Do you think amiibos can be used without opening the package?

[PK_Wonder]

I am a big fan of the way they look in the packaging. I eventually want to have a full collection of them and would like to display them unopened, but I still definitely want to use them in-game. I have no experience with Skylanders or Disney Infinity, so I'm not sure if this is possible?

I realize the technology will be different, but what do you think?

 

[LIQUID12A]

I'm more curious as to why this is a question.

Of course not.

 

[PK_Wonder]

I'm more curious as to why this is a question.

Of course not.

It seems like a legitimate question to me. My Best Buy has a Disney Infinity demo with the scanning pad, but with none of the figurines loose. Just all of the merchandise surrounding it. I haven't actually played around with it myself though. That's what made me think this is possible, because how else could you demo it with the scanning pad? They're not going to let you open the figures.

I'm thinking if the packaging dimensions are right and the plastic isn't too thick, the NFC will recognize it. "Near-Field Communication."

I wonder if you can just scan it on the GamePad once per play session, or have to leave it positioned there. Probably the former, and then you scan it again to sync its AI/level data.

 

[LIQUID12A]

-reasoning-

That would make it all too easy for a thief or something to exploit merch without opening it.

The plastic is obviously going to be thick to circumvent that.

So still, no.

 

[PK_Wonder]

That would make it all too easy for a thief or something to exploit merch without opening it.

The plastic is obviously going to be thick to circumvent that.

So still, no.

How though? Be it someone bringing the 3DS to the store or buying it to use on their Wii U and then returning, if you just scan it once, but can't save/sync the information back to the amiibo because you don't own it, that would be pointless. amiibo data seems to be saved to the figure, not to the console.

 

[LIQUID12A]

How though? Be it someone bringing the 3DS to the store or buying it to use on their Wii U and then returning, if you just scan it once, but can't save/sync the information back to the amiibo because you don't own it, that would be pointless. amiibo data seems to be saved to the figure, not to the console.

We can't tell how the Amiibos work yet, so I think that this question is better asked when the game releases. Also, normal 3DS has no Amiibo support, and who knows how long it will take for the New 3DS to reach the West, so that statement about bringing the 3DS to the store is very much a long shot for now.

 

[Xermo]

SSB4 amiibo data is stored on the figure itself, yes, but more than likely later on scanning one on some newer game will give the user some benefits; which can be exploited. If Xenoblade 3DS had some mystic zelda DLC content available by scanning a Link figure, then congrats, you just made off with it without paying.

 

[TJ-Works]

I hate seeing merchandise left unopened on a shelf. Like it's begging to be let free.

Even if it's going to be sitting on my desk, I'd rather have it opened free than stuck in a vacuum.

 

[LIQUID12A]

I hate seeing merchandise left unopened on a shelf. Like it's begging to be let free.

Even if it's going to be sitting on my desk, I'd rather have it opened free than stuck in a vacuum.

Collectors would disagree. Fetches mad ca$h unopened, yo. I don't collect, just giving you an idea

SSB4 amiibo data is stored on the figure itself, yes, but more than likely later on scanning one on some newer game will give the user some benefits; which can be exploited. If Xenoblade 3DS had some mystic zelda DLC content available by scanning a Link figure, then congrats, you just made off with it without paying.

Still a long shot, but time will tell how it plays out.

 

[PK_Wonder]

I hate seeing merchandise left unopened on a shelf. Like it's begging to be let free.

Even if it's going to be sitting on my desk, I'd rather have it opened free than stuck in a vacuum.

I'm that way with most things, but I love the packaging on these, as its like an extra projection of the character. This isn't a huge deal to me as there are some I very much want to use, but as a collector I'm much more inclined to buy the characters I don't want to use in the game if I can have them displayed this way.

 

[Space Stranger]

I hate seeing merchandise left unopened on a shelf. Like it's begging to be let free.

Even if it's going to be sitting on my desk, I'd rather have it opened free than stuck in a vacuum.

Relevant:

 

[LIQUID12A]

Relevant:

you sir win this thread

 

[SS-bros14]

Most likely yes. It works with Skylanders and DI.

 

[KaZe_DaRKWIND]

I guess it could work. I don't see why not. Can't guarantee it will work on the 3ds version though you never know.

 

[PK_Wonder]

I guess it could work. I don't see why not. Can't guarantee it will work on the 3ds version though you never know.

I don't even think Smash 3DS is amiibo compatible, is it? I know 3DS games in the future will be, but I think for Smash only the Wii U version utilizes them.

 

[SS-bros14]

I don't even think Smash 3DS is amiibo compatible, is it? I know 3DS games in the future will be, but I think for Smash only the Wii U version utilizes them.

Nope, Smash 3DS can use Amiibos, confirmed by the 3DS Direct.

 

[Spirst]

I don't even think Smash 3DS is amiibo compatible, is it? I know 3DS games in the future will be, but I think for Smash only the Wii U version utilizes them.

I'm not so sure about that. The new 3DS models appear to have native support for it and the older ones use an adapter.

http://venturebeat.com/2014/08/29/n...n-super-smash-bros-monster-hunter-and-amiibo/

"Nintendo announced today that Amiibo will roll out alongside Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, and the game will support connectivity with the toys. If either New 3DS or Amiibo catch on with fans, both the system and the toys should benefit from increased demand."

Also, the wikipedia page for the Amiibo says, "This optional enhancement platform allows compatible figurines to link with supported video games, allowing two-way transfer of data into and out of a supported game, and possibly between supported platforms. This is accomplished on the Wii U console's GamePad through New Nintendo 3D native hardware, and through an NFC adapter on the preceding Nintendo 3DS models.["

 

[PK_Wonder]

I'm not so sure about that. The new 3DS models appear to have native support for it and the older ones use an adapter.

http://venturebeat.com/2014/08/29/n...n-super-smash-bros-monster-hunter-and-amiibo/

"Nintendo announced today that Amiibo will roll out alongside Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, and the game will support connectivity with the toys. If either New 3DS or Amiibo catch on with fans, both the system and the toys should benefit from increased demand."

