The Official Nintendo Wii topic {8 Δεκεμβρίου κυκλοφορία σε Ευρώπη/250?}

[privateer]

[privateer]

GI Interview with NOA about the name Wii

 

We still scratched our heads, so we spoke with Nintendo of America's Public Relations Manager Matt Atwood to get Nintendo's explanation of what the name was really about.

 

Game Informer: Why change the name in the first place when people are already used to The Nintendo Revolution?

 

Matt Atwood: We always stated that Revolution was a code name. While it indicates the disruptive nature of the system, we wanted a name that represents all inclusiveness, because thatʼs a huge point of the system. Itʼs not about you or me – itʼs about Wii. So, itʼs basically a different kind of a system.

 

GI: Whose idea was Wii?

 

Atwood: It was actually several people internally. But beyond that, we arenʼt disclosing specifics on how the name came about. But it was several people at NOA and NCL.

 

GI: So it wasnʼt Yamauchi coming in with his iron fist and saying, “Weʼre calling it Wii!”

 

Atwood: (laughs) No. No, it wasnʼt. For a long time there weʼve been discussing the name and there was a lot of talk, and this is what the committee came up with. It was a large group of people that came up with the name.

 

GI: This is going to sound really crass and rude, but a childʼs way of saying they have to go to the bathroom is saying they have to go wee. Doesnʼt that concern you at all?

 

Atwood: No. Anytime you announce a new name youʼre going to get a lot of questions and the whys. If you look at what TiVo did or Virgin Airline for instance, a sort of tie in for example. Those names have become household names and it had nothing to do with that at all. We wanted a name that represented the fact that this system was really for everyone to play. And Wii, the word, is W-i-i, and the two Iʼs represent both people and the controllers. So, itʼs really not about this sort of tongue in cheek.

 

Again if you look at things like Yahoo! Or Virgin, or Caterpillar or Naked Juice, or Prius – the car, or Napster – these names either have funny connotations or donʼt make sense initially. But if you look at how we support this, and what the name represents, I think it makes sense.

 

GI: So there were never thoughts of, “Letʼs just stick with Revolution? Itʼs a really cool name”

 

Atwood: I think there were thoughts across the board. There were thoughts of sticking with Revolution, then there were thoughts of a completely different name, but once everything came together this was the name decided. I think they wanted a name that was very unique. Because this system is not about an upgrade of an old system. This is about an entirely new way to play, an entirely new type of system.

 

GI: Just seeing the reactions in our office and seeing what people are saying online – it seems people are really shocked at this name, and arenʼt really that thrilled about it.

 

Atwood: I think the first time you hear any name, it sounds odd. I think one of the reasons is that itʼs totally different and unexpected as you said. The first step will be getting to E3, and getting hands-on. Weʼre pretty confident itʼll become a lexicon like Google, or Amazon, or Virgin. Obviously there will be first reactions, but once you get your hands-on with the system and understand, and watch the video, and read the back story of what this name is supposed to represent, I think it all ties in.

 

GI: Isnʼt it a little tricky that you have to give us a one sheet to explain what the name means and it doesnʼt say it by itself.

 

Atwood: No, the point is we want it to be very clear what weʼre saying. Again, weʼll go back to your traditional naming conventions for systems. They tend to be fairly literal. Thatʼs not what we want at all. We want something that isnʼt as literal. But once you understand it, it makes a lot of sense.

 

Once you touch the Revolution, this will make more sense. Once you play more games, and once the system is out, and more and more people play it, and youʼre realizing these different experiences, itʼll make more sense. Again, it may sound a little bit of a line, but I think it fits well. This is not about you or me, itʼs about Wii.

 

GI: Is that the new “Blue Ocean”?

 

Atwood: Itʼs all relational. It all fits. The Wii name fits in with the Blue Ocean strategy as far as going different, going unique, making a statement, but at the same time really pointing to the fact that this isnʼt a traditional system and not done the traditional way. This is about expanding the audience, while not at all ignoring our core, in fact appealing to them, which youʼll find at E3. Itʼs about broadening.

 

GI: Are you trying to connotate a Wi-Fi type thing?

 

Atwood: I thought the same thing too. The Wi-Fi thing isnʼt really part of it, though, once you get to E3, there may be news on that. Weʼve already said the system will be online out of the box, but while it lends itself and kind of fits, itʼs not the overall intent.

