Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

**Leon** · 06-12-2004, 04:03 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

Why the gripe about consoles names'? For me, they don't change the name of the console because of its popularity. Playstation is pretty much synonymous with gaming so why change it? You don't see Microsoft changing Windows' name do you?

BTW, paragraphs are your friend. Use it.

**pk500** · 06-12-2004, 07:48 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

>>>If someone went to the store to buy a console and the "next Playstation" was called the "Imagination"(bad example, but bear with me) but was also branded with the "Sony" name, do you really think people would have a hard time making the connection that this is the next Sony Console? Do you think people have a hard time discerning that the Gamecube is the successor to the N64?<<<

They sure as hell would, especially since a good chunk of the people buying consoles are either newbies to a hobby exploding with growth or parents of pre-teens or teens buying the units for their kids.

You're looking at this question through the rose-colored glasses of a hardcore gamer. Fellas, we're in the minority as hardcore gamers. The VAST majority of people who play video games don't pore over reviews and spend as much time in forums as we do. We're a niche -- hardcore gamers. You simply can't look at the mass gaming market from a hardcore gamer's perspective.

Again, the word "PlayStation" has become synonymous with video gaming, not the term "Sony" or "Sony Playstation." So yes, the average consumer would be confused if Sony named its next console the "Imagination." And average consumers are the bedrock of the gaming industry and every other mass-market industry.

Take care,
PK

**pk500** · 06-12-2004, 07:48 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

>>>If someone went to the store to buy a console and the "next Playstation" was called the "Imagination"(bad example, but bear with me) but was also branded with the "Sony" name, do you really think people would have a hard time making the connection that this is the next Sony Console? Do you think people have a hard time discerning that the Gamecube is the successor to the N64?<<<

They sure as hell would, especially since a good chunk of the people buying consoles are either newbies to a hobby exploding with growth or parents of pre-teens or teens buying the units for their kids.

You're looking at this question through the rose-colored glasses of a hardcore gamer. Fellas, we're in the minority as hardcore gamers. The VAST majority of people who play video games don't pore over reviews and spend as much time in forums as we do. We're a niche -- hardcore gamers. You simply can't look at the mass gaming market from a hardcore gamer's perspective.

Again, the word "PlayStation" has become synonymous with video gaming, not the term "Sony" or "Sony Playstation." So yes, the average consumer would be confused if Sony named its next console the "Imagination." And average consumers are the bedrock of the gaming industry and every other mass-market industry.

Take care,
PK

**pk500** · 06-12-2004, 07:48 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

>>>If someone went to the store to buy a console and the "next Playstation" was called the "Imagination"(bad example, but bear with me) but was also branded with the "Sony" name, do you really think people would have a hard time making the connection that this is the next Sony Console? Do you think people have a hard time discerning that the Gamecube is the successor to the N64?<<<

They sure as hell would, especially since a good chunk of the people buying consoles are either newbies to a hobby exploding with growth or parents of pre-teens or teens buying the units for their kids.

You're looking at this question through the rose-colored glasses of a hardcore gamer. Fellas, we're in the minority as hardcore gamers. The VAST majority of people who play video games don't pore over reviews and spend as much time in forums as we do. We're a niche -- hardcore gamers. You simply can't look at the mass gaming market from a hardcore gamer's perspective.

Again, the word "PlayStation" has become synonymous with video gaming, not the term "Sony" or "Sony Playstation." So yes, the average consumer would be confused if Sony named its next console the "Imagination." And average consumers are the bedrock of the gaming industry and every other mass-market industry.

Take care,
PK

**skitch** · 06-12-2004, 07:54 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
JohnDoe8865 said:
I don't really see how Gamecube is a good name at all. It is a cube shaped console that plays games.

<hr /></blockquote>

Exactly what I was thinking.

That and "XBox" are very similar, so I find it hard to believe that someone can like one name, but dislike the other.

**skitch** · 06-12-2004, 07:54 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
JohnDoe8865 said:
I don't really see how Gamecube is a good name at all. It is a cube shaped console that plays games.

<hr /></blockquote>

Exactly what I was thinking.

That and "XBox" are very similar, so I find it hard to believe that someone can like one name, but dislike the other.

**skitch** · 06-12-2004, 07:54 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
JohnDoe8865 said:
I don't really see how Gamecube is a good name at all. It is a cube shaped console that plays games.

<hr /></blockquote>

Exactly what I was thinking.

That and "XBox" are very similar, so I find it hard to believe that someone can like one name, but dislike the other.

