Why Does Nintendo Use Friend Codes Instead Of Screen Names? Leaked Documents Reveal All

Nintendo often makes really dumb decisions. This is one of them.

And they chose friends codes, a solution that is definitely less "simple" and less "comfortable"

Evidence of a company that really didn't know how the internet works.

Imagine if every company took this view. If so my email would be like...

ahd6:&38shd6!:[email protected] 😂

@Sandro89 just because you don't like something doesnt make it dumb.

One of the many things Wii U did better than Switch.

Hilarious work! Haha

🇦🇺

At the same time, I can see why they went the way they did and it does make sense, but also, from a consumer perspective, it is really backwards

So basically Nintendo think they are right and the rest of the world are wrong

Makes perfect sense and has been proven to be better in cases like AC:NH. The current friend codes aren't anywhere near as awkward as the old ones either and adding friends is about as quick and easy as can be.

I'm willing to bet people complaining about this are comparing it to consoles targeting a very different audience and are a little out of touch with who the majority of Nintendo players are

@razorxkenshin can't agree more, i don't understand why they couldn't implement unique screen names.

The code goes against the simple principal too. And I have very little way to check who is actually who after they're added, as people can change their displayed name and icon at any point. I only add people I know anyway but a bunch of friends changed their avatar to game characters and their name to match that of the character... I now have no idea who that person is. This goes against the comfortable principal too. It would be ok if I could check their underlying gamer tag, but I can't because they don't have one. I can't even check their code as I can't see it in case I pass it on to someone else.

I get the safety concerns of just being able to send out invites to anyone or the wrong person etc. But why not add something such as a parental lock on friend requests so that they have to go via the app?

Did we even have friend codes on the Wii? I don't remember having a friends list until the 3DS.

Pretty much everything about Nintendo's online presence is completely wrong. It's like the last 20+ years of successful online gaming via pc and other consoles never happened and/or bypassed Nintendo completely.

Friend codes are weird because they used to be such a pain back in the Wii days, but the rise of smartphones with good cameras and the ability to easily send people pictures means that it’s so easy to snap a pic of your code and send it to someone, rather than typing it all out and possibly making a mistake.

I still would rather not have friend codes, but I think it’s funny that they are actually less annoying and outdated now than they were in 2007.

The comfortable bit seems a bit silly, but yea the simple bit makes sense. Having to type in a bunch of screen names until you eventually find one that works isn't ideal.

Should have gone with the whatever name you want, and then a hash code like many PC store fronts do

I don't mind friend codes. It means we can change our names whenever we want and we don't have to go with names like:

xXP0TAT0G0DXx or xxXNAHRUT0HATERXxx69 and other such nonsense I used to see on Xbox Live all the time when I was in high school.

But I wish on Switch we could make out names longer. I'd still use "Heavyarms55" like I do everywhere else.

I see the positives and negatives of friend codes. It is tiresome to add a 12 character friend code admittedly, but it's also annoying sifting through a million name possibilities to pick one I hardly like. "Comfortable" and "simple" is silly though.

I literally just commented on fan blogs consciously publishing stolen data, but by all means, smile and wave. :V Although when it comes to the subject, did it ever occur to anyone to try and get pretty the same answer long ago... by simply asking?

Funny how they think taken usernames are "too confusing" as if their customers never tried to sign up for literally anything else in the world. Pro tip: "This username is already in use" gets the point across quite nicely.

@Heavyarms55 That's nothing to do with game tags or codes though, that's an optional bit of data that can be added on top of whichever system.

@PorllM Well put - they have a very different and perfectly valid ethos to the other guys and personally I think their unique approach brings colour to the gaming scene. They want a safe ecosystem as free from the sometimes toxic atmosphere that can prevail on other systems. Good for them for being different.

Nintendo has to step up their online platform. It's not even funny anymore. They are going out of their way to reinvent the wheel, when they can just see what the competition is doing.

@razorxkenshin You might be able to make an argument for simple. But even then, it's not complicated. However, the less comfortable part is not true. Numbers aren't uncomfortable. They're saying they don't want people you know but don't want to be friends with to be able to guess your username. If that's a driving factor (not saying it should be, just.. if it is), the number is doing its job in that regard.

