Wii - Good Name or not?

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[quote name='Dr Mario Kart']ohh! woops. Thats actually one of the cuter versions of someone who is in fact a dude. [/QUOTE]

Doh! Does remind me of the new Megaman Zero from the GBA games though.
 
I LOVE Nintendo, I HATE the name. I'm gettin one at launch, and am calling it my Revolution. I mean, seriously, THAT was a great name. They kept DS for the DS (I know Nitro was it's first codename, but DS was supposed to be a place holder at first)
 
I'm still letting the name sink in, but honestly I'd still buy one if it were called:

"Nintendo RAPEYOUINYOURSLEEP"

*Random side note*

Anyone see the potential set up for the next Nintendo handheld being called "Mii"?

(The following is NOT, not true, cease excitement!)

"Its the Nintendo Mii! Now you can play all your Gamecube, GBA, GBC, GB, AND Virtual Console games on the go!"

That'd be pretty hot, and I think wii all can agree on that! :lol:
 
[quote name='Gameboy415']Anyone see the potential set up for the next Nintendo handheld being called "Mii"?

(The following is NOT, not true, cease excitement!)

"Its the Nintendo Mii! Now you can play all your Gamecube, GBA, GBC, GB, AND Virtual Console games on the go!"

That'd be pretty hot, and I think wii all can agree on that! :lol:[/QUOTE]


That's actually a pretty cool idea...ok, if Nintendo eventually does that, then I'll forgive them for "Wii".
 
I like it - the logo looks cool and it really does stand out from the rest of the console names. It doesn't sound like a game console, that's what makes it interesting to me. I imported a DS Lite a few weeks ago - Nintendo has really improved the style in their products and I'm sure the finalized Wii will be just as impressive. The timing of this announcement was perfect - by the time E3 rolls around we will have all gotten used to the new name and can get down to business regarding the games.

I believe that the announcement of a new Madden built specifically for Wii, not the console name, is the most important development for Nintendo this week. I used to work part-time at an EB where we primarily sold new sports games. If EA delivers on these new control mechanics, and Nintendo comes in at a reasonable price point AND delivers a workable demo system to retail stores, I think it could easily steal the spotlight and outsell the PS3 this Christmas.
 
Stupid stupid name. I hate it, and for one reason.


From launch until the system dies, everytime I walk into a game store and start looking and stuff, I am going to hear some retarded teenagers making piss and wang jokes about it.

I anticipate having a full backyard of bodies about 2 months after launch.

Anyone know where I can buy some hydrochloric acid, in bulk?
 
[quote name='strummerbs']The customers in question who will be turned off by this name are not non-gamers, they are mainstream gamers, the ones who buy the vast majority of videogame hardware and software in this country. Of course hard-core gamers will overlook this ridiculous name. Attach the Nintendo name to it, and hard-core gamers will at least be interested. The challenge for Nintendo, if they want to become anything more than a niche player in the next-gen console competition, is appeal to mainstream gamers. It is easy to envision a marketing campaign around the Revolution name that will at least catch the eye of a mainstream audience, which is simply not apparent with Wii. Without catching their eyes, what incentive do these potential customers have to experience the console, as you suggest? They might try it if they see a display at the store, but they won't seek it out. What's more, they might be turned off by the marketing such that they won't try it then. Without appealing to mainstream fans, third party support for the system may be in jeopardy. Nintendo may feel that Wii is a more marketable name than Revolution, but I simply cannot see that being the case, at least to an English-speaking population.[/QUOTE]


The only ones who care about the name are the same ones who were never going to buy it to begin with. You have no idea if Wii will catch peoples eyes or if Revo would have either. In typical american fashion if the commercials are good it will sell. If names mattered Playstation, Ipod, X-Box, and Walkman never would have sold well.
 
Some of you people make me laugh saying that this name will spark curiosity and the like. HAHAHAHA

The first thing that anyone that speaks english is going to think of when they hear Wii is piss. PERIOD. So Nintendo hoping that this will appeal to people who don't know jack about videogames is insane.

