A few days ago, Venture Beat's Jeff Grubb said a Nintendo Direct presentation wouldn't be happening this June around the time E3 2020 should have been taking place.
The same report went on to reveal how Nintendo was currently in the process of "telling partner developers" it wouldn't be holding a Direct next month, following the official cancellation of E3. If you weren't entirely convinced at the time, Eurogamer's own sources have also been able to support this. A story on its website goes on to mention how Nintendo won't be going ahead with a presentation because "it needs more development time" on first-party releases:
Eurogamer understands it [Nintendo] has told publishers set to reveal games during its showcase that it needs more development time on its first-party games. Work is currently being held up as the famously-secretive company adapts to staff working remotely.
According to the original report by Venture Beat, Nintendo was putting together an event for June, where it planned to show its first-party schedule for the rest of this year and reveal the rumoured Super Mario 35th Anniversary remasters.
Jeff Grubb is the same individual who said two Nintendo presentations would air before the end of March this year, and they did (there was an Indie World Showcase followed by a Nintendo Direct Mini). More recently, he backed up the rumours about the Super Mario 35th anniversary remasters with his own sources – adding that there would be a new Paper Mario game.
Nintendo hasn't made an official statement about whether or not a Direct will go ahead next month – or if there'll even be one, but it has previously stated it would "continue to be flexible and redirect [its] efforts" to keep fans up to date, after the cancellation of this year's E3.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 102
I get that the release schedule is uncertain, but I would have no problem with a Direct that didn’t have any release dates or windows. I get that most of the 2020 line up is going to get delayed, but I just kind of want something to look forward to, even if we have to wait a bit longer than usual. As it stands, after Xenoblade comes out, everything is dead silent for the foreseeable future, and that kind of bums me out. A Direct could’ve fixed that, even if the games featured were all tentative. Oh, well. It’ll happen eventually.
That's fair enough, man, and is sensible, I think. This is a worldwide crisis... let's take it slow, and avoid putting people under pressure. Other things apart from games are more important right now, and there's already plenty on the eShop to keep us going anyway. Good stance from Nintendo if they do this, I think.
And Pikmin 4 eludes us YET AGAIN!!
It will happen when it happens.
Plenty of games to play in the meantime.
Entirely reasonable, I can't imagine anyone having a problem with this. Perhaps some publishers may to choose to go their own route and reveal games themselves but realistically what's the harm in waiting a few months, I'm sure Nintendo won't be the only company experience upheaval in development teams given what's going on.
There's plenty already announced that's due in the next few months anyway.
Let’s be honest, all forms of entertainment are going to be delayed. Look at that film the New Mutants, it’s been delayed again and again for two years and now it just feels old and substandard without us knowing what the film is like. Nintendo’s current strategy of minimising wait times been reveal and release has made the Switch feel vibrant.
XBox and Sony could have blowouts of what’s coming to their new Christmas consoles in June, but that doesn’t mean any of those games will be ready to play.. Just imagine releasing a console with NOTHING ready to play on the thing.
Their too lazy, just looking for an excuse not to do it, all they have to do is a digital presentation of the nintendo direct, excuses excuses is all I hear
To be honest I'm not surprised they had trouble figuring out how to work remotely seeing as they still haven't figured out how to work with the internet at all on their systems.
Welp, I guess we'll have to wait until September for a direct. And the leaks will be relentless over the summer.
@Abeedo I had the exact same thought.
@geni53yr7 You REALLY don't understand how marketing works, do you?
Does Nintendo 'act' or 'react'?
If enough people, gamers and online sites send out a message that a Direct is unlikely, Nintendo are off the hook.
If enough of us let Nintendo know we want to be kept in the loop and that a Direct does that, then maybe they will react.
Don't sent out a message that lets them off the hook. We are the customer.
Funny how Nintendo is the only one getting “delayed” when quarantine started much later than anywhere else in Japan...
@Abeedo Seriously! You can’t even message people on your friends list! :0
it sucks if there is not gonna be a direct but give us atleast some good Snes Titles then..
and atleast tell people there is not gonna be a direct
could they at least give us something to look forward to? what are they working on for later this year?
