Topic: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, WII!

[NWR_pap64]

...No, I am not talking about the console itself. I am talking about the name.

On this day a year ago Nintendo unveiled the final name of the Revolution, the Wii, much to the surprise, and anger, of the fans and the people in the media.

I present to you..

The new name of the Revolution: The Wii
From global hate to global phenomenon

Oh, the many things people said. "The name is stupid. Third parties will flock to Sony and MS. Sony fans will have a riot. NINTENDO IS DOOMED!!!!". Its a year later. Let's see what happened to the Wii since then.

May 2006: Nintendo fully unveils the Wii and its launch titles. They are able to capture the attention and imaginations of the fans and the media, to the point where people run to the Nintendo booth. Meanwhile, Sony made a fool of themselves by revealing the PS3's final price tag (599 US DOLLARS!).

September 2006: Nintendo does a worldwide press release detailing the Wii's fall/winter launch. Many new features are announced, including the Miis. The final price of the console is 250 dollars. They reveal that the console will have Wii Sports as a bonus. Finally, they announced that it would be released 3 days after the PS3 launch. Many feared this would harm Nintendo. Once again, they were proven wrong.

November 2006: The Wii is released in the US and its a grand success. The Japan and Europe launches soon follow and history repeats itself. The PS3, on the other hand, fails to meet the Sony created hype.

April 2007: A year later and the Wii is still an incredible success. People are STILL getting in line in hopes of buying the Wii. The sales are so much people are predicting that the Wii will be hard to find until 2009.

Here is some of the stuff that people predicted about the Wii name:
- Third party support will decline: FALSE
Third party support is very strong at the moment. Not only that, the fear that the Wii's childish nature might scare some mature game developers away has been proven wrong. The Wii got EA's Godfather and it was the best reviewed version. The Wii will also get Manhunt 2 from Rockstar and Scarface from Sierra.

Third parties see great success on the Wii. For example, Ubisoft's launch support has netted them great results. Red Steel, the first game ever revealed for the Wii, sells over 900,000 copies.

The sales are so strong that many developers pledged support afterwards. Even some studios like EA and Disney have created development houses just for the Wii.

- The Wii will ruin Nintendo's image: FALSE
OK, the Wii is a silly name, but in a surprising turn of events, it actually did good. Instead of the sea of insults and jokes that doom sayers predicted last year, the Wii was so silly that it became joke proof. Nintendo turned it into a catchy tagline. Now, people are NOT afraid of saying "Wii" in public. In fact, its "cool".

- Sales will be worse than the GC: FALSE
Just look at the numbers. Enough said.

I know there were many predictions about the name's danger towards Nintendo, but this is what comes to mind.

So, those that had a positive outlook a year ago can cheer. The Wii is a great success, even 4 months after launch. Those that were overly pessimistic (which was about 90% of the world), should be laughed at now.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

(Yes, I am aware that I was one of the naysayers)

Honestly, I am glad I was proven wrong in my doom predictions. The name is still silly, don't get me wrong, but Nintendo has done so well with it that I don't care anymore.

So once again...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY WII!

You have come a long way, baby!

EDIT: If you guys can find anti Wii pics I will be grateful. Its great to see how foolish some of the anger was. I know there were some really angry images floating around the net on this day a year ago.

[vudu]

[Ty] My life is a perpetual flashing toilet
[Ty] i'm going to kill myself or play dreamcast, i'm not sure which, bbl

[Ty] RUBOLOTION

[Ty] the internet is a cesspool

[Ty] what if it actually prounounced "WHY", like wi-fi or "oh god, why???"
[Jonny] But Ty, it's not
[Ty] snap
[Stan] hahahaha
[Stan] HAHAHAHA  

[ShyGuy]

LOL good times. Thanks vudu.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I for one am not surprised that the Wii name has become accepted. In fact I think on the boards there were only 2 or 3 people besides myself who thought that the name had potential and was not Nintendo killer so many thought. I am even going to go as far to say that the "Wii" has helped shift that term from the toilet humor and is actually becoming positive.

[Kairon]

I... I think I was on the winning side! Cool!

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[Blue Plant]

I remember wanting to psychically strangle SB when the name was revealed.

[j_moose]

Ah, hard to believe that was a year ago already.  I was initially skeptical about the decision, though I could kind of understand Nintendo's logic behind the name.  I admit, I did feel a bit stupid saying, "do you have a Wii?" - but I practiced saying it - even in my sleep - so that it became second-nature.  Then, I got used to the name (which honestly I thought would never happen).

Nintendo still has a long road ahead (as do Sony and Microsoft), and how Nintendo handles its online play will be a huge make-or-break point...but the Wii's success has been a huge sigh of relief for me, and I think a lot of Nintendo fans would share the same opinion.  Between the control style (I was excited about it, but it was risky), the name, and some of the decisions Nintendo has made in the past, my head was about to explode from nervousness - the system had the potential to be a huge success or a huge flop.  Kudos to Nintendo for taking those huge risks and shutting us optimistic skeptics up - now I can sleep easy at night knowing that Nintendo is back in the game.