Non-gamers are going to ask you more about why they named the console after piss instead of how to buy one because the name is so "cute". :roll:
 
[quote name='Scrubking']
Non-gamers are going to ask you more about why they named the console after piss instead of how to buy one because the name is so "cute". :roll:[/QUOTE]
Actually, two non-gamers in my office (one male 29, one female 30) said "Wii? What's that?" when I showed them the logo. Strangely there was no inherent connection to "Wee? Wee wee? Hahaha, that's like pee pee!" If Nintendo's marketing push can get that same reaction, they'll be fine.
 
[quote name='KaneRobot']Wow, XBox 360 was dethroned as the worst console name ever in just 1 year. Congrats, Nintendo.



Uh huh. And if they called it "Turdplayer" you'd say the same thing.[/QUOTE]

I like how people say that as if it's a legit defense.

"If they hypothetically called it some insane, clearly vulgar name, you guys would be upset!"

Of course, but by that same token, naming it something "uber cool" wouldn't make any difference:
Nintendo "Muff-Diving, Rim-Jobbing, Pirate-Lumberjack Big-Dick Platinum Bling Edifice Z31" You said yourself that xbox is a lame name. That's what I meant. In the context of every other game system availiable to the public, Wii sounds just as stupid. That being said, I already mentioned I don't like the name. The only sweet-sounding console name that can ever be used is "The Reggie". Period.

Anyway, Nintendo nixed "Revolution" for a reason. I'm willing to bet that since they have this "global focus" now they wanted somehing that wouldn't be mistranslated. Revolutions carry different meanings and contexts in different areas (Economically powerful nations don't like Revolutions), so they needed something simple and relatively without meaning. Wii. Not the greatest by FAR, but most assuredly not the worst.

Whether this affects this "new fanbase" they're after or not doesn't matter to me. It might matter to Nintendo's long-term business strategy, but the name of my electronics isn't high on my own list of branding priority.
 
Anyone ever read Moby Dick? What the hell kind of title is that huh?:roll:

Don't judge a book by the cover (or the title).

BTW, what was the reaction to the name iPod? It really doesn't seem to make much sense at first, but it's mainstream now. Not saying that Wii will gain that sort of popularity, but just something to compare it to.
 
[quote name='SteveMcQ']Anyone ever read Moby Dick? What the hell kind of title is that huh?:roll:

Don't judge a book by the cover (or the title).

BTW, what was the reaction to the name iPod? It really doesn't seem to make much sense at first, but it's mainstream now. Not saying that Wii will gain that sort of popularity, but just something to compare it to.[/QUOTE]

At least with Moby Dick, Herman Melville just came out and said "look, I put dick in the cover." With the Wii, Nintendo's basically saying "go have a field day with that one." And I love it (but I put "hate it" for the poll.)
 
WII is stupid name for me. Myself & Millions of Nintendo fans didn't know what the heck is "WII" unless they read the article. Why not stick with Nintendo Revolution ???
 
I like it visually. I like to look at it.

A day later, it still doesn't feel natural to say it out loud, or to picture the console while saying the word. Picturing the console next to the logo fits just fine though, for me anyway.

It's weird because Wii is more of symbol than a word or name. Nintendo basically pulled a Prince.
 
I voted as liking it. I think Nintendo has the right idea with staying away from the generic console name followed by a number. (example: xbox 360, playstation 3) It totally sets the console apart from the competition. Additionally, the logo looks clean and interesting - what is expected from next generation consoles.

I agree that it is a little awkward to say, but I don't think it will take to long for people to become accustomed to it; and I certainly do not think it will keep anyone from buying it especially if Nintendo delivers on all of their promises.
 
