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[Various Artists]

I think it's niche compared to a lot of other Nintendo games, which appeal to practically everybody. But I agree it's hard to downplay the Smash Brothers series when it's so precision-engineered to cater to Nintendo fans, and can sell so many millions based solely on that.

I think its niche compared to fighting games as a whole. People that love fighters want to play Street Fighter. People that love Nintendo and want to pick up at what first appears to an easy to play game will check out Smash Brothers. I like Nintendo and I like Smash Brothers, but I think some of you guys are delusional. There is no way that single would make "50% of the people stop watching MS and Sony Conferences" or make the WiiU sales numbers change over night. It will sell really well, to the people that already own the system!

 

[KageMaru]

Wow I didn't think I'd see one of the big three not host a conference this early in the new generation.

 

[Kerub]

That's a shame. It has been a nice tradition to watch the three big conferences, E3 just won't be the same this year.

 

[methodman]

This is a big reason. Like I said, they hate being compared to other companies directly because they always lose.

Oh wow you already said that before? Cool.

 

[Ridley327]

I think its niche compared to fighting games as a whole. People that love fighters want to play Street Fighter. People that love Nintendo and want to pick up at what first appears to an easy to play game will check out Smash Brothers. I like Nintendo and I like Smash Brothers, but I think some of you guys are delusional. There is no way that single would make "50% of the people stop watching MS and Sony Conferences" or make the WiiU sales numbers change over night. It will sell really well, to the people that already own the system!

It's not niche when it sells better than every other fighting game, though; that's as mainstream as you can get!

 

[Enter The 36 Chambers]

Consoles are now a 2 horse race confirmed.

 

[Alexios]

Nintendo is probably dumbfounded by the negative online reactions their conferences receive every year. They may have asked themselves whether the conferences actually help them and whether or not there is a better way to do things.

This is a big reason. Like I said, they hate being compared to other companies directly because they always lose.

Right, because people can't comment on a pre-recorded show and the press can't comment negatively on hands-on time and their own event just as negatively as they do a live stream... Nope, not on this internet.

 

[Xpliskin]

In my opinion this will reduce their mainstream exposure.

I mean how much can a big yearly conference cost.

Spoiler

or maybe they have nothing to show ?

 

[cloudyy]

For me, I don't see the difference between an E3 press conference and a Nintendo Direct Special E3. Oh, maybe less Wii Fit U live presentation during 40 minutes. Well, I can live with that.

 

[I H8 Memes]

We're talking about E3. If you want to discuss something more specific, be more specific, not with generalized statements like "across the board".

Across the board. ie. Every 3rd party software title for the Wii U has bombed. I dont follow sales threads closely, but I'm pretty sure that even Zombie U bombed.

 

[ElRenoRaven]

Thing with E3 conference is that a lot of people are watching it. At home, in the crowd, discussing the games on message board etc. When have a fragmented show as Nintendo is planning, some titles might get lost in the crowd

Yup. They will too. To me this really is coming off as Nintendo doesn't have very much to show and the support for them is getting weaker hence they really can't fill a full presentation like they could in years past. Hell those were even padded.

I really do expect a lot of people to be let down by their showing this E3. I really do.

 

[Ushojax]

Smash Bros. is a nice title that can generate good sales, no doubt about this.

It's going to excite the Nintendo brand loyalist but its effect beyond the usual Nintendo demographic will be very limited.

Nintendo's problem with the Wii U is that they're moving towards a glorified niche, they are basically becoming irrelevant to almost anyone who isn't a Nintendo brand loyalist.

Smash Bros. won't help them change that.

Brawl sold over 10 million copies. Metroid is niche. Pikmin is niche. Brawl sold more than Halo 3 and is the definition of a mass market game. It's an accessible party-fighting game featuring Nintendo mascots.

The problems with the Wii U are:

1. Poor software selection
2. Marketing failed to distinguish the console from Wii
3. Price

I'm sure by the end of the year Nintendo will have tried to fix all 3.

Yup. They will too. To me this really is coming off as Nintendo doesn't have very much to show and the support for them is getting weaker hence they really can't fill a full presentation like they could in years past. Hell those were even padded.

I really do expect a lot of people to be let down by their showing this E3. I really do.

They filled a whole conference with Pac-Man VS in 2003. This time they will have Smash, Mario Kart and others. They simply don't want to do those old-style conferences anymore.

 

[Dave Meltzer]

Right, because people can't comment on a pre-recorded show just as negatively as they do a live stream... Nope, not on this internet.

But they're changing the context. Usually E3 is "holy shit look at this awesome content!" Now it's "hey guys look at these games don't worry there's more to come later please understand".

 

[Xun]

My faith in Nintendo delivering this year is really starting to fade away, sadly.

I was convinced they would have a lot to show, but now? I'm not so sure.