[King of Twitch]

Quote
They smashed their fist on the keyboard, and that's the name they're stuck with for the next 5 years, and remembered as throughout history.

l/uhjyj

There... there's the name of the next DS, let's call it a day.

They certainly will be remembered. If the analysts are right, they could surpass cube lifetime sales in the next couple years, upending 3 generations of declining console sales.

[Smash_Brother]

Name still sucks, but it served its purpose and made for many, many innuendo jokes.

"I couldn't help but smile as my niece tried out my Wii for the first time."

Priceless.

[IceCold]

Well, since vudu used triple posted that old quote of his, I think I'll do the same with zakkiel's response to Kairon regarding the name.

Quote
You know, before I thought you were just positing the most ridiculous straw man I've ever encountered, but now I realize you really, truly believe that a negative attitude towards a console name represents a complete abhorrence of all humanity. This demonstrates two things. First, the reification of your own emotional response to a monosyllable such that anyone who does not share it must possess a set of beliefs bordering on psychosis. Second, the complete lack of what psychologists call modulation and proportion, a symptom characteristic of cult members and schizophrenics.

[NWR_pap64]

Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
Name still sucks, but it served its purpose and made for many, many innuendo jokes.

"I couldn't help but smile as my niece tried out my Wii for the first time."

Priceless.

To Nintendo, it doesn't matter if you think the name sucks, ESPECIALLY after you made them 3,000 dollars richer .

In all seriousness, you were so angry last year SB that I'm sure you never thought you would end up buying 12 Wiis :p .

Irony at work! :p

[TrueNerd]

Yeah, a year ago, I never thought that awkward word would ever be so easily used in conversation. But it has, and Nintendo proved us wrong. Again.  

[Ian Sane]

It's a year later and I still think the name is stupid and I don't think there's any proof that it was a good idea.  Yeah the Wii is selling great but is that because of the name?  I think at best people just don't care and at worse it is selling despite the stupid name.  The product has caught the attention of the public and that is why it's a success.  I don't think anyone has bought the Wii because they're attracted by the name.  I don't think calling the console "Revolution" would have hurt things.

In fact if Nintendo didn't name the console "Wii" then maybe certain third parties wouldn't be treating the hottest selling game console as a kid's console.

I see the whole name thing as Nintendo miraculously dodging a bullet.

[Kairon]

Has Nintendo dodged a bullet? Or have they realized the truth?

"What truth?"

That there is no bullet!

Quote
Originally posted by: IceCold
Well, since vudu used triple posted that old quote of his, I think I'll do the same with zakkiel's response to Kairon regarding the name.

Quote
You know, before I thought you were just positing the most ridiculous straw man I've ever encountered, but now I realize you really, truly believe that a negative attitude towards a console name represents a complete abhorrence of all humanity. This demonstrates two things. First, the reification of your own emotional response to a monosyllable such that anyone who does not share it must possess a set of beliefs bordering on psychosis. Second, the complete lack of what psychologists call modulation and proportion, a symptom characteristic of cult members and schizophrenics.

/happy

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com  

[The Traveller]

Yeah I remember I was home from work. I woke up turned on the computer and saw that Nintendo had released the new name. I clicked the link and thought it was the worst name ever.. I thought they had done a great job winning back the support of a lot of gamers and this would destory all that. After an hour or so I decided to see how it could be done on tv or something. So I made an ad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgKVEtYisDc

A week later I thought it was a good choice in the end, it had grown on me. And nowadays Revolution just doesnt seem to sit right anymore.

[wandering]

Quote
I don't think calling the console "Revolution" would have hurt things.

I do. I can't imagine a console with a name as generic, pretentious, and unmemorable as "Revolution" selling as well as the Wii is right now.  

[Ceric]

I thought the name was silly but my big Pre-Wii memory was the devastation I felt when they described how you play the Wii.  I'm glad it didn't turn out like it seem it would.

[Guitar Smasher]

You know, I believe the name has actually contributed to the system's popularity, or at least the fad (if there even is one).  I guess it was hard to realize initially, but the name really gives the impression that it's next generation, in that it's not the same generic Playstation(n+1), or what have you.

[that Baby guy]

Hey, we all know where the Pokemon fad got us.  Ten years down the line, the newest games have sold seven million copies.  Even if everyone bought both versions, that's 3.5 million, pretty quickly, I think.  But then again, it was just a fad, so people grew out of it, obviously...

[Kairon]

Quote
Originally posted by: Guitar Smasher
You know, I believe the name has actually contributed to the system's popularity, or at least the fad (if there even is one).  I guess it was hard to realize initially, but the name really gives the impression that it's next generation, in that it's not the same generic Playstation(n+1), or what have you.

