Topic: Developer feedback on "Wii"?

[31 Flavas]

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Originally posted by: The Omen

Ironically, I think it's the people who are defending the name with so much zeal that are insecure, if you really want to be psychological for a moment.  These so called insecure people who don't like the name are on record saying they're buying it regardless, so obvoiously, they aren't showing any insecurity whatsoever.  The way you are so condenscending about it, it's like you're becoming defensive, which most do when they're insecure.

Ok, well, i'm sorry. I'm not intentionally trying to sound superior. If anything i'm trying to help people along in accepting the name. So i'll just end this discussion (from my end, at least).

[Artimus]

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Originally posted by: 31 Flavas

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Originally posted by: Artimus

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Originally posted by: 31 Flavas
Honestly, then, what's the problem? Stop having such conniption fits over the name. It's just a name.

The problem is that ANY trouble is totally unecessary. Why make things even slightly more difficult?

Well if we are going to break down the wall that seperates gamers from non-gamers... Shouldn't we also break the image/reality that video gamers are elitest pricks? And what better way would there be, then making video gamers, even Nintendo video gamers, deal with and get over their insecurities by naming the next must gotta have system something that evokes these insecurities?

The formerly named Revolution is something that just about everyone seems to want or at least try out, aside from the requisite $200, Nintendo is asking you to kindly leave your insecurites at the door.

Can a unique name not be chosen that doesn't also have negatives? I agree wholeheartedly with the principle, but do not like the actual name.

[Smash_Brother]

I agree with the principle as well, but it's the choice which seems off.

For one, I don't think they looked at its ramifications in english speaking countries. The US has the insecurity thing and England considers "wee" to be urinating ("Gotta have a wee in the loo!").

There are literally millions of one syllable names which would have worked fine. I'd have been happy with the "Nintendo Rii". It meets the same requirements and the syllable "re" isn't directly associated with anything. Yeah, the haters will label it "Riitarded", but at least the syllable alone isn't a synonym for anything.

Riimote, Riivolution, Riiinvent the gaming world...

It works far better, IMO.

[Kairon]

I sorta have a speech impediment about the whole "r" sound, it really is one of the most complex sounds to create mechanically in the english language...

It should be telling though, that when young children are learning to pronounce the "r" sound, the often substitute "w" ... make of that what you will...

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[The Omen]

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Ok, well, i'm sorry. I'm not intentionally trying to sound superior. If anything i'm trying to help people along in accepting the name. So i'll just end this discussion (from my end, at least).

You don't have to leave...just understand I have accepted the name...I just don't like it.

[Smash_Brother]

"Rejecting" the name would be running out to buy a 360 after hearing it (which I'm sure some people did).

[GoldenPhoenix]

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Originally posted by: The Omen

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And what better way would there be, then making video gamers, even Nintendo video gamers, deal with and get over their insecurities by naming the next must gotta have system something that evokes these insecurities?

Ironically, I think it's the people who are defending the name with so much zeal that are insecure, if you really want to be psychological for a moment.  These so called insecure people who don't like the name are on record saying they're buying it regardless, so obvoiously, they aren't showing any insecurity whatsoever.  The way you are so condenscending about it, it's like you're becoming defensive, which most do when they're insecure.

I have to disagree with you there, the ones defending name are not going to be embarassed by some punk at gamestop or ebgames when stating they want to buy a "Wii". Personally I could care less what others think about it, the reason why I'm defending  it is because all the complainers are going to do more damage then good in the end, perhaps to something that would be fine if left alone only time will tell. If people would shut up about it for a few months to see where Nintendo goes with marketing, and then voice their opinion that would be fine, but as of now all of this is knee jerk reactions no matter how you wish to spin it. I personally see marketing potential in the name, something that even PS nor Xbox had, but then again I see it more in the design and look of the name rather than the sound.

[The Omen]

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I have to disagree with you there, the ones defending name are not going to be embarassed by some punk at gamestop or ebgames when stating they want to buy a "Wii".

I'm not embarrassed.  I don't think anyone on either side of the argument will be embarrassed over it.  I just think it sounds stupid.  Is that opinion okay?  Or should I wait three months? Besides, if you're so calm and cool with the name, then why get defensive like it's a personal attack on you?

[GoldenPhoenix]

Others have said they would be embarassed to ask for it (I am not going to give names though).

[GoldenPhoenix]

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Originally posted by: The Omen

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I have to disagree with you there, the ones defending name are not going to be embarassed by some punk at gamestop or ebgames when stating they want to buy a "Wii".

