DISCLAIMER: I hope this non-news thread is OK. I see conference-rating threads, "Best of Sony" and other reaction pieces, so I figure it's OK.
So... Sony had an incredible show. Given the history of TLG, FFVII-R and Shenmue 3 missing E3, year after year, and finally showing up, there was no hope anyone could top it (even if only one of those games will be released before 2017). Even without those three games, Sony still had impressive titles like my personal favorite, Horizon: Zero Dawn, which I like to describe as "Pixar's Brave with robot dinosaurs."
Still, I think Nintendo would've had enough material for a solid showing, at least, if they had done three things:
1) Save material for E3: Instead they announced some key items in earlier Directs.
2) Secure the ship: Prevent leaks like Smash DLC, the Hyrule Warriors upload, etc.
3) Focus on the Event: No reveals during E3 Week before the Digital Event.
After that, it's all a matter of framing the message correctly, and knowing what to show and how to show it. A lot of variety, in quick succession, with the intermittent bomb. Sure, hindsight is 20/20 and all, but it's sobering to consider the options they had that they simply didn't use.
The following is a possible idea — a scenario with no Micro Direct, no Smash leaks, no Mother 1 announcement at NWC, and other changes. I've described this before, but have since updated it with new information we've found out (like Amiibo Festival being F2P).
Here's what the Digital Event could've been in this scenario:
- STAR FOX ZERO: Immediately establish three things: 1) It's a collaboration with Platinum Games, with Hashimoto involved; 2) Say the graphics will improve, and they're targeting 60 fps on both the TV and GamePad; 3) Note the gyro is optional, and players can switch the GamePad view to TV at any time. Now proceed to explain the expanded mobility and combat options, like flying one way while shooting another.
- SUPER SMASH BROS: The Smash logo appears, and the Roy trailer plays. Sakurai quickly details Roy, Lucas, Dreamland 64, and the Miiverse stage, teases Tournament mode, Hyrule Castle and Peach’s Castle, and shows the Mii Fighter outfits (the outfits are shown on all at once, on a single frame).
- EARTHBOUND BEGINNINGS: Save the Skylanders segment for another time. A lucrative deal, yes, but not with the E3 audience. In its place, Itoi announces Mother 1 on the WiiU eShop, including its English-language debut, EarthBound Beginnings. A fabled title, finally coming to the West — available after the Digital Event.
- THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: First, reaffirm The Legend of Zelda for WiiU will come out on WiiU in 2016, and show new footage. Second, announce The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes, and confirm single-player and online multiplayer right away — they took awhile to say it in the Digital Event. Finally, show Hyrule Warriors Legends, unspoiled in this scenario, with all DLC included and new content, including Tetra and the King of Red Lions, which can transfer to the WiiU version.
- LOCALIZATIONS: In this scenario, the localization of Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water would be confirmed here, alongside Yo-Kai Watch and Bravely Second End Layer. We would also see first English-language footage of Xenoblade Chronicles X and Fire Emblem Fates. Two versions confirmed for FEF. Keep it quick — bam, bam, bam!
- SMT x FE: In this scenario, the first footage of Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem would've premiered here, with a clear explanation of the game scenario. If it hadn't been shown a few Directs ago, it would've retained its mythical status of "is it still in development." Not on the same level as TLG, but still buzz-worthy had it been shown here first.
- DEVIL’S THIRD: It seems like Nintendo's not publishing this. They did show it during Treehouse Live last year, though. A new look at Itagaki’s game, both single-player and multiplayer, would have added variety. In this scenario, it wouldn't have been shown a week early.
- SPIN-OFFS: Present the following as "spin-offs" that aren't replacing anything, and keep their trailers short and sweet: 1) Metroid Prime: Federation Force, by Next Level Games; 2) Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash, with its own amiibo; and 3) the two Animal Crossing titles — Happy Home Designer and Amiibo Festival, the latter F2P. Note the connection between them (you can upload HHD homes to AF), and show the amiibo figures and cards. Keep it short.
- MONSTER HUNTER X: If they have any intention of releasing this worldwide (and I admit, they may not), they should've premiered this here.
- POKEMON SUPER MYSTERY DUNGEON: World premiere in this scenario, but keep it quick. Again, the idea is to keep the ball rolling with news.
- MARIO SPIN-OFFS: In this scenario, world premieres of 1) Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure, available after the show; 2) Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash; and 3) Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam. Keep it quick, especially Dr. Mario.
- YOSHI’S WOOLY WORLD: Save the dev story for a separate upload. Instead, show a sizzle reel of later levels and amiibo support. Emphasize the inventiveness and challenge — something that will resonate with fans watching E3. Keep it quick.
