Okay, this is way off my usual topic, but I've successfully rationalized a reason for writing about it anyway. I'll get into that later, but I want to get this posted while our resident home-electronics guru Bob Gatton is at the CEDIA convention in Denver. After all, I'm treading on his territory.
Last week I had the chance to play with a Nintendo Wii system for the first time. Now mind you, I am not anyone's idea of a serious gamer. The most extreme game I play is Free Cell. I know, I know. I'm completely out of touch with the 21st century -- not to mention the kids in my life.
However, the Wii may have changed that. I LOVED it! It won't be too long before I've rationalized a good reason for buying one for our empty-nester home. (I am a master rationalizer.) The games we played are fun, not too alien (albeit it's been a long time since I've set foot on a real tennis court) and provide plenty of opportunity for interaction among the players.
That's one of the best parts, I think. Computer games can be quite social (you should see -- or hear -- my daughter and her husband play Tetris), but for the most part, you don't get the same cries of delight or defeat that the Wii inspires. It reminded me of playing board games (does anyone do that anymore?) because everyone was fully involved in the game and the other players -- not just a computer. It could make quality family time easy again.
Okay, here's the rationalization (the first one): The Wii is very popular. Buying new houses is not -- at least right now. With builders coming up with various incentives, such as plasma TVs or granite countertops, to help sell houses, I think a free Wii system would be a terrific bonus. It's a lot cheaper than a plasma TV -- or, for relatively little additional money, you can add a Wii to a TV incentive.
You could set up a Wii in your model home or at an open house; it'd keep the kids busy while the parents can take their time checking out the home. And you can tell them that if they buy the house, they get the Wii, too. (Think of the extra pressure from the kids to get Mom and Dad to close the sale!)
I'm trying to track down other incentive "gifts" such as this that are working well, not to mention stories about how well they've worked -- or haven't worked. But once I get my Wii, there's no telling when I'll come up for air.
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