I keep saying it: we'll get a Super Mario Direct instead, probably at some point in May, where they'll show the rumoured Mario All Stars 2, 3D World Deluxe and a new Paper Mario.
Apart from that, we'll get new announces when all this ends, and concerning third party games like Bayonetta 3, No More Heroes 3, Bravely Second 2 or Shin Megami Tensei 5, they may just follow the same way Deadly Premonition 2 did, showing their release date in different events or twitter announces.
There's no reason to be concerned.
Several people in this comment section sound like spoiled, whining children. Industries everywhere are affected by this virus, there are going to be delays and uncertainties. This obsession of Directs is unhealthy, go play something in your backlog.
I believe this report so I don't expect anything new from Nintendo this year ports, remasters and indie games are all we will get in 2020
I'm annoyed at no Direct, but if Nintnedo wants to show off a lot of games within all the digital programs popping up to fill the void of E3 this summer, well Id' be ok w/ that.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/05/geoff_keighley_announces_summer_game_fest_four_months_of_news_and_events
We don't need a Nintendo Direct so much as we need games, and right now there are no games after XC as @thesilverbrick said. Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, whatever, just get the news out. Going to be difficult enough as it is going up against the new console launches of X Series X and PS5 that are coming w/o going completely silent.
But Nintendo is going to Nintendo, ACNH and Pokemon on and on and on and...
@thesilverbrick I think because they kind of did that with the mini direct they are waiting until it is more certain.
I also think they are having to adjust to new working conditions as well as it giving them a convenient out to push back the usual E3 announcements window so it’s not coinciding with hype for new consoles. Especially as they are looking to push the Mario IP as a brand with all the other partnerships
The direct will come and I will be ready. Until then I have a massive backlog to get on top of and a s£&t tonne of retro beauties to keep me going. I’m going to take this time to look through and savour at what I have and not worry about the next direct. There are more important things to be concerned about right now.
I mean, as much as I hope this lack of news could push smaller titles like Deadly Premonition 2 further into the spotlight, I really hope that there are more announcements planned. That being said, Summer's seeming like kind of a drought on all fronts for obvious reasons (this situation cannot end fast enough). There's Pokemon and Smash DLC planned for June already, so if either of those aren't shown off with any Direct's, it's probably going to be July when things happen.
Of course they aren’t doing a substitute for E3, Nintendo is one of their biggest partners, this is a relationship thing. These are reciprocal parties and they’ll let that space be until the ESA picks up the banner again. Plenty of time to hold directs after that June timeframe as Nintendo has done before.
I do look forward to these events, but I can understand why things are on hold right now. Xenoblade will keep me going a while too I’m sure. Catherine, The Wonderful 101 and others are all coming soon too.
Nintendo were in a good position to clean up in 2020, with the PS4 and XBox One in their final stages, but with Animal Crossing it seems like they are anyway.
Maybe they will air it in September, one year after the last full Direct.
"That's according to Venturebeat, which first reported on the story this afternoon, and which Eurogamer sources have also been able to corroborate"
@CosmoXY yeah, I don’t get this Direct obsession. I’m sure everyone has a backlog to entertain them.
And if you don’t have a backlog, broaden your game genre preference. And if you don’t want to do that, read a friggin book, or cook a meal, or find another hobby. Cheezus Christ, it’s just a Direct! 🙄
Disappointed by Nintendo, no reason for them not to set something up. Just gather videoes/trailers from the different des, edit and set it up as a direct. And I don't buy that these few months of a pandemic halted their production to the point where they can't show us anything, if that is the case then those games certainly wouldn't have been released this year or the next anyway, with or without a pandemic. Clearly they are taking advantage of the situation and making excuses.
@rjejr Keep in mind there are reports that the PS5 will be in limited supply, and that Series X is also worried about a lack of games at launch due to the virus. At the end of the day, coronavirus is going to ruin 2020 for gaming.
@TAndvig Nintendo recently adapted this idea of finishing games before announcing them. Only exceptions being Pokémon, Metroid Prime 4, Breath of the wild 2, and Animal crossing. Pretty much every other 1st party game was released within 6 months of announcing it.
