177 replies to this topic

[Flint]

In my opinion, the Wii will do very badly, first of all the name (I don't really care for it but think about the Americans all they care for is the outside of the games) They won't go the a game store and ask for a Wii...Also, the graphics, these are definetly not Next-Gen graphics I mean did you guys look at them? They looked like clay people or something or that might've been just the game that was bad. Another thing the controller, it might've been an innovative idea but who would want to play hours of games running around everywhere and especially having to hold a joystick in one hand and the controller in the other? I wouldn't want to, first of all moving around just to play a game is a bad idea. In plus, the controller doesn't even look that comfortable to hold in the first place.

Clearly you've got a lot of catching up to do on the controller. Also, i'd walk into the store and ask for a Wii. Because I honestly don't give a shit.

[Hero of Legend]

Just so you know, "Wii" stands for "We Insult Idiots" I mean, could someone please tell Nintendo that people don’t appreciate being treated as inferiors who can’t even understand a “complicated” name such as "Revolution"? The only thing that’s worse than the name is their "explanation" for it.

Now, I don't care about the name - I still like the console. But I do hope it doesn’t affect Nintendo’s sales too much... Even though part of me feels they deserve it.

Rant over - Now for some Wii defending.

Also, the graphics, these are definetly not Next-Gen graphics I mean did you guys look at them? They looked like clay people or something or that might've been just the game that was bad.

The only game that has been shown is Red Steel, and it looks, uh... Great?

Another thing the controller, it might've been an innovative idea but who would want to play hours of games running around everywhere

No one. Luckily you don't "run around" when playing the Wii (Well, I suppose you could if you wanted to...)

especially having to hold a joystick in one hand and the controller in the other?

That's almost as bad as using both hands on one controller!

I wouldn't want to, first of all moving around just to play a game is a bad idea.

Tell that to all the people who bought the Eye Toy.

In plus, the controller doesn't even look that comfortable to hold in the first place.

My remote works for me. In fact, I like holding it as I watch TV.

I don't see why the Wii controller would be any different.

[Flint]

Just so you know, "Wii" stands for "We Insult Idiots" I mean, could someone please tell Nintendo that people don’t appreciate being treated as inferiors who can’t even understand a “complicated” name such as "Revolution"? The only thing that’s worse than the name is their "explanation" for it.

I was shocked, disappointed, and a bit alienated upon first finding out about the Wii's name. But then I read the explanation and it all made sense, and I like it now. I don't know what you don't like about the explanation.

[HarryHatMan]

who can’t even understand a “complicated” name such as "Revolution"? The only thing that’s worse than the name is their "explanation" for it.

Are you referring to the opening statement in the press release? 'While the code-name Revolution expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer. ' What they mean was not that Rev was too complicated, but that it what they wanted to achieve, and Wii was the way they could achieve it, community, originality, and above all, not just for gamers.

[Wolf O'Donnell]

It would appear that Nintendo haven't registered the name, Wii, as a trademark.

Have Wii been duped?
Where is the Wii trademark?
by Luke Smith, 04/28/2006.

Kotaku reports that Nintendo hasn't registered a trademark for its Nintendo Wii. This bubbled up from an interview Kotaku editor and Rocky Mountain game columnist Brian Crecente conducted with Steve Manning of Igor International - a branding firm. Manning believes Nintendo's Wii announcement is part of a clever viral marketing program to generate talk leading up to E3 - where Nintendo will unveil the console's official name.

The plot thickens when patent information for Wii doesn't yield a relevant response for "Wii" or any response for "Nintendo Wii."

Is it possible that Nintendo has an extra special trick up its sleeve for E3? Judging by the responses from other 1UP editors, it's a safe bet to say we're hoping. However, that doesn't mean you should get excited.

1UP-owned trademarks like GameVideos don't turn up when we search the trademark registry - so chances are it's just the trademark database hasn't updated yet (Nintendo confirmed this after press time).

http://www.1up.com/d...ory?cId=3150098

Edited by Wolf_ODonnell, 29 April 2006 - 09:20 AM.

[HarryHatMan]

Akk, Weird double post, I'd forgotten I hit Post, and then hit back, and then came back to the window a while later thinking I hadn't posted it yet!

Sorry!

Oh, and so I don't double post again, that is mighty strange Wolf... but to me it seems like wishful thinking by Wii haters.

Also, this is well worth a look, if you hadn't already!

>> http://wiigonads.ytmnd.com/ and http://revtruth.ytmnd.com/

Edited by HarryHatMan, 29 April 2006 - 09:35 AM.

[Wolf O'Donnell]

Yeah, but the article does say, don't hold your breath.

