You're overestimating the conference itself, it was more of Sony capitalizing on Microsoft's fuck-ups leading up to November 2013. By the time Microsoft undid all the DRM bullshit about the Xbox One before its launch, the damage was already done & Sony already got most of the gaming masses on their side.
I'm speaking solely of my own personal experience. I feel the hype between me and my brother, and when I come to gaf.
But in my daily life, people have completely disregarded Nintendo at e3 with no live e3 conference. They are a laughing stock. I've even heard they did not know they were at e3. I'm like did you not go online here to see the direct? And they are clueless.
I feel, for at least this once, they gotta make a statement that they are back. Why be the odd one out?
And again why not both? Have a charming conference but live on stage? Or a bit of both. A direct before E3 to get smaller things out of the way, and still have a live press conference.
And as a viewer, when I see bombs being dropped, we will see the live reactions. Let's at least admit we miss that. I still go back and re-watch old e3 Nintendo conference moments and they are epic with the live reactions
I just feels there's a lot to gain and nothing to lose - if done right.