 

GI: Why reveal the name now? Why not wait until your E3 press conference?

 

Atwood: E3 for us is all about the games. We understand that when you announce a name itʼs going take a bit of time to get comfortable with it, and when we get to the show we want the focus to be completely on the games, and the gameplay. The focus of E3 is to get everyone to play this system. You can only appreciate the system when you play it. I know for a long time weʼve been talking about all the possibilities, and I know you guys have been talking about all of the possibilities of the system.

 

The key is to focus on the games and the gameplay at E3, not a name, but anything but that.

 

GI: Speaking of E3, has Nintendo figured out how to control all of the different freehand controllers that are going to be pointing at 80 different directions?

 

Atwood: Yes, NCL has worked on that and have a pretty good solution which you will see at the show.

 

GI: This is a very different name and itʼs going to be really interesting seeing what the world has to say about it. Nintendo has always paved their own path since the NES, so is this sort of following in that tradition you think?

 

Atwood: I think that the last few years – the best comparison would be the DS. When we announced DS everybody wasnʼt sure about the name, obviously that one is quite literal. But itʼs about the concept behind the DS and the concept behind the Revolution. So while Nintendo has gone their own way since the NES, as you stated, itʼs really about this new direction of expanding the market, taking care of our traditional gamers, but also developing games like Brain Age, Nintendogs, and the new titles youʼre going to see at E3. Really approaching videogames in a very different way, because we donʼt believe that staying the course is the right way to go. We believe that a new way to play is the answer. People want more immersion and we will deliver it.

 

GI: What did you honestly think of the name the first time you heard it?

 

Atwood: First time I heard it, I sat down and thought about it for a bit, and “Do I like it, Do I not?” and as I thought, “Hmm, it seems a little bit different. I donʼt understand it." And then I did the same thing you guys did and watch the video, and the more I understood about the system, the more itʼs made a lot of sense to me. Yeah, initially I went, "Wow, this is different." And then once I started getting more hands on with the system, and once I started to understand the concept behind the system and how the name ties in, I actually really like it. I think people will talk about it. Youʼre definitely seeing it on the net, and people will continue to talk about it.

 

What I like about it is, itʼs not about abbreviating anything. There will be no abbreviation needed. There is no Nintendo Wii. Itʼs just Wii. Itʼs a very inclusive name in that respect.

 

GI: So what are you going to tell the people that think youʼre crazy for naming it the Wii?

 

Atwood: Weʼre going to tell them, one, play the system. Kind of what we told you. I think initially youʼre going to see some reaction, and I think its going to make a lot of sense. Get your hands on the system. Once you see entirely what weʼre doing with the system it will make more sense. I would suggest really trying to understand looking at the background story of the name because itʼs really telling of the system. The system really supports it. I would say get your hands on the system first and then make your decision. The first look will be at E3, but that wonʼt be the entire one. The system comes at the end of 2006 and weʼre pretty confident and comfortable.

 

GI: Itʼs been rumored that the new big Revolution secret is the fact that the nun chuck controller is also motion detecting…

 

Atwood: Really. Thatʼs interesting. I would say 9:30 in the morning on Tuesday of E3 will be filled with surprises and I would just show up. Because thereʼs been a ton of speculation. Some of itʼs right. Some of itʼs not. Weʼd say that if thatʼs the only secret youʼre expecting youʼre going to be very surprised.

 

GI: Do you think Nintendo is going to take home E3 this year? Why do you think Nintendo will be the big buzz at E3 this year?

 

Atwood: I think it comes down to totally what Iʼve been talking about with the name. Iʼve been a gamer since – well I got my NES when I was 11 – and I am starving for a new way to play. I was cynical about the DS when it shipped, I was completely cynical. And long before I worked at Nintendo I found myself playing that system far more than any other handheld. The reason being is that I could do different things.

 

Right now Iʼm playing Trauma Center for instance. I love that game. You cannot do that anywhere else. Those types of experiences are really what is compelling. When I can do something new – Nintendogs, Brain Age – those are completely different ways to play and itʼs what Iʼm playing right now. I love the classics, but Iʼve played them for a very long time and with the Wii weʼve already talked about youʼre going to have the classics, youʼre going to have the hardcore games, but youʼre also going to be able to play new unique types of games. Thatʼs huge.

