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[MDSVeritas]

I think most people watched the conferences on TV in the past few years. At least I think the ratings on Spike and G4 were pretty good.

As I recall though, those channels got less consistent in their content, though. Spike's Game Trailer's TV only had about 1/2 the conferences last year, and G4 is in the middle of re-branding, with all gaming content currently wiped from it's lineup. I'm sure they brought in quite a few viewers, but I suspect it was hardly a majority, and even less so now.

This could backfire on us if they deem the exciting-but-far-off game announcements as "pertinent only to retailers to assure them this product has long-term prospects," and they relegate us gamers to "shit you already know about you can buy in the next few months."

For a business who has repeatedly said how they will, and need to, bolster sales of their troubled home console, giving consumers nothing new to look toward would be... an incredibly peculiar decision. More than they need retailers to support the Wii U, they need people to buy the thing.

 

[mantidor]

I'll miss the conference for sure, but they just no longer serve any purpose as shown by the last E3. The insanity of the threads was insane, I'll miss that too.

 

[polg]

I'm ok with this. Replace it with demos and Nintendo Directs

 

[Neiteio]

As I recall though, those channels got less consistent in their content, though. Spike's Game Trailer's TV only have about 1/2 the conferences last year, and G4 is in the middle of re-branding, with all gaming content currently wiped from it's lineup. I'm sure they brought in quite a few viewers, but I suspect it was hardly a majority, and even less so now.

They were still being seen by a LOT of people who will never bother with Directs.

 

[TryHardShounen]

That's a shame. I was looking forward to another Wii music esque demo.

 

[Bsigg12]

To be fair, they still do the "one more thing" hat trick with Directs, with past examples including ALttP2, MonolithSoft's X, DKCR3D, etc.

Its just not the same! A live conference has a different feel to it. While the directs are canned. And I understand the conferences are practiced and scripted, there is a different feel when a live audience actually cheers for an announcement.

 

[Meelow]

I'll miss the conference for sure, but they just no longer serve any purpose as shown by the last E3. The insanity of the threads was insane, I'll miss that too.

We'll get that too just in Direct form.

What people seem to forget is Bayonetta 2 was announced at a Nintendo Direct and look how huge the response was? Everyone heard about it like we were at E3 or something.

 

[ProfessorMoran]

Bad idea dodging the journos by not holding a conference, it will only make it even harder for the WiiU to get good press.

 

[Effect]

To communicate to the media and retailers. NOT to gamers.
And gamers that aren't already Nintendo customers won't be watching Nintendo Directs.

Which means the only way Nintendo grows its customer base is through winning commercials like The Vanorsbys visit Nintendo HQ and "disinterested" media coverage.

It's effectively a case of diminishing returns without the possibility for any growth.

Let me ask you a question. You say they won't be watching Nintendo Directs. Are you saying they go to the Nintendo presentation when they aren't Nintendo customers? So why go to one and not watch the other? That doesn't make any sense.

Will they not be going to various game sites like IGN, GameSpot, etc that tend to have E3 sections and typical group all the information together or highlight everything announced during the week of E3? Outlets they will have no choice but to see Nintendo announcements under the E3 banner?

 

[shinra-bansho]

I don't really see why holding an E3 Conference and events tailored to retailers, distributors or investors are mutually exclusive. Nor how the latter makes the former redundant...

No more "And one more thing" bombs from Nintendo, though they did disappoint last year with that.

Enjoy the show.

 

[Sandfox]

They were still being seen by a LOT of people who will never bother with Directs.

It would be smart for them to still have a presence on Spike but who knows.

 

[Shabutaro]

Initially I was disappointed.
But after thinking about this, wont this mean that there will be less talking and whatnot, and just games? No longer will we stare at the screen begging Reggie, or some other random company head to move so we can see footage. It'll be a small but appreciated talking and just game announcements and demos for us to see.

Ideally of course...

 

[Neiteio]

Its just not the same! A live conference has a different feel to it. While the directs are canned. And I understand the conferences are practiced and scripted, there is a different feel when a live audience actually cheers for an announcement.

Yeah, I know.

 

[Penguin]

I don't really have enough information to say if this is a good or bad call.

I mean it all depends on how they handle the week. Will they announce their ND schedule ahead of time? Will they still be able to get a SpikeTV slot?

 

[jmood88]

Besides, they ate still trying to chase the fleeting casual unicorn and they know E3 and specialised press do nothing for them.

You seem to have overlooked the fact that E3 is when mainstream press covers the industry.

 

[Bsigg12]

We'll get that too just in Direct form.

What people seem to forget is Bayonetta 2 was announced at a Nintendo Direct and look how huge the response was? Everyone heard about it like we were at E3 or something.

Its sad thinking about Bayonetta. The fact the first game did not sell enough to warrant a publisher to pick up a sequel scares me to how little Bayo 2 will sell with a tiny user base in the Wii U.

 

[Effect]

It would be smart for them to still have a presence on Spike but who knows.

Perhaps Spike can rebroadcast the Nintendo Direct (or when it airs live) and still talk about it. Nothing stopping them. Nintendo Directs are announced ahead of time and start on time. Nothing is stopping Nintendo from having interviews like they did last year as well.

 

[Van Owen]

They must know they have absolutely nothing that will compete with ps4 and 720.

 

[shinra-bansho]

Also, does this mean the game "journalists" and mainstream journalists who cover E3 will need to go to half a dozen smaller events to cover Nintendo at E3?

Or are they still planning on holding a singular press event, but not necessarily a large scale conference?

