bobgamez said:
What you are describing is a fad, a gimmick is something is used to attract audience and is not actually put to use or is pointless. Nintendo put it to use with the first game wii sports, it was not a gimmick. |
A fad is the act of wide spread attention occuring, a gimmick is a device or trick that is used to gain widespread attention. The Wii was a gimmick by definition and its reception was a fad, just like the Kinect.
S.T.A.G.E. said:
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I aint saying i disagree with you, its just we have two different defintions of the words i guess. lol I think motion controls in general are a bit odd, I think they are fads but multible fads if that makes sense. THey are randomly in, then randomly out. People will love them for like 3 or 4 years, then grow tired of them.. Then for 3 or 4 years they are out, then all of the sudden they are back in lol. I think people like motion controls, but they also like just chilling on the couch and playing( a majority of people)
| S.T.A.G.E. said:
A gimmick is a novel device created to gain attention. They tend to be a short lived trend and everyone moves onto the next gimmick. The Wii was a gimmick. To Nintendo gamers they probably werent but if you asked a casual who more than likely isnt using their Wii any longer then you'll find out where the product really stands. The Wii was a commercial success, because to got people who dont care about gaming to game. This is a good thing, but gimmick are also made for this purpose. |
You are wrong, it's a half truth which makes your conclusion false. The reason for the half-truth is that you make no mention of functionality.
From wikipedia:
In marketing language, a gimmick is a unique or quirky special feature that makes something "stand out" from its contemporaries. However, the special feature is typically thought to be of little relevance or use. Thus, a gimmick is a special feature for the sake of having a special feature. It began, however, as a slang term for something that a con artist or magician had his assistant manipulate to make appearances different from reality. Such things as the manipulating of a gaming wheel led to the idea of a "gimmick" being used. Musicians often use gimmicks such as Slash's top hat, Angus Young's schoolboy uniform and Deadmau5's mouse helmet.[1]
Finding a successful gimmick for an otherwise mundane product is often an important part of the marketing process. For example, toothbrushes are often given various gimmicks, such as bright colors, easy-grip handles, or color-changing bristles so they appear more exciting to consumers. This is often done when trying to appeal to children or excitable adults, who often get more excited about the gimmick than the product. Electronic toys and hand-held devices are often appealing because of a gimmick that they offer.
noname2200 said:
I forsee a bright future for you as a market analyst or game journalist. |
The promise he shows is breathtaking.
A gimmick is a characterization to attract attention but do not otherwise serve any real purpose. Nowadays when someone is talking about a gimmick, most of the time it has to do with a rapper's gimmick. For example, "Snoop Dogg" is a gimmick of Calvin Broadus, "Snoop Lion" is another one of his gimmicks. He uses these gimmicks purely to market his music, they serve no other purpose. When referring to consoles the new Wii colour introductions would be gimmicks, PS3 Slim would be a gimmick, etc...
Actual controls which alter or add to the interface making games like Wii Sports possible is not a gimmick, it's a legitimate feature, like the D-pad, like analog sticks, etc...
I describe myself as a little dose of toxic masculinity.
happydolphin said:
You are wrong, it's a half truth which makes your conclusion false. The reason for the half-truth is that you make no mention of functionality. From wikipedia: In marketing language, a gimmick is a unique or quirky special feature that makes something "stand out" from its contemporaries. However, the special feature is typically thought to be of little relevance or use. Thus, a gimmick is a special feature for the sake of having a special feature. It began, however, as a slang term for something that a con artist or magician had his assistant manipulate to make appearances different from reality. Such things as the manipulating of a gaming wheel led to the idea of a "gimmick" being used. Musicians often use gimmicks such as Slash's top hat, Angus Young's schoolboy uniform and Deadmau5's mouse helmet.[1] Finding a successful gimmick for an otherwise mundane product is often an important part of the marketing process. For example, toothbrushes are often given various gimmicks, such as bright colors, easy-grip handles, or color-changing bristles so they appear more exciting to consumers. This is often done when trying to appeal to children or excitable adults, who often get more excited about the gimmick than the product. Electronic toys and hand-held devices are often appealing because of a gimmick that they offer.
