Real people speak out about Wii [Update 1]

by Conrad Quilty-Harper on Apr 28th 2006 3:55PM

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.]

Source

Tags: Vox pop, Vox populi, VoxPop, VoxPopuli, Wii

Reader Comments (125)

Would it be possible that some of our test results are skewed because were all freaky nerds? I only say this because when I ask someone a question that I seem ibterested, it's usually got to do with new technology of some sort. They would know better than to think I would ask about Jeans, or whatever. Just curious if its really blind.

If this was done with the iPod before it came out, people would have the same reaction. Now iPod is synomous with mp3 player. I think Nintendo is on to something here. Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

Yeah the name sounds stupid to the average consumer, but remember:

The masses are @$$es.

That's why if marketed right this could actually work. Though we're seeing chances of 502402491321/1 on the marketing scale.

As long there's that .00000000(goes on for another 25 lines)01% chance, there might be hope. Small hope but still never the less hope.

Sounds like Nintendo was successful. As the article on Wired said, the Internet isn't the real world, and people in the real world are completely cool with it. Most think it's a trendy gadget of some kind, and that's exactly what Nintendo is going for. Those who do think it's something related to bathroom forget about it and say "oh, well that's cool. I understand that" once they hear what it is. They're fine with it. Just because 90% of the people on the Internet has the mindset of a bunch of sixth graders doesn't mean everyone else does.

A prospecting LSU engineering major thinks that the name Wii "Doesn't make any more sense than any other one I've heard of." OMG! How does Nintendo Entertainment System not make any sense!? Or Playstation!? An engineering major! It goes to show that you can attend school all your life and still end up an idiot.

Female, Age 55, Non-gamer from Calcutta India

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

Q: What type of product does it make you think of?
A: Some type of electronic game.

Q: What if I told you it's the name of Nintendo's next gen system?
A: [laughs] Some sort of Japanese name, I guess.

Female, Age 51, Non-gamer from Western Canada.

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

Q: What type of product does it make you think of?
A: Something oriental. Maybe a clothing product.

Q: What if I told you it's the name of Nintendo's next gen system?
A: I think it's stupid.

Male, Age 24, Casual gamer from Western Canada.

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

Q: What type of product does it make you think of?
A: Asian Food.

Q: What if I told you it's the name of Nintendo's next gen system?
A: That's stupid.

Hey at least some of them got it right. Gamers will know what it means.

Aks people the same question about "DreamCast" or "Xbox"

You'll get the same response

Wii. Such an underdeveloped name, and yet this is the product that will blow the Xbox 360 out of the water and turn the PS3 on its ear. Now, I will be buying a Wii and a PS3, but from what I've seen on the 360, the stuff that has been mentioned is better than the crap MS has been putting out (Red Steel anyone?!) The name itself, "Wii," is already buying Nintendo so much publicity, and half of the gamers out there won't care what it is called as long as Metroid, Mario and Zelda all make fantastic appearances, and they will buy the Wii and won't care about the name. I mean, c'mon, at least Nintendo has the decency to actually name the new product something different rather than keep the same name (i.e. MS Xbox -> Xbox 360, and Sony Playstation 1, 2 and 3). No imagination. Nintendo is revolutionizing the gaming industry once more, and if they have a name that they believe will touch EVERYBODY (especially non-gamers) then they will sell out. Think outside the box, not in it. Wii sounds very all inclusive, and in the end, if they can reach more of a market than just the gamers, who can call that a failure.

Oh, and if you think that this product will have a hard time selling in the US, you need to realize just how much of a legendary franchise Nintendo has. MS only has Halo, Sony has Final Fantasy and GTA, but Nintendo has been using the same characters for 20 years now, and people are STILL pre-ordering these games (I have already put down for Twilight Princess) because they love the characters. They aren't changing what works, they are trying to be different in an arena where in the past the only direction was making it look pretty. Wii is the future of gaming, 3d virtual immersion, and all around probably more fun than holding a regular controller.

MS can't beat it, and PS3, well, there are rumors of another type of controller, but I don't think that the PS3 will take away from the Wii, especially if the Wii comes out in August/September.

Oh, man! That was great! Well, I think the name should stick. I mean look at the company's name itself. Nin-ten-do? Or, or Se-ga, So-ny? Only time will tell, dude. Only time will tell

Ah! Wandering Kree, response 50!! YES! The same exact scene played through my mind when I first laid my eyes on Wii.

Wii wii! Wii wii!

Anyhow, the general response I got from my friends was just bits of laughter and "Nintendo is stupid!" But you know what; so is the name Xbox and most other things... so yeah. I'm done.

Interestingly enough though, my mother and other people seem to not really find the name that intriguing. Just a little odd and simple.

Upon first sight, I thought it was pronounced, "why."

Once I learned it was pronounced "we," I immediately thought of urine. I think that connotation will never go away in my mind, just like how I still think a certain Nintendo game is called "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Wanker."

First "New Super Mario Bros." and now this. Sounds like Nintendo is just rolling dollar bills and smoking air.

Don't they have an American branch to localize dumb Japanese names? (Don't answer that; it was a rhetorical question)

Subject 1:
19 year old, home entertainment salesman:

How do you think it's pronounced?
"Why"
What kind of product do you think it might be?
"some kind of PDA"
What if I told you that is the name of Nintendo's new console?
"What the fudge?"

