Complain about Nintendo's Online decisions!

Well, I got a reply today. It's not much, but at least they give their reasoning. Oh well. I still don't really like it, but I am happy with their answer. At least they tried.

"Hello and thank you for contacting Nintendo,

As you know, the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection allows you to play with people from anywhere around the world. Sometimes, though, you may find you just want to play with a friend. By exchanging the Friend Code generated by your game with your friends, you have the option of focusing your game play experience to playing only with your friends.

Now, whether you will actually need a Friend Code depends on the game. Obviously, many games are being designed to allow you to play with people you've never met before, from anywhere on the planet. Exchanging Friend Codes with others gives you the additional option of playing only with those players you have designated as friends. Some games may only allow you to play with friends.

Did you know that we have received many Friend Code requests for our Wi-Fi games? Friend Codes are considered personal information and we cannot assist in locating them. We do not recommend searching the Internet for Friend Codes because you don't know who these codes belong to. At Nintendo (and this is key), we want to keep online play a fun and safe environment for everyone.

So, how do you get Friend Codes? You will need to know people who are playing the same Wi-Fi game as you, and then exchange your Friend Code for theirs. You can also meet gamers and exchange codes with them. Again, please keep in mind that you shouldn't share your Friend Code or any personal information with anyone you don't know.

I hope you find this information useful!


Sincerely,

Nintendo of America Inc.

M. Michel Grimaldi"

And here's a little reply I sent back. Some of you may not care about this one, but I'm posting it just in case Nintendo says something interesting back. You never know...

"Nintendo,

Thank you for replying and answering my questions. I am completely satisfied with your answer, even if I don't completely agree with it. I understand where you are coming from, and I must respect your decisions, as a company, to do things this way. Hopefully, in the future we will see improvements that streamline the system or provide more options. As always, I will stand behind Nintendo for as long as they provide the entertainment, quality, and service that they always have. Thank you for being kind and courteous and for providing the excellent support I have come to expect from Nintendo.

I would like to add one quick comment: I would be willing to pay for online service if it had more -- and easier to use -- options. And I know, for a fact, that many other fans feel the same way. Please, pass this information along.

Sincerely,
Sam Harvey"

Thanks for the replys Liquid, i'm glad Nintendo doesn't just ignore the emails and there answers are usually precise. I just don't seem to agree with there point of views for online gaming. I guess i'm ok with it, I mean i've been playing games since snes and online gaming didn't really come around to consoles till about dreamcast so I guess I kinda got spoiled by that and want it to always be the best. I'm glad Nintendo is atleast supporting online gaming this time whether friend codes are used or not it's something and I can't really complain.

Originally Posted by Kieyran

Thanks for the replys Liquid, i'm glad Nintendo doesn't just ignore the emails and there answers are usually precise. I just don't seem to agree with there point of views for online gaming. I guess i'm ok with it, I mean i've been playing games since snes and online gaming didn't really come around to consoles till about dreamcast so I guess I kinda got spoiled by that and want it to always be the best. I'm glad Nintendo is atleast supporting online gaming this time whether friend codes are used or not it's something and I can't really complain.

I feel the same way. I guess I'll just get my online-gaming fix from my 360, and have my really fun 1-Player games (and in-the-room-multiplayer games) on the Wii, with the occasional Nintendo-only games that are Wi-fi enabled.

Originally Posted by LiquidAg

I feel the same way. I guess I'll just get my online-gaming fix from my 360, and have my really fun 1-Player games (and in-the-room-multiplayer games) on the Wii, with the occasional Nintendo-only games that are Wi-fi enabled.

That's how I feel as well, it's pretty clear that 360 has the best online service. I'll probably be doing the same thing as you, the few online games for Wii [Depending on if there truely 100% confirmed online] i'm really interested in for now is Brawl or Corruption.

Originally Posted by LiquidAg

Well, I got a reply today. It's not much, but at least they give their reasoning. Oh well. I still don't really like it, but I am happy with their answer. At least they tried.

Thanks for posting your emails. The only thing that bothers me is that I still don't see why they are game specific and he didn't really address that. I don't know if we will ever get a satisfactory answer to that. Oh well, I guess at this point I just have to deal with it and hope that they change it at some point.

[waa_waa_wii_waa]

Hello and thanks for your concern,

The Wii's online system of using game specific friend codes is actually a choice of the respective developers in charge of making the game. A game specific code system is implemented if the developer feels a need for a game to have multiple user accounts. As you know, the Wii comes with one system code which would only allow for one player to track their rankings and other online features in any given game.

We at Nintendo do not limit our 3rd party developers to game specific friend codes. However, if a developer feels that having multiple accounts is essential to enhance the player experience then they have the freedom to implement it. Conversely, a game with online features could just as easily implement the system code for online play if the developer of that game felt it would benefit the final product.

It is very feasible that, in the near future, you could see an online game using system codes rather than game specific friend codes. We appologize for this misconception and would like it to be known that game specific friend codes are not standard or required in any way.

Sincerely,


waa_waa_wii_waa

seriously though... that's why it's done... if that doesn't answer your questions I don't know what does.

[goldmember]

Originally Posted by waa_waa_wii_waa

seriously though... that's why it's done... if that doesn't answer your questions I don't know what does.

Interesting.

[xxmynameisjohnxx]

Well, I hope they go to using the system code, and your friends on the wii are friends in the game.
that'd make everything so much easier.

[waa_waa_wii_waa]

The only real improvement they need to make is that when someone adds your system code it sends that person a message. In the message it says "(name of mii, with pic of mii at top) added you to his friend list, remember not to add anyone to your friend list if you don't know them." and then have that persons friend code at the bottom so you can add them.