| | The news story is here: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6148462.html
Nintendo has announced that they have changed the name of their next generation console from the Nintendo Revolution to the Nintendo Wii (pronounced "we").
When I first read this, I kept thinking to myself, "Why did they do this? The Revolution was such a good name. And why Wii?" At first glance, the name is strange and gimicky.
"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."
If that doesn't furl your brow at all then perhaps you might want to reread that quote again.
One thing that this name change does is help differentiate Nintendo from it's competition through it's moniker. Perhaps Nintendo always had this going for them but they have really emphasized it with this move. The other next-gen consoles are named after previous iterations of itself. X-Box becomes X-Box 360. Playstation 2 becomes Playstation 3. However, the Gamecube is not turning into the latest next-gen console for Nintendo. What was previously known as the Revolution is now being called Wii; a completely new console and new identity outside of the Gamecube or any other Nintendo console..
While the Nintendo Revolution seemed like a very good name for a console, changing the name was probably the best strategic move by Nintendo. Sure the name sounds a little funny now, but give it some time. People will still be calling it Nintendo.
"Let's play Nintendo."
"Let's play Wii."
No matter what surname that Nintendo decides to use people will still call it Nintendo and adding the Wii is a way to put an exclaimation point on it. The name is unique, easy to say and remember, and offers alot of potential from a marketing standpoint.
Can you sii it? All the glorii that is to come? Nintendo has a bunch of giiniuses working there. They've been in the business for a long time and they tend to know what they are doing. While I'm still trying to get used to the idiia of calling the new console by it's new name, I biilieve it was the right diicision.
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| | Posted 4/28/2006 10:48 AM - 97 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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