But they are, they have Best buy demos. Having a live conference wouldn't have sky rocket the Wii U. I think it would have been the same. Thier biggest games are not even out yet. MK8 and SMASH.
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How is Nintendo hurt by not doing an E3 press conference?
- Thread starter wildfire
- Start date
But they are, they have Best buy demos. Having a live conference wouldn't have sky rocket the Wii U. I think it would have been the same. Thier biggest games are not even out yet. MK8 and SMASH.
RPGCrazied
Member
Nope. Just telling him there is other stuff coming other than Smash, even Zelda. It might not look like that though.
TheBaronOfNA
Banned
They had Beatbuy demos last year.
flyinpiranha
Member
Haha, but those are still enjoyable! (by some)
Yeah, I'm coming from a person that is not sure if he will ever purchase a Wii U. I was in the "price drop" camp but now I'm just unsure if the games out are worth it and Nintendo needs to court me. That would be done by doing a live show because I'd tune in. I don't know if it brings more traffic or revenue for websites but I would have watched. Usually with a GAF tab open.
A video just feels disingenuous.
Except the concert equivalent of recent E3 press conferences would have the band dicking around for 20 minutes between songs and talking about things you didn't go there to hear about. And the set list would be pretty damn short.
Yes, there is a middle-ground between the two extremes, but I found Nintendo's show last year to be pretty refreshing. It gave me what I came there to watch, which was games and nothing else. I've sat through live press conferences by all three console manufacturers that were far, far worse.
Ha, been to those concerts and I agree. Also agree with shitty conferences but the information is coming no matter what. It's the time they took to present it live I care about. I mean, I have all the songs of my favorite bands on 10 different devices, I still choose to see them live.
Baron von Loathsome
Member
To be fair (playing Devil's Advocate here), Mario Kart is only a month away.
I think there are loads of people here that imagine E3 conferences like a mega event being watched in the giant screens in Times Square and Tokyo, like the world stops to watch them.
The world doesn't care. Fans and journalists watch the digital stream the same way they watch a press conference, cover them the same way and the hands on are the same as always. Nothing is lost, there isn't suddenly someone who stops covering it because they went to the kodak theatre expecting a Nintendo conference and nothing's there.
The world doesn't care. Fans and journalists watch the digital stream the same way they watch a press conference, cover them the same way and the hands on are the same as always. Nothing is lost, there isn't suddenly someone who stops covering it because they went to the kodak theatre expecting a Nintendo conference and nothing's there.
HiddenForbiddenHolyGround
Member
Yes I've always tried to see as much as I could from all the presenters and coverage.
Maybe it doesn't hurt Nintendo all that much, maybe it does. I think the main thing really is part of an image problem. By not having that conference it just seems like they're saying, "we give up, we don't belong up there, we can't compete with those guys, we're not worth the same amount of attention."
I recall people rationalizing last year that it made sense to not have a conference because Nintendo would just be over shadowed by the next gen systems but that's the exact reason they should have made a big, visible deal about themselves just like the other guys were. If you want to compete you have to throw your name into the mix in the same arena, don't let people forget "hey I'm here too and just as good as anyone else."
What I remember from MS' last year : Titanfall.
What I remember from Sony's last year : 400$ no DRM etc. and the awkward ACIV crash and me being real hyped for TLoU.
What I remember from Nintendo last year : Mario 3D World actually looking interesting, Mario Kart 8 and Smash. Megaman in Smash was at the top of the Twitter trending topics for a bit and in the top 10 for a day.
I don't remember who had the Battlefield 4 live game in Siege of Shanghai but I also remember that. But not who had it.
None of this is true, though. Last year, Nintendo briefed press on the Nintendo Direct before it happened, and then afterwards, they held a private event where developers gave presentations and press could play all of the games they'd just announced. I imagine they'll do similar things this year. This idea that there's some fractured relationship between Nintendo and the press is a little misguided, as odd as Nintendo's practices can be sometimes.
TAJ
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
That's not even a similar analogy.
Traditional conference = watching a stream of a live rock concert from your home.
Prerecorded conference = watching a stream of a band doing private recordings of their songs from your home.
The content and the quality of that content is the same. The differences are that there is no live audience being recorded along with what is being presented and there are no long gaps between importent content. Also the quality of the content is ensured because there is no danger the band might broadcast a misplayed note or technical difficulties; they can edit out problems. But the band is still there.
