Kotaku
While the Wii isn't known for its particularly awesome online scene (*cough* friend codes *cough*), Nintendo is interested in improving the product. NOA President Reggie Fils-Aime said this morning during a conference call that while they have no interest in adding online multiplayer to Virtual Console titles, voice chat could be coming to the Wii all the same.
We do not anticipate making online gameplay for Virtual Console games. In terms of voice chat... certainly our system has the capability for online voice chat, what it comes down to is finalizing the peripheral... I would not be surprised to see that capability come to this system.And finalizing a peripheral shouldn't be much of a problem, because Nintendo could easily add a Bluetooth headset...since the Wiimote already utilizes the wireless standard.
Comments
This'll probably be fine. There are no hooting dickhead FPSs to play, really. It'll just be kids shrieking over Pokemon Battle Revolution.
Smash Bros Brawl trash talking!
Please set up voice chat soon.
Oh, in before Nintendo has no games
Nintendo to Present-Day Technology: Here I come! Eventually.
Wow voice chat that has never been done before. Does Nintendo want a cookie or something.
Coming this spring seperate friend codes for headset and wii game. Sure you might want to play with your friend but who says you want to talk to them? with seperate friend codes for headset and game you'll know that your children are safe from talking to people they already know online. Just remember each 24 digit caps sensetive pass word for your headset for each game and the 24 digit code for each game and you're good to go what could be easyer?
Bring it. And then make sure later that there is a patch to make it capable to be used with SSBB.
Well, nobody expected it'd go to VC games, but let me just call it now.
Coming to the Wii...it's "Chat Codes!" Enter a 24-digit number for every game you get, on top of your friend code and system code, in order to chat with people! Oh, and both of you have to sign contracts not to sue Nintendo or give them any negative press if either of you dies at any point while owning the system.
@Deadeyereborn:
...stole the words right off of my keyboard, it seems. Harumph!
Like voice chat will ever happen. This'll lead to widdle 12 year olds hearing swear words while playing a game and we can't possibly have that happen.
@Archaotic: wow we both said 24 digit codes thats pretty freaky are you in my house/brain?
@iamnotdryad: I'm okay with that, at least I'll be schooling those kids in Brawl, then I can hear them cry.
That is sadly masculating.
i don't think i'd use it but it'd be a good thing to have it.
What about DS headset support on the Wii? Hellllo?!
...and while they're at it, DS Wi-fi videoconferencing please.
@Deadeyereborn:
I guess we both picked 24-digit codes because 24 digits would be the only way to make friend codes even more inconvenient and annoying. Then when they finally get with the times and do an unified friends list, you have to put in, like, a 48-digit SUPA FRIENDU COODO or something like that.
So now i get to curse like the big kids do on XBL? YAY!!! But i have no use for that and besides i drink when i play games and that makes me curse like a sailor with Tourette's syndrome. I feel sorry for the kids who have to play against me. Win or lose i will still Swear up a storm.
While I'm glad to see Nintendo come roaring into the late-20th Century, I'm not sure there are a whole lot of games that a headset would serve any purpose for.
Would of been perfect with BWii or Heroes's 32 online multiplayer =\
Hurry it up!
And if it's anything Nintendo loves, it's more accessories!
I'm honestly wondering why they haven't done it until now. I mean, I could understand not wanting to have kids talking to a perverted old guy, but if you contact someone by friend codes anyway, I don't see why it would be bad.
@big_world: I agree, but I think there is a potential. We've all agreed that Nintendo needs to get its act together regarding its online services, and there are some games that, pending they would even exist, that voice chat could enhance greatly.
A great companion to this would be a Metroid Prime Hunters for Wii, maybe and online multiplayer Resident Evil/House of the Dead, heck, I'd even relatively enjoy it for Brawl and Mario Kart.
Really, it's a step in the right direction, we just aren't seeing the right games for it, yet. Plus, we're starting to see more games that don't actually "require" friend codes to enjoy online.
But I like lengthy codes. It takes me back to Metroid and NBA Jam.
@resetbutton: Oh fucking goodie...
@resetbutton: its not trash talk, its PSICOLOGICAL TACTICS :D...
@indiemike:
Yeah, good point. I wouldn't mind getting my chat on during some Mario Kart. I suppose the real question would be whether Wii gamers would have to suffer through the same 40-point IQ average that Xbox Live users are subjected to. I know it's a different console, but would it be the same results?
Man, voice chat for playing with friend codes, fine by me. Voice chat for matches with strangers? Nobody sane should want this. The only games that can even justify having features like this are team intensive online games, which it's pretty clear the console crowd isn't ready for yet anyway.
Seriously, have some of you folks never played XBL and had to deal with the capital failures-at-life that regular it? I dunno, I guess some people ARE those failures?
And I'm out before all the lobotomized "DEAL WITH IT ITS JUTS CURSING" 15 year old excuses to participate in the Greater Internet Dickwad Theory.
I was the one who asked the questions about voice chat and online VC play, pissing off the moderator. Am I the only one who's heartbroken over never being able to play Tecmo Super Bowl online?