I prefer Nintendo's solution. This is what actually happens to other consoles:
George6572y3hls
Georgeggh$%97782
George18swiisowuu92
George26730jhjdql;;;;
George@@@#$$$%^&^&*
George*(&&^%$#%^&
George^^^^&&&&****((()))
GeorgeΓιώργοςJorgeYegor
George67299082908-09320932-092-09284893
GeorgeIamGeorgeIamGeorgeIamGeorge
George666

Bad choice imo, too complicated

To be fair, you only have to input the code once for each friend.

Also, you can add near-by friends using the 'symbol' feature, where one Switch features a set of Clubs, Spades, Diamonds or Hearts, and the other Switch user just needs to match them on their console.

@Deltath Just don't accept the friend request. There doesn't need to be a more complicated system in place. Or do the 3DS thing where you both have to send a request for anything to show, then it doesn't matter. It's quite an edge case to base a whole system on.

But if that is their reason they've undone it all by encouraging you to link your Nintendo account and social media accounts and allow people from there to add you.

It's OK now on Switch as you can send a friend request, like on other systems, only difference is code instead of nick name.

Its was however a big pain under the DS and Wii-days when you had that double secure anti-pedophile system were you had to contact your friend outside the console ecosystem, give them your friend code and ask for theirs. That was so stupid and gave Nintendo their reputation of being anti-internet.

Nintendo should just implement a system than involves a custom name and a unique 4-digit hash ID for each user.

Their heart is in the right place. I want to know more about their principles. Sounds really interesting. Huh. I can think of a few companies that could use some..

I get their desire for player safety and I commend it. I just think there are better methods to go about it. I mean, their idea behind online us just so ass backwards and cumbersome. That's not even compared just to other consoles. But other online systems in general. And that need for doing things in a simple manner online is made more evident in our current situation. Not saying ordering food or groceries is a direct comparison to friending someone on a console. But that I'm general, you had better be modern and up to date in providing the consumer a streamlined, logical experience. Otherwise, you run the risk they might go elsewhere and just not even bother.

This was a good idea. It prevents having to deal with problem names.

You know what else interferes with simplicity? Entering a long random code to be able to play with a friend. And if they're concerned about people using real names, can't they just make a filter that prevents users from using part of their name when signing up?

@Patendo No, you’re right. People not liking things doesn’t necessarily make them dumb.

This IS dumb though as it is neither simple nor comfortable (comparatively speaking). So, @Sandro89 was kinda right.

I'm honestly 100% at Nintendo's side here.

Nintendo makes child-friendly consoles and games. Preditors easily guess a child's account name and they could then stalk / attack them online.

And a 12 number code isn't that hard to remember. It's like a phone number, and everyone remembers their phone number.

@Kimyonaakuma Wii introduced them. Correction, the DS came before the Wii. The DS did already have friend codes. Just not a friend list.

@Ajent @Patendo Yes, it is dumb, because it goes against their own document ("simple")

Friend Codes system is terrible. Nice concept but really annoying.

Couldn't they go the blizzard route? Pick any name you want, that is your screen name. Blizzard then assign you four digits. To add someone you need their screen name and their four digits such as Oragneinn#1890. No duplicate names. No guess no.

At this point I don't really care. The only thing I really need now though, is a messaging system outside of the app.

@PorllM Honestly, I believe the majority of switch players DO have other consoles to compare the system to.

I'm never going to remember my friend code

Weird thing with the Nintendo system is, I think I'm right in saying I could change my name and avatar to exactly that of somebody in my friends group, and there would be no obvious way of the rest of our friends knowing which is which.

There is nothing easily viewable that is unique, even the friend code disappears once you've befriended somebody.

Duplicate names? Big deal. Just add a number to the end if someone else is already using it.

Sincerely,

KingDong69

@NinjaWaddleDee What? Of course they do, my post didn't suggest otherwise and I have an Xbox, PS4, Vita and Steam account myself. If you didn't have other consoles to compare to then you would have no reason to discuss this at all.

Trying to make Nintendo understand how the internet works is like trying to explain the current geopolitical landscape to a toddler.

Woooosh.