[quote name='FriskyTanuki']Why do I actually have to care about the name? It doesn't affect gameplay or my view on the system, so I don't really care about the new name. If that's not having an opinion, then I don't have one.[/quote]

You have to care if you want it to sell well. Nobody who isn't already a Nintendo devotee will take the name, and thus the console, seriously. I just hope there is enough negative feedback for Nintendo to realize the huge mistake they're about to make. Wii--it's a marketing nightmare.:bomb:
 
[quote name='FriskyTanuki']Why do I actually have to care about the name? It doesn't affect gameplay or my view on the system, so I don't really care about the new name. If that's not having an opinion, then I don't have one.[/QUOTE]

You don't have to care about the name, but this is a poll asking for your opinion on it. Polls are (as always) optional. ;)
 
I don't (and probably won't) understand, but I know one thing. Wii now means "unending fun." It's a new word, and whatever. I wish Nintendo all the best of luck. I'm still in at launch.
 
[quote name='neocisco']You have to care if you want it to sell well. Nobody who isn't already a Nintendo devotee will take the name, and thus the console, seriously. I just hope there is enough negative feedback for Nintendo to realize the huge mistake they're about to make. Wii--it's a marketing nightmare.:bomb:[/QUOTE]

I think you've lost it. Do you really think the success of a gaming system relies solely on its name? I firmly believe that the combination of the Wii's price point, its 'revolutionary' controller, and the games that take advantage of the technology will determine how well the console sells - not the name.
 
I like it, I don't love it, but I like it. Revolution was definitely a better name though, as well as the rumored "Go." Oh well.
 
THe only thing I have to add to this thread is the story of the Edsel. I'll boil it down to this: Ford had to pick a new name for their car, did tons of research, and finally threw it all out the window, settling on "Edsel," which was some executive's nephew or something.

The car was a total bomb based on name alone, despite the fact that it was meant to be a high class luxury car.

While I doubt Wii will make/break the console simply because it would have to overcome a HUGE number of positive influences, I do think it will at least make some sort of impact. What that impact is, I dunno.

Aside from that, the philosophy behind the name is genius.

I can live with the name.
 
[quote name='Strell']THe only thing I have to add to this thread is the story of the Edsel. I'll boil it down to this: Ford had to pick a new name for their car, did tons of research, and finally threw it all out the window, settling on "Edsel," which was some executive's nephew or something.

The car was a total bomb based on name alone, despite the fact that it was meant to be a high class luxury car.

While I doubt Wii will make/break the console simply because it would have to overcome a HUGE number of positive influences, I do think it will at least make some sort of impact. What that impact is, I dunno.

Aside from that, the philosophy behind the name is genius.

I can live with the name.[/quote]
It will have an impact, but a minimal one at best. For those few who have such a problem with the name "Wii," perhaps shouldn't be playing Nintendo games in general.
 
I know what they are trying to do with the name Wii. But dammit, Revolution was badass. Oh well, Wii will have to get used to it.
 
I voted I like it because the logo looks pretty sweet. I'm not really sold on the name yet though.

One thing though, yes revolution sounds better here, but what about all the countries that don't speak English? They won't really care since the term doesn't carry the same connotations it does here.

And for all you haters, you can "cry wii, wii, wii all the way home" :lol:
 
[quote name='encendido5']One thing though, yes revolution sounds better here, but what about all the countries that don't speak English? They won't really care since the term doesn't carry the same connotations it does here.
[/QUOTE]
Revorution?
 
[quote name='Swift900']I think you've lost it. Do you really think the success of a gaming system relies solely on its name? I firmly believe that the combination of the Wii's price point, its 'revolutionary' controller, and the games that take advantage of the technology will determine how well the console sells - not the name.[/quote]

My point is Nintendo is unnecessarily handicapping themselves w/this name. Will it be the deciding factor in most purchases? No. However, it's a much harder name to market than Revolution. They'll have to explain how it's pronounced and then what it's supposed to mean. The majority of game purchases are not made by people who have the understanding of games that most of us have. As far as selling the product to the general public (and that's exactly what they're wanting to do w/their new direction) they will be making their job much harder. I want Nintendo to succeed but I don't think this is the way to do it.
 
