You have reached these conclusions based on what? There is nothing indicating the conference was a must, specially a conference in freaking 1994 when Internet wasn't as widely available. Why are people assuming that "no main conference" = "no conferences at all"? the only real change is we are not getting a stream of it, but there is a press conference for the media, plus Directs, plus demo stations, we don't get the bombastic show that we loved of course, but only we cared about it.
Nintendo ditches main E3 conference, still there with games, press events, N-Direct
- Thread starter Hobby
- Start date
You have reached these conclusions based on what? There is nothing indicating the conference was a must, specially a conference in freaking 1994 when Internet wasn't as widely available. Why are people assuming that "no main conference" = "no conferences at all"? the only real change is we are not getting a stream of it, but there is a press conference for the media, plus Directs, plus demo stations, we don't get the bombastic show that we loved of course, but only we cared about it.
Mihael Mello Keehl
Banned
lol @ compete with sony and MS
MisterHero
Super Member
Because GAF and Nintendo should care what mainstream media like Spike TV thinks.
BlastProcessing
Member
E3 is about mainstream coverage, not hardcore. This is why, after flirting with a small scale E3, they went back to spectacle. Spectacle attracts the mainstream press. This is a gutsy risk from a company that has squandered it's margin of error. Drastically changing the gameplan is one of those things that will either really work or really fail. I suppose you could give them credit for trying to do something to shake things up, but it has the feel of a poker player on tilt.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
Many react, don't think.
Add on agendas(not saying that for this person) and they are quick to judge without being informed or not caring about any context.
StreetsAhead
Member
Because if they had a real announcement worthy of real excitement they'd hold a real press conference like a real gaming company that wanted exposure from real media.
Or some nonsense.
reptilescorpio
Member
Elwood Blues
Member
How is any of that effected by a Nintendo press conference?
Father_Brain
Banned
I don't get it, either.
Do the naysayers really think that the LttP 2 announcement last week got significantly less press or positive buzz than it would have had it been saved for an E3 conference?
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
This isn't about games, it's about a fraternity party pissing contest.
I did. They are hosting smaller events for their games. Meanwhile, all of the attention is still going to be on Sony and Microsoft and what they show at the traditional press conferences.
The Wii U's problems are not going to be helped by standing off to the side, while there is wall-to-wall coverage of the other two systems.
Mushroomer25
Member
The landscape has completely shifted since 2006. More people are streaming events online, and Twitter has made big game announcements global news within minutes of it occurring. If E3 is so pivotal, why have both Microsoft and Sony abandoned it for their hardware announcements? They did so because they knew they'd get more attention if they could control everything. Both of them are only still doing E3 conferences because they have no real reason not to. They know people are expecting it, and it's a good platform to outline all of the pre-launch goodies. Nintendo however has established their own network for news distribution, and it puts less pressure on their E3 presence.
And saying the E3 showing was the reason for the WiiU's weak sales lineup is pointless. It failed because of the games, plain and simple. The biggest WiiU announcement so far (Bayonetta 2) didn't even happen at E3. It was at a random WiiU event in August.
RukusProvider
Banned
WiiU death sentence.
E3 is hardcore..and NINTENDO IS NOT NEGLACTING THE PRESS..READ OP.
Mihael Mello Keehl
Banned
What a good post. Nintendo is doing things on their on terms. If you disagree too bad
ZombiePlatypus
Member
I'd be good with:
If they do all that, and make sure to still have said closed event for journalists here, I think they'd have a good "E3" (Provided they have worthwhile stuff to share.)
- Nintendo Direct online during E3
- e-shop demos
- 3D videos and trailers streamed on 3DS like LttP2 trailer.
If they do all that, and make sure to still have said closed event for journalists here, I think they'd have a good "E3" (Provided they have worthwhile stuff to share.)
ArkkAngel007
Member
I keep seeing this, but I have yet to see any evidence that this is actually a significant factor considering most seem to get news through aggregates/communities, and that it's never had much of an impact before.
Regis and Kelly did more for the Wii with the mainstream audience than E3 ever did. If we're talking about the average COD playing mainstreamer, they have 4chan, Facebook, Twitter, or whatever, which is likely to have the same news that the gaming media is posting.
BigJonsson
Member
The theatrics are the best part of E3 since most of us don't get to play the games or see anything in person =/
IGN and friends aren't not going to watch the N directs and just cover their ears. Nintendo has made more major game announcements through Nintendo Directs in 2013 than in their past 2 E3s combined, if they announce anything (and they will), it'll get coverage.
MisterHero
Super Member
Sure I do. The non-specialized newsgroups. Unless they're unique occurences like the Wii, it'll be difficult for most publishers to get that exposure anyways. The tech race and cinematic "experiences" are becoming more of the same as well.
But there is going to be mainstream coverage, or you think CNN E3 report only happened because there was a live conference? The press will be there, at their own event, the announcements will be reported in the same way, only the articles will change "at the main press conference" for "at their closed event".
If this was the case they wouldn't have shown anything since the moment 360 and PS3 shipped.
Is this a caculated move? Of course, and it could most certainly fail. However it's not going to be because they are hidding it when they have major franchises that move major units being revealed and people will sit up and take notice regardless of what Sony and Micro have.
StreetsAhead
Member
BlastProcessing
Member
Two possible reasons:
1. Because E3 is meant for a more mainstream audience so they want to get technical details out of the way. Sony's PS4 announcement fits this theory.
2. The consoles need to be announce before E3 to free up third parties to show off their games. E3 judges week is before the keynotes. The consoles need to officially exist so Judges can see the games.
