Originally Posted by ScandalUMD

Wii makes a lot of sense as a name when you recognize that Nintendo is trying to brand this as a hip lifestyle device, and is trying to avoid a name that is geeky, gamerish, or for that matter, gendered. The associations we have with something like an iPod, or for that matter, an XBox or a Target store don't come intrinsically from anything affiliated with the name, but from the marketing and the promotion efforts that are attached to the brand. I think they're in a good position to sell this thing as high-tech cool, or indie/hipster edgy or both, and there's plenty to work with.

Originally Posted by Michael Corvin

I wanted to post some knee jerk reaction earlier today but held back. Figured I'd let it sit in for a while. I didn't like it at first but it does make sense. Revolution still has an heir of gaming, geeky feel to it which is obviously the total opposite of their new "demo."

Originally Posted by Terrell

I think this was a sarcastic response, but I'll reply in kind. Yes, they're making money because their consoles are cheap to produce and they make money off of their games. Most of their money probably comes from the handheld market. But the fact remains that they're losing market share to Sony and Microsoft. Losing market share is never a good thing. Considering Microsoft, a software company, made their first foray into the gaming biz with the Xbox and still outsold gaming giant Nintendo, says a lot. It was a successful first venture for Microsoft. It's only going to get better with the 360. The 360 will outsell the Xbox by quite a margin I suspect. I also believe that while Microsoft can't beat Sony this next generation, that it can gain marketshare, especially in North America, Europe, and Australia. This only means that Nintendo may lose even more market share.

Originally Posted by sureAV421

Originally Posted by sureAV421

Nintendo Talks to IGN About Wii
Is there any chance that the system's name could change again? Don't count on it, haters.
by Matt Casamassina

April 27, 2006 - Nintendo today announced the official name of its formerly-codenamed Revolution console. It's called Wii. And if you're wondering, that's pronounced like "we." Read the full announcement and watch a teaser video here.

We recently caught up with NOA's VP of corporate affairs, Perrin Kaplan, to discuss the new name and what it means to Nintendo fans. Following, the full transcript of our interview:

IGN Wii: We're now called IGN Wii. How could you do this to us?

Perrin Kaplan: Say that again.

IGN Wii: It is pronounced like "we," right?

Perrin Kaplan: Yes, as in inclusive, you and me. So how could I do it to you?

IGN Wii: Yes. Don't you guys think about us when you do these things?

Perrin Kaplan: I think about you pretty much 24/7.

IGN: Well, of course you do.

Perrin Kaplan: Let me just tell you that if you're disrupted by it today, it's obviously caught your attention. And at the show, you're going to get to try out a lot of products that will make you happy.

IGN Wii: Revolution seemed to be a pretty cool code-name that a lot of our readers liked. Why abandon it?


Perrin Kaplan is VP of corporate affairs at NOA

Perrin Kaplan: You know, I thought it was a neat name, too, but it's not as fitting for what we're trying to do. You think about Google being an unusual name. You think about Virgin Airlines. Amazon. Napster. All those. I think it's as unique as those. They aren't just unique, but loved names for places that we all know. And I think this is more fitting and the two Is work on a bunch of different levels. It looks like two people with heads who can play, which is the inclusive nature of everybody. It looks like the controllers. So for us it looked like a couple of different levels.

IGN Wii: You have said that you're going for a name that's unique, like Google. But Wii is also used as "we" every day and therefore only unique in spelling. Do you think there is a risk of confusing potential buyers with a title like this?

Perrin Kaplan: I think it's really fun to look at, the logo. I think people are going to see that on the box and our package art. I think people will get it straight after a while - it's just something they're going to have to get used to.

IGN Wii: Was the name decided on out of Japan or was it a global decision by Nintendo?

Perrin Kaplan: It's a global name. As most things at Nintendo are done, it was not done by any individual. It was really a team effort.

IGN Wii: How long have you known about the new name?

Perrin Kaplan: Well, let me see. We've been working on a name for a good year and have had this one in mind for some time.

IGN Wii: Simplicity seems to be part of the reasoning behind the new name. Why not just spell it "We" then?

Perrin Kaplan: I think that there's a really strong visual to it by having it symbolize the controllers and symbolize people. And, as you pronounce it, the Wii does stand for that whole worldwide inclusion of players. So you get both out of it.

IGN Wii: The logo and the video teaser you put out seem to stress the plurality of the name. What message can we take away from that?

Perrin Kaplan: I think it's just a reminder that the system can be played individually or be played by a lot of people. It is for people of all sized and shapes. It's really a system for everybody. It's a system for the core gamers. It's a system for the people who are just going to be re-entering gaming. I think that's what people can get from it.

IGN Wii: Why announce the final name now and not at E3 2006?

Perrin Kaplan: Why are we doing it now? Well, let me just say that if you look at how much time people have spent online talking about it today and paying attention to it today, it really, I think, required that kind of attention and seeping in for people to let it settle a little bit. It would be really, really easy to lose that at the show. Also, I think it's important for us to go into the show with people knowing what we're talking about.

IGN Wii: Some overzealous readers have created some truly phallic Wii designs. We e-mailed you several of them, as you saw. Any plans to use any of these brilliant materials in your official marketing plans?

Perrin Kaplan: What a nice way of asking that question! We actually have had a day of a lot of smiles around here with a variety of things that fans have created, let me just say that. It shows you that people are big fans of Nintendo.

IGN Wii: Do you think it will come as a shock to some of the Nintendo leaders back in Japan to see some of these fan-created Wii graphics?

Perrin Kaplan: Well, they might have to find those themselves.

IGN Wii: Some fans have already started petitions in hopes of somehow convincing Nintendo to change the name. Any message for these people?

Perrin Kaplan: Live with it, sleep with it, eat with it, move along with it and hopefully they'll arrive at the same place.

IGN: So will Wii be your focus at E3, or will DS have its place, too?

Perrin Kaplan: We're going to be focusing on both, as you probably know. We know people are really interested in hearing about the new system so we will obviously be having a big portion of our focus on it.

Originally Posted by Gallant Pig

I'll be deleting any more threads on Nintendo versus MS for anyone who cares. This isn't the right thread.

Originally Posted by jeffdsmith

Just so we are clear, this thread is only for making fun of the consoles name with racist and sexual jokes?

Originally Posted by jeffdsmith

Wait, are you saying I'm trolling, or others?

Originally Posted by jeffdsmith

I guess now that Sony and MS fanboys are getting increasingly agitated..

....

I totally agree with you, until Nintendo learns to throw nearly 5 billion dollars in the whole with their consoles they will never succeed.

Originally Posted by Gallant Pig

You.

Originally Posted by Terrell

Personally, I see Nintendo making a lot of the same type mistakes that Sega made, including giving the Revolution a stupid name like Wii, after everyone has been calling it Revolution for a year. The only difference is Nintendo has more money than Sega had, and Sega couldn't continue taking losses. My own prediction is that the Wii sells even less than the Gamecube, especially in western markets. The name only confuses gamers. If it confuses hardcore gamers, I can't imagine what casual gamers and consumers will think.

Originally Posted by Outlaw

E3's not here yet and someone already comparing Nintendo to Sega? I'm going to cancel my Wii preorder now damnit!

(and I don't see how jeff was trolling either? I've seen plenty worse on this forum go unnoticed, and this thread is all about everyone acting like a dick anyway because wii're so boggled right now oh well ).