Nintendo expects Mom to leave notes on your Wii
by Vladimir Cole 
{ Oct 2nd 2006 at 11:15AM }
Nintendo's vision for the Wii-enabled household of tomorrow includes Mom leaving little Tommy a note on his console when she steps out to buy groceries.
Ridiculous!
Tommy's looking for ice cream. Being a smart little blighter, he checks his console first? Not. The pudgy little bastard will run straight to the fridge (or freezer), where such things are normally kept.
Second, Mom's about to head out on an errand. There is no future scenario sans voice recognition that has dear old Mum entering her note with a Wiimote. It will always be easier for her to pick up a scrap of paper and a pencil to do this sort of task. Furthermore, Tommy's mother seems to be one of those obsessive-compulsive notaries, given that she felt the need to leave a note about the location of ice cream. Therefore, she's probably left notes for everyone else in the family. Did she leave all of those notes on the console?
In short: ain't gonna happen.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
iceatcs @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:19AM
fucking stupid.
my mum won't able to use it because she can't do the microwave working.
HisshouBuraiKen @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:19AM
Jesus Christ, it's a goddamned example. What's your problem?
Zertoss @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:22AM
The ice cream is going to melt in the fridge! Perhaps there wasn't room for it in the freezer. So if Tommy Twoton gets home and goes straight to playing with his Wii, he'll be alerted to the fact that the ice cream is melting, and so he needs to go scarf it down right away.
Chris @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:24AM
Agree with first poster. Yes I understand he is being slighly sarcastic in the story but this function still could have a lot of uses. My girlfriend would probably think to check my Wii first for notes then anywhere else.
Also this is like a major function in Animal Crossing and it works well there, why not in real life.
007craft @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:23AM
I agree witht eh article. My mom leaves me note by posting them on my TV. She knows thats where I will go :p. Of course, sticking a post-it on my tv is a hundred times faster then writing a message with the remote, or even booting up the system and using the keyboard for that matter.
Im not liking the Wii so much. Seems nintendo is way to focused on family and local gameplay, sorta like animal crossing. This is great and all when your a kid in high school who has some friends over to play games everyday after school, but pointless for us older folk who only have time to get their interactive gaming done online.
When I was a kid I owned all the nintendo systems. I think the Wii will be the first I dont own. Nintendo is just stuck in the past and refuses to get decent online gaming going like xbox and ps3.
B33 @ Oct 2nd 2006 2:01PM
Lame
Jules @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:27AM
Vlad your posts have really been bad anti nintendo lately. Like post #1 has said it's just an example and the way you write it, it does sound a little stupid but it's not a totally unfounded scenario.
When some hard core gamer kid comes back from school dying to play on his wii food and where his mum is may not be at the front of his mind. so what's he gonna do?...go looking for hand written notes that could've been put anywhere?
nope, the first thing he sees cos he goes straight on his wii is the note. so i can see this being a useful tool, although maybe not for something as trivial as a note to say there's food in the fridge.
maybe a scenario such as 'don't forget we're goin to see your gran tonight so get your homework done before we leave at 7pm' etc. so don't insult the system before you've tried it vlad...or is it just that you don't want your mum leaving you messages cos you are what...12?
Matt @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:29AM
How come, after touting the Wii as a "gaming machine" Nintendo is all of the sudden trying to play up the added functionality of their whole channels thing.
Sure nobody is going to complain that they put it in there, unless it interferes with getting to your games, but none of this stuff is actually going to sell more units. I'm all for adding functionality but stick to your strengths Nintendo.
Ahms @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:29AM
The way the article is written, it's attempting to bash a note about ice cream. The note could have been on a piece of paper on the tv, and the author (who needs to chill...) could have written the same thing about that- check the fridge first
What if the reminder was that they'll be out until 9 PM, and knows their kid will goto the console first? Maybe if they try the Wii for note writing instead of traditional means, they might actually try and use the system for other means too. Playing with your kids? OMG!
Nmaster @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:30AM
Anyone who lives with me is going to realize that the only way I'm going to see a note is if it's on the Wii. It's not that farfetched...
NDstruct @ Oct 3rd 2006 1:48AM
Wasn't there some talk of SMS/text message support? It seems possible that this could have some type of integration with that. I know plenty of mothers who text message their kids. Is it really such a bad idea. I know growing up I had times when I would get home from school, drop my bag and start playing. This seems like a creative use for the WiiConnect24 service...more like an e-note than an e-mail. I like the idea.
