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DS

First Pokemon Diamond/Pearl WiFi Details

by Mike Gamin - July 13, 2006, 7:30 am EDT
Total comments: 15 Source: CoroCoro Magazine

Like it or not, friend codes will anchor the system.

The latest issue of CoroCoro magazine just came out in Japan and it revealed some of the first details of how the Nintendo WiFi Connection will be incorporated in the new Pokemon titles.

Two key details were revealed.

  • Friend codes will be used in the game.
  • The game will feature voice chat.

The Japanese release date was also confirmed for September 28, 2006 and several new Pokemon were shown, including the two new legendary Pokemon that will each be on the cover of one of the games. If you have access to the magazine and are a fan of the series, you may want to pick it up.

Talkback

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorJuly 13, 2006

I think a lot of people were secretly hoping this would be the first game where Nintendo used an alternative to friend codes. Sadly, they will be making a return. I just hope they learned something from Prime Hunters and this game uses a similar system to that. If there is still random match making with the rival system to add 'friends' on the fly, I'll be happy.

CalibanJuly 13, 2006

Voice chat? Oh no, the horror, "go pikachu" shouted the kid, oh the horror. I'm still getting the game, hopefully there will be online trading between friends.

Ian SaneJuly 13, 2006

It's sad that I'm not surprised at all that Nintendo is sticking with a method no one likes. Oh well, at least they're actually making online games now and with no fees to boot.

KDR_11kJuly 13, 2006

This is freaking Pokemon. Remember the uproar about paedophiles baiting children over the "internet" (actually pictochat but you know those tabloids)? Now add a game aimed at children and true internet functionality to that. Nintendo can't afford to leave this unrestricted, it'd give those childofascists ("What? You won't give up your fundamental rights? Won't somebody please think of the children?") way too much ammunition.

31 FlavasJuly 13, 2006

And that aside, I don't need to hear some retard, young or old, spewing profanity and insults at me just because he can. I'll add the friends I know. The rest can just be rivals.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorJuly 13, 2006

Right. I feel the same way 31... As long as the Rivals system is there, I think everything will be fine.

Smash_BrotherJuly 13, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: KDR_11k
This is freaking Pokemon. Remember the uproar about paedophiles baiting children over the "internet" (actually pictochat but you know those tabloids)? Now add a game aimed at children and true internet functionality to that. Nintendo can't afford to leave this unrestricted, it'd give those childofascists ("What? You won't give up your fundamental rights? Won't somebody please think of the children?") way too much ammunition.


QFT

This is the game beyond all others which I truly think needs friend codes.

I hope their first online M-rated game doesn't need friend codes. It would completely defeat the purpose of having an M-rating if they still feared pedophiles targeting children since only 18+ year olds should be playing the game to start with.

31 FlavasJuly 13, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: Smash_Brother

I hope their first online M-rated game doesn't need friend codes. It would completely defeat the purpose of having an M-rating if they still feared pedophiles targeting children since only 18+ year olds should be playing the game to start with.
Well, you're still going to need friend codes to identify people.

WFC, as of yet, maybe never, does not have a universal friend code or "username" like Microsoft's Live. So you can't find random people or friends you want to connect with privately without some such system. This mythical "M-rated" game on WFC could perhaps though transfer friend codes automatically. Or for that matter allow you to "upgrade" rivals to friends. It would most likely be up to the game developers.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorJuly 13, 2006

That isn't entirely true 31. Your account is bound to your DS which does have a unique MAC address (and possibly another form of unique identity). Also, as you can see with your network settings, the DS can store some data across games. The question there is whether or not there is enough space to store a friends list of any significant size.

Either way, I think Nintendo realizes the complaints with the DS and there is definately some truth to the fact that their hardware decisions have gotten themselves in a hole. We can only hope it proved to be a valuable learning experience when it came to designing Wii's system.

Also, a game doesn't have to be M-Rated to have online chat. The ESRB doesn't base their rating on the fact that some crazy people may have cyber sex in 'public' in the game. They instead put a note below the rating... something like "Your experiences may differ when playing online."

MaryJaneJuly 13, 2006

I can't wait for this game to come out. Online play will be great, although I would rather they didn't have voice chat, but i guess they gotta use the microphone for something. Speaking of which... no not here.

Friend codes? whatever, hopefully it will still have random coupling ala Metroid Prime.

September 28, 2006? Too bad I can't understand Japanese short of a few sayings, but I'll be at a Tool (best band ever) concert that day! Making the wait until the North A. release just a little more bearable.

Smash_BrotherJuly 14, 2006

Double post...

Smash_BrotherJuly 14, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: Pale Also, a game doesn't have to be M-Rated to have online chat. The ESRB doesn't base their rating on the fact that some crazy people may have cyber sex in 'public' in the game. They instead put a note below the rating... something like "Your experiences may differ when playing online."


Nintendo's fear of having their online systems made out to be a minefield of pedophiles out to lure children was the advent of friend codes, I believe.

In the case of any game with an M-rating, Nintendo has the strong argument of "The game should not be in the hands of anyone under 18 to start with." in case the media tries to raise a stink about Nintendo not being safe, which they've ALREADY tried to do once with the whole Pictochat scandal, despite the fact that Pictochat doesn't go on the internet and that leaving your kid alone at a web browser is 1,000x more dangerous than Pictochat will EVER be.

Tuxedo.BondJuly 14, 2006

If your kid is at home communication with perverts using Pictochat, then something is very wrong. o_0

Although no friend codes in the way that they are now would have been nice, having online play is better then nothing. I wish I had a DS Lite. I don't want crappy iPod white!

31 FlavasJuly 14, 2006

Just get DS lite already, you'll thank me later.

KDR_11kJuly 14, 2006

Wolf: It was at school IIRC but still.

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