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The name--which is pronounced "we"--is meant to invoke the feeling of cooperation that comes when people play games together. Further, Nintendo said, the written name is meant to visually conjure up the image of two people standing together.
"The goal is we are a highly innovative company and we want the name to speak to that innovation and uniqueness," said Perrin Kaplan, Nintendo's vice president of marketing and corporate affairs. "If you were to look at (the name of the controller) visually, the point isn't just how you pronounce it, but it symbolizes the controllers, which are one of the most innovative and unique parts of the system.
The Wii, which is expected to launch in the fourth quarter, is Nintendo's answer to Microsoft's Xbox 360, which launched last fall, and Sony's forthcoming PlayStation 3. Nintendo has, so far, been differentiating what has been known as the Revolution by promoting its controller, which players will hold in a single hand like a remote control.
In any case, Kaplan admitted that some people won't know how to pronounce "Wii" but said Nintendo will embark on an ambitious campaign to ensure that's not a problem come the console's expected fourth-quarter launch.
That push will include disseminating a Web video--currently available at Nintendo.com--as well as television ads that will begin airing later this year.
"We think that after some time," Kaplan said, "people will become comfortable with it. But it will strike people as different, and that's what we're after."
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(And in the subject, yes, pun intended.)
(And in the subject, yes, pun intended.)
How can anyone or third-party publisher consider it a serious gaming machine with that name?
Nintendo better have a very considerable library at debut and I don't mean the usual "Mario", "Linx", or any other cuddly Nintendo "disney-esque" character games with this unit (Wii) or they have spent a lot of money on a turkey because of the "turn off" sounding name.
Seriously, if this unit don't fly, Nintendo better stick with portable gaming or consider going the same route that Sega did about five years ago.
My two cents,
Ned
As far as I'm concerned they can site on their wii and go for a spin!
As far as I'm concerned they can sit on their wii and go for a spin!
As far as I'm concerned they can sit on their wii and go for a spin!
How can anyone or third-party publisher consider it a serious gaming machine with that name?
Nintendo better have a very considerable library at debut and I don't mean the usual "Mario", "Linx", or any other cuddly Nintendo "disney-esque" character games with this unit (Wii) or they have spent a lot of money on a turkey because of the "turn off" sounding name.
Seriously, if this unit don't fly, Nintendo better stick with portable gaming or consider going the same route that Sega did about five years ago.
My two cents,
Ned
As far as I'm concerned they can site on their wii and go for a spin!
As far as I'm concerned they can sit on their wii and go for a spin!
As far as I'm concerned they can sit on their wii and go for a spin!
Stupid.
Stupid.
People who don't like the name are probably the same people who giggle when they hear words like "penal code".
People who don't like the name are probably the same people who giggle when they hear words like "penal code".
If the ads seem goofy and childish, it will resonate against those qualities already represented by the name itself.
However, if the ads are sleek and classy, and the logo is clean and simple (which looks to be the case), then the "Wii" thing could be spun off as "it's cool to be a kid again."
I expect the latter case, of course, and I imagine an ad campaign similar to the DS. At the end of each commericial, if a child's voice whispered "wee" in sort of a mystical way, it would do wonders in changing the perception of the name.
If the ads seem goofy and childish, it will resonate against those qualities already represented by the name itself.
However, if the ads are sleek and classy, and the logo is clean and simple (which looks to be the case), then the "Wii" thing could be spun off as "it's cool to be a kid again."
I expect the latter case, of course, and I imagine an ad campaign similar to the DS. At the end of each commericial, if a child's voice whispered "wee" in sort of a mystical way, it would do wonders in changing the perception of the name.
everyone is shocked but the mainstream will get used to it in a
while. They aren't going for the hardcore gamer group, so this
name could be perfect for the young, kid at heart, and women.
everyone is shocked but the mainstream will get used to it in a
while. They aren't going for the hardcore gamer group, so this
name could be perfect for the young, kid at heart, and women.
"I wanna Wii" or "I gotta Wii" or "I can't wait for a Wii"
I think there may be a cultural issue here Nintendo might want to look at.
Sony and Microsoft are going to have a field day with this.
"I wanna Wii" or "I gotta Wii" or "I can't wait for a Wii"
I think there may be a cultural issue here Nintendo might want to look at.
Sony and Microsoft are going to have a field day with this.
- Me Like-eee Wii
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by alvisbrigis
April 27, 2006 11:53 AM PDT
- I dig the name. It's nice and short. You can play around with the design of it. It's easily memorable as a web address.
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Reply to this comment
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- Hell yeah
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by Bob_Barker
April 27, 2006 2:52 PM PDT
- This name is awesome. I work in marketing for a game company so I can see where Nintendo is going with this. It's a great idea.
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Showing 1 of 5 pages (140 Comments)