Real people speak out about Wii [Update 1]

125 Comments by Conrad Quilty-Harper Apr 28th 2006 3:55PM
Filed under: Culture, Nintendo Wii, Interviews

As a way of formalizing the "all my friends think Wii is [insert adjective here]" meme that's flowing through our comments system, we've set out three questions that will reveal what friends, relatives and strangers really think about the Nintendo Wii. All the people in this informal vox populi were shown a piece of paper with the word "Wii" drawn on it and asked:

how they think it's pronounced
what type of product they think it might be
once they're told that it's the name of Nintendo's next-gen console, what their immediate reaction is.

If you'd like to take part, just follow these guidelines and post your vox pops in the comments. The whole point of the survey is to record unrehearsed and therefore instinctual responses to the name -- so make sure your subjects haven't heard of the Wii before and that they weren't aware of the survey before you asked them to take part.

Female, aged 30. From Hong Kong.

Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: "Wee" (got it first time)

Q: What does this name make you think of?
A: A urinal? Candy? It's kind of trendy, kind of modern. Maybe a trendy urinal? Maybe a sporting goods product? Maybe something that goes fast, like rollerblades? Probably a product for little kid because it's simple and very simplistic.

Q: What if I told you it's for a games product?
A: Games are supposed to be complicated. I wouldn't have guessed that.

Male student, aged 19. Savvy gamer from Derby, UK.

Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Why? or Wee?

Q: Lets say this is a product of some kind. What type of product does it make you think of?
A: Possibly a shower gel or some type of cleaning product.

Q: It's actually the name of Nintendo's next-generation games console.
A: Yeah? But that name doesn't sound anything like a games console!

Female student, aged 19. Casual gamer from Sheffield, UK.

Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Weeeeeee!

Q: Lets say this is a product of some kind. What type of product does it make you think of?
A: Chocolate.

Q: What would you say if it's actually the name of Nintendo's next-generation games console?
A: Hmmm, I think it'd sound good as a chocolate bar.

Female student, aged 18. Non-gamer from near Coventry, UK.

Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Wee.

Q: Lets say this is a product of some kind. What type of product does it make you think of?
A: Nothing. It doesn't sound like a product of any kind.

Q: What would you say if it's the name of Nintendo's next-generation games console?
A: Oh right, well it sounds a little silly.

Female student, aged 18. Non-gamer from London, UK.

Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: The same way you'd say why.

Q: Lets say this is a product of some kind. What type of product does it make you think of?
A: A no-name car audio CD player.

Q: What would you say if it's actually the name of Nintendo's next-generation games console?
A: Wiierd.

Male student, 18. Savvy gamer from Norfolk, UK.

Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Wee.

Q: Lets say this is a product of some kind. What type of product does it make you think of?
A: A product you say? A physical product, hint hint? Seriously, probably something to do with Wikipedia or some kind of athletics gear.

Q: What would you say if it's actually the name of Nintendo's next-generation games console?
A: Grrreat! [pronounced in a heavily sarcastic manner]

Male student, 19. Casual gamer from Lincoln, UK.

Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Wee.

Q: What does this name make you think of?
A: Japanese? It sounds small, maybe a gadget.

Q: What if I told you it's for a games product?
A: Yeah, that makes sense. It doesn't surprise me.

Male student, 19. Casual gamer from Birmingham, UK.

Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Like why.

Q: What does this name make you think of?
A: World War II, the name "will".

Q: What if I told you it's for a games product?
A: That's logical, but I think the two letter "i"s make it seem like it's roman numerals.

Female student, 19. Non-gamer from Hull, UK.

Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Wee.

Q: What does this name make you think of?
A: A cleaning thing.

Q: What if I told you it's for a games product?
A: Actually, yeah! That makes sense.

Female student, 19. Non-gamer from London, UK.

Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Wee.

Q: What does this name make you think of?
A: A cleaning agent.

Q: What if I told you it's for a games product?
A: Uh, it sounds "wampy". Stupid.

Male student, 19. Savvy gamer from Lincoln, UK.

Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Like why, I think.

Q: What does this name make you think of?
A: It sounds like a Chinese name or some sort of code.

Q: What if I told you it's for a games product?
A: I'd associate it with Wifi or a video game, not a console.
[Update: fixed annoying typo.]

Tags: Vox pop, Vox populi, VoxPop, VoxPopuli

Read

(Page 1) Reader Comments

Babylonian: Apr 28th 2006; 3:59PM

This idea is genius. I'll be back later with at least ten.

