Nintendo: The Revolution is now the Wii
Nintendo has confirmed that the official name of its next-generation console will be “Wii”. Previously codenamed Revolution, Wii aims to break down the barriers between gamers and everybody else, Nintendo said.
Wii is pronounced we and symbolizes the consoles unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play.
While the name Revolution had been widely accepted by fans, Nintendo has always insisted that it was just a codename. Following the announcement, a lot of talk has taken place online and as expected with such a dramatic change, opinion has been quite varied.
Nintendo of America’s Public Relations Manager Matt Atwood told Game Informer that Wii may take a little time getting used, but insisted the name was the right choice.
“We’re pretty confident it’ll become a lexicon like Google, or Amazon, or Virgin. Obviously there will be first reactions, but once you get your hands-on with the system and understand, and watch the video, and read the back story of what this name is supposed to represent, I think it all ties in,” he said.
Atwood pointed out a number of examples where names were originally met with disapproval and our now held in high regard.
“Anytime you announce a new name you’re going to get a lot of questions and the whys. If you look at what TiVo did or Virgin Airline for instance, a sort of tie in for example. Those names have become household names…,” he said.
With E3 just weeks away, Nintendo decided to make the rename public before the event to give people time to adjust and to ensure the focus would be on the console and not the name.
Atwood promised many secrets would be revealed at the conference.
“I would say 9:30 in the morning on Tuesday of E3 will be filled with surprises and I would just show up. Because there’s been a ton of speculation. Some of it’s right. Some of it’s not.
We’d say that if that’s the only secret you’re expecting you’re going to be very surprised,” .
he said when asked about the truth to motion detection on the nunchaku controller unit.
This is the official release from Nintendo on the Revolution website:
Introducing… Wii.
As in “we”.
While the code-name “Revolution” expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer.
Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else.
Wii will put people more in touch with their games… and each other. But you’re probably asking: What does the name mean?
Wii sounds like “we”, which emphasizes this console is for everybody.
Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.
Wii has a distinctive “ii” spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play.
And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of video games that sets it apart from the crowd.
So that’s Wii. But now Nintendo needs you.
Because, it’s really not about you or me.
It’s about Wii.
And together, Wii will change everything.
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April 28, 2006 @ 1:03 am
stolt Said,
Hmm…so if we have it on good authority that the new Nintendo is called ‘wee’, and its been confirmed for several months now that the new XBOX is cra […] more