Why the Wii Uses Numerical Codes Instead of Usernames

A forum user named "Adrast" asked "Why would Nintendo use a code? A simple user name would be a lot more efficient and, well, less gay."

For those unfamiliar with this issue, Nintendo Wii users don't get the chance to create a unique username that can be used with online Wii features. Instead we enter what amounts to a serial number. This number, and not a username or e-mail address, is what we exchange in order to authorize others to send us messages.

The codes are the license key assigned to each Wii. While I am not a Nintendo employee, a little speculation reveals several potential benefits to using these codes in place of user selected usernames:

1. Enforce the notion that you're account is bound to your Wii.

2. The names associated with your avatar don't have to be unique across all X million eventual Wii users.

3. It's useful in tracking where a particular user bought their console, assuming Nintendo keeps records of these things. Knowing, for example, that 80% of the most active online users in the USA bought their Wiis in one of four cities will help Nintendo distribute product when online games are rolled out.

4. No one is stuck with the user name "JohnSmith004938273" unless they WANT that name, as opposed to being forced to use it because your name is John Smith, and "JohnSmith004938272" was already taken. Remember, the names don't have to be unique. You select a nick-name name for your console, but it doesn't have to be unique. A unique identity is provided by the Wii code.

5. It makes it harder for someone from outside the Wii network to spoof being Wii owners and thus sending messages.

6. Less policing is necessary. You don't need to monitor what words / phrases are and are not "permissible" if everyone is using a numeric string for identification. You don't need to worry about someone's user name meaning "older man seeking underage girl" in a language that's not the native tongue of the forum moderators. Yes, you can create a name for the avatar you're using, but the field is short which offers few intelligible options.

All told, there are a lot of reasons for Nintendo to use a numeric code for user names, even though they aren't as user friendly or convenient as letting people have a 100 character alphanumeric user name.

It's all about reduced administration and policing.