokemon, Strikers, SSBB, Metroid, Animal Crossing, and there are MANY more), then I need to enter a minimum of 100 friend codes over the course of Wii ownership when I could have instead only had to enter 20.

I'll probably react by just keeping the number of people I play online with to a minimum.

I retract my earlier statement

You know I'd rather them not make us have to re-add our friends to each game but with news of Virtual rape on Second life and actual police reports looking into these things, I doubt Nintendo is gonna change there stance.

[wulffman04]

so, is this article saying we'll be able to play ranked matches with unknown people or can we only see their stats?

[Mario]

Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
Thing is, if I know 20 people online (a modest number), then I need to enter those 20 codes EVERY time I want to play a game against them.

If there are even 5 games worthy of owning with online play (Pokemon, Strikers, SSBB, Metroid, Animal Crossing, and there are MANY more), then I need to enter a minimum of 100 friend codes over the course of Wii ownership when I could have instead only had to enter 20.

I'll probably react by just keeping the number of people I play online with to a minimum.

I added 20 codes in the time it took to read this post.

[Smash_Brother]

Quote
Originally posted by: Mario
I added 20 codes in the time it took to read this post.

First of all, unless you have a reading speed of .05 words per minute, then no, not even close.

Second, the fact that leg-humping Nintendo fanbots will go through this anyway is irrelevant: those people are going to buy the games no matter what so their actions have no bearing on anything. It's ironic, but Nintendo's most dedicated fans are the ones they'll be trying the LEAST to please.

Third, as the console which floats its ENTIRE premise upon the idea of bringing accessible gaming experiences to the masses, the friend code system is a nigh-bottomless sh*t bucket of steaming failure.

How confused is grandma going to be when you try to explain to her that she needs to give you a 16 digit code which is somewhere on her Wii and that she'll need to enter in YOUR 16 digit code somewhere in hers before the two of you can even communicate? And THEN you'll need to do it again for any games you want to play with each other?

Nintendo talks about "ease of use" and "accessibility" all the time, yet their online system does everything it can to be as inaccessible as possible and needlessly difficult to use. I seriously hope they're revamping it for the future, maybe using a system similar to their current account database on their website where you can link the two together. Think of it: a universal ID you can use on your DS AND Wii games to go online with. Wouldn't that be great? The rule of "you have to cross email" would still exist, but it would still be better than a 16 digit code, especially if it could be updated to use the Wii address book instead.

Like I said, there's a difference between "I'll begrudging use this sh*tty system" and "this system is excellent!". The fanbots won't care because they lack the will to make decisions for themselves, but the rest of the gaming world is going to put the system under intense scrutiny and come to the conclusion that it sucks ass. By not competing with MS on this front, Nintendo only gives them more of a foothold in their climb to first. The Wii is guaranteed at least a 2nd place finish, but MS is looking like a stronger contender all the time with their holiday lineup. It's not like we're even asking Nintendo for a "live like service", just something that doesn't suck as hard as their current setup.  

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Why don't you just email Nintendo?

"your online system sucks ass"

[Perrin] "We are looking into a number of possibilities at this time.  Please stay tuned."

"go jump off a cliff"

[Perrin] *o*

[vudu]

Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
How confused is grandma going to be when you try to explain to her that she needs to give you a 16 digit code which is somewhere on her Wii and that she'll need to enter in YOUR 16 digit code somewhere in hers before the two of you can even communicate?

Probably no more confused than when you tell her she can talk to you through her television.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

The TV box is so smart these days!

[31 Flavas]

Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_Brother

Thing is, if I know 20 people online (a modest number), then I need to enter those 20 codes EVERY time I want to play a game against them.

Puh-lease. I doubt even on XBL there is much overlap between 20 people. I mean I'm sure that if someone likes Halo2, you can count on them having at least one other shooter like Gears or Rainbow 6. But you can't convince me that 20 out of 20 would all own all the exact same online games. Thus needing an exchange of 20 GamerTags or Friend Codes between 20 people. I don't even have friends that all like 1 same game.

I do understand your frustration and I do wish it was different, but I do understand and respect Nintendo's point of view. In the end, Friend Codes are just not that big of a deal to swap between mutually consenting people. Stick to the skill based auto-matchmaker if you just want to play online.

[NWR_pap64]

About your grandmother thing, SB, unless you are talking about Grandma Hardcore I doubt grandmothers will find Mario Strikers appealing :p .

I agree about the Friends code system and they really need to make things more simple. I'm sure they can achieve high security without having to use a system that requires the user to jump through hoops.

[Ceric]

I hate to say this but I have friends that are Computer Scientist who have a hard time with Friend Codes.  I feel frightful for the actual technologically inept.