I concur.

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[NWR_pap64]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
It's a year later and I still think the name is stupid and I don't think there's any proof that it was a good idea.  Yeah the Wii is selling great but is that because of the name?  I think at best people just don't care and at worse it is selling despite the stupid name.  The product has caught the attention of the public and that is why it's a success.  I don't think anyone has bought the Wii because they're attracted by the name.  I don't think calling the console "Revolution" would have hurt things.

In fact if Nintendo didn't name the console "Wii" then maybe certain third parties wouldn't be treating the hottest selling game console as a kid's console.

I see the whole name thing as Nintendo miraculously dodging a bullet.

Just in case, while I did say that the Wii did some good, I never said that it made the console a huge success. A lot of factors contributed into the Wii being a worldwide phenomenon.

I said that the name helped because its a simple, easy to remember name that when use correctly can be catchy.

I mean, both my parents and my sister always had problem naming the consoles me and my nephew would own, to the point where they called the Gamecube either the Nintendo or the GameCOOB. Now, they see it and they say "Oh its the Wii!".

So in that aspect the name helped make the console a tad more recognizable.

Also, to me at least, saying the name is second nature now. Yes, you can make a world of sexual innuendo jokes with it, but it ain't so bad that you refuse to say it.

[NWR_pap64]

Sorry for posting again, but felt that this deserved its own post.

I want to give props to those that were very optimistic about the name. You guys were the BIG minority in this discussion. Let's not deny that some were basically spewing blind fanboy faith, but MANY of you had a clear vision and organized thoughts. Most importantly, you stood tall when EVERYONE and their grandmother hated the name. I mean, I don't recall seeing a POSITIVE Wii editorial after the news hit. Yet you held onto your faith and hope, and now it has paid off greatly.

So my props to all of you! As one of the doom sayers that had an extreme hate of the name, its not easy to admit defeat.

[Kairon]

It wasn't blind fanboi faith. It was a childhood love for all things Winnie the Pooh.

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[GoldenPhoenix]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
It's a year later and I still think the name is stupid and I don't think there's any proof that it was a good idea.  Yeah the Wii is selling great but is that because of the name?  I think at best people just don't care and at worse it is selling despite the stupid name.  The product has caught the attention of the public and that is why it's a success.  I don't think anyone has bought the Wii because they're attracted by the name.  I don't think calling the console "Revolution" would have hurt things.

In fact if Nintendo didn't name the console "Wii" then maybe certain third parties wouldn't be treating the hottest selling game console as a kid's console.

I see the whole name thing as Nintendo miraculously dodging a bullet.

I'm sorry but saying that the Wii name is why certain third parties won't support the Wii is stupid. This all stems from Nintendo's past, and unless you have been living under a rock (sometimes I wonder if you are Ian) this image has been rapidly changing and is already vastly better than the GC. The Wii name is becoming a household name, something that Nintendo hasn't seen since the SNES days, and is becoming a buzzword that people of all ages are using, that is a GOOD thing. Personally I don't see how the "Wii" name is kid dy, that is perhaps one of the more ridiculous things I've heard, is the iPod "kid dy"? How can a name relating to "together" be kid dy? Gamecube was kid dy sounding, heck even Playstation can be considered kidd y, but the Wii? Yes it is strange, but I fail to see a kid dy connotation to the name if you remove it from Nintendo's previous image problems.

The Wii name share so much with things like iPod, in both style, and being short and easy to remember. That may not be the only reason for something's success, but it definately contributes. Everything about the Wii package screams "new" and is extremely attractive, which includes the name. Granted there is no way to prove this, but I think the Revolution name would have hurt the Wii, it did not have the "catchphrase" esque nature the Wii has, and was overly complex which would have made it a tougher sell to the casual or non-gamer, it sounds too much like a "hardcore" system which more than likely would have chased some away, not to mention there was nothing unique about the name.

Would the Wii still be a success without the "Wii" name, perhaps, but how much so is definately in question. Regardless of what some may think, naming of products can be quite important to their success. Do you think the iPod would have been nearly as successful if it was named the Revolpod? Or something long and overly wordy, without the visually attractive, short nature of the name? I think the proof about the Wii's name impacting its success, is that it is starting to invade our vocabulary and is no longer seen by a select few immature indivdiuals as potty humor, but representative of a unique product. When you say "Have you played the Wii" a person may automatically visualize "Motion control", not "Nintendo" just like when you say iPod you visualize an MP3 player. That is why I think the name is brilliant, it is different, and is already showing potential to represent a whole product type.

[Kairon]

The great thing about the name "Wii" is that it comes with no gamer baggage. Non-gamers can adopt to it with fun, ease, and the promise of something new.

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com