One of the biggest gaming events in Europe and Nintendo is nowhere to be seen, but why?
Over the years the company has had a somewhat sporadic attendance of events, often speculated within the media: a strength of character and desire to do its own thing, or perhaps it's due to a lack of games to show.
This year is important for Nintendo, the crest of the Wii-wave (™) is far up the beach and already in decline. The launch of Wii U will set the pace for the company, potentially for the next five years.
Some would expect Nintendo to be out, guns blazing, at every possible event within the industry but it seems that the Kyoto company, once again, wants to do things its own way.
When quizzed about the omittance from Gamescom a German Nintendo statement replied:
“Whilst Gamescom is a fantastic show, we have taken the decision not to attend this year’s event, We are planning a number of sampling events throughout Germany in which our fans will have the opportunity to play upcoming Nintendo 3DS, Wii and Wii U titles. Further details will be announced soon.”
A Nordic PR Manager called Patrik Johansson has also told MCV the exact same thing, practically word for word. With that in mind we'd guess that Gamescom has come along slightly too early for the launch of Wii U — Nintendo is unlikely to announce any more games before launch and seemingly want to concentrate on getting the console in front of gamers throughout the whole of Europe.
We envisage that Nintendo will embark on similar "tours" seen with the 3DS, as they say "further details will be announced soon"; watch this space for details on these potential events. What do you think though? Should Nintendo have attended Gamescom, or is it right to go its own way? Let us know in the comments below.
[source vg247.com, via mcvnordic.com]
Comments 26
Nintendo have so many events of their own, a presence isn't necessary for Nintendo at Gamescom. Although, it is a major missed opportunity for the big N...
@squashiejoshie
Mmmhmm
I also think they should be all over the place, television (at least TEASERS for Wii U) and take every opportunity to inform the broad public that WiiU is actually something NEW and not some upgrade to Wii.
Because we have Nintendo Direct!
@kingofe3 Exactly! And also, I am very surprised that the Wii U hasn't had a dedicated conference like the 3DS did. I know E3 was big for Wii U, but there is E3 every year!
While I am going to Gamescom regardless of whether Nintendo is or isn't there, they should think of other excuse than running "sampling events throughout Germany". There are gamers like me who visit Gamescom from abroad, you know.
Nintendo's approach lately seems to have been to rely on Nintendo Direct presentations more than anything.
Think about it, Nintendo Direct is how New Super Mario Bros 2 and the 3DS XL were revealed, as opposed to at E3.
They said a month ago:
"We will not be at Gamescom because we have a tight schedule to respect, but third parties can present what they want, we won't held back anymore multiplatform announcements."
So they are waiting to a Nintendo Direct or TGS or Nintendo Fall Conference to do the other first/third party exclusive releases. Seems legit.
Maybe there are financial reasons as well.
Nintendo has already showed us what they have in the pipeline at E3 this should really be a chance for 3rd party devs to drum up some interest in potential software lineups like things we don't know type of fair.
@Araknie
With their recent press release of titles that are coming soon, I can imagine they'll hold another NIntendo Direct presentation just for upcoming titles.
I'm especially interested that Cave Story is reportedly arriving on the eShop in Q3.
I like to think that Nintendo has their own plan for the launch before Wii U, in my eyes its a strength to be able to do things their own way instead of conforming to the "standard" events.
Looks to me like they made up their mind about not being there in April. (I could give a source but linking a German article would probably not be the best idea here.)
Maybe they already knew how many systems they can produce and that they could very well struggle with keeping up with demand at launch. If so their tactic may now be to hope for a great reaction at launch and to create hype that way.
Whatever the reasons i think it's a wasted opportunity. If they really want to appeal to non-Wii owners they'd better do it as soon as possible. If you still fly under their radar at Christmas shopping time you might never get them back.
another fail from nintendo.
all of the nintendo events that came into montreal werent very successful.
one time, it was supposed to be in the chinatown of montreal, i went there. nothing. i asked around for half an hour until one girl told me it was in a small coffee.
once i got into the coffee. else than a wifi access and a mario poster, nothing was there. didnt see any freaking demos, stand or nintendo employee. i met one guy waiting there with his 3DS, and i feared the geekness in him too much (he was wearing a pokemon backpack while he looked like...a 30 years old guy with a beard)
sooooo... screw your small events and go to the game shows !
@antdickens In particular, Nintendo seem to prefer a direct approach to their core audience through the 3DS notifications and Nintendo Letterbox (swapnote) services as of late.
Microzft didn't go either. It kind of makes sense. Nintendo is going to have its own deal next month for wii u and microsft has nothing g to announce that isn't next gen.
I can explain it quite easily. Nintendo doesn't feel the need to brag about what it has going on just yet. But it'll brag soon when Monster Hunter and Castelvania and Fire Emblem and.... Wii U fully arrives. And besides, Nintendo rather tell its own gamers through Eshop channels and its own website what's going on then do it through an event like Gamescom. Like there's a Wii U channel in the Eshop for 3ds now... It's epic!
@Treverend And I'm gonna bet that in Europe Wii U will launch in 2013 (I have a feeling that the launch of Wii U will be just like as the normal DS). And why Nintendo is absent on this year Gamescom? Because in 2006 when they bring Wii to the Games Convention in Leipzig, it was a colossal disaster (Wii remotes didn't work as they should) and now they trying to avoid same failure (or just prevent it).
what many people tend to forget is that it costs a lot of $$$ to be present at these conventions and you only reach the part of the consumers that is already game-minded.
Sony Smash Bros 4 player including the Vita as a controller. LOL
I'd rather have the new thing thats better than E3 called Nintendo Direct.
"Why is Nintendo Not at Gamescom?"
Because they don't feel the need! In a couple of weeks Nintendo will reveal more stuff (like a Wii u release-date), presumably via a Nintendo direct! And I am pretty sure Nintendo will have different events around the globe where people can try the Wii u out!
Besides, Nintendo almost never attents Tokyo gameshow either! And Microsoft also didn't attent Gamescom this year, from what I have heard!
Great! Sample events in germany! That's a whole one country out of hundreds!
lack of games to show
my town is just half an hour away from the event tomorrow is Gamescomday for me
@Mk_II (#20): I don't know what it's like in other countries but i've seen a report about gamescom on a German mainstream TV channel. Imo the viewers are at least potential consumers.
Can Nintendo appeal to those with their own event? This remains to be seen.
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