Topic: Iwata Confused by Nintendo's Drop in Stock Following Wii U Announcement

[Chozo Ghost]

Gamecube was ridiculous,

I strongly disagree. The Gamecube name was excellent, because it was concise and it described exactly what it was. I loved the Gamecube, moreso than the Wii actually.

[GoldenPhoenix]

It actually appears that Nintendo knows exactly what they did wrong at E3 and I hope they right that wrong at both GDC Europe and GC Liepzig in August.

"Because we put so much emphasis on the controller, there appeared to be some misunderstandings," he said. "We should have made more effort to explain how it works."

"We haven't made any kind of blunder, but I should have shown a single picture of the new console, then started talking about the controller," he continued. "The console is not drastically different, and Wii U is about the controller. The console itself will be almost invisible."

I agree completely that they should have shown that it was an all new system that was not a Wii and then started to discuss the controller and how that set it apart from any other console and controller we've used to date.

"There have been two groups of people writing about our announcement - those who have been able to experience the Wii U, and those who have not, and are simply writing about it from wire stories and pictures," he mused.

And it's those who have not that are all confused about what it was they saw and what it was supposed to mean. It was a member of those who have not that wrote that forbes article, I quoted in a previous post that, that is read by investors and directly influences their perception of how to invest.

So I agree that Nintendo should have done a much better job of presenting the Wuu to the audience. By not showing off the actual system and showing a bunch of games using wiimote and the balance board, it looked like the uScreen might have been the new console or something that was supposed to be used with the Wii.
The name certainly didn't help in that confusion as a SuperWii would let me know that it was a new system and not an add on for the old one. As far as most of the non attending non-gaming audience was concerned Wii^u was the controller as that box in the background looked exactly like a Wii at first glance (and they never gave you a better look at it).

Exactly, Nintendo flubbed by not emphasizing this was a new system. Every other console unveiling in history emphasized not only the controller, if it was unique, but also the freaken console itself. Not just the controller itself, that is confusing and I am still a bit confused why Nintendo made that blunder.

I strongly disagree. The Gamecube name was excellent, because it was concise and it described exactly what it was. I loved the Gamecube, moreso than the Wii actually.

Many seen it as indicating the GC was a child's toy. The GC looked like a purple lunch box, and the name GameCube didn't help matters. Before Gamecube Nintendo's names awfully generic for their consoles. Wii is the first brand since their dominance in the NES/SNES era where they were very successful, so of course they'll stick with the same branding, like they did with "Nintendo" up until the 64 choked.

[Adrock]

I don't know why Nintendo thought marketing a purple console was a good idea. That said, if you removed the handle of the black or platinum Gamecube, it's actually a pretty normal looking console and "Gamecube" is a totally appropriate name because the console is, in fact, cube-like in shape and it played games. Obvious name is obvious.

On a related note, I almost never used the handle when moving my Gamecube because I was so used to consoles NOT having handles. Who would have ever thought? I have small hands and was still able to grip the control comfortably with one hand. Unnecessary handle is unnecessary. So much for THAT idea, Nintendo.

[farnham]

How about this..
Nobody thinks the wiiu will succeed
DS, Wii crashed and burned
3ds is not looking good

[Chozo Ghost]

Many seen it as indicating the GC was a child's toy.

It is better than "Playstation".

There actually is another thing called Playstation out on the market:




I agree that the Gamecube's plastic Purple Lunchbox appearance was "kiddie", but the name itself was not. Its a video game system, so there's nothing wrong with calling it what it is. If the fact it plays games is "kiddie" then that applies to all other game consoles as well. Its not like a game console is intended for serious work. The Playstation on the other hand did have a "kiddie" name. The appearance may have been more mature than that of the Gamecube, but the name itself conjurs up the above image.

A Gamecube could suggest something like a Rubix cube or something, whereas a playstation is some little play prison for toddlers.

[Ian Sane]

"Cube", "station", "box" - all of those are well known nouns and refer to some physical object.  The problem with the name "Wii" is that it does not describe a physical object.  It's only relation to a noun is "wee" which is not flattering.  "iPod" is a pod.  A pod is a physical object.  A name like that always makes way more sense.  Even saying "a Wii" or "the Wii" sounds like complete gibberish if don't know the context.  But if I referred to "the Playstation" you would assume it was referring to some sort of device even if you didn't know what a Playstation was.

But the name did not affect the stock.  Nintendo more or less demonstrated that aside from the 3DS they have virtually no product for a least a year and did not really reveal much of anything about their new product at all.  WE know games and yet during the E3 presentation it took a minute to determine if it was a new system or just a new controller for the Wii.  It was not at all obvious.

[ShyGuy]

at least they didnt name it Ian Sane.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Actually I think the name did affect the stock price, but not because it's called WiiU, more directly because Nintendo never actually defined what WiiU was.

The majority of people thought WiiU was the new controller and not an actual new system.
I've detailed it in my previous post with comments from Iwata too.

[Chozo Ghost]

The problem with the name "Wii" is that it does not describe a physical object.

Actually, it does. But.... uh, you know...

[Enner]

The problem with the name "Wii" is that it does not describe a physical object.

Actually, it does. But.... uh, you know...

I usually recognize it if the word is used twice or followed by the sound "ner". I don't recall myself or others using the word once to refer to you-know.

Actually I think the name did affect the stock price, but not because it's called WiiU, more directly because Nintendo never actually defined what WiiU was.

The majority of people thought WiiU was the new controller and not an actual new system.
I've detailed it in my previous post with comments from Iwata too.

In one argument, that is a bit ridiculous since Nintendo announced before hand that they will show off the new system. They also said the system will be playable on the show flow which means they would be showing off the new system's new controller as well.

Regardless, it was in Nintendo's best interests to make clear distinctions so it is a shame they confused so many people.

[Ceric]

Stock Markets are really Giant opinion polls.  Thats why a company that is bleeding money can be worth more then a company making a modest steady profit.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Actually I think the name did affect the stock price, but not because it's called WiiU, more directly because Nintendo never actually defined what WiiU was.

The majority of people thought WiiU was the new controller and not an actual new system.
I've detailed it in my previous post with comments from Iwata too.

In one argument, that is a bit ridiculous since Nintendo announced before hand that they will show off the new system. They also said the system will be playable on the show flow which means they would be showing off the new system's new controller as well.

Regardless, it was in Nintendo's best interests to make clear distinctions so it is a shame they confused so many people.

Yes, but the majority of people weren't there and didn't get to experience that. All they saw was the new controller getting used with Wiimotes and a balance board. They also saw the name WiiU being thrown around, so one might draw the conclusion that WiiU was the new controller to be used with the existing Wii.

It's very easy to see how the mass majority may end up a little confused when they aren't there to experience it for themselves and are only reading about it 3rd hand from other people that weren't there either.

[Ceric]

I think a bit if this would be mitigated by naming the controller.

[BlackNMild2k1]

I think a bit if this would be mitigated by naming the controller.

That sounds like a good idea, so lets have fun with it
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=34754.0

[Chozo Ghost]

I think a bit if this would be mitigated by naming the controller.

The controller should be named Wii U

The console... should be named something else.

[RABicle]

Im confused that he's commenting on it.