Group 2: Ann Ge, Eric Grochowski, James Saucier, Shan Shi, Max Stange, Rykiel Templa

Introduction
The topic presented the Nintendo Wii as a Revolutionary and Unique gaming system that is changing the world of gaming and the direction of its future.

Wii: What is it?
The ever changing video game industry took a giant leap when Nintendo released the Wii in late 2006. Unlike previous video game releases from Nintendo, and others, the Wii's distinguishing features were not improved graphics, or faster game speed, or any of the countless other innovations that have dotted the gaming landscape. Instead, Nintendo's Wii has ushered in a new way to play video games with its revolutionary control system. The original name for Wii is Revolution. The developers say that Wii should be easy to remember for people around the world, no matter their language, and that it will avoid abbreviation. The “ii” spelling is intended to represent “both the unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play.”

A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and can detect motion and rotation in three dimensions. Another is WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while in standby mode.

As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of both. As of March, 2009 the Wii leads the generation over the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in worldwide sales. The Wii is now the fastest-selling games console in history, surpassing the PlayStation 2. Global sales of Nintendo's Wii console have passed 50 million by now.



Why Wii?
The original code name for Nintendo Wii was known as "Revolution." After going through many changes, the console was finalized with the name "Wii." Its pronunciation, "WE", was symbolic of the linking together of all the consumers around the world with Nintendo. This idea definitely played a partial role on its success and its high-demand standing in the market.

What about it?
Nintendo Wii was considered one of greatest technology movement in the gaming industry. The design of Wii was first conceived as early as 2000. The developers want to implement a gaming system where the product is affordable, relevant, fascinating, and attractive. With that in mind, the developers combined the concepts of Nintendo GameCube and Nintendo DS and that combination catalyzed the overall design of Nintendo Wii. However, the most important feature was the idea of going beyond the basics of just playing video games. One of the greatest features of Wii is that it gives player the opportunity to be a part of the game. The controllers make the people feel like he or she is in the game itself since the controllers come in a variety. Simple maneuvers such as moving your arm could make you do moves like sword slashing, arm wrestling, mountain climbing, and even fishing! For example, the controller could act like a golf stick and allows the player to swing in game simply by swinging using the controller.It give user the experience of what would it be like inside the game. This is the biggest difference with all other systems in the field, and it's the reason why it draws a lot of attention from users around the world.



Timeline

 * 2000 - First conceive of the system


 * 2001 - Release of Nintendo GameCube


 * 2004 - Release of Nintendo DS


 * 2004 - Nintendo first spoke of the console


 * 2005 - Release of Nintendo Xbox 360


 * 2005 - First unveil of the system


 * 2006 - The product is released in the market in Japan


 * 2007 - Statistical of the top selling game console


 * 2008 - The product is spread to majority of Asia


 * 2009 - The product is spread to other parts of the world, such as North America

Other systems/ Console wars
The Nintendo Wii is part of the Seventh Generation of home gaming consoles. The Seventh Generation refers to the consoles released since 2004 by Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony. This current lineup of gaming consoles started on November 22, 2005 with the release of Microsoft's Xbox 360 and continued a year later with the release of Sony's PlayStation 3 on November 11, 2006 and the Nintendo Wii on November 19, 2006.

Each new console introduced and boasted new technology that had never before been seen in consoles. The Xbox360 and the Playstation 3 offered High-definition graphics, Wireless controllers, and highly integrated online playing elements. Nintendo took a different path from its competitors. Rather than creating a console focusing on graphical power, the Wii was developed to utilize unconventional controllers with movement sensors instead of joysticks.

Nintendo was aiming to capture a much wider audience with the Nintendo Wii than in earlier gaming generations. Historically, most consoles were aimed at the core demographic of 18 – 35 year old male gamers. The xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 continued that trend with their marketing strategies and game line-ups. Where the Nintendo Wii succeded was its ability to attract the non-gamer demographic. This was accomplished through focusing on new gameplay experiences and new forms of interaction with games rather than cutting edge graphics and expensive technology.

To appeal to casual and non-gamers, Nintendo created the Wii Series of games, where players make use of the motion-sensing abilities of the console and its peripherals to simulate real world activities, such as sports, games, music, or doing exercises. Wii Sports became a major selling point for the console, as it was immensely accessible to anybody whether they were a hard-core gamer, or first time player. It is the best-selling video game of all time, with 40.5 million copies sold worldwide, as of December 2008

Since its launch, the monthly sales numbers of the Wii have been higher than its competitors across the globe. In 2007, The Wii sold more than the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 combined.

As of Dec. 31st 2008
 * Nintendo Wii - 44.96 million units sold
 * Xbox 360 - 27.93 Million units sold
 * PlayStation 3 - 21.3 Million units sold

Technology
With the Wii, Nintendo developed a new way for users to interact with the system, rather than focusing entirely on the graphics and speed of the system - as is normally the goals with new systems.

With the Wii, it's all about the controller. Rather than just pushing buttons, the Wii Controllers sense movement and position.

The Wii Remote is a cordless controller that senses movement on 3 axis, and using optical tracking, also senses it's position in 3 dimentions. The optional Wii Nunchuck is an accessory that plugs into the Wii-mote (as it's nick-named) and it also senses movement on 3 axis.

This system of controllers allows players to play games in a completely new way from the usual gaming experience. For instance, when playing Tennis on the Wii, the players would wield and move the controller similar to an actual tennis racket, enhancing the simulation and making the games easy to learn and fun.

What's inside a Wii Controller?

-Wireless, using Bluetooth technology

-Optical sensors, tracking IR light sources for 3D positioning

-Accelerometers, taking gyroscopic measurements of the unit’s movement

-Rumble device and speaker

Marketing Approach
The gaming giant Nintendo began its marketing approach well before its release, pouring over 200 million dollars into the marketing department. It formed partnerships with other companies, such as Pringles and 7-11 to promote the new gaming system. Contests that gave out literally hundreds of wiis were established, as well as wii-sample kiosks in malls. A myBig-name directors were called in to helm the television advertisements, called "Wii for All", which depicted two men introducing the intuitive-playing Wii to a wide range of people. Midnight releases of the console in game stores and malls created even more "Wii-frenzy".

Nintendo took a different approach to the console in making the Wii, which is apparent in their marketing approach as well. Rather than making another top quality unit to rival the X-Box 360 and the Playstation 3, Nintendo created a new market for itself. The Wii is cheap and is geared to appeal to a much wider demographic than 18-35 year-old males. The new approach to the controller, using optical and motion sensors

Users
Who Play & Why?

Wii has successfully crossed the boundary of amassing players not only from teen and young adults in the video game world, but as well as including family and friends, senior citizens and people with mental and/or physical disabilities to play its games. This is due to the style of the games. Not only do the games require direct participation from the players, but the games also allow interactions among friends, family and peers through friendly competitions in multiplayer mode. Sport games such as bowling, golf, baseball as well as party games such as Mario Party and Sims and brain exercising games such as Big Brain Academy, all promote various fun activities for everyone to participate in social gatherings. Not only does wii provide fun but it also promotes brain exercises and light physical exercises.

Another appealing aspect of the wii is its revolutionized control system. Because the control system requires physical participations on the player’s part (which is a totally new concept for everyone) this has attracted many new players since the consol now provides more than just visual stimulation. Besides the mental challenges, the use of one’s body motion such as throwing, punching, batting, balancing, hand-eye co-ordinations, stretching, and using strength to play the wii games, it has attracted medical professionals to use this type of activity to promote rehabilitation on their patients as well as it’s used as a form of therapy. Therefore, almost everyone can play the wii.