Kamalot: Apr 28th 2006; 4:02PM

"Q: What if I told you it's for a games product?
A: Games are supposed to be complicated. I wouldn't have guessed that."

SUCCESS!

Jaunty: Apr 28th 2006; 4:05PM

Sounds like a mixed bag i say

GlitchCog: Apr 28th 2006; 4:05PM

Doesn't anyone ever think it's pronounced "whi" like as in "with," but without the "th"?

Alex: Apr 28th 2006; 4:07PM

Nintendo single handedly saved the American games industry in the mid-80's when Atari crashed and nearly dragged everyone with it. Without them you would have nothing. The d-pad, analog stick, rumble mario, zelda.

Too many 15 year olds think that Microsoft invented gaming or that Halo/Half Life 2 is as good as it gets. Haters should learn their history then bow down and pay your respects.

Beeves: Apr 28th 2006; 4:07PM

Well, no one said 'piss' or 'urine'. Maybe it's just an Internet thing?

Sagan: Apr 28th 2006; 4:07PM

Interesting - Maybe I'll ask my parents to add to that.

Big_J: Apr 28th 2006; 4:08PM

Well looks like this debunked all the piss/pee/penis crp everyone has been talking about. If this is marketedright it will be HUGE

Jed Merrill: Apr 28th 2006; 4:12PM

Click here to learn how to complain to the ESRB:

http://boards.ign.com/Message.aspx?topic=116279574&brd=8270&start=116279803

WE can change Wii!

SLy: Apr 28th 2006; 4:13PM

You said Wee.. hehe :(

SickNic: Apr 28th 2006; 4:16PM

Everyone questioned was over 18 years old. Only the younglings mention piss/pee/penis crap.

harvsorrow: Apr 28th 2006; 4:20PM

A trendy urinal, hilairous. Maybe this is the secret nintendo is holding back from us...

Pete: Apr 28th 2006; 4:23PM

Well the first girl did mention a urinal, a trendy urinal. Personally I wasnt to know what exactly a trendy urinal looks like.

word.: Apr 28th 2006; 4:24PM

Wasn't Nintendo hiring people for $20/hour to talk to the general public about "Brain Age" in NYC to boost awareness and sales?

Now they've got an army of people of people doing it for the Wii around the world for free!

Wow.

Mephy: Apr 28th 2006; 4:24PM

Female, age 45, hasn't played a video game since Tetris, western Canada.

Q: How would you pronounce it?
A: Why.

Q: This is actually a product name, what do you think it is?
A: One of those PDA or Blackberry things, maybe.

Q: What if I told you this is the name of the next Nintendo system?
A: Really? Never would have guessed, would've thought it was some trendy gadget.

adam: Apr 28th 2006; 4:27PM

I think people will grow out of this "heh heh. they said Wee" phase soon. It's definitely a name that will stand out and people will recognize it.

Kyoji: Apr 28th 2006; 4:30PM

"Q: What if I told you it's for a games product?
A: Games are supposed to be complicated. I wouldn't have guessed that."

Well, looks like Nintendo has succeeded in their main objective!

Paul: Apr 28th 2006; 4:30PM

Hmm, market research, focus testing. Congrats, Joystiq, you are two steps ahead of Nintendo!

SP: Apr 28th 2006; 4:31PM

when will it start being spelled W11?

Eric: Apr 28th 2006; 4:32PM

I think there have been less urine comments because the people aren't told it�s pronounced we. Knowing how something sounds changes how you perceive it.

Nathan: Apr 28th 2006; 4:34PM

Your example questionarre is exactly the stereotypical response Nintendo is trying to break. Games aren't supposed to be complicated. They're meant for everyone. The name Wii is accessible and easy to remember. Obviously it immediately invokes a response from the viewer whether it be positive or negative. I for one think it's creative and unique.

Anyway, Nintendo knows what they're doing and I believe they're on the right track with their new console's tech and name. The age of the PlayStation and gaming being only for the hardcore is over. Games are becoming mainstream and Nintendo is embracing it.

PayTheMan: Apr 28th 2006; 4:37PM

In response to the girl who insisted that video games are to be complicated: this negative stigma is exactly what Nintendo intends on combatting. They are purposely simplfying the Wii to attract a bigger audience to video games. Nintendo is inciting a revolution in the video games industry.

DOC: Apr 28th 2006; 4:39PM

man is this hilarious.

Nick: Apr 28th 2006; 4:39PM

the name reminds me of wi-fi

Alkaiser: Apr 28th 2006; 4:43PM

Bear in mind, that this is them talking to real people in REAL life. I don't generally mention "urine" to people that aren't in my close circle of friends, so I'd probably just respond with "That is stupid". Or, "You're kidding, right?"

