Does NOA have no power within Nintendo?

[Sandman]

I cannot understand Nintendo's marketing scheme for the past 2 generations.

I thought with the unveiling of the design of the console, they had changed their ways and actually learned how to market to an American audience. However, with the announcement of the name "Wii," they've proved a failure at marketing once again.

First, the GameCube launched in "indigo" (a nice way to not call the console purple). Any American marketing group who has done any research in the past decade knows that Americans don't like purple that much, and it makes it look like a kids toy. Why didn't NOA intervene and tell the big-wigs at NOJ that this was a bad idea?

The same goes with Wii. We have the PS3, which already has awesome brand recognition and people think it sounds "cool". The Xbox 360 isn't that good of a name, but there's nothing particularly bad about it so there is nothing to complain about.

I, for one, don't mind the name Wii. It's no big deal to me, because I'm buying the system no matter what. I understand what Nintendo is getting at with it, but at the same time I don't understand how Nintendo of America didn't put their foot down and block the name Wii. "Revolution" already had a strong presence in America... even my friends who know nothing about it knew there was a Nintendo system coming out called "Revolution." Revolution actually makes sense. They're hoping for this system to cause a gaming Revolution. While Wii makes a little sense, it still sounds and looks stupid. It is not an English word. Once again, Nintendo is going to lose ignorant American customers because they don't want their friends thinking they're "gay" for liking something that reminds them of penises.

[Bing147]

According to this interview:

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

NOA are the ones who came up with it.

[dork]

I love the name "Wii".

[Hylian-Advocate]

yea...that Game informer interview was actually kind of funny because GI was all....you do realize people will make fun of it....you do realize that it sounds like weeee lol

[venomv]

According to this interview:

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

NOA are the ones who came up with it.

Then someone needs to shoot/fire them, I prefer the former, but some may call it harsh.......

[Mach]

At least Iwata can't butcher the name's pronunciation quite like he did with the Nintendo Revarubioalution at E3 2005.

[venomv]

At least Iwata can't butcher the name's pronunciation quite like he did with the Nintendo Revarubioalution at E3 2005.

lol, I must have missed that, but it couldn't have been worse then Ken Kuturagi. The sird consule in the pwaystration line, or ummm, something like that.

[dork]

At least Iwata can't butcher the name's pronunciation quite like he did with the Nintendo Revarubioalution at E3 2005.
Haha! I thought of that too. :laugh:

[Vishus]

The DS did well. Because of the sales I guess you can say it's the coolest system in history. I haven't seen X360 get anywhere and as for PS3 we'll just have to wait and see. So PS, PS2, PSP, and now PS3 is cool. I don't see the first three in the same place as DS at launch or even after a year.

All successes in game history I can think had very little to do with these small things such as color and name. Everytime they explained failure they would say things such as NES has two controller slots while Turbografx has one controller slots. N64 was difficult and expensive to develop for, and used a small spaced cartridge, but the PS was all the opposite. I don't think things such as Square moving to PS from N64 was name or color related or even marketted. Like people are so going to care that one system is easier to develop over another.

[Fallax]

I cannot understand Nintendo's marketing scheme for the past 2 generations.

I thought with the unveiling of the design of the console, they had changed their ways and actually learned how to market to an American audience. However, with the announcement of the name "Wii," they've proved a failure at marketing once again.

First, the GameCube launched in "indigo" (a nice way to not call the console purple). Any American marketing group who has done any research in the past decade knows that Americans don't like purple that much, and it makes it look like a kids toy. Why didn't NOA intervene and tell the big-wigs at NOJ that this was a bad idea?

The same goes with Wii. We have the PS3, which already has awesome brand recognition and people think it sounds "cool". The Xbox 360 isn't that good of a name, but there's nothing particularly bad about it so there is nothing to complain about.

I, for one, don't mind the name Wii. It's no big deal to me, because I'm buying the system no matter what. I understand what Nintendo is getting at with it, but at the same time I don't understand how Nintendo of America didn't put their foot down and block the name Wii. "Revolution" already had a strong presence in America... even my friends who know nothing about it knew there was a Nintendo system coming out called "Revolution." Revolution actually makes sense. They're hoping for this system to cause a gaming Revolution. While Wii makes a little sense, it still sounds and looks stupid. It is not an English word. Once again, Nintendo is going to lose ignorant American customers because they don't want their friends thinking they're "gay" for liking something that reminds them of penises.


But you honestly don't understand. Before I make my speech, please understand that this name isn't the best name in the world -- in truth, the only reason I love it is because I can make fun of it. I mean, come on -- "My mother played my Wii last night, and she enjoyed it." Hehe, its funny!

But, in all honesty, the name is Nintendo. Its different. And it defines them as a company. Sony wants to build apon their established name -- ergo their console will be PlayStation 3. Microsoft wanted to completely turn around and be Number One -- not eating Sony's dust -- so they are the 360. The Xbox 360. Nintendo wants to be different. Doesn't want to play off their past generation -- so they are The Wii. The Nintendo Wii.

But most importantly, I bet a lot of female non-gamers will dig the game. My girlfreind is like me, she was saying, "Weee...Lets goo WEEE.." lol...she's so cute, I just love her. But really. And you know what? Old people can remember the name Wii. Its not a freakin' word the size of Manhattan, but something small an simple.

And most importantly, everyone will be talking about it. Whether it be good or for the bad, it will be the hottest topic for the next few weeks. But you know what they say about repetition -- the more you hear/see/read it, the more it will feel right at home. And once everyone is at terms with the name, we will be ready for some major announcements -- and for thw Wii-Wii's to take over our homes.

lol....I love this name.