@NotoriousWhiz First party? maybe true, but not third party games. And regardless, my point still stands, they clearly had nothing to show us anyway so they are just taking advantage of the situation. Several companies in this industry have proven us that there is no excuse not to continue releasing either games or video presentations during this pandemic.
@TAndvig I'm sure they could reveal information about games, but I don't think they should if it means showing off games in extremely unfinished state, or if it would cause a lot of waiting for the gamers.
Not to mention, I think this is the best way to take some pressure off the developers. I'm sure it's hard enough for them already, and there is no reason to make it even harder by promising games to the public too soon.
Disappointing but understandable, a simple list of games and release dates would satisfy me....
If they really haven't got much to release this year then they need to help promote the third party's offerings. Regarding themselves, I would bolster the online SNES app, add a N64 app with a few games (8-10), and keep things moving with further Splatfests, Arm's Tournament's/Tetris weekends and the like....
I'd be content if they just told me the remasters they are releasing this year. Punch out Wii. F-zero GX? Goldeneye? I was perfectly ok with animal crossing fans getting their moment and Pokemon fans getting their moment but as a old school Nintendo gamer who doesn't play those franchises I feel totally left in the dark. I get its a crisis but they should be able to do something. I'd take winemaker HD at this point.
I mean, other studios have admitted that working remotely will likely affect release schedules. People act like this is unique to Nintendo because of how they like to present the information.
I really want an E3 Direct though...
2020 has been tough for every industry. No surprise. We are all in this together.
Until Nintendo says something official, this should be considered as rumors and not news.
Super Mario Direct - May 6 or 7th
Pokemon Direct - June 10 or 11th
That’s cool. I don’t mind waiting a bit of time while they figure out their schedule given the new paradigm.
That said, it would be lovely to hear some kind of update soon. Even if it isn’t grand, I don’t think I’m alone in looking for something fun to look forward to.
I don't mind. I haven't played Pokemon, Xenoblade, or Luigi's Mansion yet, so I can buy those and get plenty of game time through them. Take your time Nintendo.
I suppose even if there’s no direct in June maybe there’ll be something a little later on? Honestly just any info on something coming soon even if it’s delayed is better than nothing. I’ve got Borderlands preordered, The Outer Worlds, and 51 Games but after that it’s void. I’ll be continuing my backlog and those games I end up buying but if Xbox and PlayStation can be open about their plans I see no reason Nintendo won’t ( except I guess the over 2 year wait for Metroid 4 we’ve already had- maybe trying to avoid more of that..)
Instead of asking for more games maybe it's time to master the ones we already have.
This is an opportunity to put a serious dent in those backlogs.
@flagloverNZ no we aren't. We still have the same enemies and competitors. The battle has just been paused for a bit.
What people seem to forget is Nintendo does more than just a Direct for E3. They do very long form demos for the Treehouse and developing a demo is like developing a small game. You need to make sure it's polished to show off, that it's translated and substantial enough to please the audience. Stuff like that takes time.
Nintendo may not have a direct in June, but maybe July. This sounds like they're not quite ready to show things off and whatever they were working on for E3 hit a roadblock because of the stay-at-home order. We'll still have Smash DLC and the Pokemon DLC to tide us over in June. I'm sure Nintendo wants to wow us when they do their big showcase. Would you rather have a mediocre Direct in June which had to cut games because they weren't ready to be shown, or wait a month and be wowed by a substantial Direct in July/August? I'd always pick the later.
@rjejr I don't believe you need games. I've got 120 games sitting on my Switch right now, a large number of which I haven't played, and about a half dozen or so of which I don't even remember buying in the first place. I know I'm not alone. We all have backlogs, and we're all going to actually have to start playing through them instead of adding shiny new games to them for a while.
@MrAsild Nah, lots of games and movies have been getting delayed.
I'm actually happy to hear this news. I have more than enough to keep me occupied for a long time already, but more importantly, seeing everyone on Twitter lose their minds is unbelievably satisfying.