What I don't get is why they didn't use Kii. It's got the two I's, it sounds a bit like key as in the Key to the Future or a Key to Good Gaming and it isn't associated with piss.

Of course, I got this idea from the very same page where this joke appeared:

Well if they DO end up calling it Wii, I think I'll wait until they bring out a special Zelda edition (that way I can have a nice golden Wii)

Source: http://blogs.rockymo...g_why.html#more

[Hero of Legend]

I was shocked, disappointed, and a bit alienated upon first finding out about the Wii's name. But then I read the explanation and it all made sense, and I like it now. I don't know what you don't like about the explanation.

Maybe it’s because I hate poems, but I didn't like the explanation at all. The whole thing reeks of non-seriousness to me.

But my main complaint is about Nintendo's whole "simplicity and accessibility" strategy. What has it given anyone? Ineffective Friend Codes and a lousy console name, that's what.

Are you referring to the opening statement in the press release? 'While the code-name Revolution expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer. ' What they mean was not that Rev was too complicated, but that it what they wanted to achieve, and Wii was the way they could achieve it, community, originality, and above all, not just for gamers.

No, I am referring to this part: "Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii."

Are you confused by Revolution? Do you have a memory problem? Nintendo apparently think so.

It would appear that Nintendo haven't registered the name, Wii, as a trademark.

http://www.gameinfor...51230B561A6.htm

Edited by Hero of Legend, 29 April 2006 - 10:22 AM.

[Wolf O'Donnell]

QUOTE(Wolf)
It would appear that Nintendo haven't registered the name, Wii, as a trademark.


http://www.gameinfor...51230B561A6.htm

Well, there we go. It's official. We have to live with a name that not only rocks the boat, but may end up capsizing it.

Edited by Wolf_ODonnell, 29 April 2006 - 10:14 AM.

[HarryHatMan]

I love the non-serious strategy! What has it given us? Wario Ware, Animal Crossing, Nintendogs, and from third parties... Phoenix Wright, Brain Age. The DS has been a testing grounds for Nintendo, seeing if pulling away from serious games can work, and guess what, it can. People have lapped up these new 'soft-core' games, even if 'avid' games have spurned them.

Nintendo have shown with Wii that this console will be for everybody, 'hard-core' and not. If you don't want non-gamers to join in on the fun, that's fine, but this is the way to get them interested, with weird and wonderful names and pictures.

And as for confusion, I have a couple of french friends, and when I first met them, do you know how long it was for us to work out that the Nintendo Soixante Quatre was the N64. Even though I knew the translation for sixty four, it did not click for at least a month. I will talk about the Nintendo Wii, and he will understand straight away.

Unless of course he thinks I'm talking about Nintendo Yes!

Edited by HarryHatMan, 29 April 2006 - 10:25 AM.

[Hero of Legend]

Nintendo have shown with Wii that this console will be for everybody, 'hard-core' and not. If you don't want non-gamers to join in on the fun, that's fine, but this is the way to get them interested, with weird and wonderful names and pictures.

Do you work for Nintendo or something?

Anyway, I only complain because this strategy affects me as a hardcore gamer in a negative way.

And as for confusion, I have a couple of french friends, and when I first met them, do you know how long it was for us to work out that the Nintendo Soixante Quatre was the N64. Even though I knew the translation for sixty four, it did not click for at least a month. I will talk about the Nintendo Wii, and he will understand straight away.

He would have understood the Revolution as well since almost all western languages use that word (and it wouldn't be translated anyway).

Unless of course he thinks I'm talking about Nintendo Yes!

Great planning, Nintendo!

Edited by Hero of Legend, 29 April 2006 - 10:57 AM.

[D~N]

I think, as did I, everyone will get smacked in the face with "oh, okay. It makes sense now" if they think about it long enough. You'll just come to realize that the name isn't as bad as we think it is.

We are all scared that it will be made fun of or that it could hurt sales. Nintendo officials picked it to BOOST sales, not decrease them. And they get paid to think, while we just think. Something tells me they know what's what in the advertising world. Also, it's just as easy to make fun of the playstation or the Xbox, like the [D~N does not aprove of the following insult, and belives it to be inapropriate] gaystation, or the xxxbox. The Wii will roll of the toung more easily, and we will become more acustom to the phrase. Like I said, it could even make a wholoe new meaning for the word me. It's not as bad as you guys think. THe worst that could happen is that we (nintendo fans) get tossed around a little by sony or M$ fans. Besides, I like it now, and in about a day or two of thinking about it, you could too.

[Green Goblin]

Ok, seriously
When was the last thread in the gaming section that reached 100 posts in 2 days??

