Nintendo has told IGN that its popular Nintendo Direct broadcasts will continue in some form, but at the moment it is unable to provide specific details.
Here's what a Nintendo representative told the site:
Nintendo Directs will continue, but we have no details to provide now on who will be featured or the topics that will be covered.
The videos were typically hosted by Satoru Iwata, who passed away in July at the age of 55. Iwata's humble, self-deprecating and light-hearted approach won over a lot of fans and gave Nintendo's followers a strong connection with the man in charge of the company. It's hard to imagine them returning without Iwata, and it's equally hard to picture new Nintendo president - 65-year-old Tatsumi Kimishima - stepping in front of the camera to perform the same role.
What format would you like to see the Nintendo Direct series take? Should another famous face - such as Shigeru Miyamoto - be the host? Or do you think a better approach would be to have interview segments with different developers and abandon the idea of a central host? Perhaps you feel that Kimishima will surprise us by taking on Iwata's Nintendo Direct duties?
Whatever you think, let us know by posting a comment below.
[source uk.ign.com]
Comments 54
Take your time Nintendo. You lost someone dear to all of us. I don't mind even if it takes five months to host one.
I don't know what form Nintendo directs will take on the future but all I want to say is I think Shibata does a great job presenting! He is warm, funny and whimsical just as much as our beloved Iwata 😀
I would love to see a puppet Iwata. It would keep the spirit.
I didn't think they'd stop doing them, it'd be silly too. I think the format they'll return in will pretty much be the same as we've seen, with someone doing a lead in that is then picked up by a regional host (Morimoto for JP, Bill or Reggie for NA, Shibata for EU), with devs appearing as needed and Damon for Nindie stuff. Throw in the odd Treehouse appearance too.
There has to be someone in the company that has a little silly in them. My guess is someone else was writing up the ideas anyway so you just need someone who enjoys doing it and doesn't mind a laugh or two at their own expense.
I'd volunteer if they have no one else who will step up
I figured they would continue, and I'm glad they are. Iwata didn't host all of the Directs, and they are way too good to stop. Let's hope for one by February.
Nice article! Veu happy these are coming back. I made video on this but this article pretty much covers it haha
This is great to hear, it would have been a shame if they were cancelled since Nintendo Directs are always fun to watch.
Good news, but I think it would be best if Nintendo Directs went back to regional. In the sense that the Nintendo representatives present each direct to their regions. Reggie & Bill for Americans, Morimoto-san for Japan (who took over from Iwata for the last Japan direct in May), and Shibata-san for Europe.... and Enoki-san for Australasia (who did a direct for new 3DS). Before Iwata presented or more so 'introduced' a Direct with news that suited all regions, it was just each regions Nintendo president and their is nothing wrong with that. Having said that, if our new president wants to show himself and show what Nintendo have been working on and want to show off, I'm happy for him to do so.
I just hope we see one in October/November time. I want to know what I can be excited for next year.
"Nintendo representative" = plausible deniability if they decide not to make any more. Which I'd prefer if they didn't.
Here's the archive for all the ND. In late 2012 thru 2013 they were doing one every month. Then every 2 months, Then occasionally.
http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct/archive/
I'd much rather they come up w/ a new format that they can schedule at consistent times, say first Wed of every month. And don't make it "direct", that's was Iwata's thing, I don't want anybody else coming "directly" to me, too creepy. "Treehosue Live", "Nintnedo Minute", "Nintendo News". Heck bring back Allison, Gary and Dark Gary, just don't go thru all the "Directly" shenanigans. New console, new format. I do like how they were always promoted in the eShop though, that can continue.
Why should they stop? They're the best way for Nintendo to get the word out on upcoming products. It's a well produced Ad. Iwata didn't invent this concept.
I would like a Zelda progress direct. It's been a long time since we had any updates
@EllenJMiller Yes, this very much. :]
'Heck bring back Allison, Gary and Dark Gary,'
^ This would be an excellent decision!
