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[Rootbeer]

It's (3ds) doing better than alright while naturally cannibalizing ds sales. What are you talking about?

Sales are way way down compared to the last handheld gen. Yeah it is in part due to increased adoption of smartphones and tablets, particularly from Apple, but having a name and appearance difficult to distinguish from their last product did nothing to help their adoption.

Yes people gradually catch on and buy the newer product. The price drop also helped. But a big chunk of the 3DS demographic are minors who's parents buy it for them. You can't afford to let there be any confusion.

The way Apple handles this with their "new" 2012 iPad is very streamlined: You walk into an Apple store looking for an iPad and you automatically are shown the latest models. It doesn't work this way with videogame systems at Wal-Mart. They are shown side-by-side.

3DS is doing well, but how much more momentum could it have if they'd been a little more creative. The Wii U has the same problem, arguably even worse so.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

Sales are way way down compared to the last handheld gen. Yeah it is in part due to increased adoption of smartphones and tablets, particularly from Apple, but having a name and appearance difficult to distinguish from their last product did nothing to help their adoption.

Yes people gradually catch on and buy the newer product. The price drop also helped. But a big chunk of the 3DS demographic are minors who's parents buy it for them. You can't afford to let there be any confusion.

The way Apple handles this with their "new" 2012 iPad is very streamlined: You walk into an Apple store looking for an iPad and you automatically are shown the latest models. It doesn't work this way with videogame systems at Wal-Mart. They are shown side-by-side.

3DS is doing well, but how much more momentum could it have if they'd been a little more creative. The Wii U has the same problem, arguably even worse so.

It's doing much better than the DS did in the same timespan, and that can only get better or stay constant as more titles are released.

 

[DrWong]

what's worse: the article or the thread?

On par.

Wii U is fine. I like it. It makes sense. All the "Super Mega Wii", "Nintendo HD XXXX", "WES" etc sound really meh.

 

[Alrix]

Boring article but really doesn't seem thread worthy at all. We all know how lame IGN is, they won't go away if we keep talking about them.

 

[IrishNinja]

Sales are way way down compared to the last handheld gen.

other dude already said it: we're past the point of consumer confusion on the product, and 3DS YOY is outselling the DS so far. no idea where you're grabbing your info from.

 

[jetsetfluken]

Nothing against Rich or Aubrey, but I checked out IGN Nintendo a few days ago and the headline stories went something along the lines of this:

"Top Shiggy Games We Love"
"What Dream Games Should Ninty Develop"
"Retro and Mature Zelda. Match made in heaven."

It just sounded like IGNBoard kids posting news stories. I understand I am a bit older, but that definitely was not the direction Matt / Fran / Bozon / Peer originally started IGN Nintendo with. But hey, maybe their readership is up with their extremely skewed demographic.

Personally, IGN was dead somewhere between around 2004 and 2005. After Dreamcast/early PS2 era the downfall started.

After that, I could just see a bad future with the rising corporate affiliation/ownership, the "good" guys leaving (Matt, Peer, Fran, Anoop, etc), and the overall climate of the industry changing, too.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

Yeah "Super Wii" and "Wii HD" are both laughable. Never work in marketing.

 

[spekkeh]

Wii was highschool
Wii-U is University, time to grow up gamers

I actually really like "Wii University". Perhaps not as a console name, but as an online platform, game series, etc. It exudes playfulness and braininess and even a touch of class all at the same time.


The problem, insofar as it's a problem, with the U suffix is not really the name Wii U, but that we don't really have a common understanding of what U signifies. That makes it seem like an add-on. The Wii with an extra U, instead of a new Wii. They should release it with a game or app that starts with a U and symbolizes what the Wii U is about. Such as Wii University, The Nintendo Universe, etc. Then it's fine.

 

[trinest]

I'm all for NESU (Nintendo Entertainment System U)

 

[SmokyDave]

Wii-U is a shit name but then, most consoles have shit names and it doesn't seem to negatively affect them.

 

[Sword Familiar]

ReWiingeance, obviously.

 

[Woo-Fu]

WiiAnimator is where it is at.

 

[GDGF]

Personally, IGN was dead somewhere between around 2004 and 2005. After Dreamcast/early PS2 era the downfall started.

After that, I could just see a bad future with the rising corporate affiliation/ownership, the "good" guys leaving (Matt, Peer, Fran, Anoop, etc), and the overall climate of the industry changing, too.

Peer's still there at least.

He's like the Senior VP of Publishing or some such.

 

[Metal-Geo]

ReWiingeance, obviously.

Wiivengeance?

 

[Sword Familiar]

Wiivengeance?

I guess that could work if you're Elmer Fudd.

 

[Jocchan]

Well I doublechecked and it's Imagine Gamez Network, but I was close enough

Fixed.

Wiivengeance?

YES.

 

[jimi_dini]

Wiiluigi?

btw. lol @ people that call "Wii" a bad name but play on their circle consoles (360) or their "play"-"stations" and got no problem with those. PlayStation2, PlayStation3, PlayStation4? Yeah, how creative and doesn't sound boring a bit

Spoiler

also the ruined backward compatibility and the naming don't make sense

Would you rather like Wii 128? Or maybe the Wii 2?

