Chris Kohler over at Game|Life a Wired blog has the most rational take on Nintendo’s new brand. He says, “Of course, I expect the Internet to brim over with toilet humor; that is what the Internet is for. But the Internet is not real life … In short, the fuss over Wii is an Internet Problem, not a Real Life Problem. In real life, the name’s soundalike will pass almost entirely without notice. The positives of Wii will vastly outweigh the negatives.”
I seriously doubt you will see a single potty joke in any of the mainstream media coverage of this anouncement.
Chris also uses a reader’s comment from one of his previous posts on the subject to bolster his point, “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.”
Finally, Chris goes on to say that Nintendo doesn’t really care what gamers think, “Nintendo has decided that if they had to choose, they would choose the vast market of non-gamers and not the smaller market of core gamers … If you’re feeling enraged, picked on, or left out, I highly encourage you — as I would have encouraged you yesterday — to go out and buy an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. If Nintendo is right, and I think they are, you’ll end up with a Wii anyway.”
Once again, what do you think? Is the Wii branding a sign of the immaturity of the Internet as a medium, or a major blunder?
I still think the name Wii sounds like a name leapfrog would give for one of their learning toys 😛
The name is indefensible. Already, the mainstream media is picking up on this and saying "huh?" That very well might work but I really feel that Nintendo is starting to scoop in a different audience at the risk of alienating hardcore gamers, the people they need to rely upon if their plan backfires.Yes, it's just a name but is a terrifically bad one.
You're right, everyone is saying "huh" — all the way to Nintendo's booth at E3 to see what it is and what is going on.Pretty brilliant.
I think the point is that it's only a terribly bad name to traditional/hardcore gamers."I really feel that Nintendo is starting to scoop in a different audience at the risk of alienating hardcore gamers, the people they need to rely upon if their plan backfires."I think that's exactly what they are doing, but they aren't looking to fall back on hardcore gamers at all.The hardcore gamer as a market segment doesn't really have much clout. These are the same people who say they are tired of Madden XXXX and would never buy another horrible movie spin-off, yet pick them both up in hoards. What crediblity as a market force does the hardcore/traditional gamer have?It could even be that it's a segment that doesn't really exist. I.e. Being a "hardcore" gamer doesn't really influence spending habits like an age group or socio-economic status does. You don't see cars marketed towards hardcore gamers.
i like it. it is wayyy better than xbox and xbox 360. Xbox is just some dumbass marketing people trying to market to the "hip" generation that thinks putting an x in front of everything is so cool. ITS XTREME!!!! i think wii is a much better name and i dont think it will alienate core gamers. If a person is so stuck on the name that they lose sight of what the system has to offer they are not HardCore gamers. Plain and simple.
Chris is right, a large proprtion of people that will buy the system probably won't even acknowledge or think about it's name. I remember a while back a friend of mine's father was bragging about how his son had purchased a new XCube system with graphics better than any he'd seen. The household brand name of "Nintendo" is far more important than anything else.
I think you're all terribly naive to believe that this won't have a negative impact on Nintendo's chances to move this console. I hope I'm proven wrong, but I doubt it.
Nicholas, more than immaturity, I think it is a problem of a vast amount of arrogance on the part of the "hardcore" gamers.I'm sure the professionals at the Nintendo marketing team spent months researching the name. Why do us bloggers think we can pass judgement on it after a single day?"Revolution" was probably a bad name because it evokes the notion of breaking from the past, which is not what Nintendo is planning with the new console.Finally, I suspect that the explanation for the new name given in the official Nintendo site is just PR. I think there is something more to "Wii" that will be revealed at E3… or later.
Some of you guys like the name.A lot of us don't.Does it really matter? NoWill we still buy one? YesWill Joe Public buy one? ProbablyDo I think that it would have sold much better with the name Revolution? YesHonestly, though, I was really geeked up over the Wii before, now for some reason my excitement level has gone down a bit.That's not to say that I don't think that its still cool or that I won't buy one, but I do think that it shows that Nintendo has the exact same attitude that they pretty much always had with their consoles."They are Toys"Even though they probably should know better than any other group that videogames aren't "Just Toys" they still have that attitude.I am an adult, I don't want a toy. I want a true next generation gaming device that can play some badass games AND is innovative in some positive directions AND has the possibility to create truly great art.We still have that, but now it seems as if this is a by-product of Nintendo's trying to make the next Furby.My only real hope that we will see some true art on the Wii is with the 3rd parties.Nintendo will make some great games, but they won't take the next step.Zelda The Wind Waker and Metroid Prime were very nearly great art, but it fell slightly short. Why is that? Because Nintendo isn't making art, it's making toys. I only hope that Nintendo has really learned its lesson on the importance of 3rd parties, but I kind of doubt it.