**Silverstring** · 06-12-2004, 08:46 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
pk500 said:

They sure as hell would, especially since a good chunk of the people buying consoles are either newbies to a hobby exploding with growth or parents of pre-teens or teens buying the units for their kids.

<hr /></blockquote>

Ok, I think this actually speaks to my point. If someone is so uninformed that they do not know that the Playstation is a Sony unit, a newbie, or a parent buying for their child, there is no pre-existing brand loyalty to capitalize on, since each of these prospective buyers are not familiar with the pre-existing generations consoles, and wouldn't evaluate the new ones with that criteria(name included) in mind.
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />

You're looking at this question through the rose-colored glasses of a hardcore gamer. Fellas, we're in the minority as hardcore gamers. The VAST majority of people who play video games don't pore over reviews and spend as much time in forums as we do. We're a niche -- hardcore gamers. You simply can't look at the mass gaming market from a hardcore gamer's perspective.

<hr /></blockquote>

I cannot concede this point to you, since I really don't feel as though I'm looking at it from a hardcore gamer's perspective, although I may be one. Throughout a large majority of High School, I worked in the Electronics Department of a Target, which of course, sells consoles and games. I think we would all agree that Target, Wal-Mart, and the like attract more "average" consumers than even an electronics speciality store(Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.), and certainly more than videogame speciality stores(Gamestop, Electronics Boutique, etc.). Given my experience working there, this "average" consumer either is acting on a SPECIFIC directive from their children("I need a Playstation"), or inquires about "Which is the Best?" because they have no idea what came before or they don't care. A much larger determining factor was the games, if anything. People wanted to know where they could play, for example, Sonic or Mario, which could easily be determined by a 1 second glance at the respective Nintendo or Sega Displays.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />

Again, the word "PlayStation" has become synonymous with video gaming, not the term "Sony" or "Sony Playstation." So yes, the average consumer would be confused if Sony named its next console the "Imagination." And average consumers are the bedrock of the gaming industry and every other mass-market industry.

<hr /></blockquote>

Let's suppose, for the sake of argument, that the customer went to the store and was confused to such a degree that they did not understand that the "Imagination" was the successor to the Sony Playstation(although my experience with the average consumer would indicate otherwise). At worst, the consumer would ask the clerk, who could easily confirm it(as I did many times), or delay the purchase until they could arm themselves with more information. A confused consumer does not default to a competitors product, to do so would only compound their confusion and lead to a higher possibility for disappointment. They inform themselves and come back later(maybe not back to that particular retailer, but we are talking about the effect on company sales). Those who want a console or are buying as a gift ultimately get one(same could be applied to cameras, DVD players, and the like-all of which I witnessed the same phenomena with). Given the mass adaptation of the internet(with which to do such "research" on) and the extremely limited availability of alternatives(2 to 3 consoles a generation), this is what these "average" consumers do. You seems to be saying that if someone wants a console, but doesn't know that the "Imagination" is, in effect, the third playstation, they will either buy nothing, or choose instead to put a Fire Truck(or other some such toy) under their pre-teens Christmas tree. That just doesn't happen, based on my retail experience(of course, by experience with the "average" consumer may be atypical, but I doubt it).

**Silverstring** · 06-12-2004, 08:46 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
pk500 said:

They sure as hell would, especially since a good chunk of the people buying consoles are either newbies to a hobby exploding with growth or parents of pre-teens or teens buying the units for their kids.

<hr /></blockquote>

Ok, I think this actually speaks to my point. If someone is so uninformed that they do not know that the Playstation is a Sony unit, a newbie, or a parent buying for their child, there is no pre-existing brand loyalty to capitalize on, since each of these prospective buyers are not familiar with the pre-existing generations consoles, and wouldn't evaluate the new ones with that criteria(name included) in mind.
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />

You're looking at this question through the rose-colored glasses of a hardcore gamer. Fellas, we're in the minority as hardcore gamers. The VAST majority of people who play video games don't pore over reviews and spend as much time in forums as we do. We're a niche -- hardcore gamers. You simply can't look at the mass gaming market from a hardcore gamer's perspective.