 

[Alexios]

Across the board. ie. Every 3rd party software title for the Wii U has bombed. I dont follow sales threads closely, but I'm pretty sure that even Zombie U bombed.

Even Zombi U?! Noway.

Next time type out your ie first, people aren't in your head when you're in a general E3 thread. You didn't even mention third party in that post, you said their games referring to Nintendo.

E3 is still a show for every platform, not just one. Not having enough for Wii U (though again, they have enough just from the already known things) wouldn't be a reason to skip it. Which they aren't. Every first party has had conferences with way less than the known Nintendo lineup. Of course the biggest news will be the full unveils of new platforms. That doesn't change no matter what and also is no reason to skip it. Which they aren't.

But they're changing the context. Usually E3 is "holy shit look at this awesome content!" Now it's "hey guys look at these games don't worry there's more to come later please understand".

Games are different to content? What did you realistically want in a conference other than the, again, already known lineup, and a few surprises on top? Netflix? Another OS update (also already announced)? Miiverse for other devices (also already announced)? What? I'd think games but apparently not because hey, check out content, is different to and better than hey, check out games. Wow. Your posts get weirder and weirder.

 

[Shion]

Brawl sold over 10 million copies.

Completely irrelevant to the point of my post.

 

[Tobor]

Smash Bros. is a nice title that can generate good sales, no doubt about this.

It's going to excite the Nintendo brand loyalist but its effect beyond the usual Nintendo demographic will be very limited.

Nintendo's problem with the Wii U is that they're moving towards a glorified niche, they are basically becoming irrelevant to almost anyone who isn't a Nintendo brand loyalist.

Smash Bros. won't help them change that.

I think this is the real reason for canceling he conference. The casuals are gone and aren't coming back, so they are doubling down on the loyalists. Nintendo Directs are all they need to preach to the choir. The strategy makes sense from this perspective.

 

[Enter The 36 Chambers]

Selling 10 mill on the Wiis massive install base is hardly much to boast about

 

[flintstryker]

My faith in Nintendo delivering this year is really starting to fade away, sadly.

I was convinced they would have a lot to show, but now? I'm not so sure.

While I understand moving from one extreme to another isn't a great for argument couldn't it be that they have so much to unveil that having a conference that is a catch all wouldn't be long enough to showcase everything?

Edit: btw something else worth noting while I am a Nintendo fan I have never actually watch any of their Nintendo Directs but somehow I always found out what happen in them from people who post here on Gaf, these things are just another way of generating Media attention anyone who has studied marketing should know this.

 

[NeonZ]

Nintendo's problem with the Wii U is that they're moving towards a glorified niche, they are basically becoming irrelevant to almost anyone who isn't a Nintendo brand loyalist.

Smash Bros. won't help them change that.

Although what you say is true, and that's likely why they won't have a conference, they kind of need something like Smash right now. Yeah, it likely won't do much for people who aren't fans already, but right now Nintendo doesn't even have enough titles to make fans pick up their system. Their general audience concepts have failed, so the easiest and quickest thing they can do is getting their own fans to pick up the system, at least.

 

[schuelma]

Yup. They will too. To me this really is coming off as Nintendo doesn't have very much to show and the support for them is getting weaker hence they really can't fill a full presentation like they could in years past. Hell those were even padded.

I really do expect a lot of people to be let down by their showing this E3. I really do.

This is absurd. Nintendo could easily fill an hour strictly on Wii U first party games they have already announced.

You guys are losing it.

 

[Xun]

While I understand moving from one extreme to another isn't a great for argument couldn't it be that they have so much to unveil that having a conference that is a catch all wouldn't be long enough to showcase everything?

I hope so, but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Juken]

Right, because people can't comment on a pre-recorded show and the press can't comment negatively on hands-on time and their own event just as negatively as they do a live stream... Nope, not on this internet.

The big conferences come with huge, almost unfair expectations. In my experience people have generally had very negative reactions towards Nintendo's conferences for years (except the 3DS unveiling). I wasn't on gaf at the time, but raging at Nintendo's latest conference became almost a yearly tradition at various other forums I visited.

Having a few smaller events would bring with them lower expectations, and then Nintendo might actually get the message out that they want and minimize any disappointment.

 

[ari]

Selling 10 mill on the Wiis massive install base is hardly much to boast about

What about melee selling 8 million on the gamecube?

 

[Enter The 36 Chambers]

What about melee selling 8 million on the gamecube?

Well thats damn impressive then.

Also re-enforces the idea that Brawl should have sold more. 8 mill on GC shows that it was the same Nintendo die hards buying brawl too. Not the casual folks that all bought Wiis.

The install base multiplied but the game sales didnt?

 

[mclem]

E3 is still a show for every platform, not just one. Not having enough for Wii U (though again, they have enough just from the already known things) wouldn't be a reason to skip.

