Nintendo Reveals Plans for E3 2014

The days of three big companies spending thousands of dollars on three huge press conferences appears to be over.  Nintendo’s experiment with hosting a Nintendo Direct instead of a press conference last year must have worked, as the company has again opted out of holding a press conference in 2014.  Instead, Nintendo has announced a number of other events that will happen during E3.  Below are portions of Nintendo’s Press Release:

Nintendo Treehouse: Live at E3

“This year, Nintendo will offer fans a deeper look at Nintendos biggest games of E3, with information directly from the source. The Treehouse, the Product Development department at Nintendo of America, will provide in-depth game demos live and unscripted from Nintendos booth. This new program will be live streamed during all hours of the E3 show. Fans can get settled in, open their browsers and experience the Nintendo games at E3 like never before.”

Super Smash Bros Smash Fest at Best Buy

“In 2013, Nintendo broke new ground by expanding its E3 activities outside of the walls of the Los Angeles Convention Center and letting fans play some of the games being played on the show floor at participating Best Buy stores. The partnership between Nintendo and Best Buy continues in 2014 and will mark the first time around the world that fans have had the opportunity to get their hands on Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.”

Super Smash Bros Invitational

“Nintendo is inviting 16 highly skilled Super Smash Bros. players to the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles to compete in a Super Smash Bros. for Wii U tournament. Thousands of fans in the audience and countless more watching a live stream online will see new Super Smash Bros. characters clash with existing favourites in action for the first time. More important than declaring a winner, however, this event is a celebration of all things Super Smash Bros., and a great way for new and veteran fans to take part in a tribute to this legendary franchise.

Nintendo Digital Event

“In 2013, Nintendo decided to forgo a traditional press conference and use a video in that case a Nintendo Direct to share its news from E3. The company is building on that approach at E3 2014 with the Nintendo Digital Event, a new kind of video program that will reveal and provide further detail about the gaming experiences on the way for Nintendo platforms in 2014 and beyond. The Nintendo Digital Event will air at 9 a.m. PT on Tuesday, June 10.”

While no Nintendo press conference at E3 may disappoint those attending, I like this approach for the millions of Nintendo fans that are unable to make the journey to California.  Nintendo continues to embrace what is important to them.  By providing streams of all their new games online, Nintendo is showing dedication to their fans around the world.  Only time will tell if this approach will be beneficial for the company in 2014 and 2015.