Hobbestetrician
Member
flyinpiranha
Member
And just to be clear, I never claimed this. I personally think it may be bad business because I can assume if I feel this way that others may too (of them phoning it in) but it's the very least of their worries.
And it is a huge event. Videogames in general are becoming more mainstream. We laugh about videogames and their events but awareness and ability to watch is growing.
SmokedMeat
Gamer™
Yeah, how about we expand on that a bit?
Best Buy had demos for TWO particular days and that was it. I didn't know this. I assumed they HAD demos, but didn't find out until I go there that oh, you have to come back on Saturday. Why bother?!!!
Baron von Loathsome
Member
Smash is a very much a system-selling franchise. After all, Melee was the biggest-selling game on the Gamecube (so much so that they bundled it), and Brawl's hype train was on a league of its own.
I'm more skeptical about Mario Kart, but the only Wii game that moved more units than Mario Kart Wii was Wii Sports.
In comparison, the biggest-selling mainline Mario in the past decade was New Super Mario Bros. on DS. It sold 5 million fewer units than Mario Kart Wii on a system that sold 50 million more.
TheBaronOfNA
Banned
Hahaha... What? Since when Nintendo fans have been able of dictate a narrative. I thought the conspiracy theories were because the gaming press is responsible of people badmouthing the WiiU.
Actually you are wrong. Why do you think the E3 for all event was attempted a few years back?
Journalists were getting pissed with fans clogging up the event. If anything Nintendo holding a fucking tournament at E3 is an even bigger reversal in various professionals attempts to keep the riff raft out.
I want to address this post in 2 parts, one for intent and the other for effectiveness.
My link research wasn't meant to be comprehensive. I wanted to make an OP with some substance to it instead of just offering an opinion and declaring it correct. It also helped that in my effort to support my opinion I've been given enough reason to think I was partially wrong in certain ways. I'm looking for answers and any little bit helps.
As for my methodology it isn't 100% bull shit. Google ranks links based on previous traffic results. So going further back in page results is just looking at press info that didn't reach potential consumers as strongly. It's a decent start at looking at this objectively.
I can't believe the cognitive dissonance in this post.
It's fine if you like live press conferences. It's ok to hate how Nintendo botched the quality of their Direct stream but don't act as if NIntendo wasn't there.
Journalists flat out said Nintendo had booths there. Nintendo had a stream that you could view from the comfort of home. The only thing Nintendo did that can be construed as not being there is not having their stream aired on Spike TV.
I posted a ton of links that says Nintendo's message went beyond "Nintendo channels".
I love your complaint about wanting devs unfiltered. Do you get such things at live press conferences? Usually the answer is no. Yet this year Nintendo with their tree house intend to give you exactly that.
So what "businessman" are you if you can't appreciate when Nintendo is cater to you?
Cbajd5
Member
Well in my case there was a representative there running the whole thing. They had to set up some banner thing, set up the demo station to play the games, manage a sign up list for playing, and give out free stuff.
stupid sign up list
silver.tongue
Member
This. They lose "mind share" (I think that's what you guys call it).
Basically, people will talk about and remember a lot of the stuff that happens in a press conference for years. I still remember most Sony and MS press of 2013.
I have no memory of what happened in the E3 direct.
I think it's cool what they are doing with the Smash tourny and the "treehouse"... I just don't understand why not just do that + a press conference.
DAREALGUMMY
Member
E3 is for gamers and the gaming press. It's not like Sony and Microsoft are having their conferences broadcast on Fox or NBC. Everyone knows to watch online, especially with G4 gone. To me it seems like it wouldn't make a difference either way how they give an E3 presentation because people who are interested in knowing what Nintendo has to show will watch it. How does not having a live press conference change that when either, people are going to have to go online and watch it?
I am hoping that with this announcement this early from E3, Nintendo plans to go all out and make people aware of it.
I am hoping that with this announcement this early from E3, Nintendo plans to go all out and make people aware of it.
Mario Kart Wii sold much more than any other Mario title on the Wii while Brawl is in the same ball park as Mario Galaxy. Mario Kart 7 sold almost as much as Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart DS didn't do too shabby either.
flyinpiranha
Member
I know you went through a lot of trouble to type that, and I appreciate that. It's really well worded but I mistakenly said "going to E3" as it should have said "an E3 conference". I completely understand and acknowledge they have a presence at E3.