 

[Squire]

To be fair:

It's time to change the name.

 

[Aostia]

clear, no?

 

[Dead Man]

The Advanced Nintendo Entertainment System. The ANES.................

Spoiler

ANUS

I feel bad that I laughed.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

To be fair, Sony just going "HERP DERP PEE ESSS FOURR" isn't any better.

 

[Portugeezer]

IGN also told me the Vita is set to succeed. I guess Nintendo should keep the Wii name.

 

[iKhayal18]

Wii HD is how it should be called. It maintains the name Wii, that has became a trusted brand all over the work, but it sounds more newer, it sounds mature when you add HD to the name.

 

[Sadist]

Oh

 

[DrWong]

it sounds mature when you ad HD to the name.

I... You... Sure.

 

[Ashler]

They should call it

The Wii-G

/Thread!

 

[jetsetfluken]

Wii HD is how it should be called. It maintains the name Wii, that has became a trusted brand all over the work, but it sounds more newer, it sounds mature when you ad HD to the name.

Wii HD is not a good name because of a few things...
1) It's not "mature" as you think.
2) It even more-so than the name "Wii U" implies that the new Nintendo console is not a step forward and just an add-on to what you already have, a thing Nintendo does not want consumers to think.
3) The term "HD" is a marketing gimmick and not a future-proofed term. What the consumers see as "HD" in 2012 is not the "HD" we will see in 2022. If you look back a decade from now, what is "high" definition? What we saw 10 years before? No.

 

[Rootbeer]

The term "HD" is a marketing gimmick and not a future-proofed term. What the consumers see as "HD" in 2012 is not the "HD" we will see in 2022. If you look back a decade from now, what is "high" definition? What we saw 10 years before? No.

Maybe, but I don't think so. Today when people say HD it means 720p or 1080p. once you get above 1080p (such as 4K or 8K; two already buzzed about and one already seeing rollout) those are "above HD" and as they grow in adoption I think we'll use terms that differentiate them from HD. Just as an example, 8K is sometimes called Ultra High Definition or Super Hi-Vision... time will tell what they settle on, rather it be one of those or something new.

Think of it this way: The audio on a Blu-Ray doesn't have HiFi sound does it? No, there are new terms for the enhanced sound that set it apart.

There is a big diff between say 1,280×720 and 4096 × 1714 on a similar-sized screen so one would hope we'd have different terms for this as the later becomes more common in the consumer space.

In any case I think calling the new system the "Wii HD" is a poor choice, just not for that reason. I think using "HD" in the name is no different than how the TurboGrafx-16 or Nintendo 64 used technological terms in their names, because I think the next-gen of fidelity will use a term other than simply "HD". I still think that "Nintendo HD" would be a simple and suitable name that gets away from the Wii banding which is dated and carries a certain stigma amongst core gamers.

 

[Nibel]

IGN needs to change its name to Shit.com

 

[spekkeh]

IGN needs to change its name to Shit.com

Creating a quality brand, what IGN can learn from Nintendo.

 

[Shoogoo]

Gotta admit, Wii U is a pretty bad name.

 

[axisofweevils]

I actually really like "Wii University". Perhaps not as a console name, but as an online platform, game series, etc. It exudes playfulness and braininess and even a touch of class all at the same time.


The problem, insofar as it's a problem, with the U suffix is not really the name Wii U, but that we don't really have a common understanding of what U signifies. That makes it seem like an add-on. The Wii with an extra U, instead of a new Wii. They should release it with a game or app that starts with a U and symbolizes what the Wii U is about. Such as Wii University, The Nintendo Universe, etc. Then it's fine.

Wii University could be the name for a series of Brain Training / Brain age games.
Also, I'll eat my hat if the inevitable sequel to Super Mario Galaxy isn't called Super Mario Universe.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

IGN also told me the Vita is set to succeed. I guess Nintendo should keep the Wii name.

Oh BURRRN.

 

[goodfella]

And just what does IGN stand for? Cause it just comes across as random letters trying to form a "cool" acronym.

You could say the same for GAF.

Wiiluigi?

btw. lol @ people that call "Wii" a bad name but play on their circle consoles (360) or their "play"-"stations" and got no problem with those. PlayStation2, PlayStation3, PlayStation4? Yeah, how creative and doesn't sound boring a bit

Spoiler

also the ruined backward compatibility and the naming don't make sense

Would you rather like Wii 128? Or maybe the Wii 2?

The point is that, much like the 3DS, the name Wii U doesn't clearly suggest that the console is completely new. In the times of PS3 slims and DS lites, Wii U sounds like a different SKU and not the next generation system that it is.

Maybe if their target market was us people in the know, it wouldn't be such a big deal, but they are targeting parents and kids.

 

[WickedCobra03]

The name is fine.

Wii is one of the most successful brands in the history of consumer electronics, and they'd be insane to ditch it.

Basically this. And it seems with their new tablet thing that they are trying to bring people an even more of a shared experience.

I dunno, I don't think its the best ever, but I also don't think that its abhorred either.