[quote name='neocisco']My point is Nintendo is unnecessarily handicapping themselves w/this name. Will it be the deciding factor in most purchases? No. However, it's a much harder name to market than Revolution. They'll have to explain how it's pronounced and then what it's supposed to mean. The majority of game purchases are not made by people who have the understanding of games that most of us have. As far as selling the product to the general public (and that's exactly what they're wanting to do w/their new direction) they will be making their job much harder. I want Nintendo to succeed but I don't think this is the way to do it.[/QUOTE]

Revolution is a great name and has significant meaning if you speak English. But here's a news flash - not everyone in the world speaks English!

And granted, not everyone's going to know what "Wii" means, but it'll be a heck of a lot easier to say.
 
[quote name='Chacrana']I'm still buying the system obviously, but it's hard to say "hey guys, I'm gonna go play with my wii."[/quote]
[quote name='thespillcanvas']I don't like it. I'm going to feel like a complete asshat in the store.. "Hi, I'd like to buy a Wii please." :/[/quote]
Do you say those things now? Like, "hey guys, I'm going to go play with my 360." I don't, but whatever...
I voted "like it." It's not great, but more suitable than revolution, and the logo is pretty cool.
 
Here's an interesting post from someone on Slashdot about this issue:

Talking to people that have worked in games retail, you find that normal people can't/don't/won't keep the names of the systems straight. People ask for PlayStation 360s and PlayCubes and Mario on Xbox even though they actually own a GameCube - to them the system names are confusing and completely interchangeable.

This is basically Nintendo trying to create a name and brand that is in no way similar to the others, in order to be distinct in the minds of consumers. They see the ad, they actually retain the correct name, and they go and ask for it at the store.

Also, while it may sound dumb to us, you know that they focus-tested the hell out of it in all three territories and, at the very least, it's not completely repellent to those focus groups.
Click to expand...

And yet another quote

I think Nintendo, in a way, is making a statement. To hard core gamers, they're saying "This is not your world. There will be things for you, for those who look past the name. yet we are establishing here and now - this system is not for the 'hard core'. This is for all of the girls and grown ups out there who don't get 40 button controls, who will look at the word 'Wii' and go 'Oh, that's interesting.'"
Click to expand...
 
Those are good quotes, Ecofreak.
I never understand why people seem to think that Nintendo is stupid and has no idea what they are doing. The quotes from Kaplan all imply that they knew people wouldn't like it, and that is why they gave it before E3. Does Nintendo think that the system will sell better if everyone hates the name? Of course not. They know it's important, and have certainly spent a lot of time thinking about it, and seeing how people react to it. This is not the wim of some executive in Nintendo...this is a carefully calculated and planned action.
And no, I still don't think the name is great, and I have no idea what they have planned for it...I just know that they have thought about it a lot more than I have and accept it.
 
I hate it but whatever... I'll be standing in line to Wii it up with my fellow Nintenerds on launch day.

Funny thing is, the stupidest named console is getting a lot of attention for.. you know, having such a stupid name.:)
 
All I'll say is I remember how people thought Dreamcast was stupid, but after a bit of time it was accepted.

If it delivers on all the promises Nintendo is making, and that controller amounts to something, they can call it the Nintendo Asswipe for all I care.
 
[quote name='Vinny']I hate it but whatever... I'll be standing in line to Wii it up with my fellow Nintenerds on launch day.

Funny thing is, the stupidest named console is getting a lot of attention for.. you know, having such a stupid name.:)[/QUOTE]
For some reason, when you say "Wii it up" it doesn't sound so goofy anymore. I think we found the catch phrase.
 
In a few weeks no one will care and only Sony and MS fanboys will be saying anything about it anymore just to take a cheap shot. Nobody really cares what the name of any game console is beyond getting the right games for it and a short name will definitely make it more recognizeable and easy to remember. It's actually great marketing.

