From the OP:

“There are friend codes, but it’s not the existing friend code system. What do I mean by that? Here’s what I mean: you will be able to identify people as friends and have a certain level of interaction vs. a different level of interaction for the more general population. The method by which you identify someone as a friend is a lot simpler than what’s happening today with Friend Codes.”

So, it WILL have friend codes it the quote from the OP is to be believed.  Just a variation that hasn't been explained, yet.  For that reason, I'm gonna wait until we get more info before condemning it.

One more thing--for peope saying we should be able to create our own friend codes, how exactly would that work?  If I could create my own code, I'd choose 0000-0000-0001.  I'm sure somebody else would do the same thing.  It's like picking your own phone number.  It's just not an option.

it's not eliminated, but is. Nintendo is being cryptic about this. I personally think it'll be a background thing.

Iwata on friend codes:

On Friend Codes

Iwata: We’re not completely getting rid of Friend Codes, but a function of the “Miiverse” will simplify the process of making friends with another user in the platform by eliminating the need to input Friend Codes.

From the Iwata quote you posted, I'm guessing that you'll probably have options like we have here on VGCharz.  You could possibly change your setting to "Allow everyone", "Allow only friends", etc., etc..  That way stalkers and assholes can't see your posts or send you messages if you're the private type.  You'd probably be able to add people directly.  Of course, I'm just guessing.

I don't want it to be just like XBL, either.  I don't usually add people to my friends list and I don't like it when I'm playing Dragon's Dogma and I get invited to a game of Super Street Fighter.  What I would like is the option to "prefer" a player like on Xbox Live.  That way,  if I'm playing a game and that person preferred player is online, we'll be more likely to be matched up in a game.  I have certain people I always seem to face off with in SF4 and I love playing with those guys.  Not enough to want to make them friends but enough to play with them when I'm playing that game.

Off-Topic: You're really starting to make me curious as to how awesome you are on SF4. Had I had my 3DS on hand, I would accept the challenge you made me a few weeks ago.

As long as people "play by the rules", I'm awesome.  I try to at least play the game the way the creators wanted us too.  I only set my Ultra Combo moves to the touch screen and I perform everything else myself.  It's when I plat against guys that do things like use Guile, throw a Sonic Boom while walking forward and do a flash Kick while standing/walking forward, and have "auto-block" turned on that frustrate me.  They do things that are impossible in the real game and they manage to get cheap victories.  Then, they refuse to play you again because they know you've figured out their strategy.

On Xbox, at least, people that beat me in SF4 and I KNOW I'm more talented than get a "prefer" because I have to play them one more time to see if it was a fluke or if I just suck.  On the 3DS, you get beat by a random dude and you never see them again.  You can't tell them they did a great job, they were cheap, you'd like a rematch, or anything.  They're just "one night stands" and you're left feeling used and dirty.

I'd love to play you one day, though.  You can play by any rules you'd like, just give me the opportunity for a rematch.  Best of 11 or something.  I'll never use the same character twice and I NEVER use Ryu and Ken (because they bore me).

From the OP:

“There are friend codes, but it’s not the existing friend code system. What do I mean by that? Here’s what I mean: you will be able to identify people as friends and have a certain level of interaction vs. a different level of interaction for the more general population. The method by which you identify someone as a friend is a lot simpler than what’s happening today with Friend Codes.”

So, it WILL have friend codes it the quote from the OP is to be believed.  Just a variation that hasn't been explained, yet.  For that reason, I'm gonna wait until we get more info before condemning it.

One more thing--for peope saying we should be able to create our own friend codes, how exactly would that work?  If I could create my own code, I'd choose 0000-0000-0001.  I'm sure somebody else would do the same thing.  It's like picking your own phone number.  It's just not an option.

Its not the same damn thing. Its not a long as number you have to type in. Its your username which probably has some number behind the screens tied to you, however its no different than Sony MS Facebook twitter fucking everything on the net.

You'll have a name you make up, tied to your Mii, that you can simply request friendship status and get approved. "it’s not the existing friend code system"!

You got all of that from that sentence?

You got all of that from that sentence?