@Orangeinn discord also does that and its a charm

I liked reading this but I also hate that this stuff leaked. I liked when Nintendo was all secret, mysterious, and perfect, not knowing HOW they were so perfect. I think I’m going to avoid these leak articles from now on. It gives me a bad feeling.

The fact that we had usernames on the Wii U and backslid to friend codes for the Switch is so baffling for me I don't even know where to start. It's like Nintendo learns the wrong lessons from less successful systems.

@Cosats Have never actually seen that. I have a very simplistic PSN with the number following just being my longtime favorite numbers - 26.

And on the Wii U, which had usernames (has everyone forgotten?!), my username is exactly what I wanted it to be, no numbers.

Usernames are not that complicated, you all. Sometimes you have to think hard about a unique username if you end up having to tack on too many numbers, but I've come up with so many unique usernames over the years this is just not a problem for me.

I'm inclined to question how the friend codes prove to be faithful to either of the principles that are in "conflict" with a simple name search.

@PorllM
I don't think Nintendo is just targeting kids anymore. Also tons of kids are on Xbox. Nintendo based their design on a family friendly image that consumers really don't care about. Just my opinion.

@Patendo it's dumb. It is dumb. Any basic database programming would prevent duplicate names... Guessing your username name?! Maybe, maybe not. Do you use your real name or not?

Nintendo makes decisions that make nonsense when it comes to online. The fact that they continue to go against Industry standards is mind blowing.

@Obitokamui64 I don't think that either, nor was my post meant to suggest that. In fact, I'd argue they never "just" targeted kids. They always had colourful games that were accessible to "everyone", so sure, kids were always a huge part of their market as a result and still are, but the "everyone" is the crucial part. I'm 29, if I thought that I wouldn't be here.

@Harmonie It's mainly an Xbox issue. I was also exaggerating a little

Nah, it being dumb is want makes it dumb. He’s just one of many calling them out!

You saying something is not dumb, doesn't make it not dumb!

Another area where Nintendo thinking they know better than the rest of the industry only works when they also offer the basic features a consumer expects. Everyone online is familiar with creating a username because we've been doing it our whole lives. Nintendo wifi has also been a nightmare since I got a DS at 11 because playing with a friend involves these nonsense friend codes (and back in the DS days, getting your friend to convince their parents to change their router to WPA security so we could play Mario Kart). These codes confused kids and parents and they were and are an objectively worse experience than usernames, which anyone with an email knows how to use.

And it wouldn't be quite as big of a deal if the name "Nintendo" hasn't so consistently been synonymous with "poor quality online." It's just fitting that the first step to playing with friends is an arbitrarily missing feature that makes everything more frustrating when that phrase defines their online experiences since the DS.

For what it's worth, if Nintendo put half the effort and quality they do into quality single player or local multiplayer games into their online, they'd be the best in the business at it. I don't hate Nintendo at all, but especially if they're releasing online multiplayer games, they should care some about the quality of their product.

There's a reason everyone else uses the username solution. It works, and gets less criticism than codes.

I was expecting some really well laid out explanation of why N uses friend codes. Instead it's "it's so people don't guess your username from your real name", as if I'm not the only person I know who uses their actual name, and has used my real name across nearly every platform for nearly two decades with zero issue as a result (besides people assuming I'm from New Jersey).

I've never seen Friend Codes as a problem (yes i own an Xbox and PS4) and clicking on (Add Friend) is faster sure, but it only takes a minute to type in the code, its not the end of the world

There's also the "Search For Users Played With Option" i use quite a bit.

Nintendo needs to stop being pigheaded and adopt a modern online system.

It works like a filter. If you're unable to type a friendcode it's better to keep you away from online gaming.

Yeah, I don't think friend codes are terrible at all. Most of my friends just send a pic of their code and I type it in. I'd rather do that than have to look up Meathead6631. But I know I'm more of Nintendo's target audience than most. I haven't had a playstation since the 3. And Never had an xbox. I don't have a ton of time for gaming, but on the switch, I've spent a lot of time on Splatoon 2, RocketLeague, and just hit 100 hours on Animal crossing. So maybe I DO have time for gaming. haha

As much as I appreciate the insight, should NintendoLife be posting stolen information?

