Nintendo chose the wrong year to ditch its E3 press conference

TechRadar: Things have only got easier for Microsoft and Sony. Oh Nintendo, times are tough. I know. But while there might be some rational thinking behind your decision to not hold a press conference at E3 this year, the timing could not feel more wrong.

[CouldHaveYelledUiiW]

I think-
Nintendo does not have much extra time this year.
PLUS:

1) Nintendo has been saying, "Seeing is different than playing."

-I think Nintendo is going to try and force the Press/Haters to play their games rather than turning their nose-up at the polygon counts. Having events with that focus rather than shows, could create more accurate E3 buzz.

-Ex. ZombiU & NintendoLand E3 Hands-On went great, compared to the people who just criticized its graphics from what they had seen during the show.

2) Last year their show failed to please, even while announcing a new model.

-Reggie made that infamous comment about our insatiable appetites.

-E3 is filled with Nintendo Haters who will hate no matter what.

-The Nintendo Directs and things like Sony's PS4 reveal Event can get more eyes and generate more buzz.

3) E3 shows cost time/money.

-Many people say that creating an E3 Demo or presentation- eats up a ton of Game Development or Management time.

-It generally stops all production and forces people to work on something that is not AS essential.

4) Lastly, Nintendo is testing it's Star-Power.

-It could work in their favor when everyone is wondering what they are or will be doing.

SO...
Is this the BEST idea? How should I know? I can't see the future and I don't know everything about the gaming industry or Nintendo.
BUT-
I do know that sometimes a Change in Routine leads to something better... (or worse).

[Donnieboi]

I dunno man, but i hope they do have a show (more than a Nintendo direct) sometime between E3 and Holiday 2013, because their gonna need it. Sony and Microsoft are not going to sit idly by. The 3ds line up is hot, but they need to show some teeth when it comes to the Wii U.

[Nitrowolf2]

We all know how ZombieU ended up even after it got out to the peoples hand -_-

They failed to please last year cause of the lack of real games that aren't already available on PS3/xbox 360, as in, they were showing us current gen stuff. Though Project Xenoblade looks amazing.

Yeah the show costs money, but Nintendo has enough of it to last nearly 50 years if they weren't to release anything. I think that's a lame excuse TBH, same with the it cuts developer time. Yeah, I guess all those guys who are so angry that it took time away from development despite the press.

This is a bad move or at least will be seen as one. I don't care how you spin it, last year's show was bad, and seeing this tells us they aren't all to confident. I know they will have a bunch of Nintendo Directs, but E3 is the place to get better word out.

[BeZdaBest]

let me correct you real fast..

"Yeah the show costs money, but Nintendo has enough of it to last nearly 50 years if they weren't to release anything."

"Buried in reams of financial data is the revelation that Nintendo have 812.8 billion Yen (£6.7/$10.5 billion) in the bank - enough for it to take a 20 billion Yen loss (£163/$257 million) every year until 2052. Then there's almost 469 billion Yen (£3.8/$6.0 billion) held in premises, equipment and investments. When that runs out - we're in the year 2075 by this point - they've got some of the most valuable intellectual property in gaming to sell off before the company goes out of business."

http://www.gonintendo.com/?...

[LOGICWINS]

Maybe they've realized that they've lost this gen and are waiting to release a more powerful console in 2-3 years. Nintendo isn't exactly what you would call "broke". They can afford a failure or two, unlike other companies.

[truechainz]

"I think that's a lame excuse TBH, same with the it cuts developer time. Yeah, I guess all those guys who are so angry that it took time away from development despite the press."

Normally I would agree with you here, but given the Wii U's current position, anything that takes away from development time is bad news. They need the games out as soon as possible.

[Nevers0ft]

The thing is, for everybody proclaiming that the sky is falling in for Nintendo over this not one of them has actually taken time to read and comprehend what Nintendo's intentions actually ARE instead of sounding-off at the earliest available opportunity on N4G.

Nintendo aren't having one *large* conference, they're having two small targeted ones for business parters, investors etc AND A BUTTLOAD OF GAMES AVAILABLE TO PLAY ON THE SHOW FLOOR and a bunch of Nintendo Directs for the general public.

Having sat through my fair share of similar presentations and wanted to gnaw my arm off through boredom most of the time, I welcome Nintendo's efforts to only bore businessmen whilst Joe Public gets to see and try out their latest wares. Do you want to see and play games or just talk about the damned things?

[3-4-5]

Point #1 is spot on.

[miyamoto]

The past two Wii U E3 showings were disasters for Nintendo at any angle you see it

so it makes sense for them to not repeat them the 3rd time around specially when their bodies are STILL not ready to show HD games.

[Prodigy-X]

Its going to be a hard holiday season for them this year.

[_QQ_]

Seeing how Mario Kart is coming out by then i doubt it,it's 34 million sales on wii speak for itself.