Always a welcome little treat. Mostly, anyway - I do remember some cringeworthy stuff. This is great news though! That stern exterior of Kimishima belies a much more progressive attitude than could be imagined. There's no real reason for it, but I feel a little safer knowing the Directs will continue.
I think Trinnen and Shibata both have proven how good they are with the English speaking Directs. Trinnen perhaps is a more comfortable presenter, but he can't Karaoke like Shibata.
Saying that I haven't heard Trinnen Karaoke, if he can then give him 100% control.
Glad to get the confirmation. Looking forward to the next one, whenever it may be.
@rjejr @andywitmyer Huh. I'e actually forgotten about those three.
Great news! I'm all for Nintendo taking their time with a new direct, mainly because of Iwata's passing and the restructuring the company is going through.
...Though I'm going to cross my fingers for a holiday direct of sorts.
I look forward to them.
This is great news, during the time of no Directs the Nintendo news has felt pretty much non-existent so this way it can actually feel like there's stuff to look forward to.
@Trinexx
I wouldn't be surprised if we do see at least one Direct before end of the year as there are plenty of games Nintendo has coming out that they still need to give details on.
For example, Yo-kai Watch releases in North America in November and there are still many stubborn nay-sayers that are calling it nothing more than a "cheap pokemon rip-off/wannabe" and these individuals haven't truly gotten to see for themselves some of the things the game has to offer. Nintendo would do well to have a direct centered around the game (or giving it a feature spot with several other games) to further detail what the game is. I also won't be surprised if a Direct takes place after the intial "testing of the waters" with the smaller n3DS if it sells well with news of more bundles and even standalone systems coming to market.
In short, we'll likely see a Direct before year's end.
@Great_Gonzalez I was thinking the same, and maybe sharing it with Miyamoto.
Glad to see they will continue in one way or another.
I too think Miyamoto could be presenting the general part with regional parts directed by usual Shibata, Reggie/Bill and Morimoto.
@rjejr - I think part of the gap in Directs were because of Iwata's health. I think we would have had them more regularly otherwise.
I'm not against something new though. Maybe Kimishima's Korner or something that allows him to be himself if he wants to be visible. I think a "Nintendo's Treehouse" could be the new direct though doing the same sort of things but keeping it a little more localized.
@Gerbwmu Nice idea, here's a graphics template.
I would prefer to see less of a focus on a central host (it was fine with Iwata, but since he's gone I'd rather see a new direction) and more of a focus on lead developers updating us on their projects. Maybe Miamoto could serve as more of a backseat host- introduce the Directs, but then switch over to various developers who can tell us what the news is, then back to Miamoto so he can introduce the next bit of news, then switch over to a dev, etc.
But you know what? It's all fine with me. I'm just glad they are making a return.
@NintyMan Well, that and the fact that there really wasn't too much that would have been covered in a Direct other than the Overview Trailer for SMM and the big release date drop. That's about it. Everything else was either before a Direct would've been expected or was something that would've been covered in a press release anyways.
I really couldn't see Nintendo Directs ending anyways. Still...it won't be the same without Iwata.
Okay, that's good to hear. I've been seeing a lot of content being announced that seemed liked they belonged in Nintendo Directs. I still miss Iwata, but I'd hate to see the Directs go, so it's good to have that confirmation.
@mariovslink62 At first I thought this idea was kinda insulting to the man... but the more I think about it, the more I think that sort of thing would be so very Satoru Iwata. Now I want it to happen, even though it won't.
This is good to hear as I love directs. I'm curious who's going to be selected present them. It won't be the same without Iwata though.
@mariovslink62 Cool, I had the same thought as well! Keeping the spirited alive and featuring a goofy and humorous cast is vital to making Directs successful. At least, that's what it was like when Iwata was around, and in my view that was outstanding.
@DarthNocturnal
I wouldn't mind a bit of both.
It's fantastic that they're returning. Now the question is if the new CEO will eventually take a similar role to Iwata, or if they'll change the formula of it. I've not seen any videos of Kimishima yet, so don't know if he would be good at it.