I'm not embarrassed.  I don't think anyone on either side of the argument will be embarrassed over it.  I just think it sounds stupid.  Is that opinion okay?  Or should I wait three months? Besides, if you're so calm and cool with the name, then why get defensive like it's a personal attack on you?

I am defensive because I feel the negativity is doing much more harm than good, people are already setting both the name and in turn system up for failure without even giving Nintendo much of a chance to sell it. The same thing happened with the Wiimote, and the DS. So yes I do stick with wait until a few months before you say how stupid the name is, like many things it will become second nature. Again I point to names like Google, iPod, Amazon etc etc all are really lame when you look at them objectively.

[The Omen]

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I am defensive because I feel the negativity is doing much more harm than good, people are already setting both the name and in turn system up for failure without even giving Nintendo much of a chance to sell it. The same thing happened with the Wiimote, and the DS. So yes I do stick with wait until a few months before you say how stupid the name is, like many things it will become second nature. Again I point to names like Google, iPod, Amazon etc etc all are really lame when you look at them objectively.

Well you proved our point right there in that first sentence.  If you're worried about Nintendo fans doing more harm than good, then imagine what people who aren't Nintendo fans are saying.  Hence, our position that the name is at best, far from perfect, at worst, a catastrophe.  That's the whole reason behind my position, at least.

[Kairon]

This is, of course, under the assumption that regular people will react like Nintendo fans will. We already know that this is not the case at all &P.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[Smash_Brother]

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Originally posted by: VGrevolution
Others have said they would be embarassed to ask for it (I am not going to give names though).

I was probably one of them.

When a new game which I badly want comes out, I tend to call local Wal-Marts to see if they got it in early (which they sometimes do).

I typically start the conversation with, "I'm looking for a game on the ______." so they immediately know which section of the shelf to check.

In this case, I will need to start the conversation with, "I'm looking for a game on the Wee." It's not too much of a stretch to see that some clerks might not get what I'm talking about and think that it's an obscene phone call.

Basically, calling about a game for Nintendo's next console can be mistaken for an obscene phone call, especially since I'm willing to bet that most Wal-Mart clerks won't even know how to pronounce it and will probably think it's pronounced "why".

That type of sh!t shouldn't even be remotely close to possible. There are easily a billion other name possibilities out there which would be just as bold and daring without being slang for anything. It's the fact that Nintendo picked THIS one which is so irksome.

[The Omen]

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This is, of course, under the assumption that regular people will react like Nintendo fans will. We already know that this is not the case at all &P.

Well, I don't know if they reacting any better or worse than Nintendo fans, but the potential issue should have never existed.

[Smash_Brother]

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Originally posted by: Kairon
This is, of course, under the assumption that regular people will react like Nintendo fans will. We already know that this is not the case at all &P.

So you have the wii's first three months of sales figures, then?

We'll see how "regular" people react when the sales numbers come out after three months and we see how the wii does in sustained sales. Until then, it's all speculation.

Don't pretend that anyone is working with anything but opinion backed up with the occasional fact here and there, and I hate to say it, but every time I start to think the wee might do alright, I think about the Wal-Mart scenario I mentioned earlier and about how your average teenager is going to react to the name and I go right back to "What the f*ck is Nintendo smoking?"

[Rhoq]

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Originally posted by: VGrevolution
Others have said they would be embarassed to ask for it (I am not going to give names though).

Embarrassed over what? The system's name is "Wii".

W. I. I.

If "others" are embarrassed to say "Wii" then I'd have to say that those individuals have a lot of growing-up to do.

It's not like you're walking up to the counter to buy porn. There is nothing embarrassing about it.

[Kairon]

No one has the first three months of sales Smash, that's what I'm pointing out. Just like with Iraq, it'll be history that judges, not the pundits.

But nevertheless, I'll be quite surprised if Wii doesn't sell out for at launch, like every console ever has.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[Smash_Brother]

The GC did too, but then sales dropped off sharply because that was just Nintendo's standard fanbase buying their cubes.

God willing, most people in the US will just pronounce it "why" because it sounds better and "wee" jokes will be at a minimum.

[31 Flavas]

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Originally posted by: Smash_Brother

God willing, most people in the US will just pronounce it "why" because it sounds better and "wee" jokes will be at a minimum.

Why not just burn out the "wee" jokes by continuing to to say "We". Once the "Wee" jokes are over and done with, were back to just "We" and having fun.

[Smash_Brother]

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Originally posted by: 31 Flavas Why not just burn out the "wee" jokes by continuing to to say "We". Once the "Wee" jokes are over and done with, were back to just "We" and having fun.

Wii, the Nintendo fans, will have no problem doing that.

To the unconvinced, though, the first joke might be the last thought they have about the console.

