Wii
Platform: Wii
Publisher: Nintendo
Review Type: Looky
Version: Unveiling
This morning Nintendo unveiled the name of their new console, which until today has been known by its code name Revolution. The response from the gaming community has been largely one of outrage, anger, disappointment and pee-pee jokes.
It makes sense that gamers should be ticked. We're a pretty spoiled lot. We've had the luxury of three console manufacturers pandering to our very narrow demographic for years now. And when one finally breaks the pattern and opts to shoot for the mainstream it can feel like a rejection. The hints that Nintendo was cutting the cord were out there already. The purple GameCube was a warning sign that they weren't going to pander to the 18-35 crowd. And now this.
I'm not sold on this name, but I understand what Nintendo is up to. They're trying to develop a new brand. And while Revolution is a cool name that says alot about that their new console is setting out to do, it just doesn't work for non-gamers. Normal folks don't know that gaming needs a Revolution. They just know that they're not interested. Besides, Revolution suggests upheval, violence and disorder. In 2004 the American people opted for Bush over the unknown. The language of change isn't part of mainstream vocabulary right now.
Safe, connotation free nonsense like iPod and Wiki have already pierced the lexicon. I'm sure that Nintendo has armies of advertising agencies poised to push Wii into our mouths and massage our brains into feeling okay about uttering the silly syllable.
Until then, I'm thinking hardcore gamer support groups.
Check out the announcement here.
Publisher: Nintendo
Review Type: Looky
Version: Unveiling
This morning Nintendo unveiled the name of their new console, which until today has been known by its code name Revolution. The response from the gaming community has been largely one of outrage, anger, disappointment and pee-pee jokes.It makes sense that gamers should be ticked. We're a pretty spoiled lot. We've had the luxury of three console manufacturers pandering to our very narrow demographic for years now. And when one finally breaks the pattern and opts to shoot for the mainstream it can feel like a rejection. The hints that Nintendo was cutting the cord were out there already. The purple GameCube was a warning sign that they weren't going to pander to the 18-35 crowd. And now this.
I'm not sold on this name, but I understand what Nintendo is up to. They're trying to develop a new brand. And while Revolution is a cool name that says alot about that their new console is setting out to do, it just doesn't work for non-gamers. Normal folks don't know that gaming needs a Revolution. They just know that they're not interested. Besides, Revolution suggests upheval, violence and disorder. In 2004 the American people opted for Bush over the unknown. The language of change isn't part of mainstream vocabulary right now.
Safe, connotation free nonsense like iPod and Wiki have already pierced the lexicon. I'm sure that Nintendo has armies of advertising agencies poised to push Wii into our mouths and massage our brains into feeling okay about uttering the silly syllable.
Until then, I'm thinking hardcore gamer support groups.
Check out the announcement here.
1 Comments:
LOL "hardcore gamer support groups".
Wii is going to stand out because of the innovation, while everyone continues to wait for Sony and MS to deliver enough good games to make it worth buying their platforms -- and not for little kids.
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