Real people speak out about Wii [Update 1]
As a way of formalizing the "all my friends think Wii is [insert adjective here]" meme that's flowing through our comments system, we've set out three questions that will reveal what friends, relatives and strangers really think about the Nintendo Wii. All the people in this informal vox populi were shown a piece of paper with the word "Wii" drawn on it and asked:
how they think it's pronounced
what type of product they think it might be
once they're told that it's the name of Nintendo's next-gen console, what their immediate reaction is.
If you'd like to take part, just follow these guidelines and post your vox pops in the comments. The whole point of the survey is to record unrehearsed and therefore instinctual responses to the name -- so make sure your subjects haven't heard of the Wii before and that they weren't aware of the survey before you asked them to take part.
Female, aged 30. From Hong Kong.
Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: "Wee" (got it first time)
Q: What does this name make you think of?
A: A urinal? Candy? It's kind of trendy, kind of modern. Maybe a trendy urinal? Maybe a sporting goods product? Maybe something that goes fast, like rollerblades? Probably a product for little kid because it's simple and very simplistic.
Q: What if I told you it's for a games product?
A: Games are supposed to be complicated. I wouldn't have guessed that.
Male student, aged 19. Savvy gamer from Derby, UK.
Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Why? or Wee?
Q: Lets say this is a product of some kind. What type of product does it make you think of?
A: Possibly a shower gel or some type of cleaning product.
Q: It's actually the name of Nintendo's next-generation games console.
A: Yeah? But that name doesn't sound anything like a games console!
Female student, aged 19. Casual gamer from Sheffield, UK.
Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Weeeeeee!
Q: Lets say this is a product of some kind. What type of product does it make you think of?
A: Chocolate.
Q: What would you say if it's actually the name of Nintendo's next-generation games console?
A: Hmmm, I think it'd sound good as a chocolate bar.
Female student, aged 18. Non-gamer from near Coventry, UK.
Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Wee.
Q: Lets say this is a product of some kind. What type of product does it make you think of?
A: Nothing. It doesn't sound like a product of any kind.
Q: What would you say if it's the name of Nintendo's next-generation games console?
A: Oh right, well it sounds a little silly.
Female student, aged 18. Non-gamer from London, UK.
Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: The same way you'd say why.
Q: Lets say this is a product of some kind. What type of product does it make you think of?
A: A no-name car audio CD player.
Q: What would you say if it's actually the name of Nintendo's next-generation games console?
A: Wiierd.
Male student, 18. Savvy gamer from Norfolk, UK.
Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Wee.
Q: Lets say this is a product of some kind. What type of product does it make you think of?
A: A product you say? A physical product, hint hint? Seriously, probably something to do with Wikipedia or some kind of athletics gear.
Q: What would you say if it's actually the name of Nintendo's next-generation games console?
A: Grrreat! [pronounced in a heavily sarcastic manner]
Male student, 19. Casual gamer from Lincoln, UK.
Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Wee.
Q: What does this name make you think of?
A: Japanese? It sounds small, maybe a gadget.
Q: What if I told you it's for a games product?
A: Yeah, that makes sense. It doesn't surprise me.
Male student, 19. Casual gamer from Birmingham, UK.
Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Like why.
Q: What does this name make you think of?
A: World War II, the name "will".
Q: What if I told you it's for a games product?
A: That's logical, but I think the two letter "i"s make it seem like it's roman numerals.
Female student, 19. Non-gamer from Hull, UK.
Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Wee.
Q: What does this name make you think of?
A: A cleaning thing.
Q: What if I told you it's for a games product?
A: Actually, yeah! That makes sense.
Female student, 19. Non-gamer from London, UK.
Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Wee.
Q: What does this name make you think of?
A: A cleaning agent.
Q: What if I told you it's for a games product?
A: Uh, it sounds "wampy". Stupid.
Male student, 19. Savvy gamer from Lincoln, UK.
Q: How do you pronounce the name?
A: Like why, I think.
Q: What does this name make you think of?
A: It sounds like a Chinese name or some sort of code.
Q: What if I told you it's for a games product?
A: I'd associate it with Wifi or a video game, not a console.
[Update: fixed annoying typo.]
