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[Meelow]

http://kotaku.com/5936970/it-sounds-like-nintendo-wants-to-make-a-gamers-version-of-facebook

"I feel that we need to create—or present—a gaming platform as the place to create that 'social graph' for folks who are in gaming circles," Iwata said as he began to describe to me Nintendo's ambitions for an online service called Miiverse that will launch on Nintendo's new console and eventually spread to the company's 3DS handheld as well. A "social graph?" This will require some explanation.

All of this Nintendo-social-network stuff came upon me by accident. I was chatting with Iwata at Nintendo's San Francisco-area offices about Nintendo's new 3DS XL and their latest Mario game. We were running out of time and I remembered an intriguing comment Iwata had made in a pre-recorded video address before the E3 show in June about how the company was going to start an online service called Miiverse for this fall's new Wii U console and how this new service would, among other things, increase gamers' sense of "empathy" for each other.

"Empathy."

"We have reached an era where even a single-player game experience [can] have a social component that is very important," he said, skipping past any talk about Street Pass lights and going to the big picture. "And I think, again, that social component is mandatory."

"Of course the Internet does provide a lot of that interaction," he continued, "but it's not built for that purpose. For example, Facebook is something that connects you socially with a lot of different folks, but that doesn't guarantee that the people you are going to have interactions with via Facebook are interested in games. And what I'm saying is that I don't believe that the life experiences that you have—and those might be with the people you are connected with on Facebook—are not equal to the gaming experiences you might have with a lot of different folks."

"I feel that we need to create—or present—a gaming platform as the place to create that 'social graph' for folks who are in gaming circles, I guess. So that's kind of the reason for creating Miiverse."

"Social graph" seems like a strange term unless you start thinking about the way the 3DS and Wii are already tabulating the hours people spend on the system each day and week and how the 3DS collects and counts the Miis of people you encounter through Street Pass. And then there's the stuff Iwata showed back at E3 regarding what the Wii U's version of MiiVerse is supposed to entail:

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A gathering place for avatars, all of which represent gamers you know or live near, all conglomerating around icons representing games they're playing, all text-chirping about their status in the games...

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Online hint services and status updates by these gamers...

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Basic online messaging, via the Wii U's touchpad controller...

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All for a system that is designed to be more social.

When we looked at the timing of how we are going to be implementing it, [we said], 'Okay, when are the best points when people want to have social interactions and makes them want to reach out and say, "Me too," "I did that," "I feel the same way,"?

"If you look at gaming services, for example if you look at Xbox Live, one of the more traditionally or generally accepted features of the gaming service is the ability to play with folks at different locations at the same time," he said. "On the other hand, you're not always going to be available at the same time to play with each other. And of course we're going to have that service of head-to-head [multiplayer, when you are] on at the same time playing games against each other, but what we really want to do is create a place where folks who are playing by themselves will not feel like they are playing by themselves. They'll be able to share those experiences and have that empathy that we mentioned earlier."

 

[Santiako]

If they do it well, this can be HUGE, but they'll fuck it up.

 

[-GJ-]

If they do it well, this can be HUGE, but they'll fuck it up.

Probably won't happen. After all we still have Friendcodes on the Wii U.

 

[Metroid Hunter]

Probably won't happen. After all we still have Friendcodes on the Wii U.

Wait, what? Source or link plz?

 

[aidan]

I bet it won't be 'gamers [sic] version of Facebook.'

 

[BocoDragon]

If they do it well, this can be HUGE, but they'll fuck it up.

Yeah, probably.

If they orchestrate it all from Nintendo Co Ltd. headquarters, I expect shortcomings.

They should team up with silicon valley partners and get everything going properly with apps, mobile websites, APIs, etc.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Hopefully Ill get to add most of you

 

[Meelow]

Probably won't happen. After all we still have Friendcodes on the Wii U.

That's completely difference from the Wii and 3DS friend codes, it's pretty much the name they took and that's all

Spoiler

At least I hope it is

 

[Vibed]

Probably won't happen. After all we still have Friendcodes on the Wii U.

Even so, Friendcodes are merely a replacement for usernames. Though I see some real problems if they go about moderation of posts the wrong way.

 

[-GJ-]

Wait, what? Source or link plz?

http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/13/wii-u-will-feature-simplified-friend-codes

It's still Friendcodes, but not really 'Friendcodes', whatever that means.

Even so, Friendcodes are merely a replacement for usernames. Though I see some real problems if they go about moderation of posts the wrong way.

The bad thing about Friendcodes is that they are so hard to remember. I can tell people my Gamertag or PSN ID in 2 seconds, but not my Friendcode. Besides, I had a lot of friends on my original 3DS, which I sold, and now I have no friends on my 3DS XL because I have to ask all these people again for their code and if they want to add me too. Nintendo makes it way too complicated for no reason.

 

[Kacho]

Sounds smart and I'm excited to see how a system like this works with that added Nintendo charm.