GuessMyUserName
Member
As someone who only gets E3 news from the internet and never as a live attendee, the only difference between Direct and Stage is which website I'm watching it on. There's still boatloads of hype for Nintendo Directs, the same as with E3 and anyone on Gaf should know this.
2012 was hilarious, Nintendo had a conference sandwiched in between two directs and the Directs were easily the best part. Since then I find it hard to miss the live presentations.
2012 was hilarious, Nintendo had a conference sandwiched in between two directs and the Directs were easily the best part. Since then I find it hard to miss the live presentations.
Different things stand out for each person so this isn't really an absolute thing.
Always-honest
Banned
At what age is this a cool comment? Just wondering.
Baron von Loathsome
Member
As it stands, the only games that have sold more units than Mario Kart Wii (excluding free-ish titles like Angry Birds) are Tetris, Wii Sports, Minecraft, and the original Super Mario Bros.
Nobody does a press conference at E3..a press conference would require interaction/questions and answers between those on stage and those in the audience.
You get press conferences for movies, tv shows, sporting events..but these E3 shows are essentially infomercials..there's no confering to be seen.
You get press conferences for movies, tv shows, sporting events..but these E3 shows are essentially infomercials..there's no confering to be seen.
Zen_Arcade
Banned
You remember because they were starting a new generation with new consoles. That's a terribly unfair comparison. You probably barely remember anything from the 2012 conferences when they were all doing live stage shows.
Not to mention during both those conferences the most cheering went on when Sony said you could play used games. Which is pretty fucking sad.
Nintendo had a special event last year for the press, and the press reported on it. There was plenty Nintendo game details on Youtube, all the gaming sites and on video game forums during and after the Direct. If you didn't watch it live and no one told you, you would have had no idea that Nintendo didn't do a live conference. If a game journalist gives a better preview for a game because there were lasers going and there was some big stage show for the announcement then they're shitty at their job any way and you shouldn't be reading their article.
Your post makes zero sense. Do you honestly think these sites won't pay attention to games at E3 because they didn't get a stage show?
JinjoUnchained
Member
Do they care about grabbing mainstream attention and selling 50M consoles? That's not a rhetorical question, I'm serious. Because they need to have a live show and make a big splash if they want to penetrate the mainstream media and the average consumer. No, the average consumer doesn't watch E3 and adjust their budget accordingly. They get information third or fourth-hand after it has passed through IGN, gaming forums, non-gaming media, and casual observers. If you want information to get all the way through that chain to the average consumer, you need to yell loudly. That means a big stage, dynamic presenters, big announcements, the whole nine yards. They'll still make it through the first and second layers with a small Nintendo Direct style show, but the message won't make it all the way to the average consumer.
But maybe that's the point. They figure they can't compete for those consumers anyway, so instead they are preaching to the choir and trying to sell 20 M consoles.
But maybe that's the point. They figure they can't compete for those consumers anyway, so instead they are preaching to the choir and trying to sell 20 M consoles.
I think the problem here is exposure. Nintendo is having a hard time getting exposure for what they have, because there is still this preconceived idea that since they're Nintendo, people will come no matter what. That isn't the case anymore, at least not in the numbers that they used to. They may not see their competitors as competition, and have said at times that they are their own little bubble, but anything that produces gaming content is a competitor. Having major releases every 3-4 months, nothing in between, and an identity crisis with what exactly their console is, has hurt them. E3 press conferences, for better or worse, are exposure. They desperately need the exposure, for Wii U at least.
The game is still going strong apparently. It looks like it did a million units (page 5) just last year alone.
Silent_Ocarina
Member
I don't think it's quite fair to ridicule people who genuinely enjoy the energy, awkwardness, and cheering a live conference can bring. "Filler" isn't exclusive to live shows; streams and pre-recorded videos can have segments you don't really care for as well. It really isn't unreasonable to prefer the dynamics of a live conference.
I'm really interested in the Treehouse videos and the Smash Tournament seems like it could be a pretty big deal, but I mean, I wouldn't mind a live conference at all. Sure, I came to see news about games, but that doesn't mean I couldn't enjoy the Zelda Symphony. You also get to see cool stage set-ups like the E3 2011 3DS demo. Yes, you get the same information either way. A trailer shown at E3 will also be on YouTube, but you don't get the "moments." I couldn't imagine the Donkey Kong Country Returns reveal being as good as an Iwata presenting it in front of a white screen. And I really don't need to link to the Twilight Princess reveal again.