<hr /></blockquote>

I cannot concede this point to you, since I really don't feel as though I'm looking at it from a hardcore gamer's perspective, although I may be one. Throughout a large majority of High School, I worked in the Electronics Department of a Target, which of course, sells consoles and games. I think we would all agree that Target, Wal-Mart, and the like attract more "average" consumers than even an electronics speciality store(Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.), and certainly more than videogame speciality stores(Gamestop, Electronics Boutique, etc.). Given my experience working there, this "average" consumer either is acting on a SPECIFIC directive from their children("I need a Playstation"), or inquires about "Which is the Best?" because they have no idea what came before or they don't care. A much larger determining factor was the games, if anything. People wanted to know where they could play, for example, Sonic or Mario, which could easily be determined by a 1 second glance at the respective Nintendo or Sega Displays.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />

Again, the word "PlayStation" has become synonymous with video gaming, not the term "Sony" or "Sony Playstation." So yes, the average consumer would be confused if Sony named its next console the "Imagination." And average consumers are the bedrock of the gaming industry and every other mass-market industry.

<hr /></blockquote>

Let's suppose, for the sake of argument, that the customer went to the store and was confused to such a degree that they did not understand that the "Imagination" was the successor to the Sony Playstation(although my experience with the average consumer would indicate otherwise). At worst, the consumer would ask the clerk, who could easily confirm it(as I did many times), or delay the purchase until they could arm themselves with more information. A confused consumer does not default to a competitors product, to do so would only compound their confusion and lead to a higher possibility for disappointment. They inform themselves and come back later(maybe not back to that particular retailer, but we are talking about the effect on company sales). Those who want a console or are buying as a gift ultimately get one(same could be applied to cameras, DVD players, and the like-all of which I witnessed the same phenomena with). Given the mass adaptation of the internet(with which to do such "research" on) and the extremely limited availability of alternatives(2 to 3 consoles a generation), this is what these "average" consumers do. You seems to be saying that if someone wants a console, but doesn't know that the "Imagination" is, in effect, the third playstation, they will either buy nothing, or choose instead to put a Fire Truck(or other some such toy) under their pre-teens Christmas tree. That just doesn't happen, based on my retail experience(of course, by experience with the "average" consumer may be atypical, but I doubt it).

**Silverstring** · 06-12-2004, 08:46 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
pk500 said:

They sure as hell would, especially since a good chunk of the people buying consoles are either newbies to a hobby exploding with growth or parents of pre-teens or teens buying the units for their kids.

<hr /></blockquote>

Ok, I think this actually speaks to my point. If someone is so uninformed that they do not know that the Playstation is a Sony unit, a newbie, or a parent buying for their child, there is no pre-existing brand loyalty to capitalize on, since each of these prospective buyers are not familiar with the pre-existing generations consoles, and wouldn't evaluate the new ones with that criteria(name included) in mind.
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />

You're looking at this question through the rose-colored glasses of a hardcore gamer. Fellas, we're in the minority as hardcore gamers. The VAST majority of people who play video games don't pore over reviews and spend as much time in forums as we do. We're a niche -- hardcore gamers. You simply can't look at the mass gaming market from a hardcore gamer's perspective.

<hr /></blockquote>

I cannot concede this point to you, since I really don't feel as though I'm looking at it from a hardcore gamer's perspective, although I may be one. Throughout a large majority of High School, I worked in the Electronics Department of a Target, which of course, sells consoles and games. I think we would all agree that Target, Wal-Mart, and the like attract more "average" consumers than even an electronics speciality store(Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.), and certainly more than videogame speciality stores(Gamestop, Electronics Boutique, etc.). Given my experience working there, this "average" consumer either is acting on a SPECIFIC directive from their children("I need a Playstation"), or inquires about "Which is the Best?" because they have no idea what came before or they don't care. A much larger determining factor was the games, if anything. People wanted to know where they could play, for example, Sonic or Mario, which could easily be determined by a 1 second glance at the respective Nintendo or Sega Displays.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />

Again, the word "PlayStation" has become synonymous with video gaming, not the term "Sony" or "Sony Playstation." So yes, the average consumer would be confused if Sony named its next console the "Imagination." And average consumers are the bedrock of the gaming industry and every other mass-market industry.

<hr /></blockquote>

Let's suppose, for the sake of argument, that the customer went to the store and was confused to such a degree that they did not understand that the "Imagination" was the successor to the Sony Playstation(although my experience with the average consumer would indicate otherwise). At worst, the consumer would ask the clerk, who could easily confirm it(as I did many times), or delay the purchase until they could arm themselves with more information. A confused consumer does not default to a competitors product, to do so would only compound their confusion and lead to a higher possibility for disappointment. They inform themselves and come back later(maybe not back to that particular retailer, but we are talking about the effect on company sales). Those who want a console or are buying as a gift ultimately get one(same could be applied to cameras, DVD players, and the like-all of which I witnessed the same phenomena with). Given the mass adaptation of the internet(with which to do such "research" on) and the extremely limited availability of alternatives(2 to 3 consoles a generation), this is what these "average" consumers do. You seems to be saying that if someone wants a console, but doesn't know that the "Imagination" is, in effect, the third playstation, they will either buy nothing, or choose instead to put a Fire Truck(or other some such toy) under their pre-teens Christmas tree. That just doesn't happen, based on my retail experience(of course, by experience with the "average" consumer may be atypical, but I doubt it).

