Nintendo: We have failed to establish Wii U as a “worthy” Wii successor

[johnlucas]

joora said:

johnlucas said:

joora said:
Do a redesign, Name it somewhat differently and shower it with games. Even today, seeing the releases for end of 2013/Q1 2014 it is difficult to dismiss the console.

And stop naming games with the suffix "U". Consumers can't even decode that the Wii U is a different console. It would be better to call them something like "WiiFit 2 HD" or something (WiiFit 2 ULTRA)

The name Wii U is fine.

Nothing needs to change but time.
The turnaround is already in progress but once the debuts of the PlayStation 4 & XBox One arrive, THAT is when you will see Wii U shine.

2014 will blow people's minds on how Nintendo won over the public with Wii U.
Wii U will run the 8th generation & finish what Wii started.

The branding is fine.
The name falls right in line with the 2nd half of The Revolution.
John Lucas

Then why was the name (and the whole branding strategy) being called out as a factor of confusion:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/benzingainsights/2011/06/08/did-nintendo-just-screw-up-the-launch-of-wii-u/

http://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/10/15/analyst-wii-u-still-suffering-consumers-confusion#.UnUcE_msiG4

Infact, the opinion of the console makers CEO is the same:

http://www.polygon.com/2013/4/25/4264750/iwata-thinks-some-didnt-buy-wii-u-because-they-thought-it-was-a-wii

And the company's branches also think the same:

http://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-france-lowering-wii-u-price-wont-be-effective-without-games-avoiding-confusion-with-wii-and-wii-mini-more/

 

 

Due to it's popularity within the mainstream market, there were boatloads of Wii console clones and accessories, using similar names

http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/22/keepin-it-real-fake-part-xcii-accessories-for-the-nintendo-wu/

 

Think about what you're saying.

Did people confuse the PlayStation 2 with the PlayStation?
Did they confuse the PlayStation 3 with the PlayStation 2?
Will they confuse the PlayStation 4 with the PlayStation 3?

Did they confuse the XBox 360 with the XBox?
Will they confuse the XBox One with the XBox 360?

Did they confuse the Super Nintendo Entertainment System with the Nintendo Entertainment System?

There's nothing wrong with the branding.

Nintendo is paying a cost for the abrupt closing of the Wii platform. That's all.
They killed a popular console in its prime & there's a backlash effect going on because of it.
I was once a part of that backlash so I should know.
But they have just about finished paying that price & the console is coming into its own.

Too many Chicken Littles out here with the doom & gloom.
Nintendo didn't come here to fail. They're frank about Wii U's slow start but that doesn't make it a NON-start.
Wii U will have the turnaround EXACTLY like 3DS did & next year all of this Chicken Little doom & gloom will seem silly.

Wii U IS a Wii...with more.

Maybe some DO mistake it for a Wii.
That will work in Nintendo's favor since Wiis are almost off the shelves now.
When they look for Wiis & they find Wii U which does everything Wii does & some more., they buy Wii U's.

I'll say to even the Nintendo personnel not to fret on that point too much. It's actually a good thing.
Wii U will turn around. It's turning around now.
And it will turn around even more once the PS4 & XOne show up.

Just calm the panic.
Read my thread about Nintendo's coming domination of the industry to get some perspective.
UNITY - Nintendo & Wii U Finish The REVOLUTION

John Lucas