I'm still excited about Nintendo's E3 plans, though. It's honestly a wonderful idea, and I like how Nintendo is connecting more with its fans. The Smash Tournament should be getting way more attention than it is now. I also don't believe that these plans are some sort of admission that they don't have much to show or can't compete with the others.
I'm really interested in the Treehouse videos and the Smash Tournament seems like it could be a pretty big deal, but I mean, I wouldn't mind a live conference at all. Sure, I came to see news about games, but that doesn't mean I couldn't enjoy the Zelda Symphony. You also get to see cool stage set-ups like the E3 2011 3DS demo. Yes, you get the same information either way. A trailer shown at E3 will also be on YouTube, but you don't get the "moments." I couldn't imagine the Donkey Kong Country Returns reveal being as good as an Iwata presenting it in front of a white screen. And I really don't need to link to the Twilight Princess reveal again.
I'm still excited about Nintendo's E3 plans, though. It's honestly a wonderful idea, and I like how Nintendo is connecting more with its fans. The Smash Tournament should be getting way more attention than it is now. I also don't believe that these plans are some sort of admission that they don't have much to show or can't compete with the others.
YOu make a very good point about the stream not being available to other outlets hurts NIntendo but it has some serious flaws.
The way YOU specifically are talking about who streams these events are all gaming focused sites. It is mostly gaming enthusiasts who go to such sites. So the mistake you are making here is asserting the larger mass market are going to be using gaming sites to get info when that is .
E3 is important because of how it allows non-gaming journalists to easily find out information and cover it. Nintendo is getting exposure from these sources.
Your point that it hurts them still stands because as my barrage of links show there were a bunch of nongaming sites streaming the event. I also came to the same conclusion that one solution to many problems Nintendo encountered last year is that their stream should be as open as possible and they should buy air time on television.
They don't need a live event but the prerecorded one has to be more accessible than it was last time.
Nintendo has always been a bit odd in their dealings with media, but some GAFfers seem to believe that they've given up on the press entirely in favor of Nintendo Directs, which isn't even close to true. They still regularly offer interviews, hold events, and promote their games through the press. They're also one of the best companies when it comes to getting out review copies super early.A little misguided huh?
Just curious here.
Alcoholikaust
Member
Not showing up for the second year in a row? ooof-
I guess they dont want any new business afterall.
Myself and the other few million WiiU owners (~4.6 mil) alone cannot save the system. They need to advertise the goddamn thing.
I guess they dont want any new business afterall.
Myself and the other few million WiiU owners (~4.6 mil) alone cannot save the system. They need to advertise the goddamn thing.
KingJ2002
Member
Ok i was not aware of the pre-briefs and i assumed that the press would still have their hands on impressions. I don't believe that the press is being cut out but rather by taking a social media approach to their announcements they are allowing the fans to talk through social media channels to virally promote their games and services.
I don't think it's odd at all in the long run if Nintendo truly capitalizes on the opportunity given to create buzz around their upcoming titles. It requires that their marketing team really hits the ground running on this and from what i've seen so far.. they have dropped the ball by not assisting with the communication and having one voice in their approach.
the press really helps Nintendo in this case.
TheBaronOfNA
Banned
When I heard about the tournament I suspected most journalists would be aggravated with Nintendo encouraging more fans to be at E3 and thus making it harder for them to do their jobs. Am I over thinking this?
LegendofLex
Member
They don't need to rent out an expensive theater and announce everything live, sure.
But their Nintendo Directs are hardly as professional or impressive presentation-wise as their press conferences have historically been.
That's the magic difference.
But their Nintendo Directs are hardly as professional or impressive presentation-wise as their press conferences have historically been.
That's the magic difference.
How are they not showing up when they have fairly large events planned for all of E3?
KingJ2002
Member
hashtags are powerful tools to either promote or destroy a message from a company.
bad press can be controlled by a positive opinion from the viewer... which i believe Nintendo is trying to do.
Kagoshima_Luke
Gold Member
I'd argue the opposite. Directs feel much more professional and polished than the conferences. Being prerecorded really does help.