Online play limited by DS' lack of WPA support

[Criss]

I was kinda surprised when I noticed that no one seems to have pointed this out or voiced concerns about this. As some people already know, the old system software of the DS and DS Lite doesn't support WPA wireless encryption and only offers the obsolete and easily-crackable WEP keys.

This is obviously a huge disappointment for me because it means that, despite having a DS and good connection, I won't be able to play online unless I change my router back to WEP key encryption. This won't happen, because I have several computers on my home network, and I'm not putting my network at risk by going back to the obsolete WEP keys.

I know that this isn't directly related to PSZ and is a platform problem that affects all online-capable DS games, but since online play seems to be such a big part of PSZ, I thought it was worthy of mention.

As a side note, the new DSi will be coming out next year. And unlike the DSlite, its integrated firmware and software has a big overhaul, which means that it might likely support WPA encryption. Unfortunately, according to Gamespot's hand on preview on the DSi, the console will apparently only support WPA for the new DSi services and not for online-enabled standard DS games. If anyone has more information on the DSi, feel free to contribute.

So in any case, is anyone else seeing themselves forced to give up on PSZ's online features or find alternative ways of connecting online when the game is available?

[Niered]

Nope.

Couldnt care less, my college uses WPA as well, but I go to my parents house often enough that either it wont bother me, or Ill just buy one of those DS Wireless thingies.

[Gemel]

I don't even know what WPA is to be honest.

[Reginaldo]

Not worried at all.

[Nowhere]

I'm really not worried about that. You can't go far where I live without running into open wireless networks anyway.

Aside from that, the DSi supports WPA/WPA2 and has new WiFi hardware -- in addition to keeping the old. Bad news: PSZ will _not_ support WPA, unless they make a DSi specific version, since DS games have no access to the new hardware and still use the same old WiFi chips. Good news: there's actually a good chance that a DSi version will surface in addition to the standard DS version.

What really limits online play is the lack of lobbies. Even if the FC problem didn't exist, the 3D engine couldn't render more than a few characters at a time anyway. That's probably why each team is limited to 4 players.

[the_importer_]

It was a pain for me, not just for security but also because my wireless is 802.11n and this technology is not compatible with the old WEP security. Just do like I did and buy the Nintendo USB Wi-Fi Dongle. I saw a used one at a local EB Games a few weeks ago for $15 CAD. Just remember to change you router's default address range to something else than 192.168.0.X or 192.168.1.X because the Dongle will use one of these.

[Risingsun]

Bad news: PSZ will _not_ support WPA, unless they make a DSi specific version, since DS games have no access to the new hardware and still use the same old WiFi chips. Good news: there's actually a good chance that a DSi version will surface in addition to the standard DS version.
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A good chance there will be a DSi version of PS0? Have you heard some rumors, inside info, or is it just wishful thinking?

-also, yeah just get either the Wi-Fi dongle or that new Nintendo specific wireless router for the wii and ds. Also, cant you just change your setting to WEP while you play and change back when your done?

[DeathMachine]

Does McDonalds still do the free wifi thing? They made such a big deal about it with Mario Kart, I figure PS0 is no different. There's like, what? 400 McDonalds in a 3 block radius? Shouldn't be too hard to figure out! Plus you can get fat as you play! Isn't that what you humans like to do, anyway?

[Nowhere]

A good chance there will be a DSi version of PS0? Have you heard some rumors, inside info, or is it just wishful thinking?

It relates more to Nintendo's licensing requirements for DSi games generally than it does to PSZ in specific. By "good chance" I mean "fair chance" though. Not, "it's probable." Basically, if it's something they want to do, there's nothing stopping them and in fact guidelines exist for them to follow. On even money I'd bet against, but if you gave me odds I'd put something on it. If PSZ came a little later, I'd call it a sure thing... assuming the DSi does really well (so far so good.)

[ShadowInferno119]

I understand your worries, and offer a few suggestions, one being changing your router to WEP key, for whenever you play online. I doubt, there will be anyone trying to crack it at that time(then again who knows).

The other is Nintendo WiFi USB, easily accesible buying it online through websites, like e-bay, newegg, I think even nintendo sells them online somewhere, or try GameStop.