Nintendo press release: Wii launch date hidden within?

[Zingela]

http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=9938

July 25, 2006 - The fourth quarter of 2006 will herald a new era for Nintendo with the launch of its remarkable new Wii™ home video game system. But that's not what this news item is about! How could that be, you ask? Perhaps the secret to the launch information for Wii is somehow encoded in the text of this news item. You might want to pore over it for a few hours before staying up all night to debate phraseology and comma placement with your friends online. Or maybe it's all just a scam to get you to read the other games we have launching this fall. One of the two.

Interesting. Joystiq is reporting on someone figuring out Oct. 2.
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/25/press-release-decoder-says-wii-to-launch-october-2/

What do you guys think? Is Joystiq on the right track? Is Nintendo just pulling our chain?

One thing is for certain, Nintendo wants the Wii out before Thanksgiving, and probably before the PS3, so I think that would work out quite nicely.

[bearcatjosh]

Lord, I hope so.

JOSH

[foltzie]

Can someone post the text?

[botticus]

Here you go:

DID YOU KNOW? NINTENDO GAME OFFERINGS HEAT UP AS THE WEATHER COOLS DOWN


July 25, 2006 - The fourth quarter of 2006 will herald a new era for Nintendo with the launch of its remarkable new Wii™ home video game system. But that's not what this news item is about! How could that be, you ask? Perhaps the secret to the launch information for Wii is somehow encoded in the text of this news item. You might want to pore over it for a few hours before staying up all night to debate phraseology and comma placement with your friends online. Or maybe it's all just a scam to get you to read the other games we have launching this fall. One of the two.

As the weather cools down, the Nintendo portable game offerings heat up. FINAL FANTASY® V ADVANCE makes its way to Game Boy® Advance SP on Nov. 6. As series go, FINAL FANTASY is to video games what James Bond is to movies. FINAL FANTASY loyalists will enjoy an opportunity to debate which installment was best.

Nintendo DS™ owners are the big winners. Every week or so, another huge DS title hits, from the Touch Generations title Clubhouse Games™ to fan favorites like Elite Beat Agents™ and Yoshi's Island™ 2. Clearly a gamer's idea of paradise, here is Nintendo's upcoming DS lineup:

Oct. 9: Clubhouse Games™
Oct. 16: Nintendogs™ (Dalmatian)
Oct. 23: Magical Starsign™
Oct. 30: Pokémon® Ranger
Oct. 30: Children of Mana®
Nov. 6: Elite Beat Agents™
Nov. 13: Yoshi's Island™ 2
Dec. 4: Custom Robo™ Arena
Dec. 4: Kirby™ Squeak Squad

And, for Nintendo GameCube™ owners, The Legend of Zelda®: Twilight Princess will be available for you this fall. An enhanced version also will be a launch title for Wii. That will all happen on … Oh look, we're out of space.

For more information about all of Nintendo’s upcoming titles, please visit www.nintendo.com.

[megaseadramon]

I wish nintendo would just post the fucking information on the wii already and get all of these damn rumors over with. Im so tired of new rumors every week.

[Vinny]

I'd honestly like to know why they're waiting so long... and then I realize the longer the keep was waiting, the more we think about it. The more we think about it, the more we'll want it. The more we want it, the more money Nintendo will make.

[Broccoli Storm]

Well, I see how they're getting the October 2nd release (although wouldn't it make sense for all those games to release BEFORE the Wii, making the Wii release date the last date instead of the first), but, and I may be mistaken, don't consoles launch on a day other than a Tuesday? I know the PS3 is a Friday...

[guessed]

Ok, I have figured it out. Here are the release dates in the text:


Oct. 9: Clubhouse Games™
Oct. 16: Nintendogs™ (Dalmatian)
Oct. 23: Magical Starsign™
Oct. 30: Pokémon® Ranger
Oct. 30: Children of Mana®
Nov. 6: Elite Beat Agents™
Nov. 13: Yoshi's Island™ 2
Dec. 4: Custom Robo™ Arena
Dec. 4: Kirby™ Squeak Squad

Remove the duplicates, and add the numbers together: 9+16+23+30+6+13+4 = 101. The Wii will launch on 10/1, October 1st, which is not only the first day of the fourth quarter, but also a Sunday, the traditional launch day for Nintendo consoles. The winner is me. ;) Poor Joystiq, so close.