Soo, Apple would sold alot more iPods if it was name the Revolution….What the hell is an iPod in the first place? And for that matter, what the hell is a X-Box, a Playstation?Gaming systems.SO what is a Wii? A gaming system.Besides 5 years later, we'll have the Playstation 4(PS4), whatever Microsoft wants to call the X-Box 360 2(920?) and Nintendo's next system (Codename Omega).And this whole topic will come up again
The Wii reaction is a sign of immature arrogance among the internet gamers. What proves it is that Nintendo expected this, hence why they told us yesterday instead of on-stage at E3 in 2 weeks. They knew the pidgeonhole that is the core gamer segment wouldn't be open to the name. Core gamers are too predictable. And by E3, no one's gonna care as much, further establishing their decisions.To answer my own question from the previous post, no the name isn't foreboding at all. All we can gauge is the message board population's response. So as it stands now, among us existing gamers and those forum dorks, the Wii is a blunder. In the world outside their dungeons, it's just as it was 2 days ago, before all this Wii business distracted everyone. A potential-filled ball of awesome bound to trample you with fun.Revolution might sound alot cooler to most people, but it seriously isn't the best name. As much as you wanna shout from the moutaintops that you have a Revolution in your house, not everyone would be as receptive to it. It's actually daunting. Furthermore, it's even more susceptible to ridicule than Wii if it doesn't innovate enough. Wii propels it past game machine status. Might sound like a toy to some, but it makes it seem more like quirky, high-tech gadgetry. Everything about it is post-modern. From the name to the controller to the slanted angle it stands in. Revolution doesn't fit in that picture.
I was a hardcore gamer once, but then I got tired of playing FPS spin offs and GTA sequels.
Wolf,Aren't video game consoles, in fact, toys?I think one of the reasons some people find the Xbox 360 or the PlayStations so daunting is precisely because they take themselves too seriously… these are gadgets made to play games, not to bring World peace or a new religion.I feel like "Wii" evokes that, too.
Wii has it all.- iit has bad ass games- iit has brain training games- iit has family games- iit has wi-fi games- iit has a new way of playing games- iit has traditional games- iit has nintendo games- iit has a library of virtual games- iit has gamecube gamesThe concept of the name and logo is perfect. Thought of well, just like N64 and gamecube. It all makes sense and we probably could have guessed it. We wanted N to do the underground thing… but no of course not! N does their own thing.This is why N is still in the market after all these years. Because they do their own thing. They just know….
I'm with you Rollin.Besides, It's sounds very strange in english but in japanese it means something like "THE DOUBLE GOOD" or something like that. Besides, It's a NINTENDO which is what everyone calls all their systems it the end, no matter what new moniker it has officially…
Nintendo has said all along that they are not in a console war with sony and microsoft, and the name they have chosen cleary says that. And by the way, can somebody tell me what a "hardcore gamer" really is? Seems to me, from most of the post on every single site, they are a bunch of people who think they are cool because of what system they have. It seems like it isn't about the games, but about what is "supposed" to be cool. Real hardcore gamers don't let somebody dictate to them what to play and why. They look at a game and say let me try that and see what it's like. They are intrigued by the possibilties of playing games in a new way, not just better graphics. Most of the hardcore gamers are punk ass narrow minded kids that are scared to try something new, and have become a tool to there own ego.
I think a large part of this name's problems does come from the immarturity of the internet. This however, is also shows Nintendo's lack of attention to internet immaturity which, to me, is at the end of the day the fault of Nintendo for overlooking the importance of fanboys. The whole "banana controller" incident should have indicated to Nintendo how quickly the internet can dismiss something simply based on first impressions and joke fodder.I agree that fanboys and internet forum trolls don't make up the majority of the game purchasing market. I do, however, believe that the fanboys and forum trolls hold a high sway with their friends' console purchasing plans. I don't feel that I am the average console gamer but I do feel that my friends, who are more typical of the average gamer, sometimes look to me when they are going to buy consoles. So while the individual internet fanboys might not be able to increase the sales of game titles, I do wonder what their influence is when the "next generation" of consoles comes out. While I have been, and still am a Nintendo fan, and will continue to recomend to my friends that the Wii offering seems to be the one that I plan to purchase. I do feel that this just adds more fuel for PlayStation or Xbox fans to dismiss the Wii.As another thought on the name: What is the full name of the console? The Nintendo Wii? Nowhere on the Nintendo site do I see this console branded as The "Nintendo Wii" or "Wii from Nintendo".Personally, I feel that more than anything if this console is not significantly branded as being from Nintendo there is a risk of losing out on the market. More than Sony or Microsoft the company name Nintendo symbolizes gaming. There is just such a history and library of characters that one instantly identifies with Nintendo. Probably moreso than either the PlayStation or Xbox lines.I feel that Nintendo ought to be stressing its company name. If nothing else I liked the idea of an adjective name for the new console as it allowed the stressing of the fact that it was from Nintendo. We are getting all kinds of comparisons to Apple and the iPod. What is different though is that Apple has successfully promoted its "i" line of products: iPod, iMac, iTunes, iPhoto, iLife, iMovie… The name Wii on the other hand is new teritory for Nintendo and with just the console name there is nothing linking it directly to Nintendo's long colorful history. I think brandint this console as just the Wii and not including it in a logo which somehow links back to Nintendo is a mistake
Couldn't agree more whith this post. I wonder how many people will still be complaining about this after e3?