I don't really mind friend codes really since its not that much of a hassle to share them with others nowadays. Very interesting seeing how they were mainly created out of practicality and security reasons

I'd rather have screen names. Much less of a PITA.

Just another out-of-touch decision by Nintendo. Why are we still surprised?

Nintendo provides a lot of great gaming content. Shame that online features can't be considered among that.

@nhSnork Nintendo has probably already been asked this question. Then they danced around it and never gave a true answer.

@Patendo lol I agree with Sandro. The idea is stupid. Regular user names would have been better.

I don't really care one way or the other. First world problems.

Nintendo is so far behind with anything related to playing with friends, friend codes is just one of the small things that is annoying among all other issues.

I'm ok with the friend codes. I like changing my name and making it whatever i want (without the already-exists conflict).

So I can just have any name I want cause the friend code is separate, if I was on xbox I'd have to be MayNyan5tu235ygebfvdj or something

this thread has been a wild ride and I'm in for the long haul. Got popcorn ready.

I personally have never been bothered by the friend code system. It's a thing you do once for every friend, without ambiguity (Is that a 0 or an O in your name?), and being completely anonymous in case you want to add a stranger.

Whereas on Xbox I made the mistake of putting my name in my gamertag way back when I created it, and now if I want to change it I have to pay US$10.

I think they should’ve implemented both methods and you can choose which you want to use, and if you chose usernames and there were more than one person with the same username, it would show all accounts that have that name along with the friend code, although I don’t mind only having friend codes.

@Cosats You're being dramatic. I almost never see anything that ridiculous. Lol

@nab1 You can change it for free once.

Idiotic explanation given for an idiotic problem that every other console manufacturer has figured out better ways to implement.

Considering all the hacks and how bad people are at security I understand where Nintendo is coming from. However people want things to be easy no matter the cost (security). So it’s an uphill battle into eternity.

The framing words are far from the best, but the system makes plenty of sense. Don't have much experience using friend codes and only did on the Wii and 3DS. It's mostly about security. People only add each other intentionally and it's absolutely the right person. Being a family/child oriented company, the choice is understandable. Sure it's a longer string of numbers, but it's basically just a more secure phone number. Don't see why there's such a massive stink.

I like it. I don't want to have to be NintendoThumb4269 or something because my name is already taken.

@PorllM
Didn't mean to attack! My apologies. I hate everything about Nintendo's online systems. That's all. Lol

Still wish we could have longer names.
10 characters is a small amount.
I can’t even use my username crashcontrol on the switch

This makes sense; otherwise It be confusing to find me in a handful other Zacs born in 1999. If you’re hard-set on your name, it be uncomfortable to be forced to change it, or not change it in fear of not meeting up with your friends properly, or get them confused with someone else.

As a person who can't stand looking at usernames like xXx_D4rkSt4r-7465, I much prefer Nintendo's system. Sure, it's a bit inconvenient that you have to send across a long friend code when somebody wants to add you, but you have to do that exactly ONE TIME with each friend you want to add. In exchange, your handle can be Mario, or Mom, or whatever you want it to be, without having to decorate your super-original name with extra numbers and letters.

I'm not opposed to friend codes, but it would be nice if being friends with someone actually did anything. Like sending invites to Pokemon raids to friends (instead of having them watch for the stamp and jump in before randos do) or showing up in online game lobbies. I'm not sure you can even send AC mail to friends until you visit their islands and are separately registered as "friend" inside the game.

I like the code system so much that I’m called 4523-6820-2316 on all online games. Cheers ninty!

Nb: I WOULDN’T have been happy if they’d assigned me a less memorable name code thing.

@Obitokamui64 Ahh its ok haha I didn't take it as an attack. Just wanted to clarify that by "Nintendo's audience" I didn't mean kids as it seemed you took it that way.

@ChromaticDracula

I’m sure Nintendo is really upset about this leak. Hopefully they don’t come down even harder in terms of, somewhat unnecessary, extra security procedures.

To me, it always feels like nintendo is a overbearing mother, with maybe a case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
1. cant have user names as these could be offensive
2. if we implement a decent messaging service, kids might be attacked.
3. lets keep the eshop, home screen, and overall layout extremely simplified so we dont confuse the children.