Case in point: Sony last year. Next to no support for their newest system on the market in their E3 conference. Still went ahead. That's not a reason to can it.

Games are different to content? What did you want to see in a conference other than the, again, already known lineup, and a few surprises on top?

He *lives* for Usher.

 

[ari]

Well thats damn impressive then.

Also re-enforces the idea that Brawl should have sold more. 8 mill on GC shows that it was the same Nintendo die hards buying brawl too. Not the casual folks that all bought Wiis.

The install base multiplied but the game sales didnt?

that's a fucking stupid assumption.

 

[Bony Manifesto]

SSB is the complete opposite of niche in pretty much every possible way.

Comparatively speaking, I mean.

If you look at the sales trend of the Smash Brothers series:

N64: 5 million
GC: 7 million
Wii: 11 million

And compare it to Mario Kart series:

N64: 9 million
GC: 7 million
Wii: 34 million

You can see that Mario Kart really exploded once Nintendo got a more diverse audience buying their console, whereas Smash Brothers seems to see a lot more of a linear increase in growth. It's still a massive series, I just feel the unprecedented sales of Nintendo's 'blue ocean' titles has kind of moved the goalposts of what it means to be a mainstream success.

 

[Tobor]

What about melee selling 8 million on the gamecube?

Selling 8 million copies to a 20 million console userbase proves the point. It's a game for core Nintendo fans.

 

[shinra-bansho]

Hypothetically, let's say Microsoft announces the $149 XBOX Mini to a packed Galen Center, or wherever they're holding their presser, while simulcasting on SPIKE TV and other streams; effective immediately. With the standard corresponding PR etc.

While Nintendo later that day announces a $50 price drop on their Wii U SKUs at a smaller more exclusive press event. They release a Nintendo Direct and standard PR fare.

Which, if either, would get greater coverage and/or do people think would have greater reach and immediacy? Or would the net result be the same?

 

[Codeblue]

I think this is the real reason for canceling he conference. The casuals are gone and aren't coming back, so they are doubling down on the loyalists. Nintendo Directs are all they need to preach to the choir. The strategy makes sense from this perspective.

Except that they will still be presenting to the media, the only difference is that you aren't invited.

 

[Goldenroad]

I've never seen a Nintendo Direct, but I tune into their E3 press conference every year. I have a feeling that I am not alone in this and as a result I really feel like this might hurt Nintendo's sales overall. It never hurts to try a new strategy though, especially when times get tough.

 

[ari]

Selling 8 million copies to a 20 million console userbase proves the point. It's a game for core Nintendo fans.

What game sold to the entire userbase?


What is wrong with you people? Why blatantly attack nintendo fans?

 

[Archpath1]

You are already dead.

Strange move, hope they have something good on the floor

 

[Zen_Arcade]

I've never seen a Nintendo Direct, but I tune into their E3 press conference every year. I have a feeling that I am not alone in this and as a result I really feel like this might hurt Nintendo's sales overall. It never hurts to try a new strategy though, especially when times get tough.

As someone who never watches Nintendo Directs would you watch a Nintendo Direct that streams at the same time their E3 conference would usually be streamed?

 

[BlackJace]

I'm sure Evilore is pleased that a rather large swath of the members that visit his website (at least Gaming side) possess little to no reading comprehension.

Anyways, at first I was perplexed and then displeased of this information. After sifting through the absolute cesspool that the thread has devolved into, I've seen some posts that change my perspective of the situation. E3 is becoming increasingly less of a successful venture for Nintendo, seeing as the culture of gaming itself is becoming more mainstream and "dudebroish" if you will. Nintendo had probably assessed what they've planned to showcase this year and have decided that they would best be shown in direct formats with the fanbase. They most likely don't have any blockbuster announcements or partnerships that would be better suited for an audience that is mostly press shills anyways.

The spectacle of E3 is entertaining sure, but all it does is distract us from what we claim to love the most: games. Hell, look at all of the "What are you looking forward to the most at E3 2013" threads. A lot of the posts are "the meltdowns" or "the gifs" or "the lols". Nintendo doesn't need that right now, as they have a console in desperate need of a resurgence, showing up with sales talk, investor fellating, and their general goofy flair isn't going to cut it.

They will have a presence, and some impressive software will be shown, and as much as we like to rail the gaming press, they won't be stupid enough to not cover Nintendo because they don't have an overly fluffy hour presentation. GAF moans about the lack of game showcases anyways, so why is a format that is likely to be more game focused such a bad idea? It's not so much "lol Ninty's giving up" as its just Ninty going with yet another gamble. Will it pay off? We'll find out in less than 2 months.


But yeah, most of you will continue to over analyze and paint whatever narrative you want, and this thread will continue to circle a sad drain :/

 

[Rocket Punch]

hmm I see Nintendo has activated PANIC MODE.

