Whee! We! Wee! Wii!
Nintendo has announced the name it plans to market the gaming console formerly known as Revolution under - it’s “Wii”, pronounced like the English “We” (as in “us").
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 everyone.
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.
How cutesy. The new name is actually too cute.
As a father of young children, I simply cannot rid my mind of associating “Wii” with “Daddy, I need to go wee-wee”. Will that be the battlecry of the next Nintendo generation? Will they subvert the meaning of going Number One to mean they want to play video games? I hope not.
And while Nintendo says the name will be easily remembered around the world, regardless of language - in the few languages I know enough of to try and pronounce “Wii” in (those languages being German, Czech, Dutch, and Papiamentu), it sounds nothing like the English pronounciation in any of those.
Nintendo also touts the lack of confusion of the new name and not needing to abbreviate - a not-so-subtle swat at Sony’s PlayStation 2 a.k.a. PS2. I would be concerned that the new name is too generic, and without a prefix of “Nintendo”, has no clear meaning. I cringe at the thought of my son or daughter asking friends over to play with their “Wii”. I am sure there are laws against that in most localities.
In any case, time will tell whether the new name for the console-formerly-known-as-Revolution is a dud or a smash (or just merely ho-hum, like the Nintendo GameCube).
Let’s just hope they don’t name their next handheld Duu!! I actually liked Revolution because it’s going to be revolutionary indeed. I can see the disadvangag of multi sylable product titles - but hey - look at Blackberry!
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