Wow, I can't tell you how great if feels to be asked my OPINION on something, and then be flamed by a bunch of rabid fanboys for it.When it comes right down to it, its just preference no one is right or wrong about whether or not they like the name or not.I don't think that it's immature or arrogant to have a differing opinion.morningstarrising said… Soo, Apple would sold alot more iPods if it was name the Revolution….Maybe, who knows?What the hell is an iPod in the first place? Who knows?And for that matter, what the hell is a X-Box, a Playstation?An X-Box is a weak appeal to people who buy anything with the word “Extreme†in the title.Let's see, what would a Play Station be? Got me stumped there!Oh, I know, maybe it's like this place where you go to play games? Just a wild guess.SO what is a Wii? A wee is something a child makes in the snow to turn it yellow.Or it is the noise you make when you go down a roller coaster,Or it is a way to describe something that is tiny,Or it is yes in french,Or it could mean a group of people…Rollin said… The Wii reaction is a sign of immature arrogance among the internet gamers. Personally, I think it's just a little arrogant to assume that. Maybe wii really just think the name sounds stupid. How is that immature, to dislike something? If they had called the console the “Pieces of Feces†or the “Super Ultra Mega-Amazing Wonderful Poke'machine†would you be immature if you didn't like the name?When I told my wife the new name her reaction was “That sounds dumb, are you sure it's not a prank?†And she is hardly an “internet gamerâ€.What proves it is that Nintendo expected this, hence why they told us yesterday instead of on-stage at E3 in 2 weeks. They knew the pidgeonhole that is the core gamer segment wouldn't be open to the name. Core gamers are too predictable. And by E3, no one's gonna care as much, further establishing their decisions.Yes, and it also proves that they new the name was stupid but they didn't have any better idea's, otherwise they wouldn't have been worried about it, they would have just announced it at E3.Revolution might sound alot cooler to most people, but it seriously isn't the best name. Everything about it is post-modern. From the name to the controller to the slanted angle it stands in.Wow, that sounds kind of revolutionary, don't you think?Furthermore, it's even more susceptible to ridicule than Wii if it doesn't innovate enough. The weemote alone isn't' innovative enough? Wii propels it past game machine status. Might sound like a toy to some, but it makes it seem more like quirky, high-tech gadgetryYou mean like the “Gizmondoâ€?Wolf,Aren't video game consoles, in fact, toys?Yes, that is what I mean, up until now video games have been treated like toys, which is why we have not yet seen anything near the level of artistry of films, movies hell, even some television shows could arguably be called art.But times they are a changin'. As people like me who grew up on video games and continued to be interested in them become artists, more of them are realizing that playing a videogame can be as powerful or even more so than film or tv.Look at Okami as an example.I think one of the reasons some people find the Xbox 360 or the PlayStations so daunting is precisely because they take themselves too seriously… these are gadgets made to play games, not to bring World peace or a new religion.Wow, did you really get that from what I was saying? Stop reading so much into it. I never said any of that crap.Anonymous said…Most of the hardcore gamers are punk ass narrow minded kids that are scared to try something new, and have become a tool to there own ego.You might just want to put a check on your own ego there buddy, it sounds to me like you are the one who thinks they are superior.
"I seriously doubt you will see a single potty joke in any of the mainstream media coverage of this anouncement."Except I've already seen potty jokes/references on mainstream media news items. Oops.And since when is the Internet "not real life"? Do you think all the people voicing their outrage are a bunch of robots? They are REAL people with REAL wallets who are REALLY not going to buy the Wii if they were sitting on the fence and not impressed by the name.Say whatever you want about how the games will be the same — the average consumer won't care. Furthermore, developres might be scared away from a console with a name that makes people point and laugh. Oops, there goes that "the games will be the same" argument.
"Except I've already seen potty jokes/references on mainstream media news items. Oops."A source always helps."Do you think all the people voicing their outrage are a bunch of robots? They are REAL people with REAL wallets who are REALLY not going to buy the Wii if they were sitting on the fence and not impressed by the name."Only time will tell, but this is pretty similar to the DS. It got all kinds of hate, about the name, about the two screens, about–well– everything. So, if we use history as a guide. It doesn't really matter that much.