It's weird, but it's not what makes the console. In addition it gets people talking. Dahustla6953 needs to do more research before speaking. You only need to move your wrists a bit. If that's enough to tire you, than I'd be interested to see how long you can use the mouse on your computer

Red Steel's only shown a few shots, and [img]http://forums.legendsalliance.com/public/ALOT.png[/img] of people like it (me being one of them). And Nintendo's working on 1st party titles involving all their major characters. That's enough for me to put faith in the games. If you're afraid of what you'll look like asking for a Wii, then you must be really self-conscious ;;

[Chikara Nadir]

Well, at least this makes Wii look decent.

[thabto81]

We are all scared that it will be made fun of or that it could hurt sales. Nintendo officials picked it to BOOST sales, not decrease them. And they get paid to think, while we just think. Something tells me they know what's what in the advertising world.

Although I do agree with you to a certain extent I was talking to a friend of mine who works in advertising over at Google. I asked him what he thought about the new name and here's what he said:

"It's going to be impossible to brand... Because it's pronunciation is "we" it's a homonym of one of the most generic words in the English language. Not to mention a pronoun rather than a noun. As a generic word Nintendo won't be able to associate it with themselves. "Wii" will always mean something else to consumers at large. One of the core rules of branding is distinguishing oneself. Heck, that's what helped Nintendo early on: Their name became synonymous with gaming since they were able to expand their name's meaning, rather than attempting to abduct some more generic term from its existing meaning... No, at its most basic we still live in a largely auditory society. "Wii" will never gain mind share unless parenthesized as in "Nintendo Wii Console." And even on paper it's something arcane: I sat in on a recent Intel talk discussing the difficulty of branding Viiv. Ironically it was the long "E" sound and bizarre spelling that killed it for focus groups. People only really attract to "E" sounds if they can up-talk them (i.e. "penny"). Otherwise it's just brutal. The spelling came across as novelty, and apparently one of the more popular questions was 'why not Vive?'"

As much as I hate to say this, he does have a point. None of this, of course, will stop me from getting one. I can't, however, speak for the rest of you gamers and the non-gamers not present here to give us their opinion on the matter.

[ESK]

Okay, i'm over my initial shock, and the name's beginning to sink in, but the word 'Revolution' refuses to go down without a fight.

I realise everyone is saying that the name doesn't matter and that 'a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet' but, to quote a certain animated family: 'not if they were called stenchblossoms...or crapweeds'. The truth is, while a name does not shape an object or its abilities, it shapes your perception of it. I still think the machine will be impressive, but i feel somewhat disheartened.

On wednesday, i was certain i would buy a Revolution come November. On Friday, I was doubtful that i'd buy a Wii - though that may be because i just bought a PS2. I think we'll have to see what E3 brings us. While my faith in nintendo has become slightly fragmented, I have no doubt that they'll steal the show this year.

[dcLx]

The only game that has been shown is Red Steel, and it looks, uh... Great?



No one. Luckily you don't "run around" when playing the Wii (Well, I suppose you could if you wanted to...)



That's almost as bad as using both hands on one controller!



Tell that to all the people who bought the Eye Toy.



My remote works for me. In fact, I like holding it as I watch TV.

I don't see why the Wii controller would be any different.

The only game that has been shown is Red Steel, and it looks, uh... Great? - Whoaa buddy the grahpics for Red Steel are horrible, they are like some clay models I can make with playdoh



No one. Luckily you don't "run around" when playing the Wii (Well, I suppose you could if you wanted to...) - Wow...You just admitted to it



That's almost as bad as using both hands on one controller! - Umm not really? You have to hold one thing in one hand and one thing in another hand, using one controller you hold 1 thing so 1<2




Tell that to all the people who bought the Eye Toy. - LOL Eye Toy you barely move around, you just stand there like an idiot moving your hands/arms, plus no one even plays the Eye Toy for hours, however the Wii controller is the main part of the console and that is used for playing games, I don't think anyone would want to move around for like 6 hours just to play a damn game



My remote works for me. In fact, I like holding it as I watch TV. I don't see why the Wii controller would be any different - So you hold your remote controller the whole time you watch t.v? Like I said earlier people will want to play their games for hours, and you're going to have to hold this weird looking controller for hours..



I never said that the Wii is bad I'm just stating my opinions, I might buy the Wii too

[Selena]

Quote better.




Personally, I think Red Steel looks fairly interesting, although the only screenshots I've seen of it has been from a magazine scan, which obviously doesn't show the actual quality of graphics it might be capable of. But the graphics are good enough to where I won't bitch about them. Then again, I'm someone who mainly plays games from '97 since my computer can't handle things much better than that.

