Wii Oscars appearance
Monday, February 25th, 2008 at 1:24pm by Jack
I could have missed them during a bathroom break or something, but from what I could tell only one video game console maker paid to have had their console played on stage at the Oscars last night.
On a serious note, I have no idea whether or not Nintendo paid the Academy of Arts and Sciences to include a Wii Sports schtick in the show last night. The Wii is extremely popular so it is equally plausible that Jon Stewart and his writers created this bit on their own. What I do know is this bit wouldn’t have worked with any other console. Example: “Wait, they’re just playing video games, on stage, at the Oscars? I don’t get it.” vs. “Hey, they’re playing Wii!”
[Thanks to Deepthought for complaining in the comments about posting this -- dinner is served!]
February 25th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
w00t
February 25th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Hey did you know that Jon Stewart played a Wii on the Oscars last night?
February 25th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I wish I could play wii sports on that screen
February 25th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Conan did it cants say to I’m surprised. Besides GH and RB have been on multiple shows this year. VGs are moving ahead!
February 25th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
@ Lifeisaglitch
wait wait- are you saying Conan created John Stewart??? You fool! You DO realize what happened last time this went down, don’t you!?!?
*dives for cover*
February 25th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Bring it Irish!
On a related note my other post makes me look dyslexic….
February 25th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I really doubt Nintendo paid anyone. For one thing, the Academy takes itself very seriously and doesn’t seem to give in to product placement. Even if Iwata himself called the president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences and personally pitched the idea, I can only imagine the response being some sort of “Are you kidding?” followed by a dial tone. This is the Oscars, the most prestigious night for an industry boiling over with ego. I repeat, the Academy takes itself VERY SERIOUSLY. I think that was all John Stewarts’ idea.
And yes, this would only work with the Wii. If they were playing 360 or PS3 it would just have come off as an obnoxious, childish joke. Those systems are still, at least in the minds of adults, for the kiddies. The Wii worked because it is the only system most adults are interested in.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
This was seen by about 40 million people. This is advertising you can’t buy.
And because of this, the Wii has just shot up in relevance a thousandfold by being played in a theatre played before the whole world.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:40 am
I thought it was a nice touch. I also think that John Stewart did a pretty good job overall.
I was working last night, but thankfully was able to watch parts of the Oscars later (no DVR, but a DVD recorder is the next best thing). The Wii Sports thing made me laugh.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:45 am
The sad thing is that the joke would only have worked with Wii Sports! Seriously, does the Wii have any other recognizable games?? I guess not even Halo 3 would have worked (if using a 360).
February 26th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Invis, I don’t see that as a negative at all. For a majority of people, Wii Sports is the gateway drug to other Nintendo products and games. I only have my immediate family as my scientific example, but in the case of my sisters and parents Wii Sports was the game that got them interested in video games (for the first time ever) and that was Thanksgiving 2006. Now, flash forward one and a half years, and there’s a second Wii in the family at my parents house and it is stocked with Guitar Hero 3, Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Party, Excite Truck… etc. Mostly Nintendo first party yes, but that’s a different issue. The point I’m making is Wii Sports was the foothold. You might see that as a curse, as is the case with the Oscars, but I see it as a great example of a lasting, timeless video game. We don’t have too many of those anymore.