Subject 2:
25 year old, home entertainment salesman:

How do you think it's pronounced?
"We"
What kind of product do you think it might be?
"Penis pump"
What if I told you that is the name of Nintendo's new console?
"That's gay"

Subject 3:
19 year old female supermarket employee.
How do you think it's pronounced?
"Why"
What kind of product do you think it might be?
"some kind of tech thing"
What if I told you that is the name of Nintendo's new console?
"Oh... heyah!"

Subject 4:
21 year old female uni student.

How do you think it's pronounced?
"WWWWWWWiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"
What kind of product do you think it might be?
"i dunno"
What if I told you that is the name of Nintendo's new console?
"what? nintendo is still around?"

I can't wait to buy a Nintendo Wii. I like the flash animation on the site and think the name is an interesting idea. I still have lots of trouble using the word "Wii" in converstaion though. Everything just seems to end up having some kind of urine connotations by accident and making me laugh.

Everyone here is missing a huge part of this, even Joystiq themselves. Its not just the "Wii". Its the "Nintendo Wii". This largely makes a difference in the way people will respond to the name.

Try the experiment again and ask them about the Nintendo Wii, and see what their responses are.

Also, Nintendo won't be sued - they will use the same defence Microsoft made against Lindows back in the day saying that their products are not just "Windows" it is "Microsoft Windows" with an added sub-version naming. Nintendo will say its not just the "Wii" its the "Nintendo Wii" and thus refute most charges that could possibly arise by the name.

Nintendo should have just called it "WE" if they wanted people to call it that. Instead of BS nonsense. I thought viiv was bad enough. The creators of these names have to tell you how to pronounce them also. Before I was told viiv was pronounced "Vive" I called it 64, thinking it was Roman numerals. I figured it was Intels way of advertising 64 bit (In a similar vein to Athlon 64). I much prefer to have a nice normal name thats easy to pronounce without having to say "can I have that ...err....thing there with the funny name, ta"

Way back when, I was equally irritated when iMac came out and everyone was naming their products with "i" infront of them. But its all normal now. "i" seems to represent anything cool (or in mobiles a camera "eye")and thats maybe why nintendo took it. But how unfortunate to gather it like that. I can see the logic two ii to represent two people together playing and even the pronounciation "we" but any English speaking person will see "why" (because of how Wi Fi is pronounced, trick to the eye even though its not phonetically correct)or "Wee".

I have personally got over the initial shock and am trying to see the good. I now look forward to see how the controller works for Wii in games. (Im being serious, not referring to any penis/wee malarkey even though that sentence looks quite dubious), And the virtual console system. I'm a fan of Emulation and see Wii as possibly the ultimate Official way of having all our old favourite systems on the TV (In a best of fashion), Sega Nintendo and PC Engine games already announced is just ace!

Hmm, I think the interview is a bit off when it comes to the target audience. Most of them are 19 years old and only one is older. This is not their target audience. Yheir target audience is more like 6-150 (people get older tthese days ;) ). So I think a bit more none my generation should be asked about their opinion.

Ah and I myself always noticed that most poeple do not game because of how complicated everything is. I mean, just look at your current controller at home. These are a lot of buttons!
I think this step will proof itself, but only after some time. First the Wii has to prove itself.

Sorry I kinda goofed up the survey and made it 4 questions instead of 3...

Female, age 24, casual gamer (Katamari, Sims, Civilization)

Q: How do you pronounce this?
A: "Why."

Q: What does it make you think of?
A: Two people looking at something.

Q: If this were a product, what would it be?
A: A DVD player?

Q: If I told you this were the name of Nintendo's next console, what would be your reaction?
A: I wouldn't understand. It doesn't seem to have any relationship to Nintendo. [Minutes later...] It's stupid. Whoever thought of it is stupid.

Worked in this business an awful long time, have no affiliation or fanboy leanings to any platform, believe that Ninty's new baby will undoubtedly be amazing, but there's no denying that 'Wii' as a name is absolute and utter bollocks.

And before the Ninty fanboys start baying for blood, I've owned - and loved - every Nintendo system since the NES, with the obvious exception of the Virtual Boy. And worked on a couple, too. So there. *goes back to playing MP Hunters*

Wow! How many topics has there been on 'Wii' in the last week?

i interviewed two female firends of mine:

eva, 25, studying archeology, (enjoys very much eating)

-How do you pronounce this?
-weeeeeeee (laughing)

- if it was a product what would it be?
- probably new kellogs product

- it's the new name of nintendo's console.
- wow i would have never guessed that it's unique!

christina, 20, studying to become a vet (mad about hygiene)

-How do you pronounce this?
-Vie (as the german word, she is half-german)

- if it was a product what would it be?
- a new soap?

- it's the new name of nintendo's console.
- it will be easy for children to remember.

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?vplchin&1051

CHANGE THE NAME NOW!!!!!

SIGN THE PETITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I asked my 50+ year-old father, non-gamer, Swedish/Finnish.

How do you think it's pronounced?
"vi" (as in the Swedish word for "we")

What do you think it might be?
*small laugh* I don't know, some cleaning agent thing

What if I told you that is the new name of Nintendo's latest console?
*small laugh again*, well usually cleaning agents have names like that.

Ha, the "Wii-Revolution." I'm somewhat neutral to it, at least it'll be easy for the lazy-types to type into Instant Messengers...

hi can i speack to people ppzz thxs ever one

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Real people speak out about Wii [Update 1]

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