 

To me that has massive social implications. For instance, Iʼve played games for many years, and Iʼve tried to talk to my mom about a game and it was completely Greek. I believe Wii will open that dialog. I believe it already has with DS. When you look at Brain Age, you can take that game to your parents, your uncle, your niece, and everybody likes it, and gets it, and wants to take it from you. Itʼs taking this very personal experience and allowing to become more social. And people can understand it more. I mean, when you play Brain Age, you hold it like a book, thatʼs very easy to understand. Youʼre going to see more things like that.

 

GI: (laughs) The name Wii makes me think of peeing! You said you have to hold the DS like a book for Brain Age, I hate to know how Iʼm supposed to hold the Wii controller.

 

Atwood: Iʼm not going to go there, but you wonʼt be surprised. When you look at it, thereʼs so many different things you can do. But come to E3 and you will appreciate it.

 

http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200604/N06.0427.1154.38678.htm

[privateer]

Nintendo Talks to IGN About Wii

Is there any chance that the system's name could change again? Don't count on it, haters.

 

http://revolution.ign.com/articles/703/703593p1.html

[privateer]

 

the best:

 

[panther_512]

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Attacks

 

Coming to Wii.

 

By the hoary hosts of Hoggath! Today Activison announced its plans for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. Developed by Raven Software and C.B. Cebulski the action/role-playing game will feature the largest roster of comic book characters ever stuffed into one video game.

 

Of the more than 140 Marvel characters over 20 will be playable. Players can take on the great power and great responsibility over comic book favorites such as Spider-Man, Wolverine, Blade and Captain America.

 

"Marvel: Ultimate Alliance delivers a new twist on action/RPGs where players' actions and choices ultimately determine what happens to the Marvel universe," states Will Kassoy of Activision. "This coupled with the game's enormous character roster will deliver an action-packed experience that comic book fans have been waiting for."

 

Ultimate Alliance will allow players to create their own team name, icon and vehicle, and well as establish their team reputation as they play through their choice of multiple missions. Tweakable character leveling will give gamers the choice to focus on individual heroes or team-wide upgrades. With avengers assembled battle Marvel super baddies through multiple environments with all manner of combat moves and super hero powers.

 

Multiplayer modes will let players join friends and fight evil do-ers on and off line in co-op modes. An in-game stat tracking mode will allow you to see how you rate against others.

 

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is slated for deployment on all next-gen gaming systems, including Wii, this fall.

 

Link->

[iSpO_fAcTo]

Wii to launch in July at $199?

 

For those of you who havenʼt heard the Nintendo Revolution is now called the Nintendo Wii. Ok, well Iʼve been digging around the rumor mill and talked to some friends in the industry to find out what we can expect from Nintendo as far as a launch date and pricing are concerned. While this might come as a shock to some people, but the Wii probably wonʼt launch in November. In fact itʼs looking more and more like July each day.

 

There is a lot of evidence to point to this fact. First, Nintendo doesnʼt have any major Gamecube game releases scheduled before November. Second, Nintendo is on its own schedule and doesnʼt want to compete with the PS3 launch in November. Third, game developers like EA and Activision are shooting for their games to be ready in August/September and these games arenʼt labeled “launch titles”.

 

For you naysayers out there, Nintendo never said they would launch in November. Itʼs just been assumed that the launch would conincide with Zelda, but I doubt that will be the case. Zelda is going to be the system seller for the Christmas season. It will act as a sort of second wind(waker) for the Wii to combat the PS3.

 

As far as price goes, the consensus is that it will be priced at $199. This is half the price of either the PS3 or the Xbox 360. At that price pretty much every gamer who has owned a Nintendo system in the last two decades will be more than just a little interested in buying it. Any higher and the system will be competing with the other two systems and any lower and it will be too cheap.

 

The only thing that might “disrupt” this rumor is if Nintendo pulls an Apple and launches at E3. That would most certainly steal the show. After all, the Wiiʼs hardware isnʼt that much different than the Gamecube, so Nintendo wonʼt have to do too much to ramp up production on the Wii. As one of my sources put it: “they could have those things in a warehouse somewhere ready to roll”. I know that sounds crazy, but Apple does that a few times a year, so itʼs not that crazy is it?