Which is fine, but how about coming up with some inventive ways around this? they have no issues with inventing new intuitive IP?

It makes sense to me.

The right wing media like the daily mail in the uk would have a field day if it was easy for adults to contact children on a Nintendo machine (in their minds Nintendo is for kids, etc).

I can see the story now “this complete stranger contacted my 14 year old girl who had the username ‘hornyhoney’, you should see the stuff he wrote”.

@sanderev Stalkers is why we have a Block function.

I actually don't remember my own phone number because I never use it. At least not with smartphones.
With landline phones, it was easy to remember your own number because you'd actually use it.

do it like playstation and xbox if the name is free you can have it if it taken you can't

Because "we nintendo make dumb decisions and we don't know how internet works"

xD I can see that nintendo

@T7Hokage017 yeah why is it so short

@RPGamer agreed

I don't see why Nintendo couldn't just let us have usernames, and then allow us to assign a nickname to any friend on our friend's list so that if they happen to change their icon and/or "official" username, we still know who they are.

@datamonkey Obviously, you are not around during the CompuServe days. People who have ever been a CompuServe subscriber will know what I am talking about.

@Patendo Both of you are right. Had Nintendo taken a page from Blizzard and other companies earlier, they'd have seen that you can append a hidden number (or friend code, so to speak) to your alphanumeric username. So, I could be named Kilroy and so can a thousand other people, but when I choose my name at registration, Nintendo could add a 4 or 5 digit code to my name, so it would look like "Kilroy#0000" to anyone who wants to add me as a friend, but in a game, it would just be Kilroy.

It's actually very similar to what Nintendo has set up now with the Switch, except simpler and significantly less annoying.

@Patendo Just because a big company makes a decision, doesn't make it right

Friend codes were always a better and more logical and practical and safer thing.
Only lazy people are against it because of laziness and stupid people are against it because of stupidity.

Simple reason - Nintendo is rubbish at online, has been for a very long time and shows no sign getting better at it any time soon.

On the Wii/DS they were awful, since every Friend Code was different per game. Your WiiConnect24 friend code was different from your Brawl Friend Code and such.

I don't mind what they have now in-place, as it does have advantages towards usernames. They're definitely trying to veer away from Friend Codes being the necessity, because as it is now, you can befriend other people through various ways, like having your Wii U/3DS friends carry over, or link on social media, connect Wirelessly, or go through the list of people you recently played with. I haven't had the need to type out a friend code on Switch, which wasn't the case for 3DS.

@Sandro89 not really. On PlayStation I get messages all the time and friend requests from spammers. On Nintendo Incan request to friend anyone I play with and I can ask my friends for their codes as well. Simple fact is most people meet people online and play with them there. With the switch you can go to your account and see a list of recently played with people and request them as a friend. Their system is way better than PlayStations and Xbox. The only thing bogging them down is lack of voice chat.

@fox_mattcloud not really. You can still request to friend anyone in game.

@SachmoJoe very simple, Nintendo is not a competing for online crowd although there system isn't any worse than the others. You can add and request friends no different than on Xbox or Playstation. Voice chat is their only downfall but I see why they went with the mobile option for that .

As crazy as it sounds, the friend code system has grown on me a bit and I don't mind it.

It is indeed dumb voice chat or any proper messaging system is lacking on the switch, but the idea of friend codes allowing "peace of mind" when playing is something over the past year I have appreciated more lately. I know that is what "Appear offline" is for, but there are times I really don't want to be bothered when playing online. I get messages from friends on PSN all the time who are like "Omg why you playing that?? We should play this..You wanna join my party chat to talk" and sometimes I just wanna play my games in peace without having to worry about a friend virtually breathing down my back about wanting to chat on party chat or sending invites to a game I don't wanna play.

@Patendo just because you made an irrelevant, witty statement towards someone's comment, it doesn't mean they aren't entitled to their opinion.

@Dirty0814 i disagree that it's better than the others, but it would be much closer competition if Nintendo allowed messages to my friends. I don't play many multiplayer games, so the Nintendo system is useless to someone like me.

@twztid13 at no point did I say they didn't have a right to an opinion! But thanks for letting me know

@crashcontrol Most games even let you go past ten characters.