• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Nintendo Switch Uses Friend Codes To Add Friends as primary method, others detailed

Because the person who wrote this article stated there is no way to add people via twitter or facebook.

It sounds like that person might not have any mutuals or FB friends with linked Nintendo accounts. According to Laura, it's not specifically a menu option, just that once you've linked your FB/Twitter your FB friends/Twitter mutuals that have also linked a Nintendo Account will just begin to populate in the "suggested friends" section.
 

Spy

Member
While this in itself isn't the end of the world, it just adds up.

-Friend codes
-Save data can't be transferred; no cloud storage
-Lack of achievement system
-No built-in party chat; you must use an app to play and communicate with friends
-Miiverse, StreetPass, the Internet Browser and Activity Log are now gone
-Apps aren't available; no YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, etc.
-Bluetooth audio is not supported
-A measly 25GB of available storage
 

maxcriden

Member
While this in itself isn't the end of the world, it just adds up.

-Friend codes
-Save data can't be transferred; no cloud storage
-Lack of achievements
-No built-in party chat; you must use an app to play and communicate with friends
-Miiverse, StreetPass, the Internet Browser and Activity Log are now gone
-Apps aren't available; no YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, etc.
-Bluetooth audio is not supported
-Can't multitask while a game is started
-A measly 25GB of available storage

25GB? Is that after the OS? Man. So after Zelda and the day one update how much space is left?

Also, really do not care for the lack of Miiverse. I'm going to really miss that feature.
 
While this in itself isn't the end of the world, it just adds up.

-Friend codes
-Save data can't be transferred; no cloud storage
-Lack of achievement system
-No built-in party chat; you must use an app to play and communicate with friends
-Miiverse, StreetPass, the Internet Browser and Activity Log are now gone
-Apps aren't available; no YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, etc.
-Bluetooth audio is not supported
-Can't multitask while a game is started
-A measly 25GB of available storage

What are we defining multitask as? Because, I believe that you can suspend a game, go into the OS, poke around the eShop, etc.
 

ngower

Member
25GB? Is that after the OS? Man. So after Zelda and the day one update how much space is left?

Also, really do not care for the lack of Miiverse. I'm going to really miss that feature.

32 GB of storage minus the 7 GB OS and the 13 GB Zelda (patch seems small) leaves you with about 12 GB of storage.

There have been a bunch of sales on microsd cards lately, and they're only getting cheaper, so while it's an obnoxious add-on, it's not really that big of an issue IMO.
 

Spy

Member
What are we defining multitask as? Because, I believe that you can suspend a game, go into the OS, poke around the eShop, etc.
Can you? I swear I read you couldn't. I'll remove it if that's the case.

32 GB of storage minus the 7 GB OS and the 13 GB Zelda (patch seems small) leaves you with about 12 GB of storage.

There have been a bunch of sales on microsd cards lately, and they're only getting cheaper, so while it's an obnoxious add-on, it's not really that big of an issue IMO.
It adds up.
 
So the hassle with friends codes for me was always that both users had to add each other's friend codes in order to add one another.

Is this just using a friend code in lieu of a username? If I simply enter someone's code I'd like to add they will receive a friend request from me?
 

Interfectum

Member
While this in itself isn't the end of the world, it just adds up.

-Friend codes
-Save data can't be transferred; no cloud storage
-Lack of achievement system
-No built-in party chat; you must use an app to play and communicate with friends
-Miiverse, StreetPass, the Internet Browser and Activity Log are now gone
-Apps aren't available; no YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, etc.
-Bluetooth audio is not supported
-Can't multitask while a game is started
-A measly 25GB of available storage

All these meta things are important sure... but it seems like there is a very easy way to determine if you get a Switch now or not. Do you want to play Zelda and don't currently own a Wii U? If the answer to that is yes, buy a Switch. If no, then wait until the OS and library get more fleshed out.
 