**Silverstring** · 06-12-2004, 08:56 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Kredit said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
JohnDoe8865 said:
I don't really see how Gamecube is a good name at all. It is a cube shaped console that plays games.

<hr /></blockquote>

Exactly what I was thinking.

That and "XBox" are very similar, so I find it hard to believe that someone can like one name, but dislike the other.

<hr /></blockquote>

Did you read my explanation above? Forget the "Cube" part, even the inclusion of "Game" in the title alone indicates fun, diversion, entertainment. That kind of possibility is associated with the word "game". How does "Xbox" recall anything? The name conjures no image to those unfamiliar with what it is or does(the DirectX connection may be true, but I would venture that a large majority of non-PC gamers don't even know what DirectX technology is). "X" means nothing other than "unknown" or "unexpected" (e.g Brand X), unless of course, as I mentioned your going off the lame "X"treme craze of a few years ago("Xtreme Doritos", "Mountain Dew is Xtreme!", ESPN's "Xtreme Games"-Mercifually shortened to the "X Games" a few years ago.) "Box" dosen't mean anything positive and is too nondescript. Neither word gains any substantial meaning from their combination that they did not have alone. Do you see what I'm saying from this perspective?

**Silverstring** · 06-12-2004, 08:56 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Kredit said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
JohnDoe8865 said:
I don't really see how Gamecube is a good name at all. It is a cube shaped console that plays games.

<hr /></blockquote>

Exactly what I was thinking.

That and "XBox" are very similar, so I find it hard to believe that someone can like one name, but dislike the other.

<hr /></blockquote>

Did you read my explanation above? Forget the "Cube" part, even the inclusion of "Game" in the title alone indicates fun, diversion, entertainment. That kind of possibility is associated with the word "game". How does "Xbox" recall anything? The name conjures no image to those unfamiliar with what it is or does(the DirectX connection may be true, but I would venture that a large majority of non-PC gamers don't even know what DirectX technology is). "X" means nothing other than "unknown" or "unexpected" (e.g Brand X), unless of course, as I mentioned your going off the lame "X"treme craze of a few years ago("Xtreme Doritos", "Mountain Dew is Xtreme!", ESPN's "Xtreme Games"-Mercifually shortened to the "X Games" a few years ago.) "Box" dosen't mean anything positive and is too nondescript. Neither word gains any substantial meaning from their combination that they did not have alone. Do you see what I'm saying from this perspective?

**Silverstring** · 06-12-2004, 08:56 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Kredit said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
JohnDoe8865 said:
I don't really see how Gamecube is a good name at all. It is a cube shaped console that plays games.

<hr /></blockquote>

Exactly what I was thinking.

That and "XBox" are very similar, so I find it hard to believe that someone can like one name, but dislike the other.

<hr /></blockquote>

Did you read my explanation above? Forget the "Cube" part, even the inclusion of "Game" in the title alone indicates fun, diversion, entertainment. That kind of possibility is associated with the word "game". How does "Xbox" recall anything? The name conjures no image to those unfamiliar with what it is or does(the DirectX connection may be true, but I would venture that a large majority of non-PC gamers don't even know what DirectX technology is). "X" means nothing other than "unknown" or "unexpected" (e.g Brand X), unless of course, as I mentioned your going off the lame "X"treme craze of a few years ago("Xtreme Doritos", "Mountain Dew is Xtreme!", ESPN's "Xtreme Games"-Mercifually shortened to the "X Games" a few years ago.) "Box" dosen't mean anything positive and is too nondescript. Neither word gains any substantial meaning from their combination that they did not have alone. Do you see what I'm saying from this perspective?

**spacefunk** · 06-12-2004, 10:26 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

If I was making a new console, I would call it a Chazwazza.

**spacefunk** · 06-12-2004, 10:26 PM

Re: Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

If I was making a new console, I would call it a Chazwazza.

Lazy, Unimaginative Console Naming?

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