[foltzie]

And, for Nintendo GameCube™ owners, The Legend of Zelda®: Twilight Princess will be available for you this fall. An enhanced version also will be a launch title for Wii. That will all happen on … Oh look, we're out of space.

Thats pretty funny for a press release.

[David85]

It will come out before or on Nov 3rd (EA confirmed that), that's all we really know.

[GrimNecroWizard]

Fuck, fuck, fuck!!!!!!

Is anyone else thinking what I'm thinking?

I really want this, but what if there's some kickass free game or something sale on Black Friday? I mean, I've waited this long, why not wait until Black Friday? But what if there is no special deal or anything? Besides I don't wanna wait in line and shit...I dunno!!!!!

[alongx]

It will come out before or on Nov 3rd (EA confirmed that), that's all we really know.

EA didn't confirm anything, they aren't even in a position to confirm it. We'll find out plenty of Wii news hopefully over the next month and a half.

[basketkase543]

I'd honestly like to know why they're waiting so long... and then I realize the longer the keep was waiting, the more we think about it. The more we think about it, the more we'll want it. The more we want it, the more money Nintendo will make.

Congrats, you've just completed Advertising 101 :D

[jeffreyjrose]

Rumors, rumors, rumors, and now the Big N teasing us. Just state the release date already!!!

[nwaugh]

Fuck, fuck, fuck!!!!!!

Is anyone else thinking what I'm thinking?

I really want this, but what if there's some kickass free game or something sale on Black Friday? I mean, I've waited this long, why not wait until Black Friday? But what if there is no special deal or anything? Besides I don't wanna wait in line and shit...I dunno!!!!!
I'm pretty certain there won't be anything more than a slipcover for the Wiimote given away.

[David85]

EA came out and said that one of their Wii games will come out November 3rd. So that would be confirmed that it comes out before or on Nov 3.

[Mr. Anderson]

Ok, I have figured it out. Here are the release dates in the text:


Remove the duplicates, and add the numbers together: 9+16+23+30+6+13+4 = 101. The Wii will launch on 10/1, October 1st, which is not only the first day of the fourth quarter, but also a Sunday, the traditional launch day for Nintendo consoles. The winner is me. ;) Poor Joystiq, so close.

:applause: Nice going, guessed.

[SMMM]

When's TGS? We probably won't know jack shit until that's over.

[rabbitt]

EA came out and said that one of their Wii games will come out November 3rd. So that would be confirmed that it comes out before or on Nov 3 you fucking dumbass. Don't try to tell me shit when you don't know what the fuck you're talknig about.

Hey man, relax with the hostility. Games can come out before their respectful console releases, so EA saying that one of their games coming out on a certain date doesn't prove anything. And it's not impossible for a company to go back on their word by pushing a games release date back for more development time.

[botticus]

Hey man, relax with the hostility. Games can come out before their respectful console releases, so EA saying that one of their games coming out on a certain date doesn't prove anything. And it's not impossible for a company to go back on their word by pushing a games release date back for more development time.
Or perhaps to coincide with the actual release date of the console.

And there's absolutely no reason for Nintendo or stores to even remotely consider bundling something with the Wii on Black Friday. It will have been out for less than a month at that point. Even if it's not sold out, which is more likely, three or four weeks isn't enough time for them to decide that it's a slow moving item and needs to get dealt on.

[Survivor Charlie]

I got Super Monkey Ball almost a full month before the Gamecube came out. I don't think release dates make a big difference.

[SpikeSpiegel]

Nintendo needs to stop with this bullshit and just post the news. I have no time to try to decipher thier enigma, and even though someone else will do it, quite frankly it is ridiculous.