If it was actually spelt "Wee" or "We" it would be slightly different since when you see the word you already have a mental representation of what that means, when you see Wii you have no idea what the fuck it is so Nintendo will give you an image and then when you see it that's what you'll think about. I think I'm starting to get it, it's marketing genius.
 
[quote name='Ecofreak']

And yet another quote[/QUOTE]

I think that last quote is dangerous thinking.If all Nintendo appeals to are "Old people/Girls" then they'll be in the same boat as trying to appeal to "hardcore" gamers. Nintendo must cater to everyone to some degree to be really sucessful(and I don't mean that they need to put out 100 hr rpgs or some crap like that). It would be a shame if Nintendo failed to utilize their new control/play mechanics to their full potential by limiting themselves.


If they work it like the DS, they'll be fine.
 
[quote name='wubb']You don't have to care about the name, but this is a poll asking for your opinion on it. Polls are (as always) optional. ;)[/QUOTE]
Yet you want everyone's opinion on it but ignore an obvious opinion. You apparently don't want the truth. ;)

[quote name='neocisco']You have to care if you want it to sell well. Nobody who isn't already a Nintendo devotee will take the name, and thus the console, seriously. I just hope there is enough negative feedback for Nintendo to realize the huge mistake they're about to make. Wii--it's a marketing nightmare.:bomb:[/QUOTE]
Im not a devotee to anyone, so I guess that's why I don't care what they call it. ;)
 
Reality's Fringe;1857216 said:
I think that last quote is dangerous thinking.If all Nintendo appeals to are "Old people/Girls" then they'll be in the same boat as trying to appeal to "hardcore" gamers. Nintendo must cater to everyone to some degree to be really sucessful(and I don't mean that they need to put out 100 hr rpgs or some crap like that). It would be a shame if Nintendo failed to utilize their new control/play mechanics to their full potential by limiting themselves.
Click to expand...

No need to worry about that, as Red Steel has that demographic soundly covered along with the new Madden game.
 
Let's see about we/wee:

an exclamation of joy. Can also be spelled "Whee"

nformal word used by mainly Scottish/Irish people to say something or someone is small or little

The sound of frictionless acceleration.
By adding more "e"'s you are stating that the object is accelerating longer than normal*.
By changing the "e"'s to capitals you are stating that the object is accelerating faster than normal*.

Used to describe one's cuteness

British term used by parents to small children when talking about urinating.

A pronoun referring to oneself and at least one other person

Royal metonym for one's self, country and subjects.


I personally like the last one, and the one about acceleration.
WeeeeEEEEE
 
[quote name='Ecofreak']Revolution is a great name and has significant meaning if you speak English. But here's a news flash - not everyone in the world speaks English!

And granted, not everyone's going to know what "Wii" means, but it'll be a heck of a lot easier to say.[/QUOTE]

That's true, but the French word for revolution is révolution, the spanish word is revolución, etc. I guarantee there is a japanese word very similar that comes from Marxist language that would have denoted the same thing. What I'm getting at is the word Revolution is actually universal and cuts across many boundaries.
 
[quote name='neocisco']My point is Nintendo is unnecessarily handicapping themselves w/this name. Will it be the deciding factor in most purchases? No. However, it's a much harder name to market than Revolution. They'll have to explain how it's pronounced and then what it's supposed to mean. The majority of game purchases are not made by people who have the understanding of games that most of us have. As far as selling the product to the general public (and that's exactly what they're wanting to do w/their new direction) they will be making their job much harder. I want Nintendo to succeed but I don't think this is the way to do it.[/QUOTE]

I'm in total agreement with you! Initially, I didn't like the name but it's grown on me.
 
The major division in opinion is the following:

a) Its a marketing nightmare
b) Its marketing genius

There really is no way to resolve that except to just see how it turns out.
 
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