E308: E3 no longer ideal for core games -- Miyamoto
by Chris Greenhough 
{ Jul 18th 2008 at 1:15PM }
Shigeru Miyamoto has weighed in on the grand debate that has raged over Nintendo's E3 press conference, addressing fan complaints that not enough "core" titles were shown. According to Shiggy, the shortage of more traditional games could be attributed to one thing: E3.Whereas once E3 was perceived as an event for those who treated gaming as serious business, Miyamoto argues that the industry's red-letter day is now better suited to showing off "new concepts and new types of play that we intend to bring to the broader audience, particularly because of the media that gathers at E3 now."
Nevertheless, Miyamoto did reassure diehard fans that classic franchises were being worked on, with the Zelda, Mario, and Pikmin teams all concentrating on new games. "... We're still working on many of those titles," Miyamoto told MSNBC, "But [E3 is] just not the type of event where we'll be showcasing that anymore."
It's interesting to note the different perspectives on this issue taken by Miyamoto and Reggie Fils-Aime. Whereas Reggie refuted the suggestion that Nintendo could have offered more "core" games, Miyamoto seems to admit that yes, there was a lack of such titles at E3, but that E3 itself was the reason behind this.
[Via GamesIndustry.biz]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gun Barrier (Gamer Tag) @ Jul 18th 2008 1:21PM
I was thinking that that was their idea from the start. We just need to wait for their trailers to be released later on.
Agumen @ Jul 18th 2008 1:28PM
Fair play to Miyamoto. If a company is honest about their business, I've got no beef with them doing whatever it is they feel they need to do to sell product. It's when they fudge the issue that I get pissed off. Reggie saying that hardcore gamers should be happy just to get animal crossing was one of those moments. Firstly, don't tell me or anyone else what should make us happy, as customers we're entitled to our own opinions. Secondly, to deny that the show ignored their traditional customer was head-in-the-sand blind, as Miyamoto now confirms. At least somebody said it, I though maybe Nintendo had gone mad.
Spencer @ Jul 18th 2008 1:59PM
Regie didn't say that the press conference should have pleased the hardcore nintendo fan (I'm not using the term hardcore gamer anymore. it's meaningless. There are hardcore digdug gamers.) just that it wasn't as completely devoid of news that they were implying. It had voice chat promised, and two much wanted games presented.
But, E3 isn't and hasn't been about the fans for about 5 years. It's been about the media. It's just also the point where marketing makes the dev deams/lets the dev teams start spilling the beans on their secrets, so hardcore fans take notice...
except, the Mario / Zelda teams don't have any secrets to spill yet, and the marketing team didn't want to push traditional games, so they didn't slap concept art/pre-rendered animation into a "trailer" for games that wern't going to be ready until mid 2009 (*cough*sony*cough*) and instead focused on what's selling their consoles.
E3's about marketing, it's after all a business conference. TGS / E4A / Laz are for the gamers / game makers and they consistently yield better results.
Arex @ Jul 18th 2008 1:31PM
I was one of those people who scratched my head wondering why Nintendo tailored their keynote to an audience that doesn't even know what the hell E3 is, but then I saw a small segment on E3 on the local news which predictably focused more on the casual games at the show, including Nintendo's offerings. So even if the general public doesn't care about E3, the media is going to show the people what they think will interest them.
I'm still disappointed with Nintendo's conference, but I must give props to them for their shrewd thinking. Well played, Nintendo. Well played.
Hamster @ Jul 18th 2008 1:34PM
Well they could have said this before we got all our hopes up. But does this mean we can never look forward to an E3 again? That from now on Nintendo will dedicate every E3 soley to its lastest lame casual gimmicks for casual idiots?
Raytia @ Jul 18th 2008 2:02PM
I forget on which site I read it, but there's rumors there won't be another E3 because the "see you next year" banner wasn't around like it's usually been. Maybe E3 will be rehashed (and renamed) into something more suited for the casual gamers and mass-media...
iMeh @ Jul 18th 2008 1:54PM
This is probably the one place where I would disagree with Mr. Miyamoto.
Mr.ESC @ Jul 18th 2008 1:48PM
Well as long they don't repeat this on TGS.
Can I has Brawl DLC nao pls?
Spencer @ Jul 18th 2008 2:00PM
Doesn't Nintendo usually snub TGS?
Mr Khan @ Jul 18th 2008 2:16PM
They usually run some sort of press day or full-scale event (a la the long-gone Spaceworld) in the same time vicinity as TGS, but rarely attend
mrcobbjr @ Jul 18th 2008 6:58PM
I blame socker mom for Nintendo haveing a bad E3. They need to fire her how dare she tells nintendo die hard gamers to keep playing the games that came out early this year. Christmas is comeing out this year and Ps3 and Xbox360 gamers are gong to be playing Re5 and SF4 and all the new hits. While Wii gamers are goin g to be playing nothing good at all.
