Topic: Developer feedback on "Wii"?

[Smash_Brother]

I'm curious to see what devs are saying about the name.

Anyone have any quotes or whatnot from notable devs on what they think of it?

[wandering]

IGN has said that devs keep calling it Revolution in interviews, saying they can't get used to the name asking IGN to change it later. (not really positive or negative)

I doubt you'll hear any genuine opinions about the name in official interviews or whatnot, devs working on Wii games wouldn't really want to say anything negative about the system.  

[JonLeung]

I wonder how many of them knew the final name before it was revealed late last week.

I remember GameSpot mentioning a mysterious postcard from Kojima's branch at Konami regarding an upcoming next-gen Nintendo game that featured several words begining with "RE".  Which is, I guess, similar in spelling to "Rev." and similar sounding to "Wii"...then again, the RE could mean something else entirely, but considering their Twin Snakes video with several NGCs and MGS4 with FPSs...okay, now I'm rambling.

I'm sure if developers were making something for it, they wouldn't pull the ol' fanboy gut reaction and go "bleagh" and stop all their hard work.  They're not going to cancel a project just 'cause it might end up in Wii.

[wandering]

I doubt many, if any, devs knew. Completley non-essential information. Nintendo wouldn't want to risk the name getting leaked, or devs making bad predictions on how well the console would sell based on the final name.

[Ian Sane]

"I doubt many, if any, devs knew. Completley non-essential information. Nintendo wouldn't want to risk the name getting leaked, or devs making bad predictions on how well the console would sell based on the final name."

As a dev I would consider such a name pretty essential information.  I think the name will potentially damage the Rev's success in North America.  That is a HUGE deal for third parties.  In most cases a name would be non-essential but normally you assume that a company wouldn't pick something too horrible.  Nintendo KNEW they had a controversial name so it isn't very nice of them to intentionally hide it from third parties.  But then just the fact that they knew they had to reveal the name prior to E3 because of the anticipated backlash, yet still went with such a name is mindboggling to begin with.

Still a third party likely wouldn't cancel a game over it but they might take a wait and see approach before commiting to any future products.  Personally I would be pissed that my game's potential sales had been compromised because Nintendo's marketers are dumb as bricks.

[Grant10k]

The name really is non-essential information. It would be like giving the devs a list of the first 1,000 serial numbers they plan on using for the first 1,000 Wii's. I think people are putting too much stock into the name's coolness when it really doesn't matter. All that matters is that the name is very easy to remember (Check). I doubt that the name will effect sales diddly squat.  

[eljefe]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
"I doubt many, if any, devs knew. Completley non-essential information. Nintendo wouldn't want to risk the name getting leaked, or devs making bad predictions on how well the console would sell based on the final name."

As a dev I would consider such a name pretty essential information.  I think the name will potentially damage the Rev's success in North America.  That is a HUGE deal for third parties.  In most cases a name would be non-essential but normally you assume that a company wouldn't pick something too horrible.  Nintendo KNEW they had a controversial name so it isn't very nice of them to intentionally hide it from third parties.  But then just the fact that they knew they had to reveal the name prior to E3 because of the anticipated backlash, yet still went with such a name is mindboggling to begin with.

Still a third party likely wouldn't cancel a game over it but they might take a wait and see approach before commiting to any future products.  Personally I would be pissed that my game's potential sales had been compromised because Nintendo's marketers are dumb as bricks.

Which is exactly why Nintendo didn't tell 'em. If the name would "scare" consumers who think 3rd parties will pass on development due to the name....and the name would "scare" 3rd parties because they think consumers will pass on buying it....then, you kill two birds with one stone by making sure there's plenty of developer support BEFORE EITHER GROUP KNOWS THE NAME.



 

[Artimus]

I just read an article with comments (mediocre, but didn't think it'd matter) but forget where.

[Ceric]

I would also like to mention that name are notorious for getting out even with and NDA.  It's a very easy slip of the tongue to make.  To Easy in fact.  The name is normally the first thing you hear about most projects.  Or ideas about the name if it hasn't actually been made.  Nintendo probably did spring this on everyone external at the same time.

[Artimus]

http://gamasutra.com/features/20060501/sheffield_01.shtml

There we go. It's all small ones, though.

[eljefe]

all reasonable and articulate

with the exception of the dude from Manifesto. He was trying to sound intelligent, when he probably already is and doesn't need to pretend to be. It came off sounding really lame, even though he made some reasonable points.

[Smash_Brother]

Know what? I did one of those things where I can predict the outcome with just a bit more thinking on the matter.

The truth is, the comments will come after the reaction is gauged, and if the wee fails, everyone will blame it on the name.

[31 Flavas]

Quote
Originally posted by: Artimus
http://gamasutra.com/features/20060501/sheffield_01.shtml

There we go. It's all small ones, though.

Quick summery: "Geez, I really do not like the name, at all. But, hot damn do I ever want to make games for the system."

Agree, disagree?  

[mantidor]

Id say thats the summary of the entire internet response to the name.