Miyamoto would be a great character for these but I don't think his English is good enough from what I have seen and heard. I like Shibata on the Euro specific stuff, so maybe more of him.
I hope that if Kimishima decides to do some presenting in it, that he does feature for too long initially and instead gives other senior Nintendo staff or developers have a larger role. Overwise, there'll be plenty of comparisons him to Iwata, and lots of hate on the internet just because he isn't Iwata.
Well I'm glad the Directs aren't going anywhere. They have always been a neat little idea that both helped pacify fans and give them something to look forward to. As far as I know, Sony and Microsoft do not do the same - so to see it die out so suddenly would be a real shame.
@Ootfan98 theres talk that there was a big Zelda one planned for just after Christmas but Iwata's death has cancelled all their directs until everything falls into place
@crimsontadpoles he apparently only has an contract for 1 year, I suspect he wont appear much if he isn't the long term leader. I suspect he'll at least appear at E3 and what ever NX event
The podcast for another site had a guest that suggested that there will be no directs until Nintendo gets their reorganization completed. To an extent this makes sense, and hopefully this doesn't mean that it will be until the one year term of the current leadership is over.
For all we know Kimishima may also have a whimisical side. Opinions were based on a picture, not the man himself. There will most likely be a direct coming soon for Star Fox Zero and announcing who won the smash ballot.
Miyamoto should present them
I wonder if Reggie will now host the the USA/NA ones...
I have a feeling it might be Reggie for us and Shibata for Europe. I look forward to their return! I was actually expecting one coming up but based on what they just said, I guess maybe not.
@Captain_Gonru You know, I knew it was the first Wed of every month for a reason, but I couldn't remember what you had said. I'll take this subtle reminder into consideration for all further discussions. And there will be further discussions on the matter, whether they have another one or not. And I still prefer not, b/c I don't want to get all teary eyed at the opening or closing 3 minute Iwata montage. If they have another ND there will be a montage, I'm sure of that.
Shibata would work for me, he's shown he can join in with the silly side of the Directs. Whoever it is I hope they don't get attacked or overly criticised for not being Iwata.
Good news
Nintendo Direct will NEVER be the same again.
Will it be the same without Satoru Iwata san`s bow when he greeted?
Will it be the same without his wave goodbye?
Or HELL even the way he said "directly".
Even his glasses (I wish I was never prescribed them by the way).
Or even when he smiled slightly while waving in one of the last Nintendo Directs?
NEVERTHELESS, Nintendo Direct will continue.
Shigeru Miyamoto should present them.
My comment and the avatar, coincidence.
@mariovslink62 Yeah a puppet Iwata would be one way to go.
Otherwise I'd be okay with Miyamoto making the Directs. He's as humorous as Iwata was.
I'm just worried that they'll try too hard to replicate Iwata. Trying to copy EXACTLY how someone did something in the past almost NEVER turns out well.
"Despite Iwata's passing?" It's a bit gutter. Shibata also has presented Nintendo Direct for a long time in Europe. There are more people working for Nintendo, you know.
@Captain_Gonru If they do another one, probably a moment of silence as the host says a few words at the beginning, then they'll have the montage at the end, so we get it coming and going. And then for days after people will talk about the montage, and the opening remarks, and how well the host did or did not do his job, and lost amongst all of that will be whatever game news gets covered. Better to just have a new name, a new format, and then at the end show a picture of Iwata and say "In loving memory of" above it.
ND haven't been around long enough to be considered iconic, and Ntinedo changes stuff all the time. Nintedo Power magazine went away, Nintendo Selects became Players Choice (or vice versa), just move on. I don't want anyone at Ntineod who should be worried about promoting new games worried about all this stuff we're discussing. Too much hand-ringing, just move on.
I definitely think they should stay with a central host. I would like to see the new president make an appearance even if he only stays for the beginning segment. I'd like to see Satoru Shibata present for us, he's done a great job in the past and as some of his Directs have shown, he's not afraid to get a but silly himself - be it dressing up as an Ace Attorney or showing his singing skills in Wii Karaoke U.
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