Nintendo: Why Ask Wii? [Apr 27, 2006, 3:09 pm ET] – Share – Viewing Comments
Nintendo names
new video game console Wii. Why Wii? Because It's pronounced "we." Why? Who
knows, though
CNN
Money has a Q&A on the topic. Here's the announcement:
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Nintendo Co. Ltd (7974.OS) on Thursday said it has named its new video game console "Wii, which it said is pronounced "we" to emphasize that the console is for everyone.
The console up until now has been known by its code-name "Revolution."
"While the code-name Revolution expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer," spokeswoman Perrin Kaplan told Reuters.
Nintendo, best known for its Game Boy portable video players, aims to gain share in the $25 billion global video game market now dominated by Sony Corp. (6758.T)
Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) launched its next-generation Xbox 360 console late last year and Sony's new PlayStation 3 is due in November. Wii also is expected to hit store shelves later this year.
While the new consoles from Microsoft and Sony boast more power and high-definition graphics, Nintendo's goal is to roll out a machine that appeals to a broader audience than the young males who make up the traditional console gaming market.
A key feature of the Wii is its one-handed controller that looks like a television remote control and uses motion-detection sensors that allow players to control the game by wielding it like a sword, waving it like a conductor's baton, or swinging it like a baseball bat.
I too at first thought this name was out there, but I assume I will get used to it just as I have all the other things that have occurred like this. Its just the initial shock of something totally unexpected with a name that is completely odd.
However, I think Nintendo knows exactly what they are doing. They knew this would be huge news and people would react all over the place. So they release the name 2 weeks before E3, have everyone talking about it (good or bad at least its on their brain) and by E3 the initial shock is gone and everything will start to shift focus over to all the games they are going to be showing off.
And I don't get why everyone is associating Wii with that of taking a piss (beyond the haters of Nintendo that would have found a problem with any name they came up with). I don't know anyone who has ever said "I'm going to go take a wee". Now maybe little kids say weewee, but most of the world doesn't speak in such a way. I foresee in the coming weeks people will start to embrace the name more, I for one have started to accept it more if not for just all the hate its generated, I find it rather amusing how quickly this has become a recognized name.
However, I think Nintendo knows exactly what they are doing. They knew this would be huge news and people would react all over the place. So they release the name 2 weeks before E3, have everyone talking about it (good or bad at least its on their brain) and by E3 the initial shock is gone and everything will start to shift focus over to all the games they are going to be showing off.
And I don't get why everyone is associating Wii with that of taking a piss (beyond the haters of Nintendo that would have found a problem with any name they came up with). I don't know anyone who has ever said "I'm going to go take a wee". Now maybe little kids say weewee, but most of the world doesn't speak in such a way. I foresee in the coming weeks people will start to embrace the name more, I for one have started to accept it more if not for just all the hate its generated, I find it rather amusing how quickly this has become a recognized name.
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