[ABizzel1]

The Wii was a casual hit day 1. Wii U not so much.

Look at Mario Kart sales for any other Nintendo console 10 million and less (Still amazing numbers but significantly less than Mario Kart Wii).

Nothing against the Wii U, but Nintendo needs to show these games at E3 in a big way and let people see them in action, not on some Nintendo Direct.

I want to see Bayonetta 2, True Zelda U, Super Smash U (and 3DS), Pokemon U, Mario U, Mario Kart U, Metroid U, and on top of all that new franchises / IP's, or a refresh on old ones.

The console and pushing poly's isn't the problem. It's the lack of first party games, and cluelessness from Nintendo about what to do with the Wii U, which makes no sense because they had Wii U prototypes back in E3 2011, so how on earth games weren't ready by 2013 is beyond me.

[_QQ_]

I agree they need to show both games and release dates, plus step their marketing game up.But i think mariokart will be one of the biggest factors to help the wiiu sell.

[Hicken]

Who's gonna buy Mario Kart?

The people that bought it in droves on the Wii- as of yet- STILL don't have a reason to upgrade. Speaking of that, weren't there more than 30 million Wiis on the market when Mario Kart dropped?

I'm sure that MK will move units, but I don't know if it'll be enough to revive the Wii U all on its own.

[Bigpappy]

They are so fortunate to have the DS. The wii-u has a huge problem getting any traction. If I were Nintendo I would stop production of Wii-u, and release a wii-2 with a Zelda and a Mario game at launch

[BeZdaBest]

so by your definition sony should scrap the vita an make a ps resurrection...

even if they arent selling they are still making money off of it..(when they sell a 1st party game) and by looking at the financial report 2/3 of wiiu owners bought nsmbu..

[kirbyu]

I'm confused. Some people are saying Nintendo isn't going to be at E3, they're just gonna make Nintendo Directs. Others are saying they ARE gonna be at E3, but they aren't gonna do a big show. Others are saying they are, but they won't announce anything new.

Will someone please clarify this for me?

[Donnieboi]

They will be at E3, but won't have a huge blowout event like Sony and MS. It will likely be a couple of booths with some Wii U's and 3Ds's showing off a few games. Kinda like what 3rd party devs are doing, but of course Nintendo will provide the consoles to play the games on. Iwata DID confirm though, that they will have more Nintendo directs.

[GreenRanger]

They will be at E3.
They are just skipping the on-stage part of their presentation.

[DarkBlood]

Im as confused as you are but from what i understand it appears they arent going to have the main event of thier brand be held at E3 but will be doing it via NDirect they may just use E3 to showcase demos or whatnot with twice as many people invited then lasttime

[thaimasker]

They will have multiple conferences at E3. Just not one major one

[ABizzel1]

@Kirbyu

It's a little bit of both. They're suppose to be going to E3, but they're not suppose to have a big conference, something smaller in scale and more private for American audience.

They're also going to be showing off games for their Japanese audience via Nintendo Directs.

It's as simple as that, but IMO it's just too much and it's going to cause confusion for a good portion of their audience, because as you said there's just too much being said.

[Bathyj]

I think so, big time. Its like the whole gaming industry is on the edge of a knife and it could tip either way. The next gen could all be won or lost in the next 6 months to a year.

[CEOSteveBallmer]

I can see next gen win it not lose it. Remember when dreamcast and sega gave up on the console business in 2000? i think, did that generation lose so much like the "Videogame crash" of the early 80's? No. because we still have 2 companies doing great nintendo and sony, that there are so many gamers who supports them. PS2 is no doubt one of the greatest if not the best. after that another company took sega's place, its none other than microsoft. They thought good because they know the industry needs a 3rd player. So whether one company loses big time this coming gen, its still will not affect the games industry so much as long as we gamers still support and play core games. And I know you dont want the "Casual" mobile gaming to take over right?? Im not bashing temple run or angry birds, but you know what we core gamers want. Deep and immersive gameplay with great storyline and sprinkle it with glorious graphics, not games where we just target scores. I have angry birds, temple run on my phone, jetpack joyride on my vita coz its free, but I only play them to pass time. Casual gamers are already satisfied with this just to beat the highscore. Ive said too much, My bottomline is that, Core Gaming will not go anywhere even in the future even if aliens invaded us, the zombie apocalypse came.

[Bathyj]

I didn't mean it as in the whole industry would succeed or fail, even though that's always a possibility, i meant what nintendo does now, or what Sony or ms does now could determine their fortunes for the next 5 to 8 years.

[arbitor365]

anyone who thinks Nintendo directs are going to come close to matching the power and relevance of a full fledged press conference is delusional beyond belief.

sony and microsoft will be hogging 95% of the spotlight

[_QQ_]

Nintendo will still have an e3 show in the Nokia theater. same venue as last year, it just won't be as long, and another show for just investors. basically the show is split in 2

[BeZdaBest]

if anything sony already show most of its cards in feb.

only thing left for them is to show the actual console..some more games..price an release date..

talk a little more about gaikai intergration...

an last but not least if my digital/ps+ content will work with the ps4.. if not ill be tight.. cause i bought into the digital lifestyle a little...

