Poll Results: Tepid reaction to the Wii naming
by Ross Miller 
{ Apr 28th 2006 at 2:25PM }
The initial reaction to the Wii's controller when it was unveiled at the Tokyo Games Show this year was largely positive, with 62% of those survey reacting positively, only 16% negative, and 22% ambivalent. Keep in mind, these results are just the initial reaction of hardcore gamers, who are not Nintendo's target audience (Nintendo has stated many times that they hope to bring in all gamers and non-gamers, so expect a more casual fare). Hopefully, at E3 when we all get tired of Wii jokes, Nintendo will unveil a first- and third-party lineup that compensates for the currently-reviled nomenclature.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
boots (former bd (former b)) @ Apr 28th 2006 2:30PM
The option "Wii want a revolution" doesn't necessarily have to be interpreted as "I don't like Wii", but simply wanting a revolution per se, not as wanting it as a name.
Morder @ Apr 28th 2006 2:32PM
I think this Wii Information is really interesting. Why did they bother releasing it early instead of releasing it at E3. That makes the most sense from a company like Nintendo...Possibly they put the name out there to see the response and at E3 they will backtrack and say 'Just kidding'?
I for one will still call it 'Revolution'.
Back_Lit @ Apr 28th 2006 2:35PM
I am starting to like the name, mainly because its pissing EVERYONE else off :D
And its fun to run around and say "Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!"
SilverSurfer @ Apr 28th 2006 2:39PM
They released the name now so we could get the shock/buzz out of our systems and come E3 it is all about the games, not about the name.
LunarDuality @ Apr 28th 2006 2:41PM
When I looked at the poll results about 2 hours into it, the results were much more negative. I have a feeling that Nintendo's strategy of releasing the name now so we can "get used to it" before all the E3 hoopla is working...people are coming around. I'm one of the 12 steppers.
Moogle @ Apr 28th 2006 2:44PM
They've already stated that they did it so the massive reaction (they predicted it, yup) didn't detract from the show, the games, and the reports of what people thought of the control scheme. Pretty on target of nintendo, and doesn't really indicate anything like another name change.
On topic, yeah, the 'revolution' option would seem to indicate "hate" by its placement on the list, but I think it really just skews the actual results because, regardless of what people think about 'wii', 'revolution' was almost universally liked (wether or not it makes a good product name is debatable). That makes it very hard to ligitimately use as data.
Sagan @ Apr 28th 2006 2:44PM
Do this poll again in a few months, just before the Wii comes out. To see whether we have gotten used to the name by then.
crono141 @ Apr 28th 2006 2:45PM
The console formerly known as Revolution. Wii will not say Wii, even if it is the wiil name.
The more I make fun of it, the funnier it gets.
Hoffy @ Apr 28th 2006 2:51PM
You've gotta hand it to Nintendo. Yes, they may have come up with one of the gayest sounding names ever... but look how much buzz they've created.
7 of the past 14 articles on Joystiq have been about Wii. Every gaming website has Wii as the main headline. Anyone who knows anything about gaming is talking Wii right now.
The question is... are the non-gamers?
Jeremy @ Apr 28th 2006 2:52PM
With that much negative reaction to the name, Nintendo should listen to it's critics AND FANS and change it back to the very fitting and mature name Revolution.
It would not be a sign of weakness, but a sign of it's value of it's fans' opinions.
DidYouLoseASock @ Apr 28th 2006 2:59PM
I like most people dont like the name. I understand why they picked the name and i think the logo and the idea behind it is really good. It looks good written but how you say it is really bad. I decided i will say it as...
"double u, double i"
Jeremy @ Apr 28th 2006 3:02PM
Kotaku Poll results:
http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/poll/poll-do-you-hate-wii-like-really-really-hate-it-170110.php
Kye @ Apr 28th 2006 3:04PM
Nintendo has finally replied to my email.
Apparently the name Wii is Japanese for "good" and the interpretations are only in my head!
...!?
Well done Nintendo, the gamecube was a weird enough name but now we have the 'Nintendo Good'! - What a huge step AWAY from the kiddy image that almost killed you last generation. Why, how nice of you to make it mono-syllabled. To make sure even the thickest one year olds can pronounce it.
Way to NOT underestimate your core markets intelligence. Afterall, we WERE all having problems saying big words like playstaion and dreamcast. Thanx for making it so fucking easy for us.
