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Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
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Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (commonly abbreviated WFC) is an online service run by Nintendo to facilitate free Internet play in compatible Nintendo DS and Wii games.
Functionality
Games designed to take advantage of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection offer Internet play integrated into the game. Nintendo emphasizes the simplicity and speed of starting an online game when promoting its service. For example, in Mario Kart DS, an online game is initiated by first choosing the online multiplayer option from the main menu, then choosing whether to play with friends, or to play with gamers (either in the local region or worldwide) at about the same skill level. After a selection is made, the game starts searching for available players. The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service for Nintendo DS can support up to eight players, i.e., Clubhouse Games. The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service for Wii can support up to thirty-two players, however some games use other online services.
Pay & Play
In 2008 Nintendo announced that while the Wi-Fi Connection will remain a free service, there are plans for additional services that will have to be paid for. Games with such premium features will include the standard WFC mark along with an additional mark indicating that there are additional services that can be paid for.[1]. The first games to feature this were released in Japan as part of WiiWare on the 25th March 2008. The games included Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King, Kotoba no Puzzle Mojipittan Wii and Lonpos and enabled additional downloadable content for an extra fee.[2] The first retail Wii title to feature Pay & Play functionality will be Samba De Amigo.[3]
Friend Code
"Friend codes" are generated from an identifier unique to a copy of a game and the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection ID of a DS or Wii system. Using a different copy of a game, or loading the same copy in a different system, generates a different Friend code.[4] In order for users to become "Friends", they must mutually add Friend codes, often obtained through online forums or chatrooms, and will be authenticated as Friends once both have gone online. These measures (mutual Friend code exchange, per-game Friend codes, and the pairing of the Friend code and system) are said by Nintendo to be conscious steps to preserve users' privacy. If a DS or Wii game is sold, but not the system, there is no risk of the purchaser impersonating the seller.
Features enabled by becoming "Friends" can range from simply seeking each other out for online play (Mario Kart DS, Tetris DS), to voice and text chat (Metroid Prime Hunters, Custom Robo Arena, Pokemon Diamond/Pearl). Unusually, most of the online features in Animal Crossing: Wild World are disabled unless users are Friends, with some exceptions, primarily due to the potential for vandalism of another user's personalized "Town" in the game.
Friend codes are twelve digits long. Codes for certain games, such as Mario Kart DS and Tetris DS, are six digits followed by another row of six digits, while other games like Animal Crossing use codes with three groups of four digits separated by hyphens. If a user needs to replace his or her DS system, then the old system's Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection ID can be transferred wirelessly, to maintain the user's original Friend codes on the new machine.
Wii Number
The "Wii Number" is an identifier unique to each Wii system which operates in a similar manner to the Friend code. The "Address book" in the system's "Message board" feature displays the system's "Wii Number", and allows other users' Wii numbers to be registered.[5] Mutual exchange of Wii numbers allows text messages, photos, and Miis to be sent between the Wiis in question over the WiiConnect24 service.[6] In addition, the Wii can communicate with normal email accounts by the use of a "request email". The Wii sends out a "request email", to an address, and once the recipient replies, the Wii and that email address can exchange text messages freely. The Wii can receive photos from email addresses in this way, but not send them. The e-mail address for all Wii consoles is w################@wii.com, where # represents a digit in the Wii number. Some games, like Elebits, use WiiConnect24 by sending custom maps to other users in a console's address book. The first title in Japan and the USA to use the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection was Pokémon Battle Revolution The first Nintendo Wi-Fi games in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand were Mario Strikers Charged Football and Endless Ocean.
Games
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Internet connection
DS and DS Lite
The Nintendo DS is an IEEE 802.11b device, and a player can access the service via any compatible wireless network. This includes public hotspots as well as personal 802.11b compatible wireless routers. Public hotspots that use a captive portal can be accessed after login using the Nintendo DS Browser. Entering the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection setup allows players to configure access to three different networks. A connection can be automatically detected on some routers, especially those that are AOSS-compatible. User can also manually enter network settings if needed. The Nintendo DS supports only WEP encryption.
Wii
The Wii has an 802.11b/g wireless adapter built-in. It is compatible with WEP, WPA and WPA2. The Wii is also AOSS compatible as of the 3.0 system update. The Wii does not have an Ethernet port built in, but can be enhanced to connect to a LAN.
Datel has released a wired LAN adapter for the Wii which plugs into one of the USB 2.0 ports. It comes with a 5 foot long patch cable which can be plugged into a DSL/Cable modem or router.
Residential gateways
Owners without a residential gateway device, but with a computer connected directly to the Internet, can convert the computer to act as a Wireless gateway.
Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector
The Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector
In addition to the three configured connections, the Nintendo DS and Wii can connect through the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector. Although the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector only officially supports Windows XP and Windows Vista based PCs, the card uses a common Ralink chipset which is supported on many platforms, including OpenBSD and Linux. Some hackers have modified the official drivers to support an extended set of adapters with similar chipsets to allow them to act as official Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connectors.[7] The use of this chipset also means the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector can be used for Wireless Multi Boot. Broadband Internet access is not required to make use of this connectivity, though it is recommended to reduce network latency. It is priced at $34.99 at the Nintendo Online Store.[8] The item has been discontinued until further notice according to the Nintendo online store It is possible to connect to one's own wireless or wired router at home with little configuration, if the router is broadcasting an SSID and has no configured security. Users who do not have a router, but have a computer with a broadband Internet connection can set up a wireless network using their wireless card or the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector.
WiFI Max
Datel has also released WiFi Max. It acts like the official Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector except it allows a connection from any Wi-Fi enabled device, ie: laptops, PDAs, etc. It comes with a CD containing drivers for Windows 98SE and higher. There is no mention on any Windows Vista drivers. Linux and Mac systems are not mentioned in the manual as a system requirement.
There is no charge for connecting to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or for playing any Nintendo first-party games. Third-party developers are free to decide whether to charge fees for playing their games through the service.
Hotspots
Nintendo is working with hotspot providers to allow free access in public for Nintendo DS users and already reached such an agreement with Texas-based firm Wayport to provide access in McDonald's Restaurants in the U.S. Nintendo, however, terminated their contract with Wayport. [9] A similar partnership with FatPort to create free hotspots in Canada was announced by Nintendo of Canada on October 19, 2005.[10]
25,000 hotspots will be created in Europe, according to Jim Merrick, former Director of Marketing for Nintendo of Europe.[11] These include 7,500 in UK alone, thanks to a partnership with The Cloud and BT Openzone.citation needed
Nintendo of Australia initially announced on November 17, 2005 that they would roll out only 26 hotspots across the country, in partnership with selected Electronics Boutique, Myer and Dick Smith Powerhouse stores. The sheer lack of hotspots came as a surprise to gamers in Australia, meaning that many gamers would have to travel long distances to reach an official hotspot. On April 14, 2007, Nintendo announced that over one thousand additional free hotspots have been added in a partnership with Telstra Wireless, providing access in selected hotels, airports, Starbucks cafes, McDonald's restaurants and some streets in the city CBD.
Hotspot providers with free access to Nintendo DS users:
Official website
Nintendo has created the official Nintendo Wi-Fi connection Web site as a portal for gamers looking to access the service or that are in need of troubleshooting assistance. The website has live statistics and data from the service's servers and records high scores and service status. It also allows a user to link his or her Nintendo DS or Wii Wi-Fi Connection ID to a My Nintendo account, although officially the terms of service limit this feature to residents of the US and Canada.
See also
References
External links
- Official Sites
- Tutorials
- Nintendo Online History
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