Matt @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:32AM
Here's a thought on how this feature could actually be pretty cool. Suppose you didn't have to enter the message through the Wii...
If you could leave messages on your Wii through email, or your cell phone, or some other remote interface it could actually be a pretty cool and convenient tool.
Sonic @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:46AM
Why dont you post the news, not whether one person's hopes are wrong or right.
Also, if a mother tells her kid that the notes are on the Wii, then the kid who perfers video games to real life, might check that first.
Get over yourself Vladimir Cole, you're basically not that important.
Stoli @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:34AM
It's funny how Nintendo's touted the Wii as being "just about the games", then we get crazy crap like this. A bulletin board system about games is one thing, but the above example is a TERRIBLE example.
Psaakyrn @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:37AM
Just wanted to mention, the Wii is maent to load with negligible/zero booting time, so you can't use that as an excuse not to use the Wii. Of cause, the whole (why not just paste a piece of paper on the TV arguement still stands, but just wanted to correct a point.
Vilhelm Smri @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:38AM
Mr. Vladimir, isn't it time for you to stop posting stupid things? This beats out your post about Nintendo being greedy and stupid just because they make profit off the Wii from day one.
Martin @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:39AM
Example that would work.
"From Mom:
Vlad, do make sure you homework is done before you play games.
Love Mommy."
That way little Vlad can't say, but mom I never got the note, when it was on his videogame the whole time. That is where the notes will come in handy for parents.
Really though, it is just an added feature, it isn't something they are forcing you to do! It is kind of like buying and playing UMD games on a PSP, it is there for the few who want to use their PSP for that.
Chris' Girlfriend @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:49PM
Chris.....uh I will not check your Wii for anything until you wash it. At best, I'll be checking for crabs. ;)
Eric Von Shpeel @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:39AM
lets be honest, this IS a pretty stupid "feature" of the Wii. I can understand it being there but they bigged it up at every Nintendo event in the 3 countries they visited. It just simply is easier to write a note. My mother leaves for work before me, and sometimes I want to leave her a message like "dont forget to get XXX's present" or "the money is on the side" so i just write it on a piece of paper and leave it on the floor by the door so she sees it. I cant see her wanting to boot up and check a Wii every day to see if she has any messages from me.
Jake @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:46AM
#10 hit the nail on the head. This function won't be for mom to turn on the system and enter a message with the Wiimote. To believe that is to lack critical reasoning skills.
If mom is away from home, she can text message or email (perhaps from work) a message that Tommy will see right when he turns on the Wii. And, he can't say he didn't get the message when she checks his play history and sees that he did in fact get the message.
And it won't be just for mom. It can be for friends, too. And, the infrastructure for it already exists, so it isn't like Nintendo had to do a ton of work to add this.
HaloBreaker @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:44AM
You get home from work, drop all your crap off on the couch, drop down turn on the Wii.
*BLOOP* "New Memo"
" Dear John,
I'm shaved, naked, ready, and upstairs. See you when you get home.
Your horny G/F (or wife lol)"
Enycma @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:45AM
Hmmm That sounded optimistic of you VC... or biased... =0S
I know that it will be imposible, and that it's easier to write a note, but there are so many ways to say it other than sounding like a jerk...
But you really can't predict it. Who knows? maybe some Moms will use it! Never say never
MetaHuman @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:45AM
Put a casino game on it and my mom will be on it all day. So yes, there's a chance she would. :P
Get to work on Vegas Stakes 2007, HAL LABS!!!
At least Nintendo isn't planning to make money off of these various Wii Channels. They don't need to and isn't the center of their gaming specialties. The GC, Wii, WiiPlay and Mii channels are their gaming specialties. You can even convert pics and photos into puzzle games. Talk about utilizing Wii's media capabilities for gaming ends. :)
Soon I'll be able to write profanities centered on Vlad on Joystiq with the Opera browser, how'd ya like that?
Chris @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:45AM
Yes it's an extra feature. It's not being used to sell machines. It should be one of those things you see AFTER getting the Wii and think "Hey thats neat!"
But because it's Nintendo eveyone has to anaylize and scrutinize everything they do and try to make an argument out of something as simple as a virtual sticky note.
Jake @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:45AM
And, to people who are like, "Nintendo said it was about the games, and now this!!!"
This feature requires so little resource that it is virtually a non-factor.
And, dang it, this is for leaving a message from a remote location. People who think this is mainly for leaving a message on the Wii from the Wii are missing the point.