The promise he shows is breathtaking. |
Why are you using Wikipedia to debunk what I am saying? Find a real source. Secondly, I know what a gimmick is, you've just always been very protective of that word used around Nintendo. The Kinect and Move are also gimmicks. Even if their intention was meant to be a stable device used and upgraded throughout the generations the public perception is that the devices are gimmicks, therefore they are what they are and we cant change that.
| Jumpin said: A gimmick is a characterization to attract attention but do not otherwise serve any real purpose. Nowadays when someone is talking about a gimmick, most of the time it has to do with a rapper's gimmick. For example, "Snoop Dogg" is a gimmick of Calvin Broadus, "Snoop Lion" is another one of his gimmicks. He uses these gimmicks purely to market his music, they serve no other purpose. When referring to consoles the new Wii colour introductions would be gimmicks, PS3 Slim would be a gimmick, etc... Actual controls which alter or add to the interface making games like Wii Sports possible is not a gimmick, it's a legitimate feature, like the D-pad, like analog sticks, etc... |
Snoop Dogg, is known as an Alias. Gimmicks don't last twenty plus years, its generally a short lived technological fad.
| S.T.A.G.E. said:
Why are you using Wikipedia to debunk what I am saying? Find a real source. Secondly, I know what a gimmick is, you've just always been very protective of that word used around Nintendo. The Kinect and Move are also gimmicks. Even if their intention was meant to be a stable device used and upgraded throughout the generations the public perception is that the devices are gimmicks, therefore they are what they are and we cant change that. |
So you define something using public perception? The public perception of whom, you?
That's not how it works. There is a very specific use to the term and the Wii is not a valid application of it. Wikipedia is a source where experts on a matter debate before coming to a concensus as to what a term is. There is a lot of highly invaluable information on that site.
But because you refuse it as a source, let me use a few dictionary entries:
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Dictionary.com noun 1. an ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, especially one designed to attract attention or increase appeal. 2. a concealed, usually devious aspect or feature of something, as a plan or deal: An offer that good must have a gimmick in it somewhere. 3. a hidden mechanical device by which a magician works a trick or a gambler controls a game of chance. 4. Electronics Informal. a capacitor formed by intertwining two insulated wires. verb (used with object) 5. to equip or embellish with unnecessary features, especially in order to increase salability, acceptance, etc. (often followed by up ): to gimmick up a sports car with chrome and racing stripes. |
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Thesaurus.com Definition: contrived object; scheme Synonyms: aid, apparatus, artifice, catch, concern, counterfeit, deceit, device, dodge*, fake, feint, fixture, fun, gadget, gambit, game, gizmo, imposture, instrument, jest, maneuver, means, method, ploy, ruse, secret, shift, sport, stratagem, stunt, trick, widget, wile |
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American Heritage dictionary: NOUN: A device employed to cheat, deceive, or trick, especially a mechanism for the secret and dishonest control of gambling apparatus. An innovative or unusual mechanical contrivance; a gadget. An innovative stratagem or scheme employed especially to promote a project: an advertising gimmick. A significant feature that is obscured, misrepresented, or not readily evident; a catch. A small object whose name does not come readily to mind. TRANSITIVE VERB: gim·micked, gim·mick·ing, gim·micks To add gimmicks to; clutter with gadgets or attention-getting details. Often used with up. To change or affect by means of a gimmick. |
In all cases, especially clear when looking at the thesaurus, is there a concept of trickery or limited functionality. You can say that about a mood ring, for example, but not about the Wii-mote which has serious applications in the world of interactive entertainment.
I don't think there is a more boring debate on the internet than whether the Wii was a fad.
(Edit: Whether Wii U is "next-gen" comes close. But both just boil down to people trying to define words in a way that suits them)
Back on topic, Nintendo does need a massive marketing overhaul. I remember hearing that there was quite an exodus of PR talent from NOA a few years ago. Seems the people they've replaced them with are proper duds.
| Purple said: I don't think there is a more boring debate on the internet than whether the Wii was a fad. (Edit: Whether Wii U is "next-gen" comes close. But both just boil down to people trying to define words in a way that suits them) |
Words have meanings given them by books and dictionaries. If people misuse words, they misrepresent things. And in a forum where words are our primary means to communication, I'd say definitions and terms are quite important and should be used properly and accurately.
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