The Wii has been great for parties. People come over, they have some snacks, dance around the living room like wild animals thrusting the wiimote into the air, and always leave happy. But you know what? People are messy. And cheap. I say, get your own Nintendo Wii and play with me online so I don't have to vacuum every other day.

Thank the stars a patent that was filed a year ago by Nintendo at the US Patent & Trademark Office for an "Invitation System for On-Line Video Games" has recently been published. This patent basically includes what is already standard on Xbox Live which is enabling users to automatically see when their friends log on, though it is unknown if the Wii can even do this, with or without a patent. The hope is that this will mean more online multi-player gaming outside of Mario Strikers. And of course, less cleaning days. Kim Phu

Invitation and Wii Online Gaming... [Codename Revolution]

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