People complaining about no direct lol. Are you paying attention to the news lately?
curious what the holiday season will look like for Nintendo. I would bet on either some kind of port or remaster, or they have a mid-tier title like paper Mario or something. AAA news would have happened by now. Totally content with AC for 2020’s biggest release
It's no biggie, but 2020 is shaping up to be quite a barren year for my Switch, seeing as I've no interest in Animal Crossing or ports and remasters. Which means it's a good year to round off my Ps4 backlog and get excited about next gen!
@NotoriousWhiz exactly. People aren't taking into account that this is affecting every industry at large, not just one company.
I hope that all developers (whether at Nintendo or elsewhere) are keeping themselves safe. No need to hit artificial deadlines. We all have plenty to play.
Throw us a bone Nintendo!
Even a single Metroid Prime 4 screenshot would do!
I agree, please show us something. I can't imagine Microsoft and Sony showing nothing, even if their new consoles are mostly under wraps. Everyone understands that we have to wait longer for the games, but please show us a bit. Show us that the future is in good hands, not everyone is gushing over Animal crossing you know!
@RileyR true. We should do our best to put Bill and Melinda Gates out of business. We win the console war but die of some new disease. Winning.
@sixrings haha you are really a funny guy!! 😂
I know nintendo have been affected by corona, but sony and microsoft are still saying they will release next gen this year. We will have to wait and see but if the real next big hit don't come until spring 2021 from nintendo than we know they prefer people's lives over the green stuff and surely that is more important?.
So Nintendo are ‘lazy’ and offering ‘excuses’ and shouldn’t be ‘let off the hook.’ Serious posts about Video Games on May 2 2020.
Good to see there are some people who live in a hole in the Ground.
@MrAsild Pretty sure a LOT of companies and industries are facing delays. The only AAA games that released on time were RE3 Remake, Final Fantasy 7 and Animal Crossing (and that's most likely because these games have been finished more or less since January) Every other AAA game has seen some kind of development delay and you can also include physical shipments of indie/smaller games
This year sucks!
@Bizzyb to back up your point, it seems that there is at least uncertainty surrounding one other console that's set to launch this year. Phil Spencer is unsure of how Covid-19 will affect software, but he does imply it's something to consider if there are delays. People need to have some perspective. I do agree with the notion that Nintendo should at least tell us what's in the pipeline to assuage people, though.
https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/362207/Phil_Spencer_says_COVID19_could_delay_Xbox_Series_X_launch_titles.php
I'm just glad my Animal Crossing is out, and i'm kinda good for the rest of the year. Can't believe some whiny children is commenting as if there isn't a real life outbreak out there, that is killing people. Some of you really need to chill out, people are at risk, and your games can wait.
@CosmoXY @Crockin @electrolite77 You can almost smell the lack of life experience in their comments. It's usually people who think they're addressing Nintendo directly in the comments. I actually hope that Nintendo doesn't announce anything until next year now, just so they cry more...
@RPGamer Something among the lines of "can't Nintendo just compile a few trailers in two weeks?" - he might have said a shorter time frame.
@RPGamer I don't, but one can dream, right? Hahah
@RPGamer
To gaming!
My backlog with Switch, PS4 and even my Wii U is so large I could be playing for years without the need for new games.
I want them yes, but I have plenty to keep me occupied in the meantime and a realistic view has to be taken with the current world wide situation.
Understandable when taken in the current global context. A lot of industries are facing delays and unprecedented adjustments.
I can't say I'm happy with this news, but I'm also not too bothered TBH; my backlog could still use some thinning.
@DanskCarvalho 160,000 people died in just 60 days...yeah, it's been a pretty lousy year so far.
If they don't intend to show anything in June, might as well come right out and say it to avoid disappointment. I'm sure people would be much more happier than waiting and waiting for nothing to happen.
In the same breath, I completely understand there are delays. It's a tough time out there these days. Having said all that, NOW is the time to drop some n64, cube, gameboy, gba, and ds games on the switch online app.. If you can't give us new games( again, understandable) at least give us some of the greatest classics Nintendo has to offer.
Suits me for selfish reasons. I've dusted out the Xbox One and playing through games available via the Game Pass system. Incredible value.
@RPGamer
Well worth it, great console with great exclusives and perfect companion to your Switch.
My disappointment is immeasurable.