[Glenn2K4]

^ hehe that's funny. i like him.

[Teh Roxor!]

I love the name "Wii".
Y yo también.

[Hylian-Advocate]

But you honestly don't understand. Before I make my speech, please understand that this name isn't the best name in the world -- in truth, the only reason I love it is because I can make fun of it. I mean, come on -- "My mother played my Wii last night, and she enjoyed it." Hehe, its funny!

But, in all honesty, the name is Nintendo. Its different. And it defines them as a company. Sony wants to build apon their established name -- ergo their console will be PlayStation 3. Microsoft wanted to completely turn around and be Number One -- not eating Sony's dust -- so they are the 360. The Xbox 360. Nintendo wants to be different. Doesn't want to play off their past generation -- so they are The Wii. The Nintendo Wii.

But most importantly, I bet a lot of female non-gamers will dig the game. My girlfreind is like me, she was saying, "Weee...Lets goo WEEE.." lol...she's so cute, I just love her. But really. And you know what? Old people can remember the name Wii. Its not a freakin' word the size of Manhattan, but something small an simple.

And most importantly, everyone will be talking about it. Whether it be good or for the bad, it will be the hottest topic for the next few weeks. But you know what they say about repetition -- the more you hear/see/read it, the more it will feel right at home. And once everyone is at terms with the name, we will be ready for some major announcements -- and for thw Wii-Wii's to take over our homes.

lol....I love this name.
Very good post... ...one of the only inteligent ones I have seen.

The name is beggining to warm up on me... ...probably because of the reasons you stated... ...its just so funny... ...so simple... ...and so Nintendo.

I honestly think in a couple of days or weeks, the name Wii won't even phase me.

Right now it's just so shockingly different for everyone.

[Alloy]

You'd be surprised at how many people are turned off by the names "Playstation" and "Xbox." It brings to mind stereotypical views on video games as a whole. So, by not sounding like a gaming machine, Nintendo sets itself apart. And if you don't like the name, go play the 360 and PS3. You're in that niche group who those types of games are for anyway.

[Sandman]

Your guys' posts make sense, and I agree personally, however I just don't think Wii is marketable to the teenage American gamer.

Also, Revolution does not sound like a stereotypical game system.

[Alloy]

Your guys' posts make sense, and I agree personally, however I just don't think Wii is marketable to the teenage American gamer.

Also, Revolution does not sound like a stereotypical game system.

Screw the teenage American gamer. They've deserted Nintendo already anyway. Why cater to a small group of consumers that are already anti-fanboys?

[Vishus]

The age range of most gamers is known to be 17-36 year olds or maybe just the college ages. Now if the 17, 18, and 19 year olds really do outnumber those other ages then that's news to me, because I only heard late teens to ages before 40 year old hilltop.

[Flare]

Your guys' posts make sense, and I agree personally, however I just don't think Wii is marketable to the teenage American gamer.

Also, Revolution does not sound like a stereotypical game system.

Here is something about those gamers: They will play whatever the hell their friends play. If the Revolution has amazing games then it will catch on. Period. They could call it the Bangcockbox if they wanted to. But really, what console can you really say succeeded or failed because of its name?

Lets resume this discussion about marketability when Wii commercials start depicting teenage guys diving around in their living rooms with their revomote-guns pointed at a big screen. You know, then the "W i i" appears at the end of the commercial I just can't see people caring much...maybe it is just me...

[Fallax]

Here is something about those gamers: They will play whatever the hell their friends play. If the Revolution has amazing games then it will catch on. Period. They could call it the Bangcockbox if they wanted to. But really, what console can you really say succeeded or failed because of its name?

Lets resume this discussion about marketability when Wii commercials start depicting teenage guys diving around in their living rooms with their revomote-guns pointed at a big screen. You know, then the "W i i" appears at the end of the commercial I just can't see people caring much...maybe it is just me...

In fact, it might be a good thing to make a new brand. I mean, everyone hates Nintendo so much, that if you mention Red Steel for the Revolution people assume it not only sucks, but the graphics won't look next-gen. If you just put "The Nitnendo Wii" at the end, or maybe just "Wii", people will be like....what? And go on the internet and find out what the heck it is.

But, its different. And there is that slight possiblity that this is some sort of marketing joke....I mean, like nNow has said...it is not registered...which is weird...really weird...:book:

[Khaos]

someone already registered wii.com lol. guess they want nintendo to bid on it from them...

[PornSharK]

I think NOA has enough power now to influence the Japanese parent company, hell Sony is a Japanese company too but the parent company has an open ear to their international markets.

The funny thing here is way back before in the day of the SNES and Super Famicom, the Japanese system looked hella sexy and curvy as opposed to the blocky SNES with purple and gray colors and many people hated the design but guess what, this blocky system beat Sega within a year in the 16 bit wars... but it wasnt the design that made the SNES no. 1, it was the creativity of most developers, back then Nintendo didnt make that many titles but many of what they did had at least above average ratings.

I can say Iwata is more listening than Yamauchi.

[bobo_ess]

Yup

[Sandman]

All of you people are talking about the eventual success of the system based on other factors other than marketing. I never said that I don't think think Wii is going to succeed, because I know it will. However, when they make a stupid marketing decision such as calling it "Wii", and they lose potential initial consumers, they could be potentially shooting themselves in the foot.

[HereticPB]

I sense Mario will wear a French Beret saying:

"Itsa Me on Wii"

Oui Oui

[Zeep]

At least Iwata can't butcher the name's pronunciation quite like he did with the Nintendo Revarubioalution at E3 2005.
レボルｓヒョン。