Anyway, as far as the "trendy urinal" comment goes, in Japan, they have WAY fancier toilets than they do in the US. So, you've got that aspect. In HK, they've probably imported some of them.

My favorite response was the girl who obviously just wanted to eat chocolate.

Ozyman666: Apr 28th 2006; 4:43PM

I think it's going to be revealed as Wi!, as in "We Won."

Mark: Apr 28th 2006; 4:44PM

Somebody already registered www.ihatewii.com

Too funny!

Ozyman666: Apr 28th 2006; 4:45PM

That should have been Wi1.

Jeremy Wright: Apr 28th 2006; 4:48PM

#3: Yeah, I still look at it and think "wi" (as in "with"). Crazy.

This is one of those "let's see how it sticks" things. The Playstation was the same way. As was the Xbox. As was the Revolution.

It's an *interesting* choice, if nothing else. Better than N64 ;-)

Will he wonk her: Apr 28th 2006; 4:51PM

Female student, aged 19. Casual gamer from Sheffield, UK.

Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Weeeeeee!

Q: Lets say this is a product of some kind. What type of product does it make you think of?
A: Chocolate.

Q: What would you say if it's actually the name of Nintendo's next-generation games console?
A: Hmmm, I think it'd sound good as a chocolate bar.

Guess that means she likes wee in the mouth (and a chocolate wee at that!). Sorry I could not resist. To do so would be just wrong on my part.

Kyle: Apr 28th 2006; 4:56PM

Check out this conversation me and a friend had... (Feel free to IM us on AIM)