Panic Mode Nintendo is BEST Nintendo. I look forward to way their woes may bring us.

 

[wsippel]

Selling 8 million copies to a 20 million console userbase proves the point. It's a game for core Nintendo fans.

Yes. And considering they haven't even sold 8 million Wii Us by now, that's quite obviously exactly what they need and the very definition of a system seller.

 

[Darryl]

What game sold to the entire userbase?


What is wrong with you people? Why blatantly attack nintendo fans?

that guy up there had an even better word, "nintendo loyalist". that means you're not only a nintendo fan but you're a blind one who purchases only Nintendo™ products.

 

[Hasney]

Hypothetically, let's say Microsoft announces the $149 XBOX Mini to a packed Galen Center, or wherever they're holding their presser, while simulcasting on SPIKE TV and other streams; effective immediately. With the standard corresponding PR etc.

While Nintendo later that day announces a $50 price drop on their Wii U SKUs at a smaller more exclusive press event. They release a Nintendo Direct and standard PR fare.

Which, if either, would get greater coverage and/or do people think would have greater reach and immediacy? Or would the net result be the same?

I think in terms of price-cuts and re-designs, the net result would be the same. I think most people would read about that at retail.

I think the discussion changes when you talk about new products, be they hardware or software. The press does react to some of these announcements and I do remember sections of newspapers devoted to what was announced the day before. At least here in the UK.

 

[-MB-]

What game sold to the entire userbase?


What is wrong with you people? Why blatantly attack nintendo fans?

What I call the 7 years itch.
7 years of begrudgingly seeing Nintendo soar to heaven off the backs of the DS and Wii, finally faltering in the next generation of systems, they see an opPortunity to get their "revenge".

 

[Sojiro]

This is absurd. Nintendo could easily fill an hour strictly on Wii U first party games they have already announced.

You guys are losing it.

It wouldn't even be a full hour, typically all 3 spend about half an hour talking about sales figures for their platforms. But I agree, Nintendo wouldn't have any issue filling up an hour with just Wii U first party stuff, let alone cramming 3DS time on top of that.

.

Well said, and I agree.

 

[BGBW]

I've never seen a Nintendo Direct, but I tune into their E3 press conference every year. I have a feeling that I am not alone in this and as a result I really feel like this might hurt Nintendo's sales overall. It never hurts to try a new strategy though, especially when times get tough.

You're watching a stream. One is on a stage, the other one gives you a close up on Iwata's lush hair. You're spending an hour in front of a computer screen during E3 week. Don't really see why this will make a difference for the home user.

 

[RPG]

I've never seen a Nintendo Direct, but I tune into their E3 press conference every year. I have a feeling that I am not alone in this and as a result I really feel like this might hurt Nintendo's sales overall. It never hurts to try a new strategy though, especially when times get tough.

You should tune in to them, they're basically condensed mini-E3 pressers focusing on specific topics. Some are interesting, some aren't, but when they hit (like last week's 3DS one) they're great.

 

[Fandangox]

What game sold to the entire userbase?


What is wrong with you people? Why blatantly attack nintendo fans?

That doesn't seem much like an attack. Its an actual fact. Smash attracts core Nintendo fans.

Its that simple.

It still however sort of ignores the initial argument. Smash is no way a niche title. It is VERY popular in the Nintendo userbase, which as of DS/Wii days is pretty huge.

 

[pixlexic]

They totally been missing the obvious wii3 pr push.

 

[Dave Meltzer]

Games are different to content? What did you realistically want in a conference other than the, again, already known lineup, and a few surprises on top? Netflix? Another OS update (also already announced)? Miiverse for other devices (also already announced)? What? I'd think games but apparently not because hey, check out content, is different to and better than hey, check out games. Wow. Your posts get weirder and weirder.

You missed my point. The point is, E3 is typically an attempt to blow people away with your games. But for Nintendo, that context doesn't suit them. More Mario won't blow away the press and they'll be written about negatively. So they're changing the context if E3, for then, to "hey here's some big Wii U games but hey there's more to come don't go thinking this is all we have to show".

 

[mj1108]

Not surprised by this considering how well the Nintendo Direct's have done.

 

[ari]

That doesn't seem much like an attack. Its an actual fact. Smash attracts core Nintendo fans.

Its that simple.

It still however sort of ignores the initial argument. Smash is no way a niche title. It is VERY popular in the Nintendo userbase, which as of DS/Wii days is pretty huge.

No, it was a shot at nintendo fans. Anyway, smash is popular and has appeal.

 

[Tobor]

Yes. And considering they haven't even sold 8 million Wii Us by now, that's quite obviously exactly what they need and the very definition of a system seller.

Maybe. I'd need to see more data on the timeframe it took to sell that many units.