[iSpO_fAcTo]

In Defense of Wii

 

Nintendo has named its new system, and it's called Wii. Pronounced 'we'.

 

You don't need me to tell you that the Internets have exploded. That GAF has slowed to a crawl and isn't even accessible half the time. That 1up's editor blogs are currently almost entirely dedicated to discussing why the name is a major misstep.

 

I often find myself in the position of having to explain why Nintendo's latest move isn't stupid. Why not -- I'll pick up that task again today. Wii isn't a bad name.

 

Let me start out by saying that it's not as if I like the name Wii. In fact, as I glance up at the Title: field that I filled in two minutes ago, it looks utterly oxymoronic. Wii doesn't sound like something that's defensible. It isn't the name of a video game system.

 

And that's where its power lies.

 

 

 

 

Again: I'm not saying that the particular name choice strikes me as brilliant. But the type of name is really what matters. It's distinctive, it's simple, it's iconic. It's half-word, half-picture. And damn if it's not going to get people talking.

 

Is it a homophone for a British slang word that means "urine"? Yes. But so is the first-person plural pronoun. If I said, "What are we doing tonight," would you repeat back to me, "What are wee doing tonight? Huh? Huh? Get it?" I would wonder what the hell your problem is, quite frankly.

 

The French word for "yes" also rhymes with "wee," and indeed this was the subject of much hilarity in French class. When I was in sixth grade. By seventh grade, when we turned thirteen, we were over it. That the Internet in toto is less mature than a group of thirteen-year-olds is not surprising, but neither is it damning to Nintendo's fortunes.

 

Of course, I expect the Internet to brim over with toilet humor; that is what the Internet is for. But the Internet is not real life. They've already proven this in a variety of ways related to Nintendo product announcements. Remember the almost universal outpouring of disdain following the announcement of the Nintendo DS? Nintendogs?

 

And look where that got the Internet. Nintendo DS is nothing short of a nationwide cultural phenomenon in Japan. Nintendo pushed hard away from the traditional notion of a video game system and did quite well for their efforts.

 

In short, the fuss over Wii is an Internet Problem, not a Real Life Problem. In real life, the name's soundalike will pass almost entirely without notice. The positives of Wii will vastly outweigh the negatives.

 

I do like something about Wii. I like that it is further evidence -- very strong evidence -- that Nintendo has stopped paying lip service to the mainstream and started aggressively pursuing them. You can't run after the mainstream with a ball and chain that reads VIDEO GAMES around your ankle. There needs to be a clean break.

 

Nintendo is so intent on breaking free from the shackles of traditional notions of "video games" that it is even abandoning its own name.

 

It's not the "Nintendo Wii." It's the Wii.

 

Why not stick with Revolution? Because global branding is of paramount importance. The "Genesis/Mega Drive" days are over. One world, one name. And "Revolution" was never going to fly in Japan, where the word is nearly unpronounceable. The end. If it's a shock to anyone, it's only to those who can't imagine a world beyond their tiny corner of it.

 

In the comments thread of my original news post, Peter B. pointed out quite well why Wii:

 

Talking to people that have worked in games retail, you find that normal people canʼt/donʼt/wonʼt keep the names of the systems straight. People ask for “PlayStation 360s” and “PlayCubes” and “Mario on Xbox” even though they actually own a GameCube – to them the system names are confusing and completely interchangeable.

 

This is basically Nintendo trying to create a name and brand that is in no way similar to the others, in order to be distinct in the minds of consumers. They see the ad, they actually retain the correct name, and they go and ask for it at the store.

 

Also, while it may sound dumb to us, you know that they focus-tested the hell out of it in all three territories and, at the very least, itʼs not completely repellent to those focus groups.

 

 

In short: it's not a video game name; that's the whole point; and you can bet that Actual People, as opposed to the Internet, won't have a problem with it.

 

And Peter, for the record, isn't in love with the name either. But you don't have to like something in order to think it's a good call. Eventually -- possibly by the end of the day -- we'll all be totally used to it.

 

Still, the core gamers are anxious to be appeased. Not just name-wise, but content-wise. Nintendo's gently patting the Internet on the head and telling them that it will be alright, but all the while they're pushing hard in the opposite direction. Nintendo has decided that if they had to choose, they would choose the vast market of non-gamers and not the smaller market of core gamers.