DaSuRfRdUdE27: omg i love loco roco
Shard1337: ...
Shard1337: how are you playing it?
Shard1337: did they finally hack it for 1.5?
DaSuRfRdUdE27: lol
DaSuRfRdUdE27: i coulnt help myself
Shard1337: noooo
Shard1337: noooo
DaSuRfRdUdE27: lol i hacked it
Shard1337: why???
Shard1337: oh
DaSuRfRdUdE27: twas easy
Shard1337: cool
DaSuRfRdUdE27: i psar dumped it
DaSuRfRdUdE27: and ran t with file assistant
DaSuRfRdUdE27: (it had a boot.bin)
Shard1337: that worked?
DaSuRfRdUdE27: nah im a fool, i used my friends psp
Shard1337: lol
Shard1337: so its good?
DaSuRfRdUdE27: yes
DaSuRfRdUdE27: lol
DaSuRfRdUdE27: i feel like a little kid
Shard1337: lol
Shard1337: so is it like katamari or something?
Shard1337: ive seen screenshots, but they dont explain alot
DaSuRfRdUdE27: think mecury
Shard1337: ahh
DaSuRfRdUdE27: with a katamari design
Shard1337: cool
Shard1337: mercury was ok, but suffered in difficulty and camera control
DaSuRfRdUdE27: lol
DaSuRfRdUdE27: i just beat the demo
Shard1337: cool
Shard1337: so...
Shard1337: Wii?
DaSuRfRdUdE27: that was LAME
DaSuRfRdUdE27: can u say B-A-D idea?
Shard1337: its awsome
Shard1337: its more funky than anything else
DaSuRfRdUdE27: i know!
Shard1337: and the publicity its getting is crazy
Shard1337: it made the front page on CNN, NBC, ABC, all the news sites, tech blogs, etc. the wiimote didnt make most of that, but the name change did
Shard1337: you cant buy that kind of publicity
DaSuRfRdUdE27: lol
DaSuRfRdUdE27: check out with im buying
Shard1337: hm?
DaSuRfRdUdE27: http://www.armynavysales.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=01&Product_Code=MA197&Category_Code=GAS
DaSuRfRdUdE27: no more terrorist attacks for me! lol
Shard1337: seriously?
DaSuRfRdUdE27: yea
DaSuRfRdUdE27: for a mpvie
DaSuRfRdUdE27: and o i can wear wen i make bombs and it will b COOL
Shard1337: lol
Shard1337: http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/28/real-people-speak-out-about-wii/
DaSuRfRdUdE27: ugh
DaSuRfRdUdE27: nintendo...
Shard1337: what?
DaSuRfRdUdE27: not being smrat
Shard1337: its a genius idea
DaSuRfRdUdE27: wii?
DaSuRfRdUdE27: no...
Shard1337: its different and stands out
DaSuRfRdUdE27: the REVOLUTION was GREAT!
Shard1337: revolution is overdone, its to arrogaunt
Shard1337: wii is unbalievable
Shard1337: no one is comparing it to piss
DaSuRfRdUdE27: lol
Shard1337: alot of people said wiiwii, and crap, but none of the layman seem to consider that
DaSuRfRdUdE27: yea, revolution was arrogant... but wii...
DaSuRfRdUdE27: its just not like BAM!
DaSuRfRdUdE27: cause this is a console of the century
Shard1337: yeah, its something that has to be seen
DaSuRfRdUdE27: its all nintendo everything!
Shard1337: have you seen nintendo's official vid?
Shard1337: http://revolution.nintendo.com/
DaSuRfRdUdE27: not yet
Shard1337: also, i hang out at gamestop alot and know the employees
DaSuRfRdUdE27: but i mean WII... when i think WII i think... small... no corners... white... kind of a iPod design.... but it does everything... and it is expensive as hell lol
Shard1337: lol
Shard1337: yeah
Shard1337: but, coming from game stores, you wouldnt believe the parents who get confused
Shard1337: xplay, cubestation, all this crap, playstation360
DaSuRfRdUdE27: when i think revolution... i think blakc with awesome blue lights ( :-D ) and a fast looking design... with corners... sharp corners...
Shard1337: this isnt something that can be messed with
DaSuRfRdUdE27: true
DaSuRfRdUdE27: i remember one chritmas i got a knex set, and my grandpa said "Oh my gosh! A Playstation!!"
Shard1337: haha
DaSuRfRdUdE27: Wii will soon be said as "why" or "wih".... theres no getting around confusion....
Shard1337: probably
Shard1337: but its not going to change what it is
DaSuRfRdUdE27: but the revolution... cant b said as revolting... or recharging... it doesnt make sense
Shard1337: you know, in korea they say xbox one lap around a circle because its shorter in thier language than 360?
DaSuRfRdUdE27: wow
DaSuRfRdUdE27: i DO like to shorter SUBname... but it doesnt go with nintendo... think you see the commercial...
DaSuRfRdUdE27: NIN-TEN-DO WII
DaSuRfRdUdE27: its too many sylables in nintendo
DaSuRfRdUdE27: NIN-TEN-DO REEEEEE-VOL-UUUUUU-TION!!!
DaSuRfRdUdE27: *plays awesome techno*
DaSuRfRdUdE27: NIN-TEN-DO ...wii...
DaSuRfRdUdE27: *plays pissing sound*
Shard1337: lol
DaSuRfRdUdE27: :-)
DaSuRfRdUdE27: so as a final verdict....
DaSuRfRdUdE27: revolution, wii, or something else?
Shard1337: i like wii
DaSuRfRdUdE27: personally... sonce i cant think of any other...
DaSuRfRdUdE27: Wii
DaSuRfRdUdE27: its gives it a modern feel
DaSuRfRdUdE27: not soemthing that will have outdated corners....
DaSuRfRdUdE27: well im glad we got that out
DaSuRfRdUdE27: lol
DaSuRfRdUdE27: im posting it....
Shard1337: posting what?
DaSuRfRdUdE27: this convo
DaSuRfRdUdE27: lol
DaSuRfRdUdE27: on Joystiq
Shard1337: ok
DaSuRfRdUdE27: CASUE JOYSTIQ PWNS!!!

Haha, I hope we can learn to live with Wii... lol

benjamin: Apr 28th 2006; 4:56PM

I interviewed my 45-year old, female, non-gamer boss from USA:

Q: How do you think this is pronounced?
A: (Laughs for a minute straight) Oh, I don't know... why? Or is it we?

Q: If it were a product what would it be?
A: Reminds me of a feminine hygiene product! (laughs)

Q: It's the name of the new Nintendo?
A: What like a little portable thing or something, I mean, that's not like for a big system or anything...

That's awesome. She seriously thought I was trying to make her talk about a tampon or something!

Brad: Apr 28th 2006; 4:58PM

Interesting that most people thought of it as a cleaning product, I don't see how anyong would make that sort of association. To the person who said it was too simple for a game system, they feel exactly the way Nintendo intended them to. The Wii is supposed to be simple, revolutionary, no?

Evan: Apr 28th 2006; 5:04PM

I think people are starting to warm up to the new name. You can only take bathroom jokes for so long then it just gets old. I got old of it in about 30 minutes, now I just want to play it.

