September 17th, 2012

Nintendo is making it “dramatically easier” to connect with friends via the Wii U

51 Comments
Club Nintendo Wii U

When asked about connecting with friends via the Wii U, Reggie Fils-Aime said:

We’ve heard the community feedback on friend codes and we’re making it dramatically easier for you to connect with your friends.

But I wish they’d just copy Xbox Live. An account system with gamer-tags has been working well for the past few years. “Dramatically easier” could mean something in that vein, but Reggie’s inability to share anything too specific has me wondering if we’re in for another console cycle of lacklustre online experiences.

(via kotaku.com)

  • Ixchel

    Eh. Not too fond of gamertags, really. I think a FC+Display Name works just fine imo.

    • Pyroblock

      well, so many people disagree with you, on the fc part anyways

    • Ixchel

      Odd, really. One unified FC plus the ability to pick whatever you want seems better than having to add numbers on your username. :P

    • Pyroblock

      i was just talking about the friend code

    • nintendoguygamer

      i agree

  • http://youtube.com/user/Schroedus Schroedus

    If friend codes on the Wii U end up serving the same purpose as a username (you set it yourself; letters and/or numbers), then I would be happier. Well, whatever. I don’t think it’s going to happen like that.

  • TH3CH053N1228

    I should make my gamer-tag “1654-1684-3548-1384″

    • shmuga9

      And you have to type their name to add them as a friend… way to bring back friend codes, LOL

    • Tails the Foxhound

      Ultra troll, lol.

  • Andyjoe522

    I still say what they should do is both allow you to make a unique User-name, and assign you a friend-code. You have the option off adding people both by sending a friend request, and by the 3DS method of putting in a universal friend-code. Then, under parental controls, there can be an option that limits it to only the friend-code method for adding and being added. That way we can have what we want, and they can still feel like they’re protecting the younger audience.

    • http://twitter.com/KeigoNiwa Keigo Niwa

      This was EXACTLY the same idea I had, down to a tee. I really hope that Nintendo uses this method!! :)

    • abe

      I bet it’ll be like that, all I want is a ‘send friend code’ option, typing friend codes is half the frustration

    • http://twitter.com/Omarsonic9 Omar Ahmed

      I hope they will do this! It makes adding people easier, and I hope the friend codes stay. So you can change your name :)

      I cant wait! 2 months left for Wii U, the wait is killing me D:

    • Luca

      Lol the wait isn’t killing me, money is. I might not be able to afford the Wii U! First Nintendo console ever that I might not be able to afford :’( I’m like $200 short, how the f*** do I make money? HELP!

    • Tails the Foxhound

      Get on the street corner. It’s not legal (or recommended) but you’ll get money.

    • AxGamer

      Freindcodes are the reason i played my stupid xbox360 more!

    • http://twitter.com/Omarsonic9 Omar Ahmed

      Because you needed to “type” friend codes.

  • Jray

    Maybe what they’ll do is allow you to make a username, and then choose a passcode that you give to your friends so they can friend you… for example:

    Username: PancakeImplosion
    Passcode: Derp

    Your friends enter the passcode and voila, your friends on the Wii U :D

    Or Ninty could only have Usernames, like Gamertags or whatever

  • Sam

    Go the steam route and suggest my facebook friends. Hardest part about all the consoles friend implementation is finding your friends without physically asking them their gamer-tag/code

  • Kaizar

    They have been working on the Wii U since 2K8, so let’s give them the benefit of the doubt.

    WE THE BEST! FOREVER!

  • Ichigo Kurosaki

    I’m pretty sure tghere won’t be friend codes. BUT if they decide to go that route it will probably be just like the 3ds where you enter one for your friends 4ever and that’s it. That wouldn’t be so bad, but I prefer usernames. Actually it still doesn’t matter. You’d still have to enter a fc or username once for your friends. So either would work.

  • Antiform47

    I say the fact that theyre holding off online info for another conference either means its drasticly improved, or really bad and they just didnt want to show it because of their embaressment. I assume the former.

  • http://twitter.com/Revolution5268 Revolution

    how easy they need to show how, i like the way black ops for the wii work with there friend code.

  • Hybrilynx

    well with what nintendo has been doing so far with friends, anything would be a shell of alot easier anyway.

  • SebTH

    I think the friend codes should be an option, not the standard. Usernames and Emails work much better

  • A random dude

    I know this is off topic but has anyone noticed the Sony and Microsoft fanboys throwing tantrums? Why can’t some gamers like all 3 companies? It’s just that I don’t like it when everyone is saying that the Wii U will “fail miserably” and “is Nintendo’s last system ever”.

    • Hybrilynx

      i like whatever works. i hate the 3ds, but i love the wii u. it doesnt mean i hate love nintendo. i do hate microsoft though, but i really like the xbox.

