New Wii marketing videos display smiles and bland living rooms

Haha. Its nice to see people having fun with it. Kinda proves the 'Wii' aspect, with such a diverse group of people. I would love to see the same peoples experience with a ps3 game

Nice jab with the "Bland Living Room" comment. You're a real testament to unbiased reporting. Grow up Mr. Snow.

If the reaction of the older lady's face is any indicator, the wii is going to sell through the roof. As a side note, it's really cool to see a nice old lady get that excited over a video game.

Haven't you all figured it out by now? Joystiq thrives on stirring up fanboys (as well as creating new ones in the process). The more people that view and post to the site the more Joystiq gets ad revenue.




btw *cough* Firefox + NoScript + Adblock *cough*

@Sonic:

You think those living rooms look cozy? I for one am very excited to get my blogging hands on Wii, but that doesn't negate my responsibility of calling a spade a spade.

my infendo comment:

these are great clips, especially the one where the american guy swing his golf club. he starts out rather poor form and probably a schmidge embarassed about holding the wiimote and swinging it. he immediately "gets it" after seeing his performance. looks like a genuine verbal and facial reaction. i really love seeing that "a-ha!" moment on people's faces.

Dude if you put down my "Shnool" bookshelf, "Floomf" sofa or my "Kulrn" napkin thingies just ONE MORE TIME I'm so gonna snap on your s#!7.

I told you MY PARENTS BOUGHT US THIS SHIT!!!!

;)

3. It proves nothing about diversity, nothing. It's a marketting ploy.

Wii, it's for Geriatrics.

-

So, the fact that geriatrics, a 'non gamer' group, enjoy wii, proves nothing about its diverse appeal.

You, sir, are a buffoon.

My problem is that these games look far too easy, but I suppose they have to be for new gamers to embrace the game.

Hit the button get a cookie
Hit the button get a cookie
Hit the button get a cookie
Hit the button get a cookie

I think it would be fun to shank the shot if you played golf like that old lady who isn't even making an attempt to swing in a way that would work in the real world.

If the Wii-mote is meant to take real world movements and use them as game controls why does the Wii interpret "wild swing in general direction" the same as "calculated swing with proper alignment"?

"If the reaction of the older lady's face is any indicator, the wii is going to sell through the roof."

It will ofcourse help if Nintendo pays you to look that way. Considering these people are actors and walked away from this with some currency. I'd agree to look like a fool too.

Wii, it's for Geriatrics.

I'm going to stay away (very far away) from any game console that my grand parents jam on. Somehow I don't think the Wii is for me.

hi all-

these clearly aren't real living rooms. and yeah, they're bland. i actually thought the comment was funny. b/c it's beside the point. which is.. funny...to me.

and check out the videos; not just the elderly are into the buffoonery. the wii can def appeal to all age groups, and that's just with the basic wii sports games. very cool.

The whole fake having fun group play is sickening. Watching 4 models pretend to play Tennis and have fun jumping around...the whole concept is ridiculous. I don’t see the draw for the Wii, and the marketing is hogwash as well. Nice article Snow.

"It will ofcourse help if Nintendo pays you to look that way. Considering these people are actors and walked away from this with some currency. I'd agree to look like a fool too."

I had no idea these people were actors. Will you please throw me a link to your source of information?

Don't be knocking minimalist interior design!

"I had no idea these people were actors. Will you please throw me a link to your source of information?"

It's not possible to tell if they were really "actors" but you absolutely have to contract with people to print their likeness in a commercial endevor and this would involve a union, an agency and some form of payment or non-payment agreement.

They could be models, actors, or just plain people off the street that would have had to join a guild or union to be used in this Marketing.

Some exceptions apply depending on region

just because they look happy doesnt mean they like the thing... they GET PAID to do it. Most celebrities dont use the product they endorse but fools see them and think its cool. how about a video of someone with no knowledge of wii and try to play it?

How are these fake? They've taken well-groomed, representative non-gamers, placed them before a Wii, and ran cameras. Who should Nintendo have showcased instead?

After having videogames be a mostly solitary and ideologically masturbatory experience for the past 2 decades, it's nice to see a device that can make the experience more inclusive and accessible. With the bad rap that games have for creating a generation of shadow-lurkers who credit most of their worldly achievements to living vicariously through an onscreen avatar, an entry that welcomes and accomodates anyone willing to pick up a remote control is a much needed breath of fresh air.

Outside of a handful of niche web forums catering to hardcore console gamers, the erection-sustaining stats of HD, fps, clock speed, and 1080p mostly fall on deaf ears. Even worse, those stats serve to deter new gamers from entering the fray and feeling as though they're in the weeds in relation to their foul-mouthed, pubescent, Halo-playing counterparts.

