Get it? It rhymes with “ennui” which means boredom… Zing! Oh man. And that, ladies and gentlemen is just another taste of the awesome that is so commonplace ’round here.
Anyways, since every game-related blogger in the world HAS to mention how bad the name “Wii” is, I’ll chime in. I don’t like it. I simply can’t imagine going in to a store and asking for a “Wii.” “Excuse me sir, I’d like to purchase a Wii.” “Pardon me, where can I find the Wii games?”
Yes, we all know it sounds like a rarely used euphamism for urine. And if you’re in Ireland it means small, right? As in, “Top ‘o the mornin’ to ya, wee lassie.”
But looking past the “Huh huh, he said ‘wee'” homophones, this is what’s really annoying to me about the name:
Introducing … Wii.
As in “we.”
While the code-name Revolution expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer.
Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else.
Wii will put people more in touch with their games … and each other. But you’re probably asking: What does the name mean?
Wii sounds like “we,” which emphasizes this console is for everyone. Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.
Wii has a distinctive “ii” spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play.
And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of video games that sets it apart from the crowd.
So that’s Wii. But now Nintendo needs you.
Because, it’s really not about you or me.
It’s about Wii.
And together, Wii will change everything.
If you have to take… *counts* If you have to take more than 150 words just to explain why your new name is not, in fact, ridiculous and it still doesn’t convince anyone, then your marketing department is probably due for some pink slips.
If Nintendo had just released a press release that said:
Introducing… Wii.
As in “Wheeeeeeeee!”
‘Cause that’s what you’re going to be saying when you play it.
I’d be all like, “Hell yeah!” Now that’s some marketing I can get behind. Seventeen words. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Nintendo Ad-wizards!
So, the name is stupid, and the logic behind it is even worse. That being said, I am really excited about the console and the dumb name is not going to change my mind. I like the concept behind the wiimote and I can’t wait to play with my Wii all night long.
I heard about the big name release last week at the CHI conference. How atrocious. However, I’d be more OK with it if they went with you’re advertising campaign. Why don’t you give up teaching English and come back to the States to do some marketing? I’m sure my mom would give you a job.
May 2nd, 2006 at 0:23[…] Kidding aside, everyone knows (and mostly abhors) the name for the new Nintendo console. This was the only unique angle I could hope to take while attempting to be funny, so there you go. If you want true humor, check Vince’s post. BREVITY by zaiss | […]
May 2nd, 2006 at 0:28Wii’ve said enough already.
May 2nd, 2006 at 1:57Yeah, wii, that is stupid. Kinda looks like vvii which is written more properly in roman numerals as xii.
May 2nd, 2006 at 19:53lol @ eric
I was actually going to suggest that he start telling people to refer to him as ‘xii… as in “zee”‘
At least thats what I’m going to call him.
May 3rd, 2006 at 6:06Zing!
And now we can collectively refer to Mr. xii and Mr. Z S Zaiss as the “zees”.
May 3rd, 2006 at 10:49By the way, does anyone know what the plural of Wii is? If I bring my Wii over to your house and set it next to your Wii, do we have a pair Wiis (Weeze) or Wiii (Why)? Or is it like fish?
I suppose we can also forget about any World War II games, especially the sequels. Oui?
May 3rd, 2006 at 10:58-dies from all the puns- Yowza. Eric. That’s almost painful.
May 5th, 2006 at 22:00Don’t blame me. They brought it upon themselves. I noticed that Wil Wheaton is a fan of the new name. Maybe because his first name is also strikingly similar.
By the way Vince, whats with the link to Wil’s blog anyway? Do you only hang with people who have smaller Kevin Bacon numbers than you now?
May 6th, 2006 at 1:53I like Wil’s poker blogs. I read him at card squad as well. He’s a cool guy. I tried to play him in poker the other day, but his tourney filled up too fast. I’ll crush Crusher yet!
May 8th, 2006 at 16:37