[CEOSteveBallmer]

Are you sure they shown most of their cards?. This is competition for the gaming industry and they know microsoft will not hold back. If microsoft has a trick up their sleeve, Sony too has an Ace.

[Double_O_Revan]

I don't think them skipping a big E3 presentation is a huge deal, but just not THIS year of all years.

Not when your competition is about to reveal their systems. Not when your system isn't doing so hot. Not when you need every bit of the 12 month head start you have to regain ground.

If they want to skip the press conference portion Next year, ok. But This year, I just don't think it's a good idea and that they need to be showing strong against the competition.

[Triggytrolls]

They don't need E3, they just need to focus on making games. Monster Hunter is the first game I've purchaced since I got my WiiU, Mario and Zombi on release.

Atleast I've got some decent games to look forward to, Pikmin 3, Wonderfull 101? Company of Heros 2 (PC), Arma (PC) and GTA (360)

[kagamer79]

If anything nintendo chose the right year to skip. Wii had massive hype and momentum from talk shows to nursing homes. The wii u has run outta steam in just under 6 months. While meantime the competitions full steam ahead. Why go just to be in sony and 720s shadow? Nintendo is not dumb albeit they've made some dumb decisions. They know if they go the criticism will be twice as bad with articles everywhere saying how sony and microsoft out shined the wii u and how after seeing their offerings it would just make wii u look that much more last gen. To sit and say you dnt care and you want a wii u regaurdless of how successful it is or what games it has proves that you got more money than brains. I love nintendo but if the damn ceo can admit failure with his console than even the most avid nintendo fan should be able to as well. Disagree all you want but if things dont change you may see the next nintendo console before your wii u is even broke in good.

[Iltapalanyymi]

hue. good riddance.

[tweet75]

it doesnt matter if the conferences are there or not because the only reason most people watched them is for the game announcements and system reveals and to those that arent there they most of there info through online news anyways.

[hard joe]

are gamers wrong to choose nintendo this year?

[MasterCornholio]

Your asking if buying a Wii U would be a mistake?

Depends on what you buy the Wii U for. If your buying it because of the controller and the first party games then you wont be making a mistake. But if you buy it thinking that it will have superior multplats, an incredible online network and a boat load of 3rd party games then purchasing a Wii U is a big mistake.

Motorola RAZR i

[boing1]

They know they can't compete with Sony and MS this year. Sony/MS are showing next gen hardware and software, all spotlights will be on them. It's smart for them to not do any big show and waste money. No one would care for them this year. More intimate approach is way better. Besides, you can't judge WiiU games without holding the controller and actually play them.

[MacDonagh]

Yep. Just as Nintendo always do. Doing things their own way. It's clear that they would rather use Nintendo Directs to talk to their fans rather than get continually slated at E3.

I think it's safe to say that they've went into siege mode.

[CaptainN]

People are totally looking at this the wrong way.Let me explain what is going to happen.They are taking all the boring stuff out that gamers don't care about during their presentation this year at E3.

For instance, they will not be talking about numbers such as install base of their Wii-U or 3DS during their presentation at the Nokia theater. That info is geared towards the investors....which will now have a separate meeting before the event in the Nokia Theater. This does not mean that Nintendo will not be showing new games and not having a presentation.

Second,they will also be having another small group session for developers,retail & media to try out the new software as well, so that they can focus just on the gamers during the Nokia presentation.What they are doing is cutting out the corporate BS talk which always cuts into their presentations.Like "heres what developers think of our hardware and controller" etc.Or "here is our new plan to sell E-SHOP cards".

These types of things always limit the amount of time Nintendo has to show games,so they are reducing the "event" into smaller sections for different audiences at different times.

Nintendo has already committed to showing off Mario 3D,Mario Kart,& Smash Bros at E3.And I am sure games like Bayonetta 2,Wind Waker HD,X(Xenoblade 2)and Retro Studios new project will all be there in their glory, as well as whatever surprises Nintendo has in store.Everyone needs to just calm down and relax.Its going to be focused on the American market of gamers....and Europeans and Japan will get Nintendo Directs geared towards them during this time.

[ChickeyCantor]

Or maybe...maybe it's with full known intend?

[Lucario2011]

Nintendo can't give up. Think about what the world will be like without Nintendo

1.There won't much family oriented game titles

2.It will be too sad.

3.If video games runs ramped, parents will complain and ban video games for good.

[Lucario2011]

Imagine Mario, Link, Fox, Pikachu, Kirby, Samus and other Nintendo characters will be out of the streets.

SAVE NINTENDO!!!!!