TheOverlord#2 can has Animals Crossing? @ Jul 18th 2008 1:58PM
As long as Nintendo announces some exciting new hardcore things for the Wii at TGS(sans Cammie Dunaway) and other low-media events, i'll be happy. It's just that us hardcore gamers don't want to wait cause it's our primary source of enjoyment whereas casuals can wait, so E3 should still be our thing and not just stolen from us and given as a present to the casuals by Nintendo.
supa_s @ Jul 18th 2008 2:04PM
What does Reggie know anyway? Look at him, he obviously only cares about the money and doesn't know crap about the business. I trust Miyamoto and I do agree with him 100%. Every1 just needs to be patient. We're still getting some good games in the next following months
adolson @ Jul 18th 2008 2:06PM
OK Shiggy, so then just TELL us what is coming out in 2008 for core gamers... We don't need press conferences, just a press release..... Come on, something. Anything.
Nigeria: SSBB: 0731-6347-2110 @ Jul 18th 2008 2:24PM
What is the definition of a core gamer?
Is it someone who buys/plays a certain number of games a year? If so, then what is the number? Or is it someone who is into certain types of games? If so, then which games are core and which are not and who decides which is what? Is it time spent on a game? What is it, because I'm not quite sure?
We really need a concrete vocabulary for this sort of thing. Like Spencer says, the words "core" and "hardcore" barely mean anything; they're marketing words. We talking like soulless marketers. These words are so flexible that most people can stretch them to define whatever they want. As that is the case, they've truly lost whatever meaning they once held, in a gaming context.
In related news: it's friday and it's wet. I'll probably use that as an excuse to stay inside.
Mr Khan @ Jul 18th 2008 2:31PM
the glory of English summers, eh, Nigeria?
Hot as fuck and sunny here in the American midwest...
adolson @ Jul 18th 2008 2:32PM
Nigeria, you KNOW what I'm talking about. I don't want to be sitting there waggling my Wii Remote to play a stupid music game (if you can call it a game). I want a game with some substance and doesn't make me think of pre-school. My Wii has been collecting dust for a long time now, and Nintendo has announced nothing that will make me break out the Swiffer.
Sonic_13 @ Jul 18th 2008 2:45PM
Core gamer today unfortunately seems to mean someone who likes to loudly complain a lot and prefers games where you get to brutally kill people.
At least that's the definition I derive based on how many so called "core gamers" act...
adolson @ Jul 18th 2008 2:49PM
Sonic_13, I didn't know you could brutally kill stuff in Endless Ocean or Zack & Wiki. Are there unlock codes or something? Do you need a Game Genie? Oh, you are probably too young to know what that is. Do a search on Google, you'll see.
Nigeria: SSBB: 0731-6347-2110 @ Jul 18th 2008 2:57PM
There's nothing like an English summer, Khan. Especially when it's raining, or at least feigning to rain.
Phil @ Jul 18th 2008 3:08PM
I'm with adolson on this, I'm personally just tired of seeing an overall forgetting of the seasoned gamers.
There, is that a better word for you people? A seasoned gamer being one who's had multiple years of experience gaming and has more open range in their genre's from JRPG's to hybrid FPS styled games (Meaning the FPS doesn't entirely stand for first person shooter.) to storyline focused gaming.
These are the people craving the innovation the industry has lacked, these were the people standing outside department stores on November in 2006 waiting for the wii to launch, sharing their excitement of the possiblities with the remote.
And here we are, still very little expanded use of it. There aren't enough GOOD first person shooters for the console, not enough using the wii remote in more simulation formated ways (Though let's face it, Smooth Moves kinda exhausted a good range of them) and the expansion port in the wii remote has been used for only 4 peripherals now, the guitar, the nunchuk, the classic controller and now the motion plus.
If Nintendo would just come out and admit they don't plan to cater to those kinds of gamers as much anymore, then I'd be happy. I wouldn't see them as turning on me like I and others do right now, I'd see it as them making a business decision.
I'm done.
Lord Bowser @ Jul 19th 2008 6:59AM
I don't like agreeing with the deviant, but I side with Nigeria. Expand your vocabulary and stop using easy words. Your aimlessness is embarrassing, Adolson. If you have a point make your point; there's no need to type in CAPS or insult other people. You just look uneducated.
And as for Phil, get used to it. I've said for a long time Nintendo have drifted away from their cultural base; us, the morons that complain about Nintendo on blogs and forums. Why do you think Nintendo closed down NSider? They wanted to distance the average Nintendo fan from their new audience; the Apple brigade. We should have seen this move a mile away, or at least accepted it. We're the retarded stepchild who plows the field; we stay outdoors all day, unacknowledged, but they'll still accept the fruit of our labour.
Times have changed.
Psy @ Jul 18th 2008 2:15PM
Could they have possibly told us that ahead of time?
This was like a practical joke that wasn't funny in the least.
Mr Khan @ Jul 18th 2008 2:19PM
Makes sense. I bet if Microsoft had had to cut their presentation down to the same length as Nintendo's, while there still would've been Gears, Fable, and Banjo, most of their focus would've been on their recent accessible re-imaging of their console
This isn't going to bode well for Nintendo's reputation at future E3's, though.
snakeis8bit @ Jul 18th 2008 2:42PM
I only have one thing to say: Fuck off, Miyamoto. You have completely lost base with everyone but someone's grandma.