Although I don't like mystery, so I'm always irritated about how there isn't much information on launch titles and future games. Easier to generate hype if... you know, we see more than just one or two games. The other two consoles have/had that edge.

As for the remote? Eh. The only problem I see with it is that your arm will probably get tired waving it around as you play the game. Other than that, it looks fairly comfortable. Although you'd have to actually handle it yourself to determine whether or not the button layout is effective. Some of them look a little too low, but we'll see. But we've argued about this before.

And the name.... is still amusing today too. But yes, gets people talking. Albeit it's mainly teasing. *snerk*

....bahaha. XD

[SOAP]

The only game that has been shown is Red Steel, and it looks, uh... Great? - Whoaa buddy the grahpics for Red Steel are horrible, they are like some clay models I can make with playdoh


I'd like to see you prove that with pictures. Don't just say shit just to say it unless you can back it up. Also Red Steel is one game and a Third Party at that. We still haven't seen any official Wii games yet except maybe TP but that started out as a Gamecube game.


No one. Luckily you don't "run around" when playing the Wii (Well, I suppose you could if you wanted to...) - Wow...You just admitted to it
Admitted what? You can run around playing Xbox 360. Has nothing to do with the actual gameplay. Also why would that be a bad thing? I already don't get enough exercise as I want because I'm just sitting in place tapping buttons all the time. MY THUMB gets more exercise than I do. That's not cool. With the Wii controller I can swing my arms about and work my muscles. Just pop in TP, get me a mini trampoline to jump on while I do my crazy sword moves and I'm set!

That's almost as bad as using both hands on one controller! - Umm not really? You have to hold one thing in one hand and one thing in another hand, using one controller you hold 1 thing so 1<2
Personally I'd do without the joystick all together.

Tell that to all the people who bought the Eye Toy. - LOL Eye Toy you barely move around, you just stand there like an idiot moving your hands/arms, plus no one even plays the Eye Toy for hours, however the Wii controller is the main part of the console and that is used for playing games, I don't think anyone would want to move around for like 6 hours just to play a damn game
Okay fair enough. But why move at all? Do away with the controller all together and just link the console directly to our brains so we don't have bother lifting even a finger. Breathing's begining to get a little tedious too. God forbid we show any energy at all.

My remote works for me. In fact, I like holding it as I watch TV. I don't see why the Wii controller would be any different - So you hold your remote controller the whole time you watch t.v? Like I said earlier people will want to play their games for hours, and you're going to have to hold this weird looking controller for hours..
Why would it be weird? Most of us have used TV remotes since childhood. It should feel familar to our hands already. The only reason it'd feel funny is if you're really that super self-concious.

Edited by SOAP, 29 April 2006 - 04:48 PM.

[Kazi]

sucks or not, there is NO gaming forum out there that does not have a wii topic on there right now. I say good job to nintendo for such a great advertisiing campaign (for free no less). if the name of a console will deter you from buying it, you probably didn't want it in the first place anyway.

[D~N]

The way I see it now is this: In no way is this a bad name. One could say it is silly or an ignorant move on Nintendo's part, but no way is it a bad or stupid name. how do I know this? Because you use the word 'we' every day, and you have never stopped before and ranted about that word and how it sounds like 'wee', have you? besides, other than the fact that it does in fact sound like 'wee', it is a clever name; short and easy to remember.

However, the post from thabto81 showed that this could be a problem. It takes explaining, and that isn't good. Besides that, iPod wasn't succesful because the word was short, it was succesful because the word hadn't priorly ment something. Nintendo came close, but 'we' was a word before Wii, and could cause confusion. The only way to escape that trap is to ambush us with advertisments and to explain. By doing that, Wii and we, and anything soundnig alike would be assosiated with videogames, which could work. Thw Wii logo is easy to advertise, but because they have to explain the word, it could backfire. However, if Nintendo were a religion, I would be a prophet, and therefore my faith in Nintendo remains strong and intact.

Wii FTW!!!

*and this looks like people puttting their hands in the air --> 'i' 'i' 'i'
EDIT: and if you say it fast enough, it's the Nintendo-y. XP

Edited by D~N, 29 April 2006 - 05:31 PM.

[Stew]

Umm not really? You have to hold one thing in one hand and one thing in another hand, using one controller you hold 1 thing so 1<2

Yeah, holding one part of a controller in one hand, and the other part: with another hand must be just awful.

Come on! The only difference between the Wii's controller, and any other controller, is a small chord connection two parts, instead of a chunk of plastic.