As someone who can appreciate the technological prowess of a PS3 or 360 while garnering some shallow sense of pride in owning said products, I'm a little underwhelmed by the Wii's lack of power. But as a gamer who finds it more enjoyabe to break the ice of any social gathering with an activity that can be enjoyed by all, I see the Wii as a godsend.

Hey jabbertrack - you say 'hit the button get a cookie', but where's the button? I didn't see one button pressed in any of those videos. I think the Wii is the least likely to have 'hit the button get a cookie' games.

DS humiliated PSP
Wii will humiliate PS3

anyone who thinks otherwise is an idiot who thought the DS would be the end of Nintendo as a company.

It's all clear now. I see the kind of people who will play the Wii.

Yeah, it's really a Nintendo Revolution, going from kids to grannies in 1 generation.
I don't know if you can keep both markets with that strategy, though. Kids usually consider whatever their parents or grand-parents do to be uncool.

"20. Hey jabbertrack - you say 'hit the button get a cookie', but where's the button? I didn't see one button pressed in any of those videos. I think the Wii is the least likely to have 'hit the button get a cookie' games."

If you can't understand my point then don't bother responding. I'm not even going to help clarify for you... consider this a less in reading comprehension.

One problem with the Wii - what if you have a "real" living room? All these videos show very large spaces and the demos people played at the conventions (E3, TGS, etc) were also large open areas. Frankly, I don't see myself getting a Wii since I, like probably many other people, have a (heavy) coffee table between me and the TV. Also, my living isn't that big. I'd either have to play in the small space between the sofa and the table, or the small space between the TV and the table (right in front of the TV), or move the table every time I want to play. I thought Nintendo wanted us to use this every day. So I'm supposed to rearrange my whole room just to use a game console?

that does look like ikea furniture.

DocWho,

just like DS wasnt supposed to humiliate PSP right? Touch screen is not something to get worked up about right?

im gonna love to hear from you 2 years from now. you'll prolly change your nick by then though.

Why is everyone complaining about this? Is it not possible for people to have fun with a product?

See, first off, its marketing. Anyone who thinks everyone genuinely enjoys everything they advertise, is a dumbass. Its just common sense. They get paid to do it. Thats the whole point of this big scheme. They aren't going to not enjoy it if they're being paid to enjoy it!

But that doesn't automatically mean that they're only happy that they got some cash. Sure, the money will guarentee the smile on your face, but who's saying they don't genuinely like it? You weren't there, were you? Its looking to be a fun system.

Why does everyone fight about game consoles anyway? You think you're fighting for a cause but you're just making the industry richer. You think Iwata, Kutaragi, and Gates care about your fanboyism? NO.

Would you anti-Nintendo fanboys give it a rest. Those people were *clearly* not actors *or* models. I'm sure Nintendo could have instructed them to "look like you're having a good time," but all of those initial reactions were genuine. It's obvious.

Do these videos mean that the Wii will *appeal* to their peers? Probably not. They did it to be on TV.

Also, this was Wii Sports. It's meant to be an *incredibly* easy introduction to the controller and its methods of motion detection. The *real* Wii games I have played so far did not require nearly as much motion (Zelda, Metroid, Red Steel, Mario Galaxy). So don't worry about your living room being too cluttered.

Stop the hate. All three consoles are going to be fun in their own way. If you're a *true* hardcore gamer, you will end up owning all three.

The gaming industry is very unpredictable. For any of you to assume you know the outcome of the next gen is without merit. Who knew Atari would fall? Who knew Nintendo would save gaming? Who knew Sega would fall? Who knew Sony would topple Nintendo? Who knew that Nintendo would continue to conquer the portable gaming market with consistently underpowered handhelds? Who knew Microsoft would be taken seriously? And the unpredicatableness of the gaming industry will continue. All this talk about the Wii being a gimmick and the PS3 being overpriced would lead one to think the the 360 is in line for the throne next gen.

Personally I think the Wii has the potential to be HUGE! The whole idea of making it accessible to EVERYONE is a very broad goal but one that if it pays off will wind up being the best decision in Nintendo's console history. However only time will tell and I've got my money of Nintendo pulling this off...

I just don't believe it.
I told my nan and grandad not to open my
Christmas presents.
Frankly...I'm embarrassed.

Jabbertrack,

If you're waiting on really deep golf simulators, then I'm sure Tiger Woods will be along shortly to help humiliate you and +20 par game. "Pick from over 20+ licensed shoe styles! 35 varieties of hats!"

I'll stick with Wii Sports and Super Pangya Golf.

Some games are going to clearly want to cater to an authentic experience. I would expect that if Trauma Center does well, some publisher's going to get the idea in their head to make a medically accurate surgical game. Same goes for most of the games being shown for the Wii. A difference in 1st and 2nd gen games on the Wii, will be accuracy and difficulty in controls, I'd imagine. Think how challenging Billiards will be when you have to properly english your shot with a 5 inch long remote control.