Also, the wikipedia page for the Amiibo says, "This optional enhancement platform allows compatible figurines to link with supported video games, allowing two-way transfer of data into and out of a supported game, and possibly between supported platforms. This is accomplished on the Wii U console's GamePad, through New Nintendo 3DS native hardware, and through an NFC adapter on the preceding Nintendo 3DS models.["

It won't roll out with the 3DS version though. Their Amazon pre-order release date is still the placeholder date of the Wii U Smash, December 31st, 2014.

and Nintendo's site doesn't mention Smash support.
http://www.nintendo.com/amiibo

"Nintendo 3DS systems will be compatible with amiibo functionality using a peripheral device, scheduled to launch in 2015. Stay tuned for information on the Nintendo 3DS games that will work with amiibo."

So they may retroactively patch Smash for 3DS support when this peripheral device and the New 3DS launch in 2015, but amiibos will not work at launch for Smash 3DS considering the 3DS and amiibo have no way to communicate until this device comes out. They work on Wii U first and according to Nintendo directly, the 3DS version maybe if they are able to patch it in (although they don't mention Smash 3DS by name).

 

[Spirst]

It won't roll out with the 3DS version though. Their Amazon pre-order release date is still the placeholder date of the Wii U Smash, December 31st, 2014.

and Nintendo's site doesn't mention Smash support.
http://www.nintendo.com/amiibo

"Nintendo 3DS systems will be compatible with amiibo functionality using a peripheral device, scheduled to launch in 2015. Stay tuned for information on the Nintendo 3DS games that will work with amiibo."

So they may retroactively patch Smash for 3DS support when this peripheral device and the New 3DS launch in 2015, but amiibos will not work at launch for Smash 3DS considering the 3DS and amiibo have no way to communicate until this device comes out. They work on Wii U first and according to Nintendo directly, the 3DS version maybe if they are able to patch it in (although they don't mention Smash 3DS by name).

Ah, no, it won't be compatible with the amiibo figurines right off the bat. I was addressing the point of it being compatible with the 3DS version eventually as opposed to never. The Japanese release date for the new 3DS models is October 15th so I imagine Sm4sh 3DS WILL have amiibo support at that point (considering it's part of the native hardware though I don't know if it the game itself will be patched for it) but just not for the Western world.

 

[PK_Wonder]

Ah, no, it won't be compatible with the amiibo figurines right off the bat. I was addressing the point of it being compatible with the 3DS version eventually. The Japanese release date for the new 3DS models is October 15th so I Sm4sh 3DS WILL have amiibo support at that point (considering it's part of the native hardware though I don't know if it the game itself will be patched for it) but just not for the Western world.

Yeah. We'll see. You'd think they be launching these NFC devices for older 3DSs at the same time in Japan though if they were intended for Smash 3DS. Otherwise it would alienate all other 3DS owners.

 

[Swedish_Otaku]

It would be possible because it's NFC, but I'm sure Nintendo just makes sure the package prevents it.

 

[PsychoIncarnate]

The demo for skylanders and disney infinity works with them in the package

I've never actually played with of those games so I don't know if you can actually play them keeping them in the package

 

[TimeSmash]

So how exactly does scanning a figure work? Is it through IR? Do you actually turn on the Amiibo or is it just able to be scanned? If you have to turn it on, Id imagine they have one of those tag things that you have to pull out before it can actually be turned on

 

[Shiliski]

NFC is the same kind of tech you get in certain "proximity cards" that are starting to see use these days. The card that my dad uses to get into his parking garage uses NFC, but it doesn't seem to use any sort of battery. At least, if there is a battery, there is no way to swap it out.

Looking it up on Wikipedia, the power source comes from an "initiator" (probably the Wii U or 3DS in this case) which sends an RF signal that the "target" (the amiibo) uses as power. The target then uses this power to send data back to the initiator, as well as rewrite the target's own data. Therefore, by that logic, as long as the packaging doesn't stop the RF signal (which seems pretty hard to do, as RF signals tend to easily go through walls and such) then yes, the Amiibo should be completely usable inside of its packaging.

It's unlikely that a tag would be used to stop the Amiibo from being powered until the tag is pulled, as other products don't seem to use that and there isn't an easy way to block the battery since there is no battery. (Though admittedly that might be a good idea. It would work a lot better than trying to block the RF signal. Instead of doing something that would probably require an inch of solid lead for every Amiibo package, just make it so that the Amiibo doesn't respond unless the tag is pulled!)

 

[Khao]

Public transportation in my city requires these card thingies that you just put close to a machine, and they take money off of it automatically. They don't even have to be touching, you can carry them in your wallet and don't even have to take them out of it for them to get detected.

So if a ****ty super cheap card can communicate with a machine that's behind the billions of dollars in cash I'm always carrying in my wallet (okay, just a few coins and the wallet itself) I really don't see why a fancy figurine would have any trouble whatsoever doing so through a probably thin piece of plastic.

EDIT:
A quick googling tells me that those cards use the same technology as the amiibos, so yeah, It'll definitely work unless they specifically designed the package for them not to work or something.

 

[LancerStaff]

Depends on how far it reaches, really.

 

[Gameboi834]

Well, it's called NEAR Field Communication, not TOUCHING Field Communication.

 

[Opossum]

You know, I tried this with Infinity, oddly enough.

It was weird because Mickey worked through the package, but Wreck-it Ralph didn't. So I guess maybe it depends on the figure.