The Wii's online scene is awesome. Because I don't have to deal with assholes. AT ALL.
do you know how rare and wonderful that is on the internet?
@GUY_JIN: in bf1942 in the pc online matches you get INSTANT BAN when you cheat or trash talk. and its notified to everyone, and the most awesome, by votes you can choose what map will be the next game, its one of the best online games despite is and old gen game...
Its like I said in that other post a few weeks back, just wait on em, Nintendo will get things done... eventually.
about damn time.
The problem with this is that it seems that there is no way for Nintendo to get things done in this situation. unlike Sony who has a system that CAN do the things that Xbox Live does. Nintendo made a system that just can't get up to those levels.
um how hard is it
support BT headsets like ps3.. SSBB gonna sucks with no voice chat when eating people online
@GUY_JIN: Enjoy your internet solitary confinement. Its people that you that reinforce Nintendo's horrendous online policies.
THe Wii has nearly 0 online games ...dont worth the cash right now.Plus ,its online would be full of kiddies and grannies ....what a nightmare!
So we won't see strangers nicknames online in SSBB, for our "protection", but now Nintendo's working on voice-chat ... there's something illogical here ...
No online for Virtual Console? Why the hell not? Just about every emulator on the PC supports netplay!
Okay...seriously. Once and for all, explain to me how exchanging Friend Codes is any different than Gamertags?
Most Nintendo online games allow you to go out and play with random people not on your list.
The only glaring difference I see is there is no option to "Add" somebody you've played online. And this is something they could easily fix.
@TRT-X:
Because a lot of people have more trouble remembering arbitrarily-assigned strings of numbers than they would a simple one or two-word nickname. And the fact that for every game you get you have to give all your friends new ones rather than having an all-encompassing list that stretches from game to game also bothers people.
@TRT-X: But they don't fix it.
Besides, your Gamertag is a personal name that you choose, not an arbitrary code that's assigned to you. Hell, if someone says their gamertag and you don't even catch the exact spelling, you can search for it on Xbox live and try to track the person down.
The most important thing, however, is that the systems didn't come into existence at the same time. Nintendo SAW Xbox live, SAW how it worked, and still decided that arbitrary numerical codes with no potential for finding new friends was a superior system.
Voice chat on Wii? I'm interested. About time they added some real online features, this is a good start. They are still years and years behind Sony and Microsoft however.
@Moonshadow101: It's not like people show up in your friends list as their friend code. They show up as whatever you want. People who know me as Torgen can have that as my name, and people who know me by my real name, or some other name, can put that instead.
It occurred to me that Live is a lot like MySpace with voice chat.
Bomberman - online play = missed opportunity.
In any event, surely chat is potentially less "family friendly" than an online mode???
The DS has voice chat- I use VoIP over Pokemon all the time. Nintendo has always been capable, and to be honest (if naive) I'm actually excited about this!
@fumar: I'm more than happy to keep the curses of whiny preteens, worthless frat boys and confused potheads far away from my living room. Nintendo has an online strategy that works fine for normal people who don't think it's fun to sling racial slurs with a bunch of failures-at-life.
Microsoft and Sony has online strategies that works fine for people who want to browse and play in a cesspool of sheer idiocy.
The only thing I really miss from XBL on both Wii and PS3 is the sheer volume of downloadable demos.
Honestly, I am way more disappointed by the lack of VC online support. It is the only way they will get me to buy my games again. The lack of chat is annoying, but I have played games while on the phone with a friend, so there is at least a workaround. If I want to play a game online with a friend, which can be easily implemented with emulator updates, there is no way to do that.
Reggie,
I will buy my game library all over again and I will buy it all over again for a few close friends if you just get them online. If you want a signed commitment letter, just send me a draft to sign. Voice chat while online with the VC would be a dream, but online VC, no ROM enhancements, would honestly be the best thing I can imagine for gaming. You know all of that Club Nintendo garbage about how the US is too large? I will totally buy into that lame excuse. You know how there is no quality control on third party games? I will buy three copies each of Ninjabread Man and Cruis'n if you want. I can probably find people that can help you with the emulator code if you need that. Please, you have the kingofallcosmos begging you, please give us online VC. Kings don't beg, but you have me begging... Don't make a grown man cry, Reggie.
Does reggie not being surprised mean he knows one is in the pipeline but just can't say so for secrecy reasons. Why would he speculate openly about it... just to dash everyone's hopes.
...fucking finally?
At least they're HINTING at it.
@kingofallcosmos:
Exactly. They need a Kaillera-like lobby system where you can play VC games as if you're sitting next to the person.
How wouldn't kill for online Herzog Zwei?
I know I would.
(not to mention Neo Geo, but XBLA has them beat)
_WHO_ wouldn't kill for some online Herzog Zwei, I mean.
*dodges hammer*
I don't get why Nintendo is being so damn cautious. It's not like parents demand an ESRB rating for letting their kids go outside. Why should online multiplayer be such a big issue?
what online games are there to play for it? exactly...
What about the DS headset?