Nintendo revamps Friend Codes console

Nintendo has reinvented its system of Friend Codes for new handheld console 3DS, says CVG.

The current system, seen on Wii, forces players to invite friends via individual codes for each game they play - and has gained a reputation for being cumbersome in comparison to XBL and PSN's alternatives.

While doing the demo for 3DS's Street Pass functionality at its Amsterdam unveiling event, Nintendo Europe managing director of marketing and PR Laurent Fischer said owners of the firm's new console will only ever have to enter a friend's code once when they buy the console - rather than for every time they want to play them on a different game.

A new study bolsters the argument that video games can be addictive for children, and even suggests that the addiction can affect their depression and anxiety levels, writes Kansas City Star.

The study, which was based on a two-year survey of 3 034 children in Singapore, found that 9% of players were addicted, as defined by how much their playing interfered with their grades, emotions and relationships.

The researchers were not entirely surprised by that result because of similar studies in the US and other countries. What shocked them was how the reduction of troublesome gaming habits corresponded with fewer depressive symptoms.

Hours after GameStop-owned gaming site Kongregate introduced an application giving Android smartphone users access to over 300 free Flash-based games, Google removed the app from its Android Market storefront, states Fierce Mobile Content.

The Internet giant is contending it was illicitly installing apps. Kongregate confirmed the Kongregate Arcade's expulsion from Android Market on its Web site, explaining the application "just plays Flash games via the Android Web browser and does not install anything, though it does cache games for faster loading."

Google's Android Market Developer Distribution Agreement contains a non-compete clause stipulating that developers may not use the Market to distribute or make available any Product whose primary purpose is to facilitate the distribution of Products outside of the market.