Are you sure you don't want to send shiggy round to burp each one of us as well? Maybe tuck us in after we play?
Talk about falling out the stupid tree and hitting every fucking branch. Then being attacked by retarded dogs on the ground. Then being buried on Dumbass Hill.
Is there any more room on the Xbox bus guys?...
... ...Guys!?
Kamalot @ Apr 28th 2006 3:06PM
Run another poll, right after Nintendo's E3 conference to see how public reaction has changed.
It will be interesting to see how much venom has died down.
Tom @ Apr 28th 2006 3:12PM
When I read it for the first I instantly hated it and voted against it.
But now I begin to like it - maybe bc I had so much fun last night to write and read jokes about it... I don't know.
Man, I lmao for at least 5 hours. That was soo good!
I think Nintendo has the best humor of all companys in world!
And as mentioned before somewhere here at joystiq, I think Nintendo is having some giant hairy balls to release the console with this name.
It's so controverse! Haven't experienced something like that before...
Thanx Nintendo - you made my life much more fun!
PS: I'm gonna buy it, just to get flamed by those fanatic X-Box and PS Fan-Kiddies :-)
Sir Stank @ Apr 28th 2006 3:13PM
Back_Lit:
I think what happened is that they had an all Japanese person focus group put together for a total time of four to six months. In this time the initial player response was simply whoopee over and over. The focus committee decided they could not use such a name (whoo-pee cushion ??) for a game console so Wii was created. It's easy to remember and is targeted for the casual gamer who only wants to experience simple glee. Besides it saves space on booklets,console faces,Joystiqs and controllers which in turn saves money and makes board members say Wii. ;-)
darry @ Apr 28th 2006 3:13PM
"hey guys come over after school, we can play on my wii"
BatzRadio @ Apr 28th 2006 3:14PM
Just thought of something amusing.
You know the constant pissing contest between PS3 and Xbox 360 - and between their fanboys?
I just got to thinking - Wii may be a sly insult in that direction.
boots (former bd (former b)) @ Apr 28th 2006 3:16PM
"Afterall, we WERE all having problems saying big words like playstaion and dreamcast."
How ironic, because I thought it was called PlayStation. Maybe we did have some problems saying big words like PlayStation.
Hoffy @ Apr 28th 2006 3:20PM
Zing!!
boots, that was truly great.
Theboy @ Apr 28th 2006 3:21PM
As much as everyone hates it now, I have a feeling that after they finally showcase the games at E3 06, people will be calling it Wii3 06.
Jouten Za @ Apr 28th 2006 3:21PM
Ok, I'm done with the Wii jokes now. I've had over 24 hours to experience a roller coaster of emotions from furious to uncontrollable crying to depression to uncontrollable laughter... I'm ok now. Wii it is.
Freezair @ Apr 28th 2006 3:25PM
I'm a twelve-stepper whose steps have come full circle. I like it now. It's goofy, and I'm an incredibly goofy person myself. I gotta hand it to the Big N for taking a risk. Never one to follow the crowd.
Although considering the other "ridiculously named electronic products" out there, it may not be a question of not following the crowd so much as what crowd they're following. GHmmmm...
32_footsteps @ Apr 28th 2006 3:25PM
Actually, Japanese for "good" would be, Anglicized, "ii" (pronounced like "ee" in English).
Man, will there ever be a console with a name that doesn't bite? I think the last console name that was really good was the Genesis (though I'll give credit and say that Saturn was decent).
J @ Apr 28th 2006 3:26PM
Maybe they know what they're doing. Maybe they are prepared for the fact that it will sell like hotcakes in Japan while tanking in the states. Hardcore gamers will be embarrassed by it. Casual gamers -- who they claim to want the most -- will think it's cute but will either be turned off by the name or get sick of the cramp in their bicep from use of the "remote". I smell Dreamcast.
Maybe it's all part of Nintendo's plan. A very, very, odd plan.
DCSimian @ Apr 28th 2006 3:39PM
Reggie's initial reaction: "WTF?! How the hell do they expect me to market that?!"
Upfront and inperson, he may play it all cool and support the name, but in the back of his mind, you know he's plotting to kill the bastard that came up with it (oh the irony if it were Reggie himself!).
He may not be so friendly this E3...
Paul @ Apr 28th 2006 3:55PM
Next time you make a poll, please make it a simple yes/no answer. That would be most accurate. If you feel it necessary, ass a 'not sure" option but don't make the poll answeres themselves editorial.