"how about a video of someone with no knowledge of wii and try to play it?"

You mean like Scott Dyer at E3? Or the press folks attending various Nintendo media events in Japan and Europe? Or how about all the folks playtesting Wii games at the Nintendo Fusion tour? It's not as if all this stuff is beyond the reach of Google or YouTube...

And while the living rooms were clearly fake, I'm betting the players were genuine. None of the folks in the videos looked photogenic enough to be professional models/actors. Just compare them to the actors in Nintendo's official Wii photos, for instance.

--R.J.

this thing really has the potential to be a failure. its hit or miss with this one. there's certainly alot of hype surrounding it so i'm hoping it can live up to it.

I love to play games with friends, but most of my friends are non-gamers. Games like Mario Party, Super Smash Bros., etc. are great because I can give the controller to anyone and they can pick it up and have a great time.

If Wii sports wasn't bundled with the system I'd snap it up in a heartbeat, because I know my friends will be all over it.

This is the real.
This is what I knew was gonna happen ever since those genius folks from Nintendo unveiled that damn thing at the Tokyo Game Show, September 16, 2005.

I just saw the remote & it all came clear to me.
I KNEW this was the Future.
You can keep that HDDVD Blu-Ray True bull.
That means nothing to me & my $60 19" Sanyo SDTV from Wal-Mart. I don't give a damn.

THIS is what I give a damn about.
REAL fun.
REAL connection.
A TRULY diverse audience.
ENJOYING themselves. For REAL. From a videogame.

I am going to show this system to my 80-plus year old landlady who DOES NOT & HAS NEVER EVER played a videogame. She sometimes even has problems with her remote control & asks me to come over & fix it for her.

I'm going initiate her to this system & I will tell you the results. I GUARANTEE she's gonna like it.
She just tends her gardens. Nowhere NEAR a gamer.
But I GUARANTEE she'll dig this.
Might even ask me to bring it over more often.

Now THAT'S a REAL Revolution.
And buddy if she asks me where she can buy one of these things you KNOW Nintendo has struck gold. PLATINUM.

Come on Nintendo. Prove these doubting suckers wrong one more time. I love it!
November 19th Let's GO!
John Lucas

P.S.:
To paraphrase the woman from the 4th video:

Sugoi~

John Lucas

These people were paid for their time. They signed releases. They agreed to sit in a strange room wired with cameras and microphones and "play" and act happy.

These are just the type of videos that Nintendo needs to help promote Wii to the non-gamer. Whether it's older people who grew up in a totally different, non gaming generation or perhaps young women who had different things to do while growing up, these videos show that anyone can have fun with Wii.

Now, that's not to say that every single person out there will love it, or even buy it, but it's good to see that "real" people that normally aren't gamers (so it seems), are enjoying Nintendo's latest efforts.

With a combination of these types of videos with the hardcore Zelda goodness, Nintendo's on its way to having a very successful holiday season...and beyond.
Paul Gale
1up.com

To be honest. The more I see and hear about the wii, the more I am thinking of getting one. Just because. I think it will be a great second console. The PS3 will be my number 1 next gen console. I am of course waiting until next christmas untill I purchase anything console wise. If the Wii gets some major 3rd party RPGS kicking about I may opt for the wii/ps2 combo untill ps3 drops to around $300 or so. I have recently got myself a DS and it is a perfect counterpart to my psp. This 30 year old male think they both are great. Between the two handhelds and my ps2 with some great games on the horizon I am never bored and will be held over until then. LONG LIVE SONY AND NINTENDO!!!

There isnt much doubt that the venue is fake, But the people's Reaction? Hmmm...i am skeptical. The only reason i am skeptical, is the camera angle changes. Most of us adults understand that a camera angle change means a scene change (or a new take), there are exceptions (many talk shows have multiple angles...but you can tell that the camera angles dont overlap so you can notice the other camera placements)

If you notice in these Wii "commericals", the first angle is from the top of the television looking into the face of the player, but the second camera angle is from behind and a little to the right (their right), but you SHOULD be able to see the first camera at this angle, but all you see is the sensor bar. How many takes were there in between the camera shifts? etc. Movie magic! lol

John Lucas,

im with you all the way dude.

the future of gaming:
http://www.jeux-france.com/images10_4_17803.html

the next generation FPS control standard(notice the smile on his face, THAT my fellow gamers is genuine):
http://www.jeux-france.com/images11_4_17803.html

you want graphics? here you go(real-time in game graphics 480p widescreen):
http://www.jeux-france.com/images21_4_17803.html
http://www.jeux-france.com/images22_4_17803.html

cant wait to get Red Steel and Zelda.