[31 Flavas]

Quote
Originally posted by: mantidor
Id say thats the summary of the entire internet response to the name.

Honestly, then, what's the problem? Stop having such conniption fits over the name. It's just a name.

And, no, it does not mean Wee Wee or Piss or any other potty joke you can think of. And, No, you are not queer or a homo for wanting to play with your Wii or with your same sex friends on their Wii. Just grow up, get over those rediculus associations, and have fun.
 

[Artimus]

Quote
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?

[The Omen]

Quote
Honestly, then, what's the problem? Stop having such conniption fits over the name. It's just a name.

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

Agree.  

Can we please put the wee and pee crap to a rest?  Most concerned with the name Wii don't even bring that aspect up.  People who do not like the name are more concerned with trying to market the name, and want Nintendo to succeed, even dominate, so choosing a name so ridiculous, in our opinion, is potentially harmful.  That is all.

[Ian Sane]

"Which is exactly why Nintendo didn't tell 'em. If the name would "scare" consumers who think 3rd parties will pass on development due to the name....and the name would "scare" 3rd parties because they think consumers will pass on buying it....then, you kill two birds with one stone by making sure there's plenty of developer support BEFORE EITHER GROUP KNOWS THE NAME."

So why use such a name in the first place?  If you have to hide it from third parties for fear that the name will scare them off why go with that name?  This whole thing makes no sense.  Nintendo apparently was aware that the name would be incredibly unpopular so they didn't tell devs about it and annouced it prior to E3 so as to not let it draw attention from their games.  Why would you ever go with a name you know sucks and you know is going to be unpopular and you know could have severely damaged you if it was revealed at the wrong time?  This is like showing up for a job interview in your underwear while being fully aware that it will make it considerably harder for you to get the job.

Nintendo is somehow smart enough to know that "Wii" was going to cause a huge backlash but yet isn't smart enough to realize that that's an obvious sign that the name is a poor choice.

[mantidor]

Quote
Originally posted by: 31 Flavas

Quote
Originally posted by: mantidor
Id say thats the summary of the entire internet response to the name.

Honestly, then, what's the problem? Stop having such conniption fits over the name. It's just a name.

And, no, it does not mean Wee Wee or Piss or any other potty joke you can think of. And, No, you are not queer or a homo for wanting to play with your Wii or with your same sex friends on their Wii. Just grow up, get over those rediculus associations, and have fun.

Thats a mistake many of you are making, you think the mainstream is at the same level as you, but they arent, its the reason Paris Hilton is popular for nothing and reality tv tops the charts, the mainstream is THAT stupid.

[Smash_Brother]

Quote
Originally posted by: 31 Flavas And, no, it does not mean Wee Wee or Piss or any other potty joke you can think of. And, No, you are not queer or a homo for wanting to play with your Wii or with your same sex friends on their Wii. Just grow up, get over those rediculus associations, and have fun.

First of all, it's not this board I'm worried about. It's the remainder of the world who, coincidentally, Nintendo says they're trying to market to, who I'm worried about.

Second, "wee" IS a common synonym for urinating in some European territories. It's clear Nintendo didn't consider the connotations indifferent languages.

[31 Flavas]

Quote
Originally posted by: Artimus

Quote
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.

[The Omen]

Quote
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.

[Smash_Brother]

I'll own it regardless. They can call it the "Nintendo Fudge Covered Banana" and I'd still buy it.

I'm just worried that sales in the US will, well, suck, and as a consequence, it'll wind up with few to no 3rd party devs making games for it later in its lifespan, just like the GC.

[Ian Sane]

"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?"

I think that is far too clever to be a successful marketing campaign.  Marketing needs to be dumbed down because only idiots respond well to it.  Smart people are intelligent enough to form their own opinions regardless of what a commercial tells them to.

Plus that's the Radioactive Man movie "This place must be hot.  They don't need a big ad or even correct spelling." logic.

And Nintendo has been asking people kindly to leave their insecurities at the door for two generations now.  The result: last place in the North American market.  Being incredibly uncool didn't get Nintendo anywhere before but NOW it's going to make them a runaway success?

[Smash_Brother]

So Nintendo intends to make uncool cool, eh?

Hey, if they can do it, I'll be all for it, but I ain't holding my breath.

Also, I thought I'd point out this Apple ad for subtle references to insecurity:

http://movies.apple.com/movies/us/apple/getamac_ads1/networking_480x376.mov

The ad uses people to represent electronic devices, and yet, the "Japanese camera" is a hot Japanese girl which the mac can "network with" easily because he speaks every language. The PC, on the other hand, is left with no attention from said camera.

The implication of the commercial is simple and obvious: Mac users get laid because they're open minded and flexible. PC users don't.

Change the PC to the "Wii", the Mac to a 360/PS3 and the peripheral to a specific game or online service unique to the PS3/360 and you have the exact same concept.

I don't expect Sony/MS' advertising to be this smart about it, but this is what comparison ads can and will do.