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Report: Wii U To Ditch Friend Codes

News

by Matthew Kato on June 09, 2011 at 09:54 AM

8,204 Views

Nintendo may be ditching its 12-digit Friend Codes in favor of an Xbox Live Gamertag-like system.

MTV Multiplayer talked to Ubisoft producer Adrian Blunt during a demo of Ghost Recon Online, and he said that Wii U wouldn't have friend codes, but would adopt a individual user account system similar to Gamertags. "Rather than using friend codes, which we've had in the past, we're able to connect players in a much easier way, which allows us to have a community that's playing together in the game."

Is this single-handedly one of the best features of the new system? Sarcasm or sad commentary?

Email the author Matthew Kato, or follow on Twitter, and Game Informer.

Filed under: News, Nintendo, friend codes, E32011, nintendo2011, wii U

Comments

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by The guy who is meh Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:01 AM

Thank you Nintendo. One of the reasons I hardly, if ever play the wii is the fact that there really isn't any online.
by ChiliManiac Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:03 AM

THANK THE GAMING GODS!!!
by Joseph Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:04 AM

A shame it took them so long to figure this is out.
by JustinWaylonM Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:05 AM

Way to catch up to 2006 Nintendo
by xG4Lx Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:07 AM

Yes!!!!
by FAMESREVENGE Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:08 AM

Maybe now the stock in Nintendo will go back up. I hope no one takes my gamertag before I get to it
by Jeffrey Benoit Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:10 AM

The Wii U keeps looking better and better. Nintendo is really stepping up to the plate this time!
by isaac clarke Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:11 AM

FINALLY
by PRjumpman124 Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:15 AM

Awesome, one more reason to get this console. Interesting how they're keeping the online and console details to themselves.
by Ghostpig Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:15 AM

Good. Every time I've ever tried to add friends with a Friend Code I need a slide rule and a remedial math class to get it half-ass functional.
by monkeyman2547 Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:17 AM

Look! Nintendo is evolving (que music) It's a 2005!
by Cerberus1616 Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:19 AM

Yeah.

Admittedly it's way easier to remember Darth17 than WB5XJK8901C4.
by Robert J. Hollis Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:24 AM

Finally. Nintendo is learning. Keep this up with the 3DS and the upcoming system, they should have the people come back to them after they seen the Wii. I have a Wii and its fun and all, but for the five years that system came out there is only 30 good games for it for the hardcore (hate saying that) and does motion control right.
by Kinsey Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:25 AM

We keep getting Wii U announcements from Ubisoft. This leads me to believe that third parties are being kept in the loop about the new system, and that would be a very good thing.
by Stonecutters908 Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:26 AM

Cool. Another step in the right direction.
by GRIM Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:30 AM

bout dang time. hope its got an easy home menu for easy nav. i didnt like the wii too much, it wasnt hard i just didnt like the set up personally. KEEP THE GOOD NEWS COMING NINTENDO!!!
by sheepseaexplorer Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:30 AM

Thank goodness. I'm still not getting it though.
by RegalRiegel Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:34 AM

Congrats Nintendo, you managed to catch up. Can't wait till sony and microsoft come out with holographic projection and facial recognition for accounts. But joking aside, this is really great. The Wii U seems to be getting better by the hour! But I do want to wait to see if I should buy a Xbox 720 or a PS4, just in case my above paragraph is true.
by Boyzby Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:49 AM

Nintendo influenced the other companies use motion control before they could influence Nintendo to ditch the friend codes. Can't say I'm too surprised really.
by eviltwinofme Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 10:51 AM

WTF TOOK THEM SO LONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!