User Code System with Game/User Access and Availability Controls Solution
There should be one User Code for each user, instead of using a separate Friend Code for each game. The Nintendo 3DS system should include a menu in its firmware that allows you to control, organize and choose which of your games will be accessible to particular users that you have User Codes for.
For example, Let’s say that I have the games Nintendogs + Cats, Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, and Animal Crossing 3DS. Let’s say that I would like to play online games with the users Brother, Friend, and Acquaintance.
I want to be able to play all three of my games online with Brother; I want to play Street Fighter and Nintendogs with Friend, but I do not trust him to be in my town in Animal Crossing; I want to play Nintendogs online with Acquaintance, but I don’t want to play with him in Street Fighter or Animal Crossing.
Using the old Wii and DS/DSi Friend Code System, I would give my Friend Codes from all three games to Brother, and I would receive all three of his Friend Codes. Then, I would give only two of my Friend Codes, the one for Street Fighter and the one for Nintendogs, to Friend, and I would receive those two Friend Codes from him. Finally, I would swap Friend Codes for only Nintendogs with Acquaintance.
Using the new 3DS User Code System, I would give my User Code to each of the other three users, Brother, Friend, and Acquaintance, and I would receive each of their User Codes (Just one User Code from each of them). Then, I would go to the menu in the Nintendo 3DS firmware and organize the settings so that Brother has access to all three games, Friend sees only Street Fighter and Nintendogs, and Acquaintance can only see that I have Nintendogs.
The User Code System also allows for more customization. As with Monster Hunter Tri, having a User Code allows me to use any User name that I want for my account (Even if it is in use by other users). Also, it has the added benefit of allowing me to change these settings as I see fit. Besides having the ability to change my username whenever I want, I would no longer be stuck with someone having a Friend Code for my game where I no longer want to play online with that person. For example, if I no longer wanted to play Nintendogs with Acquaintance, I could hide the game from his view. Or, if I don’t want to play Street Fighter with Friend anymore, I can hide that game from his view. It would also be convenient to add games to users as well. If I wanted to play Street Fighter with Acquaintance I can make it available for him to see that I have it. Or, if I wanted to play Animal Crossing with Friend I can make that game available to him, all without having to provide or retrieve more Friend Codes. The User Code System should even be able to allow multiple users to login to a single Nintendo 3DS system with each of their configurations saved for them (Think of single system households with multiple Nintendo 3DS users).
I hope that this has been explained clearly enough. I believe that this will work, and I hope that Nintendo uses a system like this. As inconvenient as it is to use Friend Codes in their current state, at least it functionally keeps Friend and Acquaintance out of my Animal Crossing town. I would not prefer a system that allowed anyone with my User Code to connect to any of my games or even show them which games I own. As long as there is a way for me to control, set up, and organize which of my games are available to which users, then I’m good. That is why have not been too upset with the current system. However, I believe that this can be done in the firmware instead of through the use of multiple Friend Codes. With the Nintendo 3DS, now is an opportunity to improve the efficiency and convenience of a functionally effective system.