 

[Rootbeer]

But... the Vita *is* succeeding... in my heart

 

[axisofweevils]

The thing is, the confusion with the 3DS name was that there were 4 redesigns of the DS beforehand. DS, DS Lite, DSi, DSiXL......
There's only been one Wii.

 

[michaelius]

I don't understand why they didn't name it Super Wii. Clearly shows it's new product and nicelly appeals to fond memories of Nintendo fans.

 

[radioheadrule83]

Slow day at GAF: making threads out of shitty IGN articles

 

[ScreenSplitter]

But... the Vita *is* succeeding... in my heart

You keep on trucking with those terrible, terrible thumbsticks.

 

[Rootbeer]

The thing is, the confusion with the 3DS name was that there were 4 redesigns of the DS beforehand. DS, DS Lite, DSi, DSiXL......
There's only been one Wii.

I'm sure all those DS variants contributed to any confusion. Exactly how much confusion there may be... I don't know. But when you look at all those products with "DS" in the name... you have to imagine there being a significant amount, especially amongst family members looking to get a gift for a kid.

With the Wii U, while there aren't as many products to factor into the confusion, it does look awfully similar to a Wii in color and form.

What if people think it's just a Wii with a new "revolutionary controller" similar to all these 360 Kinect and PS3 Move bundles?

It's just bad marketing to call it the Wii U.

 

[iKhayal18]

I think that when people that do not know so well the world of technology read HD they read technology, they read quality... But yeah, maybe maintaining the "Wii" brand would not be a bad idea, since it has earned a reputation of a "kiddy" console, or a console that is just for fun and not for playing mature FPS or football games when compared to PS3 or 360... Maybe a serious name but also maintaining the originality would be the greatest idea...

Anyway, I think that they won't change the name.

 

[jimi_dini]

The point is that, much like the 3DS, the name Wii U doesn't clearly suggest that the console is completely new. In the times of PS3 slims and DS lites, Wii U sounds like a different SKU and not the next generation system that it is.

Maybe if their target market was us people in the know, it wouldn't be such a big deal, but they are targeting parents and kids.

So "Wii 2" would be fine then?

Holy Moly. I guess all those herp derp games of today that won't let you think 1 second aren't that stupid, IF someone would really assume that the "Wii U" is just a different SKU, especially when seeing what the system is capable of, the completely new controller and what the price tag is. Nobody can be THAT stupid. I mean if one would be that stupid, he would probably assume that "Wii 2" is also just a different SKU.

Following this logic, the Super NES should have also been considered as another SKU for the NES.

Also the Wii never had any really different SKUs. There were different colors and the newer ones drop Gamecube-backward-compatibility. On the other side there are 1000 different PS3 and 360 SKUs. With HDMI, without HDMI. With 80GB harddrive. With 20GB harddrive. With 40GB harddrive. In black. Special Limited Halo Edition. And people complain about the Wii U name, lol.

 

[DukeTogo1300]

I'm fine with Wii U, and I think the console will be fine no matter what it's called. It really is one of the most unimportant things IGN could focus on, like the name or not.

 

[jetsetfluken]

As far as Wii U goes, it's about as best they can do while still retaining the "Wii" name. If Nintendo truly wanted an evolution, it wouldn't have the "Wii" name attached, but there's too much risk there and they want guaranteed name recognition out the door. However, because of that, a sacrifice must be made in the fact many people will not see Nintendo's current showing (Wii U/3DS) as an evolution, but a stagnation of the same-old in new paint. That "many people" though, is subjective, and most likely not in top priority as a demographic.
Maybe next gen, a new name.

Maybe, but I don't think so. Today when people say HD it means 720p or 1080p. once you get above 1080p (such as 4K or 8K; two already buzzed about and one already seeing rollout) those are "above HD" and as they grow in adoption I think we'll use terms that differentiate them from HD.

Yes, which is what I meant when I said the marketing term "HD" is not future-proofed. There may very well be a new 'term' that will become the norm when we hit 4k/post-4k, and then whatever is called "HD" will be seen as old, kind of like DVD compared to Blu-Ray.
Let's hypothesize 4k is out in 2015, and the "Wii HD" still has quite a few years before the next console. Not good for Nintendo.

The other possibility is that the "HD" term remains, and even though the consumer displays are getting huge resolution increases as the standard, "HD" is still the marketing term. That will cause even more confusion looking at old products that are also labeled "HD", and consumers won't know "new HD" from "old HD". A little unrelated but there's even that confusion today with iPhone/Windows Phone games being toted with "HD" at the end of the name, for example "Assassin's Creed HD" (which is not even 720p, "HD" is being used purely as marketing at this point). So what is the console/PC Assassin's Creed then, not HD? The HD term as a marketing term has gone out of control and the average consumer is probably very confused. Well, this confusion is good for exploitation, because Bose and Monster are still in business, right?

 

[CorkyFromLifeGoesOn]

I never liked the name. I keep thinking of Kung pow enter the fist when I hear WiiU. You know how Ming lee would say weeuuu weeuuu weeuuu quack! All the time.