Ummmm... I think I can have fun with a Wii AND a PS3 AND a DS AND Xbox AND real life... Dunno what is up with you all with your video game monogamy.

If any single company wins, it sucks for consumers.

As for these videos, I like the cute old Japanese lady. I'd like to beat her ass at Tennis.

I dig it, gamerx.
I dig it.

*big grinning smile with two thumbs up*

Love your comments on these boards by the way.
You got your head on straight.
Isn't the waiting torture though?
What's taking this month so long?!
John Lucas

Hmmm...funny that for first timers with the Wii and it's "unorthodox" controller that they all were able to make contact in the game pretty much nearly 100% of the time.
This just seems so staged.

Still, it's going to be hard for me not to eventually pick up one.

If you think about it, when a person who has just been introduced to playing a video game for the first time they tend to make very large, jerky, exaggerated and uncoordinated movements with the controller. Wonder how long it took them to smooth that out before the started recording the video....hmmm

You know I hope they use this Japanese Wii commercial in America.
I like it. It's simple & understated but it makes you very curious.

Found it while looking at these videos.
Nintendo got it goin' on this generation that's fa SHO!
http://us.wii.com/feat01.jsp

John Lucas
(had to break out the ebonics it's so bad)

Thanks vc, your insight is always so deep and unabashedly for the betterment of society! I thought this was a case study from CNN! Silly me.

There couldn't be a simple conversation about Wii without arguing for something... Of course the living room is a studio because they are on tour letting people experience the Wii and i am sure there were plenty of people who didn't like it and much more who did. These videos makes me want one even more but like any developer or any review will tell you that you don't need to exaggerate with your movements but a lot of people will because it seems fun. =)

They are probably real people. My guess is that Nintendo asked people they thought represented non-gamers to play test it for a few bucks. Since these are internet ads I doubt they have to pay that much. Maybe they play tested thousands and these are the best videos. The rooms are bland so that you focus attention on the action. Companies have these type of things all the time. Lots of times you get to keep the product or get some other small form of compensation.

Sigh just like numerous DS videos of people playing Brain Age it's people picked at random from various places. Not actors or people that were paid. These people were then videotaped playing Brain Age. They had to agree to the footage being used but guess what there were multiple cameras from multiple angles recording.

Same with this wii footage. They picked random people who most likely knew nothing about the Wii then after a short explanation of how to use the wiimote these people then played the games. Of course they edited stuff since odds the play session was ten minutes or more. As for switching views hate to tell but these days video camera crews simultenously videotape from multiple angles so they can get the action a lot better. No reshoots whatsoever.

Apparently, everytime someone enjoys a Nintendo product, it's a sham. I can't believe I'm hearing this--an argument as to whether or not the Wii is genuinely enjoyabe. You're all so caught up in judging a console based on third party support, financial backing, hi-def, and proprietary formats that genuine fun becomes a fucking afterthought. How fucking jaded have we all become? No way the industry is gonna survive while relying on consumers like us. We've truly missed the big picture while oggling the photorealistic gray hairs on Snake's left nut sack. And what's with the skepticism and ill will? Yoou'd think we were debating abortion rights or gun ownership. For goodness sake, it's videogames. Amusement and enjoyment shouldn't be 'appraised' by the people who claim to be true enthusiasts. This is all so twisted that it's not even funny. It scares away level headed people and leaves the hobby dominated by inarticulate, socially tactless trolls that don't mind bashing each other over the head with their idiotic loyalties.

And shame on vc for knowingly stirring the pot: Even with those tactics, you still can't manage to pull very far ahead of Kotaku http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?compare_sites=kotaku.com&range=6m&size=medium&y=r&url=joystiq.com

Chessasaur,

I'm really hating people who think you "have" to make large movement to play Wii games.

FOR THE LAST AND FINAL TIME, WII GAMES CAN REGISTER SMALL MOVEMENTS!!!

You don't have to make large sweeping movements with the Wii. Every video review says the controller is VERY sensitive, so that pretty much confirms it.

And please people, don't knock it til you try it. Live dangerously for a change of pace.

The wii is enjoyable. I am not sure who is making that argument, but the long lines at E3, the long lines at Nintendo Fusion tour (i went to the one in Columbus,Ohio) bear that out.

But I am skeptical about these commericals. Again, there are obvious shots where you should see a camera, if it is a continuous take. It isnt. So there were probably multiple takes, which means these people played multiple times.

Now these people probably never seen a wii before walking onto the set. They may have been people off the street even. I dont want to downplay that. But how much prep, coaching and trial and error was there? dont know. Even with continuous shots you wouldnt know. For all we know these people played 2 or 3 games, and we only got to see one of the game sessions out of the 2 or 3.


Wii is fun....Marketing is Marketing.