Common sense is not so common.
robots.txt @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:50AM
Note to Vlad, 360 can leave and post messages as well, voice and text guess Moms won't be leaving you a message on that either huh and it must be a completly usage feature. Maybe MS should remove messaging from their console all together just to make a point to Nintendo
Bluecup @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:52AM
On the Wii website it says that you will be able send sms messages to the Wii. So what Mommy has done is to go to the shops after work and SENT a message to Tommy to let him know.
This post is just another example of this blog going down hill.
Mikami @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:51AM
Is it me or is that an Animal Crossing logo? (Far left post-it)
This might confirm is already in the running, with those features that someone mentioned not so long ago.
Long shot maybe.
http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/xp/unlikely_hero/image/wiimenu4_image.jpg
Tyler @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:51AM
I don't see anything wrong with this feature. It's nice to have, and I'm certain that plenty of households will take advantage of it. If you know your kid(or even spouse, girlfriend, etc.) is going to hit up the Wii every day, it's an easy and guaranteed way of getting their attention.
Todd @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:54AM
I can see siblings leaving notes for each other:
"I pwned you today! I trashed your score on "
Jay @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:55AM
firstly - You guys must be buying cheap ice cream. You're supposed to let real ice cream 'soften' for 5 minutes at room temperature, or up to an hour in the fridge. Maybe it's different for the nasty stuff?
Secondly. It's a nice little feature. Granted my mother wouldn't leave me notes like that on the Wii, it'd be more "stop going online it's draining the bandwidth" or "X family member is coming up! so don't be on this when they get here" or whatever.
Moogle @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:54AM
I think it's just a sly way for kids to get their parents to get familiar and comfortable with the Wii. "Mom, next time, leave me a note on the Wii. It's really easy, let me show you how."
Also, why would anyone need a note about the location of icecream just before Mom goes to the grocery store. The example's fishy, just not for the reasons in the article.
pd @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:54AM
We're off to a slow week.
Journal Fan @ Oct 2nd 2006 11:58AM
Hey Vlad, show me where you take Microsoft to task for implementing this *exact* same feature in the Xbox 360.
Wait, where is it??
Nowhere?
Oh, that's right. I forgot you're a Nintendo hater.
Vlad, try this. Put aside your personal bias and your love for Microsoft. Remember that you're an educated man. And then, next time, maybe you might post something beneficial and not so filled with vitriol. Or just go back to drawing graphs. Because those are TEH FUNNAY!!!!!oneone11
It's becoming more and more obvious that you're just doing this to get the Nintendo fans riled up, rather than make a point in your editorials. That's just sad, coming from someone with your talents.
GMan @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:00PM
Do you know why this is actually useful? In the "Iwata Asks" feature on wii.com, Nintendo actually says that the messageboard can be synchronized through email and SMS, or even with another Wii through a friend code. I particularly like this, and with that extra connectivity, it could have uses.
gamesarefun @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:04PM
VC your posts are getting tiresome. Stop taking potshots at Nintendo when anyone who's objective knows Sony is screwing up the most. And even I don't think they deserve so much bashing.
Just so you know, the note on the Wii will work! The point is your child can't ignore your notes now since they have to see it when they power on the Wii. Uh duh.
meddow @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:07PM
I dig this,
Wii FTW!
epobirs @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:05PM
This isn't anti-Nintendo. This is anti-stupid-gimmicks-in-tech-items-from-companies-that-should-know-better.
Nothing new here. This is the latest manifestation of the gadget selling desperation that personified the early home computer era. "You can organize your recipes!" was the mantra used to try to pitch the value of the terribly limited little machines to Moms.
It never stops. In 1994 I bought a JVC S-VHS VCR for some work requiring higher quality while staying compatible with commercial VHS tapes. It was a pretty feature packed deck for the era and price. One feature they could have left out was the messaging function. To facilitate easy record scheduling, the VCR had an onscreen display with date, channel, start time, and stop time. Clunky compared to EPG driven DVRs but pretty nice for back then.
Some goofball found the onscreen display functionality inspiring and noticed that the bulk of the unit's RAM was going to be empty most of the time, except for those people who scheduled a LOT of stuff. So why not put that memory to use? Apparently there was some ROM space to spare as well, so they had a bunch of prewritten messages as well as letting users create their own. The idea was that someone would come home and immediately check the VCR to see if the red light was on indicating important information from another member of the household that couldn't be conveyed by any other means.
Obviously, these built-in messages couldn't be at all specific, so they tended to be generica. My favorite was the one that read, "Remember, I love you." That sent a chill down my spine the first time I saw it in the manual. I couldn't help thinking how perfect that would go with a video suicide note.