Sean @ Apr 28th 2006 4:15PM
I read somewhere a guy talking about how the average person has no idea what consoles are named. Often talking about the "playstation 360" and "mario for microsoft". I think that's a valid point.
Everyone, and I mean everyone from your parents to the anchors on CNN can differentiate between the Wii and the Playstation.
Holland Wood @ Apr 28th 2006 5:10PM
This is ridiculous! Stop commenting on a move of significant branding brilliance. Free publicity within the media is the best reassurance of brand awareness. Further, the system will do fine no matter what they call it....again, it's about the games.
Now, onto the name. "Wii", I believe, will stand for WIRELESS INTERACTION or WIRELESS INDIVIDUAL INTERACTIVITY or WIRELESS INTERACTIVE INPUT. Look at the "W" and "i" within the mark. The "W" has a nice, fluid motion, like how one might move the controller. The "i" on the other hand, represents the look and shape of the input device (controller).
Everyone's first reaction is wrong. Think "Revolution", then create it visually and intellectually while virally communicating it through media. Brilliant.
Jed Merrill @ Apr 28th 2006 5:28PM
In marketing, I would call this an utter failure.
Sure they got extra PR, but it is mostly (90%) negative.
If I were Nintendo, I would DEFINITELY change the name before E3. Instead of building excitement, they are extinguishing it rapidly, selling out the good will they've built up so far.
When you surf, you position yourself at the top of the wave or in it, not under it.
They can turn this into a positive by relieving the fans of this poor name. Show you're listening, Nintendo!
Anonymous @ Apr 28th 2006 5:33PM
I predict some disgruntled fan will attempt to topple parts of Nintendo's booth at E3 in rightful anger if they keep this up. They'd better have good security!
The majority of us will not get over it. It's just too wiierd.
Jouten Za @ Apr 28th 2006 6:06PM
Nintendo will be sued. Just like the WWF, now WWE was. Wii is an actual name a government is using. Check it out yourselves.
http://www.wii.gov.in/
The WWF (World Wildlife Fund) had their way with the then known as WWF (known then as the World Wrestling Federation)and forced the WWF to change to WWE. Maybe this will happen to Nintendo as well.
And for good measure, here's their disclaimer from their website...
All efforts have been made to make the information as accurate as possible, Wildlife Institute of India (WII) will not be responsible for any loss to any person or organization caused by inaccuracy in the information available on this Website. Any discrepancy found may be brought to the notice of WII.
Don Jose @ Apr 28th 2006 6:37PM
WE are upset.
WE are disappointed.
WE are sick of smug marketers and their wonky perceptions of creativity.
I cannot, and will not, spell WE any other way.
This almost makes me want to repeal my nearly decade-long personal embargo against Sony...and then I remember those racist PSP ads.
Sergio @ Apr 28th 2006 6:54PM
The reactions to those two polls don't signify the same thing. The controller poll could be used to loosely determine who might be interested in buying Nintendo's next console. However, the Wii poll does not. I for one voted for the last option, but I will still be buying it.
The Monongahela Monster @ Apr 28th 2006 9:38PM
'Link', 'Mario', and 'Metroid' are fairly dorky names too. Nobody cares, because the games are incomparable. So, yeah, 'Wii' is a stupid name, but do you really care what they call it?
M@ @ Apr 28th 2006 10:27PM
I love it how everyone thinks they know what's best for a company. Way to literally judge a book by it's cover. I just find it funny how all the critics come out of the woodwork for this stuff. Everyone becomes a naming expert suddenly. Names are news... This is just like any other sort of "news"... it's all stupid knee jerk opinions and reactions concerning situations the reader is truely clueless about.
Gabriel Asseily @ Apr 29th 2006 6:43AM
Nintendo got their free marketing! We all fell for it and you know what! WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!
I am still psyched about the game, hardcore gamer or not, the name should really not affect your decision to buy this console or not. I am still super psyched about the controller and wish I could fly over for E3.
Damn you Nintendo for making us wait, but release in Europe soon. I can't wait I need to Wii ! (HAHAHA just adds to the fun)
BlackYoshi @ Apr 29th 2006 8:40AM
Awful name, not only because it requires a ton of explanation, but also because Im tired of the puns already and its been 2 days.
typopaddo @ Jun 15th 2006 5:08AM
yeah right, we all got used to the name as stupid as "playstation" so get over wit it.