If you have reading comprehension issues, sure. To anyone else, it's fairly clear that Nintendo is shifting their strategy from showing and telling to actually getting peoples' hands on the Wii U. They've realized that the only way people are going to "get" the Wii U is if they try it out for themselves.
I guarantee you this is the new direction Nintendo is heading. The commercials haven't worked. The press conferences haven't worked. Word of mouth from Wii U "converts" is all that can save the console now.
This is far from a surrender. It's probably the smartest move they've made in the past year.
If I'm wrong, and Nintendo simply sticks to the same strategy, just minus the press conferences, feel free to mock me.
Mihael Mello Keehl
Banned
I think this is what they are aiming for. Even direct specfic games. 20 min long directs pre prepared for a single game. Its really smart plan if its anything kin to that.
An E3 direct would be just fine if advertised for those interested. Most nintendo directs are announced days prior so people doesnt catch them.
scytheavatar
Member
The mainstream media is going to rant about how disappointing the PS4/720 is and how they wouldn't stop the march of Apple/Samsung in killing the gaming industry. So why the heck would anyone give a damn about what the mainstream media think?
InsaneZero
Member
But the opinions formed now based upon how new announcements will be broadcast has no bearing on the opinions formed on the actual new announcements made. Just because Nintendo doesn't show a Zelda game in an E3 conference doesn't mean that a Zelda game won't make news and excite people. Just look at the supposed LTTP2.
The gaming industry has been shifting constantly regarding news, as we've now getting more and more information spread throughout. We've got Destiny with its own showcase, a new Arkham game revealed in a magazine, and Sony with their own personal presentation outside of E3. It doesn't really matter if a presentation isn't live on stage as long as the presentation is good and the content is exciting, and the industry is starting to realize this.
ArkkAngel007
Member
They do capture larger audiences, but the amount of non-gamers who tune in and actually stick through all of that steaming pile of marketing I'd hardly call significant, if any at all. All those people need to know basically is "New toy box", new Halo, new COD, and new Mario. If they pay attention at all that is.
This also isn't just Nintendo Directs. There are other press events at E3 hosted by Nintendo, some open and others closed. Not to mention a floor presence.
Elwood Blues
Member
Do E3 conferences capture viewers who are not only gamers? They air in the middle of the day on Spike TV.
ah, that's handy.
Exactly.
People point to Apple doing its own smaller events, but right now Apple is in a position of power in its industries that Nintendo hasn't known in years. Apple dominates. Apple dictates. Everyone waits with baited breath for what Apple is going to so they can copy it, sell it, or plan a course if action for combatting it. This is why Apple can do what it does.
Nintendo is not in this position. Not against two strong competitors. They can't afford to downplay an event that by and large sets the tone for the industry for the following year. Especially an event so important to a market they are struggling in. The industry's eyes are not guaranteed to follow them.
If Nintendo doesn't take E3 seriously in a year when both MS and Sony plan to hit it with everything they've got, I think it will be a huge blow to their image. A huge blow.
BigJonsson
Member
How does Nintendo not have way more than enough money to have a press conference?
Quadraphonic
Member
It's hard to find all the titles at E3 by walking the show floor. A company's press conference serves to give you an idea of the main headliners to look for. It also serves as a grandstand for you to boast and draw attention AWAY from other companies.
Not just for gamers and the press, but DEVELOPERS, PUBLISHERS, and RETAILERS. You know, the people you get your games FROM. E3 is where places like Target, Wal-Mart and Gamestop (Aside from Gamestop's own annual party in Texas) talk to companies about what to order, stock and such.
If a Nintendo Direct was enough to work around E3 time, then they'd just make a Nintendo Direct the same week as E3. They chose not to. Or maybe it's because out of desperation with the last two Directs they don't have enough to show to fill 45 minutes.
Or maybe it's because their usual presenter, Reggie, is on his way out.
Or maybe they saw the futility in trying to compete with the new juggernauts.
Heck, all Sony and Microsoft need to do is show a 2 minute trailer and publish a pdf with the specs on it with launch date and price.
Uhhhhhhh because Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft need to go on a stage for an hour of a 3-4 day Expo so we can determine who won!
Dr.Palutena
Member
That really doesn't make much sense when:
1) They advertised this event for 3 weeks
2) The live attendance and number of press invited for the event was larger than their E3 conferences.
3) It got 3 million unique views and at certain points 300k+ concurrent views on streams, far more than E3 conference streams get.
Mihael Mello Keehl
Banned
My god..
InsaneZero
Member
When you start thinking that Spike TV is a good indicator of the mainstream, you need to start reevaluating your life.
uhhhhh...how?
Nothing1016
Member
E3 will be overshadowed by WWDC anyways. iOS7 will be all the rage.... This so called mainstream media likes Apple news more.
I'm still hyped for E3 and the Nintendo mini-events
Solid SOAP
Member
Does anyone remember Brawl's reveal? It was shown at an event behind closed doors, not at the actual E3 conference. The hype behind it was insane though, and Nintendo didn't need a huge show to prove it. Sites everywhere blogging:
"New Smash Bros. shown... trailer revealed"
"Mario and friends fighting"
"Graphics look great"
"Pit revealed"
"..."
"Snake wtf"
Everyone went insane because the trailer was just fucking awesome, not because it was shown off in a huge conference. I think that Nintendo have the potential to do the same this year, perhaps differently though.
"New Smash Bros. shown... trailer revealed"
"Mario and friends fighting"
"Graphics look great"
"Pit revealed"
"..."
"Snake wtf"
Everyone went insane because the trailer was just fucking awesome, not because it was shown off in a huge conference. I think that Nintendo have the potential to do the same this year, perhaps differently though.