Twelve years later, this feature is as silly as ever. While the concept of electronic messaging is more likely to be understood by Mom, isn't she likely to have far better ways to reach her kid? Email? Message his cell? Go via his subcutaneous child-tracker implant to input the data directly to his brain?
foobob @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:06PM
"Hi, Tommy! This is your older brother. Please keep away from my PS3 and restringe yourself to the Wii until you get older. Thanx."
Chessasaur @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:07PM
Japanese marketing + Real World American Culture = Clueless
mooo @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:11PM
Got any more inane posts for us joystiq?
ZeroG @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:11PM
This is tarded, you didn't diss Pictochat when you saw the "What time is Practice tonight?" "Its at 7:00" despite obvious flaws:
1) Practice.. at 7? HA! :P
2) If you're standing near each other, who the fizz is gunna ask that over pictochat?
Obviously, just because you're dissapointed that you can't send phalluses to other people that you wouldn't mind seeing, you have to go and make a stupid post like that. Way to go Joystiq!
FYI, As much as I don't see the point in this, its nice to see little nitpickings rather than no news..don't get me wrong, I lurve it! :)
vidGuy @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:12PM
"If you could leave messages on your Wii through email, or your cell phone, or some other remote interface it could actually be a pretty cool and convenient tool.
Posted at 11:32AM on Oct 2nd 2006 by Matt "
That's how it works, provided the console has an internet connection.
What's really cool, IIRC, is that I could email an invite from a computer to all my friends that I want to play against that evening. The invite would pop up on their consoles when they log on or when the time arrives. Pretty sweet if you ask me.
And why isn't 'mom takes Tommy to the supermarket' an option? Has life really became all video games, no parenting? No wonder Jack Thompson gets so much publicity for his crap.
phantom42 @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:14PM
First off, I fully expect that either a keyboard will be made available, or that the DS will be usable as a text-input device for the Wii.
As such, I find this as a great idea. I just finished e-mailing my wife with some notes about groceries and some errands that need to be done. Sure, I could have left a handwritten note - but this way she can't accidentally misplace the note and she can access it from home or work.
It's easy to say "oh, just leave a note taped to the fridge or their monitor" but there are mornings that we don't go to either one as we're running late. If a parent or a friend or anyone else knows that sending an e-mail or leaving a note on the Wii is the best way to contact a person, then why not?
Mister Disco @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:14PM
Is there any way to block a particular blogger? This Cole guy's drivel is starting to stink up Joystiq.
gamerx @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:17PM
Dear Mom,
Thanks for buying me a Wii. Its a good thing you didnt pick up the overpriced piece-of-crap, also known as PLAYSTATION 3. also great you didnt consider getting the PSP, especially since the Wii costs just as much, but obviously has much more value. You see mom, most people dont realise this. I mean, would you rather spend $250 on a portable PSOne with only one analog nub for playing washed out ports, or pay the same amount for a brand new gaming experience with a machine that is far more graphically capable than the original xbox? thats why i love you mom, you're so understanding!
Tommy
Karen @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:20PM
I see no problems with leaving notes for my sons on the Wii. It will probablly be the first thing they check when they get home. Just to see if anything happened while they were at school. If I can text message them while I'm out even better.
I leave notes for my husband on the iMac all the time. It's a lot faster then leaving a note. I have to find a pen (that works), then find papper and then write it.
Valad, was this needed in your article? It's insulting.
"Tommy's looking for ice cream. Being a smart little blighter, he checks his console first? Not. The pudgy little bastard will run straight to the fridge (or freezer), where such things are normally kept."
Austin @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:22PM
If your playing with your wii and find a note from your mother its got to be weird.
Ohh the name jokes never get old.
Advanced @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:24PM
Mom leaves message on Wii
Kid plays Xbox360 when he gets home.
Kid never finds out his Dad was dying in the Hospital.
Kid looses his mind and jumps off the roof of his trailer.
Mom sues Microsoft and Nintendo for causing her son to break his leg.
Thanks Nintendo.
Justin @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:26PM
You know though, this might prove very entertaining.
Say I go over to my friend john does house, I beat a highscore of his while he is asleep or something..(use your imagination) Then I leave a little note telling him to check his highscore board so he can see how much I powned him. He boots his Wii up in the morning after I have hig tales it outta there, and now he has started the day with a lovely memo concerning pure pownage that was just dealt! Now this is just something simple I thought of, I could get more descriptive here but alas, I dont want to get perma banned now do I?