 

But this doesn't mean you get left out. PCs are the preferred gaming environment for a certain subsection of core gamers, and indeed they offer the richest, deepest, most detailed game worlds in existence. But PCs are also the current home of the casual gamer, in ever-growing numbers that vastly exceed the dwindling hardcore PC gamer crowd.

 

If PC makers and software developers had to get together and choose between the casuals and the core, who would they pick?

 

If you're feeling enraged, picked on, or left out, I highly encourage you -- as I would have encouraged you yesterday -- to go out and buy an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. If Nintendo is right, and I think they are, you'll end up with a Wii anyway.

 

The Internet likes to complain, but they don't call the shots. Nintendo knew the reaction it would get. That's why they unveiled it now, not at E3. At E3, the focus will be back squarely on the games. And they'll still be amazing.

 

I'm not in love with Wii -- but Wii works.

[iSpO_fAcTo]

ena oreo comic: http://www.britishgaming.co.uk/?p=734 :PPP

 

kai kapoia kala comments apo enan xristi:

 

What I have noticed is this - every post on the new name from the Gawker group (kotaku etc) to all the Nintendo sites, multi-platform sites and the Games blog on newspaper sites each have at least 50 or more replies and arguements running (some going well into the 100s).

 

Didn't see that when Sony, said "PS3"

 

The same for the controller - endless talk about it (not just from sad fanboys like me either).

 

Nintendo are creating conversations, debate, argument, they are making people care about "another gadget" and this is crucial.

 

They haven't spent a penny on advertising yet either!

[Slay]

to logotypo einai poly cool kai designato, to onoma omos.... ti na po isos na to synitisoyme ontos kai se ligoys mhnes na mhn mas kanei kamia entyposh.

[panther_512]

Συμφωνώ απολύτως.

 

Το λογότυπο είναι ωραίο, το trailer αρκετά καλό αλλά το όνομα.......

 

Αλλά από την άλλη και με το χειρηστήριο έτσι είμασταν στην αρχή.

 

Μόλις το είδαμε είπαμε WTF??????

 

Αλλά μετά που μάθαμε τί είναι, ο ενθουσιασμός χτύπησε κόκκινο.

 

Άντε να δούμε....

[Bourdoulas]

Enta3ei mi sigkrinoume tora to onoma ps3 me to wii...kamia sxesi! To Wii parapempei se Pee! Tespa exe mia logiki ena tetoio onoma (3erete oti oi giaponezoi diskoleyontai na to proferoun!)...

[panther_512]

Θα ποστάρω μιά πολύ σοφή κουβέντα που είδα στα forums του IGN:

 

What a stupid name for a system. The Nintendo Entertainment System. What the hells a Nintendo? That name will never stick. I can't imaging myself going into a store and asking for a Nintendo. It doesn't even roll off the tongue. Nin-ten-do. Just plain stupid.

 

Όποιος κατάλαβε, κατάλαβε...

[Daredevil]

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ela mwre siga twra opws kai na to legan to idio kanei, ta idia paixnidia 8a paizei. kata ta alla gi allh mia fora deixnei h N oti ftiaxnei mia konsola prwta gia thn japan(me oti kalo kai kako exei ayto) kai meta gia ton allo kosmo....

[xrest]

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ela mwre siga twra opws kai na to legan to idio kanei, ta idia paixnidia 8a paizei. kata ta alla gi allh mia fora deixnei h N oti ftiaxnei mia konsola prwta gia thn japan(me oti kalo kai kako exei ayto) kai meta gia ton allo kosmo....

ou kala eisai..jp exei tin oura tis eksasfalismeni.emena pantws maresei to onoma.xwris plaka.mou thimizei otan eimoun tsipidriki k ekana tsoulithra,k fwnaza gouiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

[panther_512]

ou kala eisai..jp exei tin oura tis eksasfalismeni.emena pantws maresei to onoma.xwris plaka.mou thimizei otan eimoun tsipidriki k ekana tsoulithra,k fwnaza gouiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

 

A να μπράβο!!!!!

 

Και μένα ακριβώς εκεί πήγε το μυαλό μου όταν πρωτοάκουσα το όνομα.

 

Wouuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii !!!!!!!!!!!!!!