[SpottedNigel]

Nintendo needs to stop with this bullshit and just post the news. I have no time to try to decipher thier enigma, and even though someone else will do it, quite frankly it is ridiculous.

If you dont have the time, simply wait for the Best Buy ad that shows that the Wii is coming out and at X dollar amount. Simple.

[Kaijufan]

It seems kind of unprofessional of Nintendo to hint that the Wii launch date is hidden in the press release.

[Corvin]

EA came out and said that one of their Wii games will come out November 3rd. So that would be confirmed that it comes out before or on Nov 3 you fucking dumbass. Don't try to tell me shit when you don't know what the fuck you're talknig about.

wow.

I got Super Monkey Ball almost a full month before the Gamecube came out. I don't think release dates make a big difference.

Exactly. 98% of the 360 lineup was out at least a week before the system. I think that was the case with the original Xbox and Gamecube as well. So 3 out of the last 4 systems launched games before the consoles themselves.

In essence, Nov. 3 means nothing in respect to the console date. So it looks like Mr. "Don't try to tell me shit when you don't know what the fuck you're talknig about," doesn't know what he is 'talknig' about.

As for the date, IGN is saying Oct. 2nd as well. Is that because there is something released every week thereafter? They want a week to the Wii itself, and no DS releases? Makes sense.

[Quillion]

It seems kind of unprofessional of Nintendo to hint that the Wii launch date is hidden in the press release.

It seems unprofessional to make fake websites that correspond to fictional places and things in games.

Welcome to the world of viral marketing.

[graf1k]

Ok, I have figured it out. Here are the release dates in the text:


Remove the duplicates, and add the numbers together: 9+16+23+30+6+13+4 = 101. The Wii will launch on 10/1, October 1st, which is not only the first day of the fourth quarter, but also a Sunday, the traditional launch day for Nintendo consoles. The winner is me. ;) Poor Joystiq, so close.

Fuck, nice job jerk! You ruined the surprise. I had not idea my birthday was on a Sunday this year. ;)

Well, I guess I know what I'm getting for and where I'll be on my birthday this year if he's right.

[cicada17]

I think the clue is "James Bond Movies." "Casino Royale" is being released on November 17th and so is the Wii! The James Bond movie reference was out of place in this press release.

[Hoffgod]

When's TGS? We probably won't know jack shit until that's over.Early September, but it doesn't matter. Nintendo won't be there. No presence on the floor. No keynote speech. Nothing.
This likely means one thing:

SPACEWORLD 2006!

[Kaijufan]

It seems unprofessional to make fake websites that correspond to fictional places and things in games.

Welcome to the world of viral marketing.
I don't see how making fake websites is unprofessional since it's just a tie in with the games. I've seen TV shows do it (Fox had several fake Arrested Development sites before the show was canceled).

A press release should be serious and shouldn't have anything hidden in it, but I guess I'll let it slide since this press release is pretty much for videogame websites and magazines, not for mainstream news sources. ;)

[slidecage]

Release date


NOV 26


my guess

[alongx]

EA came out and said that one of their Wii games will come out November 3rd. So that would be confirmed that it comes out before or on Nov 3 you fucking dumbass. Don't try to tell me shit when you don't know what the fuck you're talknig about.

First off, take a goddamn midol.

Second, is this (http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2006/07/19/ea-shows-european-wii-launch-date-is-november-3.htm) what you are talking about? If so, then, again, that leaves you as wrong. This is the only EA statement that I could find that made reference to the region - a crucial point here, since, unlike Sony, Nintendo has NOT confirmed a world-wide simultaneous launch; the three major regions will see the Wii in the same timeframe, not the same day necessarily.

And, furthermore, it's not like the game announced is Madden, which would be likely to launch simultaneously with the Wii. It's Need For Seed Carbon, a game that is coming out for every other console on Nov. 10, and on the PS3 on Nov. 17. If the Wii was launching in October, I don't think this is the title that would launch along side it.

[Island Dog]

It seems kind of unprofessional of Nintendo to hint that the Wii launch date is hidden in the press release.