So the hassle with friends codes for me was always that both users had to add each other's friend codes in order to add one another.

Is this just using a friend code in lieu of a username? If I simply enter someone's code I'd like to add they will receive a friend request from me?
Yes, that's right. When we have a place to put codes on GAF it'll be super easy to add other GAF members, for example.
 
To play online, manage eShop information and purchases, access your MyNintendo rewards, etc, etc. Ya know, account-type shit.

I think friend codes are dumb too, don't get me wrong, but some of y'all are starting to just sound stupid.

im starting to sound dumb because i expect my account username to be a method to become friends with others on a console in 2017? lol
 

ZeoVGM

Banned
While this in itself isn't the end of the world, it just adds up.

-Friend codes
-Save data can't be transferred; no cloud storage
-Lack of achievement system
-No built-in party chat; you must use an app to play and communicate with friends
-Miiverse, StreetPass, the Internet Browser and Activity Log are now gone
-Apps aren't available; no YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, etc.
-Bluetooth audio is not supported
-Can't multitask while a game is started
-A measly 25GB of available storage

I believe the multitasking part is wrong but yeah, everything else is worrying.

I'm so damn excited for this system but Nintendo has done everything in their power to lessen my excitement. No StreetPass and Miiverse are complete headscratchers to me.
 
While this in itself isn't the end of the world, it just adds up.

-Friend codes
-Save data can't be transferred; no cloud storage
-Lack of achievement system
-No built-in party chat; you must use an app to play and communicate with friends
-Miiverse, StreetPass, the Internet Browser and Activity Log are now gone
-Apps aren't available; no YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, etc.
-Bluetooth audio is not supported
-Can't multitask while a game is started
-A measly 25GB of available storage

These are all valid points, but I would love to have seen a similar list for the Wii in comparison to their competition. To me, this list makes it as clear as day that Nintendo doesn't plan on competing with PS4/Xbone for better and worse. I just hope it finds a market because it surely doesn't have appeal as a replacement for a traditional console.
 
Sorry if this has been discussed by couldn't it be because we might be able to change user IDs while the friend code attached to each user ID can never change?

People always complain about not being able to change Playstation accounts names.
 

BGBW

Maturity, bitches.
Sorry if this has been discussed by couldn't it be because we might be able to change user IDs while the friend code attached to each user ID can never change?

People always complain about not being able to change Playstation accounts names.
Well we can also change display name. At the moment it seems user id is a complete secret so even if you had an embarrassing name, no one would see it ha ha.
 

Spy

Member
Sorry if this has been discussed by couldn't it be because we might be able to change user IDs while the friend code attached to each user ID can never change?

People always complain about not being able to change Playstation accounts names.
User ID's are not what people see when they add you to their friends list. It's your console nickname or display name IIRC.
 

DigtialT

Member
Sorry if this has been discussed by couldn't it be because we might be able to change user IDs while the friend code attached to each user ID can never change?

People always complain about not being able to change Playstation accounts names.

Xbox Live lets you change IDs without using friend codes so obviously that's not the reason.
 
I just really don't understand. We have Nintendo user ids that are separate from our user display names already. I mean hell we technically have two, Nintendo Account and NNIDs. Like,

https://miiverse.nintendo.net/users/GuessMyUserName

... There I clearly have a user name attached to Nintendo, one that I log into the account with. Public for anyone to see and find me with. Additionally I can go to accounts.nintendo.com and find ANOTHER account I have with Nintendo, again with its own users name & display name... which in fact I have linked to the NNID account that is linked to Miiverse. This account connects with the phone games, Miitomo and Fire Emblem...Just.. why the hell can't we search with these account names? I don't wanna add online friends to my personal facebook/twitter and friend codes are just really dumb. Why Nintendo?!

Nintendo! The problem wasn't that you didn't have enough account systems! We just wanted one good one!
 
I'm in Uni and sharing your psn with new people you just met is definitely a thing because everyone plays FIFA here. Using a friend code instead would make this so much more difficult.