 

[Dystify]

If they do it well, this can be HUGE.

That's a huge if. Good luck, Nintendo.

 

[SMT]

Will it show if my Mii is single? Can I poke other Miis? Can I add random hot miis and date them? Can I like what Miis are doing?
Is there a dislike button?

 

[Mileena]

Innovation

 

[Vibed]

http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/13/wii-u-will-feature-simplified-friend-codes

It's still Friendcodes, but not really 'Friendcodes', whatever that means.

Sounds just like a username on XBL or PSN with a number instead.

 

[Metroid Hunter]

http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/13/wii-u-will-feature-simplified-friend-codes

It's still Friendcodes, but not really 'Friendcodes', whatever that means.

According to Iwata, Wii U’s Miiverse will instead “simplify the process of making friends with another user in the platform by eliminating the need to input Friend Codes.”

.

 

[-GJ-]

Sounds just like a username on XBL or PSN with a number instead.

Peep my edit in the post above.

.

That doesn't mean anything. Why would they still call it a Friendcode if it isn't a code? They're probably talking about adding people you just played against, seeing as they're talking about 'another user in the platform', and not 'people you know in real life'. I might be misinterpreting this though.

 

[NateDrake]

http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/13/wii-u-will-feature-simplified-friend-codes

It's still Friendcodes, but not really 'Friendcodes', whatever that means.

Why don't we wait and see how they handle the account system? Friendcodes could mean anything in the context they put it there.

 

[Baconsammy]

If they do it well, this can be HUGE, but they'll fuck it up.

As the only major company that still links purchases to hardware instead of to the user, I think it's a safe bet they'll fuck it up. I hope they don't.

 

[CambriaRising]

No one wants this.

 

[Freezie KO]

I use Facebook for Facebook. Just let me play people online with the greatest ease possible. I don't care about messages from random Mii people. If I did, I'd friend them on Facebook where I can see that shit 24/7 on my phone, at work, or at home, and not have to wait for Nintendo's draconian censorship.

It's all so misguided. Everything they say makes me think they have absolutely no vision for the Wii U. Such a far cry from the confident days of Wii and DS.

 

[Tenki]

If they do it well, this can be HUGE, but they'll fuck it up.

The most probably thing it's going to happen.

 

[Metroid Hunter]

No one wants this.

Speak for yourself.

 

[Kacho]

Speak for yourself.

No, he speaks for everyone.

 

[evolution]

I think this is a good idea and clearly the way all the next gen systems are heading. Unfortunately comminication is going to be restricted to each platform. It would be better if a 3rd party built a service that all three consoles could hook into.

 

[Meelow]

Peep my edit in the post above.




That doesn't mean anything. Why would they still call it a Friendcode if it isn't a code? They're probably talking about adding people you just played against, seeing as they're talking about 'another user in the platform', and not 'people you know in real life'. I might be misinterpreting this though.

Friend codes can mean names you know?.

 

[NateDrake]

As the only major company that still links purchases to hardware instead of to the user, I think it's a safe bet they'll fuck it up. I hope they don't.

We know this will change with the Wii U since they are introducing an account system. If Nintendo doesn't fuck this up, then what? It'll be a cool feature that people can take advantage of.

Nintendo isn't the only company who messes things up. Sony fucked PS Home from the beginning.

 

[Plinko]

I have no faith they can pull this off.

If they did, I think it be a gigantic draw. I'd love something like this if done correctly.

Add friends to your list. Give everyone on your friends list (and yourself) the option to post comments, screenshots, in-game video, high scores, accomplishments, access to hint videos, and and video chat at any time in a Facebook-like setting. Also, have the option to filter messages for specific games if you want.

That would be amazing.

 

[-GJ-]

Friend codes can mean names you know?.

Well, then I really hope they're going to use names, and it would be amazing if they would give the 3DS a firmware update that turns Friendcodes into names too, but I just don't see that happening.

I really hope they succeed with this, but... I don't know. We'll see.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Why don't we wait and see how they handle the account system? Friendcodes could mean anything in the context they put it there.

Forreal people jump the gun so much, We still dont know much about the system. Nothing is confirmed. Lets wait and see.

 

[BocoDragon]

No one wants this.

I want it. I should be able to manage online friends, message them, discover them etc, from a PC or a phone or whatever.

 

[Omikaru]

I think these are neat ideas, but I wonder about the richness of any social network that's tethered to one gaming service/closed platform.

I found it annoying enough to keep track of Google+ and Facebook, to the detriment of Google+ in the end. I really don't think users are going to respond well to having a closed off social network for each games console/service they happen to own.

It's going to be particularly annoying if friendship groups and online communities fragment on console ownership. When I was at school not everyone had a PS2, and not everyone had a Gamecube, and not everyone had an Xbox. I can't see that changing for next-gen, so having these separate networks is going to be bothersome unless there's really open APIs that allow third party applications and services (like Raptr) to tie them together in a rich and detailed way. I'm actually quite interested in seeing what my IRL Xbox 360-owning friends are playing, for example, even though I don't actually own a 360 any more.

