Nintendo leak finally explains why we still have to use awkward friend codes instead of usernames

An internal PowerPoint presentation leaked by Nintendo on the weekend seemed to explain why we still use friend codes instead of usernames.

The friend code (a 12-digit code used to connect to other players) was originally introduced for Wii in 2006 and has been used on 3DS and Nintendo Switch systems ever since. But they are clumsy and difficult to remember. Why not just use the username?

Last weekend, the leaked documents (obviously first posted to 4chan and reportedly linked to a contract company's server hacker) seemed to provide the answer to this question. Wii's presentation slides illustrate that Nintendo requires friend codes because these codes are easier to use than the username system.

As part of the Nintendo leak, an internal briefing was discovered, explaining why they chose the friend code. Obviously, they think that registering the screen name will confuse the audience, and if they do n’t get the name they want, they will be frustrated. pic.twitter.com/LWzM0BRhIb

-Imran Khan (@imranzomg) May 4, 2020

The slide started, and then listed the potential problems: "At first some people thought that it would be better to use 12 numbers instead of a freely chosen screen name."

"There is a high probability of duplicate screen names. When this happens, multiple reentries are required. (Conflicts with the" simple "principle. You can guess someone's screen name by trying different variants of their actual names . (Conflicts with the "comfort" principle.) "

Although the logic cannot be fully followed, it provides fascinating insights into the thinking process adopted by Nintendo Wii, and it is still used today.