As for the name, I don't care much for it. Maybe because Revolution sounds much cooler in my opinion. But I can't change the name, and the name won't change the system. The system, which, I still am impartial about because I need to try it for myself.

Edited by BunnyStew, 29 April 2006 - 06:53 PM.

[Hero of Winds]

thabto: I completely agree with your last post, even the comment about getting one. I hate the name, and am still skeptical about the console itself, but I still plan on buying against my better judgement (Freud would say Nintendo is tapping into my id).

As for all the people who're talking about how "Wii" is already a success because it gets people talking... no. That's the worst excuse I've heard. If their whole campaign was to get people talking, why not give it a cool name to begin with? Why is Nintendo's rationale "everybody hates it at first and, hopefully, grows to like it" and not "everybody likes the name from beginning to end"?

[Goose]

I study marketing at Uni. If the name gets people talking, then it is a sucess. Any media is good media in this case.

[DarkJuno]

I think Nintendo's rationale for the name and revealing it now, before E3, is that they think it's neat and are too stubborn to change it to something more "acceptable," but somehow realize that a lot of people won't like it like they do. Revealing the name now gets all the "WTF!?" "OMG, N1ntendo is t3h d00mzorz!" talk out of the way, so they can be judged by just the games at E3. I'm not saying that it's the best way to do things, but eh.

Anyway, just the usual friendly -cough- warning about how to keep it all in control, and to keep the Hustla-esque posts to a minimum.

Yes, I went there.

[thabto81]

thabto: I completely agree with your last post, even the comment about getting one. I hate the name, and am still skeptical about the console itself, but I still plan on buying against my better judgement (Freud would say Nintendo is tapping into my id).

Well at least they're doing SOMEthing right with their marketing.

As for all the people who're talking about how "Wii" is already a success because it gets people talking... no. That's the worst excuse I've heard. If their whole campaign was to get people talking, why not give it a cool name to begin with? Why is Nintendo's rationale "everybody hates it at first and, hopefully, grows to like it" and not "everybody likes the name from beginning to end"?

I doubt their intention was to get people to hate it first then slowly let it grow on them. I do agree with you though on the idea that all this free publicity is a "success". It is working to their advantage to have everyone talking about it, but it isn't necessarily successful in that people are talking so negatively about the name.

I study marketing at Uni. If the name gets people talking, then it is a sucess. Any media is good media in this case.

Even if that success tips the balance for those who were unsure in buying the Wii in the first place to not buying it at all?

[GraniteJJ]

The name is really bad.

I don't like the fact that it needed a lot of explaining either. I mean, Perrin Kaplan cites other established brands, but they all have a logical backing to them. Wii doesn't really mean anything, because it isn't a real word or necessarily derived from a real word.

I agree with whomever said it should have been named Kii. That actually would have been cool and it would have still possessed the "ii".

All in all, I think the new name should have been one that spoke for itself. I mean, on the box, are they going to include the explanation for the name? No. The name should have been something that people look at and go, "Wow, that's cool." as opposed to "What's that mean? Hmm...hmm...you don't say...interesting...continue...ah, yes. Well, i suppose that's neat."

Also, I've been wondering, in Red Steel, if you use the joystick to move forward/backwards/left and right, and the REmote is used for aiming, then how do you turn around quickly? Do you physically turn around? Because, then you're facing away from the TV...

[Green Goblin]

Also, I've been wondering, in Red Steel, if you use the joystick to move forward/backwards/left and right, and the REmote is used for aiming, then how do you turn around quickly? Do you physically turn around? Because, then you're facing away from the TV...

we honestly don't know. The only shots we've seen of Red steel were scanned in from a GI issue.


And dahustla, you DON'T wave your arms around. That was explained last YEAR at the Tokyo Game Show. IGN's people got a chance to play with the Wiimote. They said at first they tried the whole arm-waving and it wasn't doing well. Then they sat down, rested their elbows on their knees and started playing with it like a SANE person would. With simple wrist movements, they said it worked quite well.

[thabto81]

Also, I've been wondering, in Red Steel, if you use the joystick to move forward/backwards/left and right, and the REmote is used for aiming, then how do you turn around quickly? Do you physically turn around? Because, then you're facing away from the TV...

From what I've read the the turn will be delayed. For example, if you point the controller slightly to the left the arm on the screen will move followed a second or two later by the screen moving.

[Flint]

Even though it's always been a little odd, at least to me, you guys know how the Nintendo Gamecube is usually abbreviated "GCN," with the "N" for Nintendo last?

Then wouldn't it be acceptable and awesome referring to the new console as the WiiN? Pronounce it as you would "win" not "ween." There's potential.

WiiN ftw.