NINTENDO WiiIT PLAYS BETTER THAN THE NAME.
Actually, Wii is starting to grow on me. It's disturbing, but it's growing on me. Wii seems so odd, but earlier today when combing through the related news, I suddenly saw a picture of the Rev with the word "Wii" in big letters right on top of it, and suddenly…it fit. It was an odd revelation. Wii. I liked it. So odd, but so…perfect. It was like the Rev was telling me that technology was taking itself too seriously. We just need to have some fun. Haha. Wii. It brightens my day.
It took me 24 hours to go from hatred to acceptance to mild enthusiasm for the name.I highly suspect that all these harsh reactions from the internet gaming community are going to end up causing a powerful pro-Wii backlash.
Here's a kicker for you.The name Wii isn't trademarked. Hmm… I poop you not. Head over to Kotaku to see what I mean.
How can someone check for trademarked names?
Any move that gets people talking this much is a GOOD MOVE in my book.~Ruben
People complained about the name of the Nintendo DS? That's news to me. The worst thing I recall about DS criticism was everyone moaning about how they thought the dual screens/touch screen were gimmicks… then the really great software started rolling out about a year after launch and people shut up and got on the train real quick. But there was no huge backlash against the name "DS" as I recall… mainly because it is not as easily parodied as "Wii".
its funny but even in my intial dislike of the name when telling friends today at work i found myself defending it and explaining why they named it that and telling about the neat video that it showed to unveil the name. we all know we are loyal to nintendo, why else would be visit nintendo only blogs. oh btw biggest pet peeve ever is people asking for mario on xbox and ps2. not just old people either. people who played when they were young and have no concept of character ownership in the new lineup. even though i probably will sound nerdy and smug, i think i'll have to inform someone every time i hear it now.
yer all idiots!
You know, good or bad, Nintendo won't be ignored by the non-gaming mainstream press this year.This name pretty much clinch that EVERYONE will be at the Nitnendo press conference May 9, and It actualyl get's Nintendo a chance to gets it's name in the title oif CNN, MSNBC, FoxNews, Ect…headline of what is happening at E# BESIDES the Playstation 3 and Microsoft…Because before Wii, that was what it was going to look like on most newspapers and TV shows on the first day of E3: "Sony, Microsoft looks to dominate your living room"But now with all this "controversy" how can they NOT have an Nintendo story there too, specially when Nintendo blows everyone away with the new way to play games.Bad name or not, Nintendo now has the world paying more attention to them then the news that Halo 3 might be at E3 or that the PS3 might be 400 bucks.
I'm a huge Nintendo fan boy, but I am willing to say what most of us aren't. I'm extremely disappointed and embarrassed of Nintendo. Nintendo is the worst marketer in the world. I'm losing faith quickly in the company, there is no way something called Wii is going to catch on in mainstream. If you think it won't have an impact on sales, you're the naive one. Image is everything, and Wii isn't what a lot of people are looking for. I can't believe Nintendo can even try to defend it. After months and months of deliberating a name, they come up with a word synonomous with pissing? Bravo Nintendo, Bravo.
Miro8310,In the end of the day its going to come down to this, are you going to keep wanting to play a tennis game and keep pushing the X button to make a swing or are you going to try something new and swing it your self the way you want to swing it. Are you going to push a couple of buttons to do a sword attack or are you going to slice that baddie the way you want. Football, lightsaber, whip, gun, golf club, paintbrush, toilet plunger, pizza cutter, nunchucks, sai, bow and arrow, you F'ing name it. In the end of the day its going to come down to new, fun and addictive. And Nintendo's on the ball big time.
Wow – I just got back from a 5-day vacation, and being a rabid Infendo reader I've been dying to hear some news. Not having had access to the internet during my vacation, I came home to see that the Revolution had a new name: Wii. And at first, I thought to myself "Oh GOD… no!"And then I read up about it.And then I watched the new video.And then I watched it again..And, just – the fact that it's so simple is so COOL in my eyes. I understand people's argument that "Revolution" was a GREAT name – and I agree! It was a great name. But there's something about Wii that is extremely attention-grabbing. I personally feel like adding "Revolution" onto titles just wouldn't do it for me. Think about it, DDR already HAS the word "Revolution" in it. Super Mario Revolution? Hm, it kind of sounds like a GameCube game in which Mario starts a revolution, rather than a game of a brand new system.I understand that this name is extremely unique, different, and primarily rather strange – but I, within the past 30 minutes, have gone from thinking it was a HUGE mistake to thinking it as genius.And I absolutely LOVE the following slogan, whether or not it is the 'official' one (I'm doubting it is, but it has a brilliant ring to it):Wii will change everything.Huzzah!