[31 Flavas]

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Originally posted by: Smash_Brother

Wii, the Nintendo fans, will have no problem doing that.

To the unconvinced, though, the first joke might be the last thought they have about the console.

Oh come now. Yes, we'll have people crazy enough to dismiss the console just based on the name, but you need to clear the dirt from your glasses if you think then entire US or rest of the world is like that.

[Ian Sane]

"Oh come now. Yes, we'll have people crazy enough to dismiss the console just based on the name, but you need to clear the dirt from your glasses if you think then entire US or rest of the world is like that."

Considering Nintendo weak position in the console market I would consider people dismissing the Wii as a normal reaction.  Nintendo doesn't have to worry as much about scaring people away.  They've done that over the last ten years.  They need to get people back.  I think that requires something positive that jumps out and makes people pay attention.  I think "Wii" will maintain the status quo.  Those who dismiss Nintendo as childish will see the Wii name and continue to dismiss Nintendo without bothering to try the system out.  That's why I want a more neutral name.  People won't look at a name like Revolution and think "well looks like Nintendo is still making games for babies."  But with the console's sleek appearance and with Red Steel running on a kiosk they might see it and think "hey what's that?"

One thing I think really bit Nintendo in the ass last gen is that there was a bias against Nintendo and they just confirmed that bias in people's minds from the get go.  People thought Nintendo was a kid's company and Nintendo confirmed it by launching in purple with Luigi's Mansion as the flagship title.  People thought the lack of games problem on the N64 would continue and Nintendo confirmed that with a huge game drought following launch.  If you have some bias against Nintendo "Wii" is going to maintain that bias.  "Revolution" or a different name entirely might not.

[Hostile Creation]

None of the people I've told have thought of wee jokes, unless someone else specifically pointed it out to them.
That's out of about five or six people.  Ranging from 16-40 (most less than 20).

[GoldenPhoenix]

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Originally posted by: The Omen

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I am defensive because I feel the negativity is doing much more harm than good, people are already setting both the name and in turn system up for failure without even giving Nintendo much of a chance to sell it. The same thing happened with the Wiimote, and the DS. So yes I do stick with wait until a few months before you say how stupid the name is, like many things it will become second nature. Again I point to names like Google, iPod, Amazon etc etc all are really lame when you look at them objectively.

Well you proved our point right there in that first sentence.  If you're worried about Nintendo fans doing more harm than good, then imagine what people who aren't Nintendo fans are saying.  Hence, our position that the name is at best, far from perfect, at worst, a catastrophe.  That's the whole reason behind my position, at least.

Actually I believe Nintendo fans are overreacting and that their overreaction will send a negative vibe before people can look at it from an unbiased perspective. I'm not even sure how adults, or stereotypical "non-gamers" will view the name yet, though it does not present that "game console" image so that in itself may be positive. With that said, Nintendo fans have a tendency to overreact since they have been let down before in the past, but I truly believe things are changing but the knee jerk reactions are still there and COULD end up doing more harm than good.

I don't think anyone here believes "Wii" is perfect, but some of us, such as myself, believe that it has alot of visual potential for marketing. I've even openly stated that how it is pronounced is strange, yet I feel people will get used to it and instead focus more on the system and perhaps the visual cues given off by the name either conciously or subconciously. I do want to add one more thing, out of all the detractors I respect both yours and Smash Brothers opinions, at least you both have thought things beyond the "wee wee" jokes.

[heinous_anus]

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Originally posted by: Hostile Creation
None of the people I've told have thought of wee jokes, unless someone else specifically pointed it out to them.
That's out of about five or six people.  Ranging from 16-40 (most less than 20).

What's your point?  I just went out today and asked 300 of my closest friends, and they all thought it was a retarded name for a video game console.  Point being, neither of these surveys is incredibly accurate in gauging what the general public's reaction to the system's name will be.  Maybe all of us "fearmongers" will have to eat our own words come next year at this time (I think most of us would rather have that happen than the alternative) but simply having this fear of how such a name might impact sales, impulse or otherwise, is unacceptable when Nintendo's goals could have been accomplished with zillions of other combinations of sounds that aren't so ambiguous in Engrish.

And Kairon, I like how you compare this situation to the Iraq occupation...yeah, I see the similarities...

VGRevolution, our "negative vibes" will only reach a mainstream audience if we go out on soapboxes and preach doom and gloom about the console, which most or all of us will surely not.  The John Q. Publics that we're afraid will be turned off, or not given a reason to "come to Nintendo," as Ian put it, have never visited the forums at Gaming Age, PlanetGamecube, GameFAQs, etc. and don't regularly read Penny Arcade or Joystiq.  Like that advertisement?  HOO YA.