It's being discussed at many websites, and many gaming sites are featuring on their news sections. From that point it's actually a good idea.

Some of you guys need to understand marketing.

[-Never4ever-]

I don't see how making fake websites is unprofessional since it's just a tie in with the games. I've seen TV shows do it (Fox had several fake Arrested Development sites before the show was canceled).

A press release should be serious and shouldn't have anything hidden in it, but I guess I'll let it slide since this press release is pretty much for videogame websites and magazines, not for mainstream news sources. ;)

Just because Fox does it, doesn't make it profesional.

Nintendo just wants there to be some buzz and speculation.

That said, my money's on Guessed's Oct 1 date. Nintendo loves launching systems on Sunday. Plus Oct 1 would be a whole lot better than my pegged date of the sunday before black friday :razz:

[cochesecochese]

Damn, we're desperate for info. Remember the ON video and the mini clips on the NOA website? Yeah, look how that turned out. We got Moz La Punk and the haptic mockups.

I'm just gonna keep hitting my backlog until Nintendo gives an official date. It's fun to speculate but I'm just getting too frustrated by not being able to buy the damn thing already.

[Doom Gaze]

EA came out and said that one of their Wii games will come out November 3rd. So that would be confirmed that it comes out before or on Nov 3 you fucking dumbass. Don't try to tell me shit when you don't know what the fuck you're talknig about.

911. Send the WAAAAAAHbumlence.


Anyway, evidence is mounting that Wii will launch in October.. and I don't like it. There's historical precedent. Anyone remember Saturnday? Sega launched Saturn four months in advance out of nowhere, shocking third parties and undersupplying retailers. This ruined their relationship with both eternally.

Nintendo is already on shaky ground with the thirdies, and retailers have done their best to bury Nintendo for years. Don't believe me? Go to any store and you'll see Gamecube and DS stuff in the back corner with PSP trash being promoted all over the place. Nintendo's been tight lipped for too long, and that strategy has only hurt them. Lord knows how much hype Halo 2 garnered by trickling info over a three-year period until all the "new" features (all three of them) were known by everyone. Even the media bought into the schlock. Nintendo does have hype, but the mainstream consumer STILL knows nothing about Wii. In fact, if you ask your average high school student about Nintendo, they'll either tell you that "gamecube r stupid" or "i used to play mario and it was so good lol wut happened 2 the good days of n64" (even though N64 was far and away Nintendo's worst.) None of them know anything about Wii, and most don't know the pricing of PS3 and are still convinced it will be "so awesomz". Nintendo needs to GET OUT HYPE. HYPE THAT SHIT LIKE CRAZY. The Wii name is helping get it attention but when Nintendo launches the console out of nowhere, there will be a large portion of the population with no idea it exists.

[BrerDan]

Interesting theory! Personally I don't really think there is a date encoded in the message--I think it is just clever marketing to get people to pay attention to the press release (which I did! I guess no Zelda DS before the end of the year :( ).

However, IF there is any clue in there....this is the only one I have read that really makes any sense.

In any case, it's all in good fun. I kind of hope the release is closer to Christmas since I *know* the Wii will be my main present, and it would be hard to see it in stores for nearly three months before getting one!




I think the clue is "James Bond Movies." "Casino Royale" is being released on November 17th and so is the Wii! The James Bond movie reference was out of place in this press release.

[Dr Mario Kart]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/zephos/newedit.jpg
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5217/conspiracyei3.jpg

[CrimsonPaw]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/zephos/newedit.jpg
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5217/conspiracyei3.jpg

That's awesome, it's like the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon.

Welcome to the 6 Wiigrees of launch....

[Snake2715]

The US 101 thing is interesting though to be honest..

I am going to laugh if thats the date and they have bounced it in front of our face this whole time.

[EXStrike]

I love that reasoning. So freaking hilarious.

[munch]

The US 101 thing is interesting though to be honest..

I am going to lauch if thats the date and they have bounced it in front of our face this whole time.

For real. That US 101 is fascinating. I hope it's true, too!