Right now I've got FF7R, Persona 5 Royal, Sakura Wars, Streets of Rage 4 and soon Xenoblade and Shantae in my backlog.
I can wait on a direct for a bit.
This COVID-19 will be the president of 2020 if this keeps up.
Is anybody really getting tired of hearing this info everywhere it pops up?
We are in a global crisis where everything is cancelled or postponed. Therefore, there is no one expecting a Nintendo Direct in the middle of this chaos. Only stupid people do and children of up to 6 years old.
@JimmySpades Companies don't make money by us PLAYing games, they make money by us BUYing games, and consoles to play them on. 53 million Switch sold, 53 million backlogs. But if they want to sell more Switch, they have to make and advertise more games for people to buy. Or people will buy a PS5 or X Series X for Christmas then buy games for those consoles rather than their Switch instead. So they can then have backlogs on those consoles.
Companies saying - we're taking a year off from making new games so you can finish playing your backlog - would be a good way for those companies to have their stock price drop real fast. Maybe you, like most gamers, don't care about stock prices, but the game companies, and their stockholders, do. Gotta announce and market upcoming games to keep the stockholders happy and the gamers spending.
@NotoriousWhiz Sony is releasing TLoU2 June 19th and Ghost of Tsushima July 17th in the next couple of months. Those are the revised dates as both games have been previously delayed. And Cyberpunk is still scheduled for this year. I'm sure there are gamers who would be happy to have those 3 games in 1 year and wont' say 2020 was "ruined".
https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/04/ps4s_ghost_of_tsushima_delayed_into_july_2020_extra_time_will_be_used_for_finishing_touches
And Xbox is getting an event next week. Probably most of those games won't get released this year, but some of them still might.
https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/04/third-party_ps5_games_to_debut_gameplay_at_xbox_series_x_event_next_week
Sure, year in gaming could have and should have been better, but it isn't ruined so much as delayed. But Nintendo doesn't even have anything officially dated to delay. They can't keep using the pandemic as an excuse if the other 2 companies are making an effort to show off and release games. And Ubisoft has been pushing AC:V hard this week.
Not exactly crickets w/ Nintendo, ACNH and Pokemon are getting noticed, and XC, but nothing after May is the problem. Or at least it will be if June arrives and they still have nothing but radio silence for the holiday.
@Cosats @WiltonRoots @geo-shifter @CosmoXY Hey guys, I think you are being a tad unfair calling people stupid and childish because they are looking forward to a Nintendo Direct and feeling disappointed that there might not be one.
We all know the seriousness and difficulties of the current situation, and it is in times like these that people need something to look forward. Why insult people because of that?
Surely it can't be that hard for Nintendo to put together a video previewing their upcoming games, even if they can't confirm release dates, to bring a bit of joy into peoples lives during these difficult times.
This is a Nintendo sites for fans to enjoy their hobby, you don't need to be insulting.
I've got far too many games already.
I respect that.... but it is bad for my stocks....
I respect that Nintendo and other publishers/developers can’t work in the same capacity with the current virus. It doesn’t stop me from wanting to see cool new games in the works that don’t have release dates n such. Currently hyping to see the third party stuff that Xbox will be advertising next week!
@Nomad Well to quote the politicians, "we live in unprecedented times." A large portion of the world has shut down. A lot of peoples' plans are on ice and that includes multi billion dollar organisations.
You're being level headed about it, but there's people in here who aren't and are crying because they're not getting their Direct. People who I wouldn't be surprised to find out are old enough to know or act better. And they'll be the first people to complain about whatever gets shown because it's not what they wanted to see. I don't think stamping their feet in a comment section Nintendo won't read will change a thing.
Nintendo are secretive at the best of times. Their annual report and Q+A are due to come out next week. I wouldn't be surprised if they use that to explain to people what they're up to, as I'm sure their investors will be asking too.
@rjejr Well that was quite the shift in perspective. You went from a first comment being from your point of view with no thought of economics, to a second from Nintendo's point of view with every argument economical in nature. I'm not naive enough to believe you originally said that you needed games because you were worried about Nintendo's stock price.