Alas, I'm probably asking too much of these companies by begging for APIs that have access to the richness that future gaming services/social networks offer.

 

[clemenx]

Nintendo's marketing should consist of solely having Iwata making presentations on everything. The man is so good.

 

[chertipros]

Of course there is going to be some weird nintendo spin on this that will dampen this awesome idea's potential -____-

 

[BocoDragon]

Of course there is going to be some weird nintendo spin on this that will dampen this awesome idea's potential -____-

There already is: You have to wait until comments are moderated. That is awful.

 

[Zoramon089]

Well, then I really hope they're going to use names, and it would be amazing if they would give the 3DS a firmware update that turns Friendcodes into names too, but I just don't see that happening.

I really hope they succeed with this, but... I don't know. We'll see.

You already have a name associated with your 3DS and FC...

 

[Meelow]

There already is: You have to wait until comments are moderated. That is awful.

It was confirmed that was for the bad comments.

 

[clemenx]

There already is: You have to wait until comments are moderated. That is awful.

I think that was a wrong info, no? Can't be bothered to find the article but I think they will just check stuff if it's being reported. No such thing as having to wait for your messages to be posted.

 

[AJSousuke]

No, he speaks for everyone.

No, not for me.

This could be great if they don't screw it.

 

[axisofweevils]

There already is: You have to wait until comments are moderated. That is awful.

Didn't they say that comments would only be moderated if you were an abusive user flagged by the community?

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

I want it. I should be able to manage online friends, message them, discover them etc, from a PC or a phone or whatever.

+1, the corny octog123 video from the pre e3 ND showed alot of potential for this.

 

[-GJ-]

You already have a name associated with your 3DS and FC...

Yeah, but mine is GJ and I can't tell my friends "add GJ on your 3DS so we can play Mario Kart". I have to boot up my 3DS if I have it with me, go to friends and give them my code, while they also need to have their 3DS with them where they can enter my code on. Then they'd have to read their codes which I have to enter. It's all so complicated. What's wrong with just a name? PSN and XBL seem to pull it off just fine.

 

[qq more]

It was confirmed that was for the bad comments.

Didn't they say that comments would only be moderated if you were an abusive user flagged by the community?

First I heard of this. Good to know if true.

 

[chertipros]

There already is: You have to wait until comments are moderated. That is awful.

I think that's only for the general miiverse thing that appears on the wara wara menu and in the nintendoland hub. The one where strangers see posts on games and stuff. Posts to your friends however should be unmonitored unless you report them. I'm imagining alot of penises on my friends stream (or whatever they decide to call it)

 

[lethial]

Yes this is exactly what we need.

 

[EulaCapra]

All this Facebook talk yet it still doesn't sync friends with it. Eh.

 

[Thoraxes]

There already is: You have to wait until comments are moderated. That is awful.

I thought they clarified that wasn't the case in interviews after that detailing the layers of moderation with how everything would work. IIRC, it was something like, comments are always posted right away, they have one automatic system for filtering out spam and vulgarity, and if there are enough complaints about a given individual or their message, those are then moderated by demand of user reports.

Also, in the Miiverse video with OctoG123, they did show mobile phone connectivity through an app or web browser.

Edit: yeah here http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/06/nintendo_to_offer_triple_layer_of_miiverse_moderation i'm slightly off.

 

[Kacho]

No, not for me.

This could be great if they don't screw it.

Spoiler

I was being facetious.

 

[IrishNinja]

i thought friend codes were only there if you didnt have the age/whatever set for username system? i do hope they keep community ones

No one wants this.

we didn't want home and other stuff either, but some people dug it.

 

[BocoDragon]

It was confirmed that was for the bad comments.

I think that was a wrong info, no? Can't be bothered to find the article but I think they will just check stuff if it's being reported. No such thing as having to wait for your messages to be posted.

Didn't they say that comments would only be moderated if you were an abusive user flagged by the community?

I think that's only for the general miiverse thing that appears on the wara wara menu and in the nintendoland hub. The one where strangers see posts on games and stuff. Posts to your friends however should be unmonitored unless you report them. I'm imagining alot of penises on my friends stream (or whatever they decide to call it)

I thought they clarified that wasn't the case in interviews after that detailing the layers of moderation with how everything would work. IIRC, it was something like, comments are always posted right away, they have one automatic system for filtering out spam and vulgarity, and if there are enough complaints about a given individual or their message, those are then moderated by demand of user reports.

Also, in the Miiverse video with OctoG123, they did show mobile phone connectivity through an app or web browser.

Edit: yeah here http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/06/nintendo_to_offer_triple_layer_of_miiverse_moderation i'm slightly off.

Thank god