[cochesecochese]

No! Damn you evil hands! You have a mind of your own! (http://wiilease.ytmnd.com/)

[Dogpatch]

:rofl:

The US 101 thing would be friggin hilarious! Hope it's true.

[slidecage]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/zephos/newedit.jpg
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5217/conspiracyei3.jpg


wouldnt we all shit if the WII came out in the US for $101 bucks...

that would rock if it came out on OCT 1 and cost 101 bucks LOL

[Dr Mario Kart]

So U.S. Highway 101 goes up and down the western coast, from Washington all the way down to California - passing within, I'd say about 30 miles of their place in Redmond, WA at the point where the highway terminates.

Doing a brief search for highway 101 merchandise, I was unable to find that particular shirt, certainly doesnt mean that it didnt exist before though.

http://www.101cafe.net/shopping_cart/shopping_cart.htm

[David85]

It's coming out the 20th of November. The October 2nd date is gone because that's when the Player Choice GBA games come out.

[Dr Mario Kart]

Nov 20 is really really late. It would be not only later than Sony, but the latest Nintendo launch ever. With a good start on unit production, I'm going to say no to Nov. 20.

[Zephos]

:rofl:

The US 101 thing would be friggin hilarious! Hope it's true.

Thanks for the YTMND views guys, i'm the original noticer of the US 101 shirt, the rest were fun photshops and MS Paints others from PA found :D

its mostly conspiracy mixed with a bit of longing hopefullness.

[Kendal]

It seems kind of unprofessional of Nintendo to hint that the Wii launch date is hidden in the press release.


It seems very unprofessional for a video game company to charge people money to watch their commercials. :D

[megaseadramon]

It seems very unprofessional for a video game company to charge people money to watch their commercials. :D
OH SNAP

[Metal Boss]

OH SNAP


Double

[furyk]

I really hope that this just ends up being Nintendo was fucking with us. That would make me laugh my ass off.

[Kendal]

No! Damn you evil hands! You have a mind of your own! (http://wiilease.ytmnd.com/)

Thanks for the YTMND views guys, i'm the original noticer of the US 101 shirt, the rest were fun photshops and MS Paints others from PA found :D

its mostly conspiracy mixed with a bit of longing hopefullness.

What is that music from?

EDIT: Read thread first dumbass. :D

[almasy82]

November 11 is the launch date just to let you know :-)

[SMMM]

Thanks for the YTMND views guys, i'm the original noticer of the US 101 shirt, the rest were fun photshops and MS Paints others from PA found :D

its mostly conspiracy mixed with a bit of longing hopefullness.

remove the text

[natendo]

November 11 is the launch date just to let you know :-)
And where does that come from? I'm sticking to the oct. 2 date, it really does make the most sence, plus I read on Cnet that the Wii is already done (being mass produced) so why wait any longer.

[judyjudyjudy]

I'm sold on the 10/1 date after seeing that picture and guessed's fancy math.

[Dr Mario Kart]

And where does that come from? I'm sticking to the oct. 2 date, it really does make the most sence, plus I read on Cnet that the Wii is already done (being mass produced) so why wait any longer.

His evidence is that Nov 11 is a Saturday and no consoles have ever launched on a Saturday (have not really checked on this), and Nintendo is trying really hard to be different, so there.

[Zephos]

In fact, since the 64 i believe all nintendo consoles have launched on a Sunday.

[Brainwave0]

In fact, since the 64 i believe all nintendo consoles have launched on a Sunday.

Which doesn't make a bit of sense why people are guessing 10/2. I have to subscribe to the 10/1 camp. That US 101 shirt is very interesting! Although, I could wait another month if they wanted to release it for $101 dollars as suggested ;)

[a7xrocker24]

Wouldn't it be crazy if Wii comes out really early November like many have speculated, then Gears of War is coming November 12th for 360, then the following week is PS3........I am going to be POOR!

[cicada17]

Now that we know the release date is November 19th, Nintendo's clue in this press release seems like the mention of James Bond. The movie comes out the same weekend as the system's launch.