Spike: Apr 28th 2006; 5:06PM

I asked these questions to 3 of my friends. They are 19-21, lapsed gamers all of them.

Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A1:Wee
A2:Why
A3:Wee

Q: Lets say this is a product of some kind. What type of product does it make you think of?
A1:Hmm...
A2:Something japanese
A3:condoms

Q: What would you say if it's actually the name of Nintendo's next-generation games console?
A1:rofl
A2:lame!!
A3:sounds good!

Monkiavelli: Apr 28th 2006; 5:06PM

I think people are picking up on the urine thing subconsciously. Seriously, that's kinda improbable that so many people chose "a cleaning product". It's like they have the whiff of ammonia on the brain.

Since the questions didn't reasonably allow the answer "piss" -- a commercial product was expected -- the mind shifts to the only real "product" outside of the tanning industry to use urine. Real olden days, but still.

Well, okay, that and cleaning products have pretty twee names. Twii.

Artemio Urbina: Apr 28th 2006; 5:09PM

Male programmer, 29. Savvy gamer from Mexico, DF.

Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Wee.

Q: Lets say this is a product of some kind. What type of product does it make you think of?
A: I'd have no idea. Doesn't sound like any product name.

Q: What would you say if it's actually the name of Nintendo's next-generation games console?
A: Wasn't it revolution?

Freezair: Apr 28th 2006; 5:10PM

Verrrry interesting. I think I'll try that on a few people today and see how it goes over. I think the Internet is just gutterbrained...

Holland Wood: Apr 28th 2006; 5:11PM

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.

Staticneuron: Apr 28th 2006; 5:21PM

People there was only one response that they thought "games" were complicated. The people I know or have met who think games are complicated aern't into games.They tell me no matter how simple or easy sounding a game console/product sounds they still wouldn't play it much less buy it. The way I see it people who aren't interested in games invest thier time in something else and are not apt or even interesting in changing. This name will really only cater to younger people or those who "think" this is amazingly unique. It is of my opinion that this name is silly, no matter what type of product it is placed on.

Tony: Apr 28th 2006; 5:22PM

I just find this whole rhyming thing stupid at this point. At first it was kind of giggle enducing, but obviously it's just juvenile. People say "we" all the time. Whenever someone uses "we" in a sentence, do people here go "hahaha penis!!!!" or "hahaha pissing!!!!".

I fucking hope not.

mofomojo: Apr 28th 2006; 5:24PM

Wii is a crappy name, it doesn't flow off your tongue like "Revolution"; I'm still just gunna call it the "Revolution" since it sounds better; even if it is called Wii.

Maybe Wii-Revolution? That's neat. The name just needs more.. than one syllable. It sounds like (rather.. is like) fucking retarded new-age stupid marketing bullshit. Hopefully, this won't dissaffect the gameplay or attitudes that people have about the console.

Besides that; I'd like to comment on the awesome censorship and lack of encouragement of free speech on this site; I've had what.. 3 or 4 comments of mine deleted on this site and I've witnessed several others mysteriously dissapear as well.

One was about how you guys called electronic devices "Sexy", which, in revision, is really retarded. It was a parody of your actions, really.

Way to go, guys. Stellar performance, we're all real proud of you, at least the jerks are anyways.

mofomojo: Apr 28th 2006; 5:27PM

Also, I'd like to comment on how people on the Internet are fictional beings and write only what they don't mean or think.

It's quite a phenomenon, really. This site get's shittier everyday, fix it, k?

Lone Starr: Apr 28th 2006; 5:31PM

#4 (Alex), past performance is no indication of future performance.

KevinM: Apr 28th 2006; 5:41PM

I still say its a marketing ploy.

Wii will start the revolution, so to speak. Wii isn't trademarked is it?

Mike Ray: Apr 28th 2006; 5:46PM

this post was really fun to read. please give me more.

Mintz: Apr 28th 2006; 5:49PM

Interviewed 40-year-old mother, semi-tech savvy:

How do you think it's pronounced?
"We"

What do you think it might be?
"No clue. It looks funny..."

What if I told you that is the new name of Nintendo's latest console?
"Hmm, gonna be a tough sell in the states. Am I supposed to turn this upside down, or sideways or something?"

Jouten Za: Apr 28th 2006; 5:51PM

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/

Jouten Za: Apr 28th 2006; 5:58PM

And for good measure, here's their disclaimer. The WWF (World Wildlife Fund) had their way with the then known as WWF (now World Wrestling Federation)and forced the WWF to change to WWE. Maybe this will happen to Nintendo as well. Here is 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.