I was one of the Direct haters at last years E3. I would take a normal press conference over a direct any day, as hearing the crowds reaction is a huge part of what E3 is for me personally. Even though I had hardly started playing console games at the time, looking back at the Twilight Princess reveal still makes me shiver, and it is still my favorite e3 moment, even though I never saw it live. 

Today Nintendo announched that they were attending E3 pretty much in the same manner as last E3. When I first heard about this reveal I only read "Nintendo Digital Event" and I pretty much got dissapointed. Only after returning about an hour or so later I read the whole story. 

First, I watched the video. It was excellent! Gave me all the information needed, while still being really fun (although it might not have been so fun for a non Nintendo guy). Classic!

So after seeing the video I started thinking. The Smash bros. appearing at Best buy seems much like last years effort. Nothing special there, as I live in Europe. Hopefully they will reveal a downloadable demo from the Eshop at E3, although this seems unlikely given the Best Buy tour. But I digress.

Believe it or not I was still thinking. The treehouse stream/videos seems interesting, and I'll surely watch many of those (X please!), but this wasn't what got my atention. You see, I saw this quote: 

To commemorate this occasion, 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 favorites in action for the first time.

For those who do not know Nokia Theatre L.A. Live has hosted many of Nintendo's usual E3 press conferences. The second sentece makes it seem like they will indeed be using the main hall for a Smash tournament. And this is the point where I'm getting to it (my point xD)!

In my mind this rules out the possibility of Nintendo not being on stage because it's cheaper to do a direct. After all, there is no actuall need to play the tournament inside the main hall, they could have just put up screens on the showfloor. Money has been one of the main arguments, together with the fact that they can make sure that everything goes ok instead of them getting a new Skyward Sword Demo on their hands. It doesn't seem like money is the reason.

In other words, it's pretty clear that Nintendo actually thinks that these online directs are better than a normal conference. This gives me hope. Now I've always been sure that this was the reason, but I though that pricing might have had a part of it. If that is so, then that part is truly small. But notice that it's called "Nintendo Digital Event," and not "Nintendo Direct." It seems to me that Nintendo understands that the E3 of last year wasn't optimal, and I think they will try to change that here, starting by distancing themselves from last years direct.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still in the "no direct" camp, but I'm glad to see that Nintendo understood that last years E3 direct wasn't what we wanted. They might not have done the right thing, but when I think back at E3 last year one of the reasons why it wasn't so good was because there wasn't any big reveals, nor was the games shown off all that impressive. If they can do that this year, and maybe some other of their fun twists, then I think the show could end up being really good. 

I am still curious as to what the tits the difference will be between a Nintendo Direct and Nintendo Digital Event... One would think that a Direct is a Digital Event... Oh well, as long as its not choppy as fuck as the last years event, I will be happy although I would still have liked to see an e3 press conference but that live tournament seems really interesting

It would be difficult to do worse than last years e3/Nintendo direct )but Nintendo has a way of missing even the lowest of expectations sometimes

Anything not live, including a Nintenod direct can be considered a digital event- s that really does not tell us much

I actually defended them for last year E3 plans, but after their performance no more. I don't believe the current management is capable is good marketing anymore.

I think the digital event is a good way for them to control the narrative of the event. It looks like they're doing even more than they did during the Direct last year. It's smart to have journalists interact face to face with the Treehouse team and get people hands-on and excited for smash and other releases rather than watch press corps vs. Iwata.

I love this approach personally. I think the tournament is going to create a lot of buzz.

In terms of what actually matters, being the content, I don't see it being better than last year, but it'll still be good nonetheless!

When you say you are relieved that Nintendo is forgoing a Live Media Presentation in lieu of doing pre-recorded Digital Distribution of their "news/reveal" directly because they think that is better and its not due to cost...

What you are really saying is that as long as Nintendo things its the better way to do it, you are on board. Just as long as it isn't because they are being cheap. That is you support their philosophical stance against "media" involvement between them and you (the consumer).

All that said, the problem with Nintendo Direct has always been that it is pre-recorded, not that it is digitally distributed. I mean so few of us ever watch E3 in any format other than streaming anyway. The different for us has been the "Nintendo Direct Show" isn't actually a live recorded presentation, and there isn't any audience either. It makes a difference.

For me, I don't care if they do it at E3 or elsewhere, but I hate the "direct" as they do it with Iwata slowly deconstructing some games mechanics or financial model and boring the crap out of me with the game.

I think not being exposed to the audience reactions leaves Nintendo in their very dangerous self-destructive bubble of ignorance. Especially as it concerns core western/european gamers tastes and preferences.

If Nintendo are going to be showing off great games, i dont give a shit how they deliver the news.

Perhaps this is also their way of rebranding the Nintendo Direct...
It would explain why they've been so scarce this year...