Facebook and twitter option work but I'd rather not have to add/follow someone on my social media just to play a game with them once or twice.
 

Regiruler

Member
I said DeNA was a plague on the Switch but people laughed it off.

I think there's growing evidence that they have had a hand in simply too much.
 
what's the problem with friend codes?
how is it harder than typing up somebody's name?

like i don't care if i input 8 numbers or a name like xxxDrag0nSlay3rxxx
 
I see people are upset but I rarely if ever play online with Nintendo systems and when I do it was always with randoms because none of my RL friends ever had one. I added a bunch of Gaffers using friend codes on Wii and Wii U but I actually played online with them zero times. I won't even bother. I wish it was better for your sakes but personally I don't give a shit either way.
 
what's the problem with friend codes?
how is it harder than typing up somebody's name?

like i don't care if i input 8 numbers or a name like xxxDrag0nSlay3rxxx

I'm in the same boat. The friend codes never really bothered me. I'd make a note in my phone with the code so I could copy-paste it to people, or bring it up quick and write it down.

For the two or three times it matters. Since my group of friends I played with online for Nintendo products is woefully small. Most of my Pokemon friends are face to face local people, that's easy. And Animal Crossing is so low key that you just shoot your code over in a PM.

I find it a lot cleaner than having to type "XX420DongM4st3rXX into my Xbone.
 
Friend codes are lame and behind the times, but they ultimately don't affect my decision to get Switch down the line.

They're not worth skipping over Nintendo's software, and I'll be playing tons of single player titles on this thing. Gonna be playing SMT, Fire Emblem, Zelda, and other key games no matter what.
 
Can you? I swear I read you couldn't. I'll remove it if that's the case.


It adds up.

To be fair, it is more expensive having the memory onboard than buying it externally. The price differences between 8gb/16/32/64/128GB phones and tablets are quite substantial. You could probably pick up a 64gb card or even an 128gb card and it still be cheaper than a theoretical price difference between a 32gb and 64gb switch.
 
If only one of the parties need to send the code it's not honestly that bad. Adding people you found in matches is good to and if Facebook and Twitter integration works properly it's almost not an issue honestly

But I can see why some people would be mad about it I guess
 
That's an emotional answer and doesn't fit the logic of that situation.

How is inputting a friend code different than inputing a complex alphanumeric user name for you in real terms?

"Complex".

How about when it's Mario19 versus 127865813786?

The fact that I have to explain this to people who I assume are legal adults is absolutely insane and baffling.

why though? i actually prefer them over handing over stupid names.

Then enjoy, I guess?
 

fernoca

Member
While I don't mimd, it also doesn't make any sense.

They got rid of it on Wii U and ...went backwards.

Either something is missing or something was not to their preferences on Wii U.
 

NotLiquid

Member

Several methods can be used to add friends as quickly and easily as possible: · By linking Nintendo Switch to your Nintendo Account, your friends from Miitomo and Super Mario Run will appear as friend candidates so you can easily send them a friend request. Also, we are planning it so that friends from social networking services will be listed as candidates, too.

In the future, you will be able to send a friend request to friends associated with your NNID (Wii U/Miiverse) and Nintendo 3DS.

In some games you will be able to use an in-game interface to send friend requests.

You can send friend requests to those who have played with you recently.

You can establish a friend through local wireless communication.

You can also send a friend request by using a friend code.

I'm really confused as to why it wasn't already the default solution when the Wii U had this day one. Is this like, a DeNA thing? Because of how friend codes are a prominent concept in Japanese mobile games?
 

lenovox1

Member
"Complex".

How about when it's Mario19 versus 127865813786?

The fact that I have to explain this to people who I assume are legal adults is absolutely insane and baffling.

There can only be one Mario19. All the rest will be xxxMario36542 or some other variation.

Simple usernames go quickly.
 
Top Bottom