    • EddKupo

      You hate the 3DS? Are you mental?

    • AxGamer

      I hate it when people use the term mental! some “mental” people are the smartest people in the world! Howerver My opinion on Hybrilynx is that he used to love Nintendo until he heard a few downsides like this and now hes a PS3 or 360 fanoy (I cant tell which!)

    • http://www.facebook.com/AdmanTheGreat Adman Abou-Nasr

      This is probably THE last system ever. In a few years, you’ll just stream things from your phone to the tv and use a wireless controller, a lot like people do with N64 emulators now. If Microsoft and Sony don’t release systems next year or do nothing more than add horsepower, then they’ll fail miserably. This is the last Holiday where phones aren’t a serious threat, and power doesn’t impress people anymore. The new iPhone looks like a 360, can stream to a TV, has more software then all systems ever combined, and Apple just patented an iPhone controller. Not saying I want it to go that way, just saying that it is.

    • AxGamer

      You listen to Micheal Pacher too much!

    • AxGamer

      BTW i hate graphics whores like you with a passion!

    • http://twitter.com/paulct91 Paul Taylor

      They weren’t talking about graphics, why are you so mad anyways?

    • Tails the Foxhound

      New iPhone does NOT look like 360. Even if it did, for how long? My 360 games look like 360 games for hours on end with the likes of Lords of Shadow or BioShock. Infinity Blade would last me what 6 hours tops? So only as long as a rail shooter and about half as fun and well constructed as one of those. And that’s the best of the best when it comes to graphic intensive mobile games. Mobile’s best possible future is to live humbly alongside handhelds like the PC does with consoles.

  • Zack

    Doubt it. If my instincts serve me right, I’d be willing to bet they end up having some kind of account system for Miiverse. Just like facebook, you can log in from anywhere and post as yourself.

  • http://www.facebook.com/craigybabyxo Craig Brown

    If anything, the Friend Code will be more of an attributed ID code. The problem is, just having an account where people request you as friends could be dangerous, especially with video chat…

    • AxGamer

      Than why does microsoft do that with the kinect!

  • daVES INNER VOICE

    GOTA LOVE DAVES OBSESION WITH FRIENDS CODE THE WHOLE THING WAS NET HYPED FROM DAY 1 TO TODAY AS A ONLINE WII PLAYER IV YET TO USE A CODSE IN 6 YEARS OF WII OWNERSHIP

    call of duty talk to who ever u like no freinds code the only game that actually suffered was say mario kart its cool but lets stop making up storys about friends codes the whole thing was a myth

  • http://www.facebook.com/audie.bowler Audie Bowler

    DAVE IF YOU WANT XBOX LIVE BUY A F**KING XBOX COPY XBOX LIVE HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA SONY AND MS COPY NIONTENDO LEADS im geting very tired with you your nintendo land comments also scare me DROP THE IM CORE BECAUSE IM DUMB act its stupid

    i want nintendo innovation not freaking xbox live what next should we also pay the fees

    • thekiller96

      ‘grammar’

  • Hybrilynx

    oh yeah, i hope its not just friends but random people online too. i mean we meet random people on teh internet everyday, so i dont see the problem. if there is a problem. for the wii u.

  • AxGamer

    Nintendo needs to not shelter its fans any longer!

  • AxGamer

    Yeah but not everyone lives in a giant city and has a million friends that like Nintendo!

  • AxGamer

    I love the Wii U but social system my ass!

  • Guhtere

    Nintendo, I know you don’t like copying other companies, but please, just copy Xbox Live

  • Nintyfan10

    I hope I can brag at random strangers.

  • cm93

    i really doubt they’ll make an xbox-live type account system, or even PSN which is simpler, Nintendo really needs to work on their online system :/

  • Luca

    I hope they know that if they have friend code only, the system will fail online-wise. Which means it won’t appeal to the older / gaming audience as much. For people like me, I just love Nintendo. But other people would be too scared for their social status to game on a Wii system, so Nintendo would need to make an XBL-type system in terms of gamer tags. That would just be the icing on the cake for the Wii U imo.

  • AxGamer

    Protip: hire a team of amins like xboxlive and maybe your system can catch up!

    • AxGamer

      *admins

  • Super Nintendo Boy

    The Wii U Online Network Should Be like xbox live, XBL has the best online setup in the console gaming industry its smooth nice communicate with online friends while playing different games join chat rooms send msg, pix game invites video chat etc… it just goes on and on sony’s laggy and connection error PSN is horrible Wii U has a shot Nintendo has always been in the dark 2013 should be its time to shine ps4 and x720 is coming out around 2014 so Nintendo has a year head start to prove its self