If you honestly think Nintendo is simply taking the year off, then you know nothing, either about Nintendo, or about corporations in general. Nintendo, and Sony, and Microsoft are doing everything they can to salvage this year. They have forecasts telling them how much they're losing, which change daily. Two of them are trying to launch consoles and will likely do so to a fraction of the business they were anticipating at this time last year, and neither one of them is looking at Nintendo skipping the June Direct and thinking that all of their problems are solved, or that Nintendo just handed them a successful launch. They're looking at the entire market collapsing, as is every corporation in every industry. Nintendo included, your need for games notwithstanding.
It will happen, when it happens. I have no problem with it. I can wait.
@JimmySpades "They're looking at the entire market collapsing"
The video game market, collapsing?
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/03/video-games-sales-soar-as-coronavirus-leaves-millions-trapped-at-home.html
https://www.cnet.com/news/lots-of-people-are-playing-video-games-during-coronavirus-lockdowns/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/04/15/teachers-video-games-coronavirus-education-remote-learning/
https://theconversation.com/time-well-spent-not-wasted-video-games-are-boosting-well-being-during-the-coronavirus-lockdown-135642
@TheFullAndy Uh, are there though? Outside of Animal Crossing, there's just the Xenoblade remake, which a good chunk of people have played. And even then, it's an aquired taste.
@Goat_FromBOTW
Luckily I can play games that weren't just released in the last month and I have many of them sitting barely played accross 3 systems so I am set for months.
New games are nice but any game I haven't played through yet can also be considered new.
If you are struggling to find a game to play I suggest you broaden your horizons and try something new in the hundreds of games already available.
I am a little torn. I understand why they aren’t making an announcement. Typically, they do not have much in The June/July time frame. This should give them a month or two and still hit the games they have for the second half of the year.
However, if these Mario rumors are true, They should be able to give us something. I mean we are going to get quite a bit of news from XBox. PlayStation has been giving us something.
@Nomad I stopped reading your comment after you said it’s unfair for me to call people stupid. Where did I call someone stupid? Because I don’t see it.
The sooner this so called pandemic dies down, the better.
It’s absurd people are getting freaked out over a measly virus...
People have gotten too soft over the last decade or so, getting upset over the most minor of offenses, electing awful, incompetent halfwits into office and letting said halfwits have a podium for their halfwit ideals and allowing even more nonsense to flourish.
Stupidity spreads like a virulent strain as well, it would seem.
People disappoint me to no end.
@NoNoseNosferatu
What a random and pointless rant.
@TheFullAndy your opinion means nothing to me, sunshine.
@NoNoseNosferatu Are you looking for work? If you are in the NYC area, I would love to have someone deliver my groceries and walk my dog. The pandemic isnt real, so you should be fine
@Crockin Lol, no- I don’t live there. Been there once before, when I visited my younger brother.It’s nice but I wouldn’t want to live there.
Besides I already have two full time jobs, I’m not gonna resort to walking other people’s dogs or retrieve/deliver their groceries. You’re perfectly capable of doing that yourself.
(I never said it wasn’t real, croc. Just think people like to exaggerate about everything. Learn to read sarcasm.)
@NoNoseNosferatu
Well I will have to somehow recover from this devastating news!
Also I don't think you know what sarcasm is as nothing in your original post was sarcastic or even hinted at being sarcastic.
Edit: Also the irony of you telling @Crockin to learn to read sarcasm whilst completely missing that their comment was actual sarcasm is hilarious!
You really don't get sarcasm do you?
@NoNoseNosferatu this is maybe the most perfect response i've ever gotten from anything
@Crockin Lol- I like you. You’re sassy.
If no new video games resulting in a weaker company in Nintendo is the WORST thing that happens to You in 2020, I should say: “Hey! Not too shabby, mate! Great seeing you again after all these months; another round?”
They couldn’t just done an in-depth Nintendo Mini focusing on both Xenoblade Chronicles and Paper Mario’s story/lore and gameplay like they did with the Pokemon direct at the start of the year since both releases are like 1/2 months away.
Tack on some indie/ports coming in summer to the eshop and call it a day.
Could have even had a coming soon section with TBA labeled on the releases and I’m sure people would understand. They’d just be happy to see what’s coming up 🤷♂️🤷♂️
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