 

[khustla]

They're switching to this because these last couple of years their conferences have been horrible and got a lot of negative press and they know they can't compete with Microsoft and Sony's conferences this year.

 

[?oe?oe]

Bad idea dodging the journos by not holding a conference, it will only make it even harder for the WiiU to get good press.

But they're not. They're holding media events during E3.

 

[Strike]

Well, there goes half the fun. Hopefully it means a more streamlined presentation. They need to show the heavy hitters for the holidays.

 

[MDSVeritas]

We'll get that too just in Direct form.

What people seem to forget is Bayonetta 2 was announced at a Nintendo Direct and look how huge the response was? Everyone heard about it like we were at E3 or something.

The same goes for "X", Link to the Past 2, Wind Waker Remake, or even the Virtual Console Earthbound.

Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have a good staged presentation like most here. I just think good Nintendo Directs have worked pretty damn well to think it's gonna be an issue.

 

[Freezie KO]

 

[GiantBreadbug]

Yeah, this is real shitty.

E3 actually is a big deal, and I think this is a dumb move. I wanted to hear about these games, but I can't stay glued to my computer to see the mini announcements scattered throughout. I have a job and responsibilities to tend to.

In the past, I could set aside a block of time to share the experience live with others. That may sound stupid and hokey, but it was always a fun and memorable experience for me and my friends.

But yeah, this is pretty shitty.

 

[Meelow]

Can mods change the title to "Nintendo not holding typical E3 conference this year, will still have the same presence at E3, with Nintendo Direct"

Or something like that, please?

 

[Bsigg12]

Also, does this mean the game "journalists" and mainstream journalists who cover E3 will need to go to half a dozen smaller events to cover Nintendo at E3?

Or are they still planning on holding a singular press event, but not necessarily a large scale conference?

That's a good question. I could see some outlets skipping out on some of the smaller events if they are poorly planned against other companies holding a single conference.

 

[PhoenixDark]

This sounds like Nintendo admitting they're targeting their own fans and not much else. A bunch of scattered, different events can't match having the focus entirely on you for a 90 minute conference.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

That sucks for them and us.

 

[Canon]

This sucks. I loved Nintendo's big events, E3 2004, 2006, and 2010 were amazing.

 

[JCreasy]

I've advocated for direct presentations for years.

 

[Satchel]

Interesting move. Oh well, make sure the announcements are good at least

 

[farisr]

Its just not the same! A live conference has a different feel to it. While the directs are canned. And I understand the conferences are practiced and scripted, there is a different feel when a live audience actually cheers for an announcement.

Indeed.

No more epic moments like the zelda twilight princess reveal, or stuff like live symphonies. They will be missed.

 

[slightconfuse]

Intresting move to he out of next gen cross fire

 

[Hiltz]

Gamers are afraid of change. But change is coming. Nothing stops this train.

 

[sevenchaos]

This sucks. I loved Nintendo's big events, E3 2004, 2006, and 2010 were amazing.

Yeah but everything else has sucked. While sad, this is a good thing.

 

[Scum]

Can mods change the title to "Nintendo not holding typical E3 conference this year, will still have the same presence at E3, with Nintendo Direct"

Or something like that, please?

Sorry, but no. I don't think they should. If people can't be bothered to read the OP, then that's their problem. Shame on me.

 

[Pikma]

Nintendo Directs are really great, I love them, but a previously recorded conference/presentation will never top a live event with audience, imo.

 

[BrokenEchelon]

Because the Wii U needed even more hype deflation.

 

[Effect]

Can mods change the title to "Nintendo not holding typical E3 conference this year, will still have the same presence at E3, with Nintendo Direct"

Or something like that, please?

This please.

 

[darkside31337]

Yeah but everything else has sucked. While sad, this is a good thing.

Or they could have just had events that didn't suck.

To me this reeks of them having no confidence in not having a shitty event, because not having an event at all is better than what they had last year. Which doesn't bode well for announcements.

 

[Meelow]

Sorry, but no. If people can't be bothered to read the OP, then that's their problem.

I'm sorry just hearing this "I can't believe Nintendo will just let go of that press", etc Is getting old and annoying to keep telling people.

It's not like it would effect anyone if they change the title.

 

[Fantastical]

They're probably afraid to get Scott Moffitt on stage.

 

[Bulzeeb]

No it could mean you will download Retro's new game demo during E3, and stop reading news site. IGN and EDGE might be pissed.. but who cares?

Iwata: "and remember you can download the new Retro Studios game demo and X demo a few minutes before Microsoft and Sony's conference"

 

[Speedwagon]

No...

 

[Hiltz]

Indeed.

No more epic moments like the zelda twilight princess reveal, or stuff like live symphonies. They will be missed.

Yeah, but how many special moments like that has Nintendo really done in the past? The Zelda orchestra was fantastic, but Nintendo only did it because of the franchise's anniversary. It didn't do anything as cool like that for E3 2006, 2007,2008, 2009, 2011, or 2012.

 

[MDSVeritas]

Iwata: "and remember you can download the new Retro Studios game demo and X demo a few minutes before Microsoft and Sony's conference"

(laughs)

 

[Scum]

I'm sorry just hearing this "I can't believe Nintendo will just let go of that press", etc Is getting old and annoying to keep telling people.

It's not like it would effect anyone if they change the title.

Don't be sorry. It got changed.

 

[Aaron Strife]

I'd rather get eShop demos than an E3 conference.

 

[Kandinsky]

Been taking E3 days off for at least 10 years now, it'll be weird to be working that week, oh well Nintendo had a nice run. Iwata you're crazy and you need to gtfo and take Reggie with you.