Lord Bowser @ Jul 19th 2008 7:01AM
You are so articulate, I just want to give you a cookie.
And gamers wonder why they're considered immature. What a waste of heart you are.
Neil @ Jul 18th 2008 2:48PM
They can spin it anyway they want but their presentation was rubbish. Still I guess we all knew Zelda was still a ways off and there was no way they'd have a new Mario game ready so soon....but they really could have done a better job at showing what they had to offer, they made Wii music look embarrassing.
Sonic_13 @ Jul 18th 2008 2:48PM
The thing that really drives me crazy is how so many people feel like Nintendo isn't making any more games for "core gamers" simply because they didn't show much during E3.
It was simply because Nintendo didn't have a lot to show. We're going to be very pleased a future date when Nintendo does show off their games (especially since it will likely be a Nintendo-only event leaving Microsoft and Sony fans to awe at our awesome games).
c_judicator @ Jul 18th 2008 2:52PM
Shiggy goes for the dive and...he saves it, reputation is preserved! As long as confirmation is there about some new games, I won't bash E3 that much.
Christine @ Jul 18th 2008 2:59PM
who cares. imo the videogame industry, the people who cover the media and the gamers who play the videogames all need to grow up. there's more important things in life. besides, you know nintendo going to release the same mario/zelda/metroid games you want to play eventually. so what's the problem? it makes me sick that there was so much bitching and moaning at this year e3. (from the so called professional videogame journalist and from the fans who post on blogs/forums)
go outside and have some fun. (meaning the gamers) there's something called the real world.
Agumen @ Jul 18th 2008 3:19PM
Responses like this drive me up the wall.
When I come home from work, I go out and play football (that's probably soccer to you) for an hour or two with mates. I have a life. I go outdoors. All the time.
HOWEVER... when I come home, my hobby is videogaming. And part of the fun of that hobby is looking ahead at games you are interested in and learning about them to increase your excitement / anticipation. If it wasn't, an expo like E3 would have no presence on the web; people wouldn't care.
So therefore, when a company announces games that make people excited, they get on the net and celebrate. When a company disappoints some of its fans, of course they'll put their two cents online. It's their effing right; it's all part of the hobby.
To suggest that it means people have no life is absurd. Blindly assuming the games you want are coming without evidence, or defending a company soley based on its past performance seems illogical to me. If people giving their opinion makes you sick, I suggest you're the one in need of a breath of fresh air.
Christine @ Jul 18th 2008 3:55PM
@Agumen
well, look at a comment like this. "I only have one thing to say: Fuck off, Miyamoto. You have completely lost base with everyone but someone's grandma."
Like i said before, GROW UP! also, it's football for me too. :P
Dan @ Jul 18th 2008 4:41PM
i'm still disappointed...
... but i'm willing to give miyamoto the benefit of the doubt. this was a dog and pony show for the shareholders, investors, and mainstream media.
the gamers will have their day soon, i hope.
Mr Khan @ Jul 18th 2008 4:57PM
Someone needs to open up a dialog so that we can resolve gamer demographics by how "hardcore" they are, because all this talk of "core gamers" "casuals" "midcore" "hardcore softcore" "hardcore fans" "fancore" and even "casual-hardcore" (used to describe Animal Crossing) is starting to make my head hurt
Once and for all, we need a dialog to arrive at a definitive quorom about this sort of thing. What is the best set of terminology to use, and, finally, where does everything fall into under that terminology?
manyquestions @ Jul 18th 2008 6:54PM
That would be nice, but how many people on the internet do you think really care enough to do that?
Besides, as long as there's confusion, XBots and BSPSfanboys get to own the word "hardcore" and can continue to make "casual" synonymous with "crap". There's no way they'll give that up. :)
Lord Bowser @ Jul 19th 2008 7:05AM
I think Khan is the most intelligent person on this board. I was going to praise Spencer, then Nigeria, but I believe you articulated my thoughts best. A gaming dictionary to cut through the fluff is needed posthaste.
Lord Bowser @ Jul 19th 2008 7:07AM
Or should I say, Mr Khan.
TX2 @ Jul 18th 2008 5:33PM
A lot of people seem to have an anger sourcing from some very oddly missplaced trust in Nintendo.
Brand Loyalty is admirable people, but nintendo is not your boyfriend. Yes you defend the companies name against supporters of rival brands, but getting upset over a lack of HYPE for games. That's a bit much, just a bit.
As I recall E3 died two years ago. I may not have expected nintendo to focus this much and Today-Show-Fodder, but I certainly wasn't expecting the likes of the 2006 Confrence.
LocalToast @ Jul 18th 2008 6:02PM
Zelda, Mario and Pikmin... Cool.
But I'd like to see some more of my favorite franchises: Star Fox and Metroid. (Metroid being under question of a new game, seeing as Prime is pretty much over [or is it?] and Fusion concluded the life of Metroids [or did it?])
Alvin @ Jul 18th 2008 6:03PM
nice