- SUPER MARIO MAKER: Minimize the dev story. Focus more on the incredible variety of levels and wild enemy combinations. Detail the online features — the searching and sharing options. Note the amiibo support where you can play as Wii Fit Trainer, etc. Show the 8-bit amiibo and booklet. Keep it quick.
- “ONE MORE THING”: 1) Smash logo appears — Ryu trailer players; 2) quick overview: light/medium/heavy attacks, command inputs, FADC, two Final Smashes; 3) Suzaku Castle shown off; 4) tease about ongoing Fighter Ballot; 5) Ryu, Roy, Lucas, Suzaku Castle, Dreamland 64, Miiverse, and Mii Fighter outfits AVAILABLE NOW. Unspoiled in this scenario.
In conclusion:
The above obviously wasn't possible in our timeline (lol) because stuff leaked early (the data-mining of Smash DLC, Hyrule Warriors, etc), and Nintendo chose to show so much in other Directs and right before E3, when they could've saved certain items and consolidated the leftovers.
But seeing this alternate scenario, I think it puts into perspective they have a lot of good stuff coming out in 2015 and early 2016, even with this being a transitional period as they move toward NX and QOL. The message was just lost because the delivery was so off the mark.
How do you think they could've played their cards better (if at all)?
So... Sony had an incredible show. Given the history of TLG, FFVII-R and Shenmue 3 missing E3, year after year, and finally showing up, there was no hope anyone could top it (even if only one of those games will be released before 2017). Even without those three games, Sony still had impressive titles like my personal favorite, Horizon: Zero Dawn, which I like to describe as "Pixar's Brave with robot dinosaurs."
Still, I think Nintendo would've had enough material for a solid showing, at least, if they had done three things:
1) Save material for E3: Instead they announced some key items in earlier Directs.
2) Secure the ship: Prevent leaks like Smash DLC, the Hyrule Warriors upload, etc.
3) Focus on the Event: No reveals during E3 Week before the Digital Event.
After that, it's all a matter of framing the message correctly, and knowing what to show and how to show it. A lot of variety, in quick succession, with the intermittent bomb. Sure, hindsight is 20/20 and all, but it's sobering to consider the options they had that they simply didn't use.
The following is a possible idea — a scenario with no Micro Direct, no Smash leaks, no Mother 1 announcement at NWC, and other changes. I've described this before, but have since updated it with new information we've found out (like Amiibo Festival being F2P).
Here's what the Digital Event could've been in this scenario:
- STAR FOX ZERO: Immediately establish three things: 1) It's a collaboration with Platinum Games, with Hashimoto involved; 2) Say the graphics will improve, and they're targeting 60 fps on both the TV and GamePad; 3) Note the gyro is optional, and players can switch the GamePad view to TV at any time. Now proceed to explain the expanded mobility and combat options, like flying one way while shooting another.
- SUPER SMASH BROS: The Smash logo appears, and the Roy trailer plays. Sakurai quickly details Roy, Lucas, Dreamland 64, and the Miiverse stage, teases Tournament mode, Hyrule Castle and Peach’s Castle, and shows the Mii Fighter outfits (the outfits are shown on all at once, on a single frame).
- EARTHBOUND BEGINNINGS: Save the Skylanders segment for another time. A lucrative deal, yes, but not with the E3 audience. In its place, Itoi announces Mother 1 on the WiiU eShop, including its English-language debut, EarthBound Beginnings. A fabled title, finally coming to the West — available after the Digital Event.
- THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: First, reaffirm The Legend of Zelda for WiiU will come out on WiiU in 2016, and show new footage. Second, announce The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes, and confirm single-player and online multiplayer right away — they took awhile to say it in the Digital Event. Finally, show Hyrule Warriors Legends, unspoiled in this scenario, with all DLC included and new content, including Tetra and the King of Red Lions, which can transfer to the WiiU version.
- LOCALIZATIONS: In this scenario, the localization of Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water would be confirmed here, alongside Yo-Kai Watch and Bravely Second End Layer. We would also see first English-language footage of Xenoblade Chronicles X and Fire Emblem Fates. Two versions confirmed for FEF. Keep it quick — bam, bam, bam!
- SMT x FE: In this scenario, the first footage of Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem would've premiered here, with a clear explanation of the game scenario. If it hadn't been shown a few Directs ago, it would've retained its mythical status of "is it still in development." Not on the same level as TLG, but still buzz-worthy had it been shown here first.
- DEVIL’S THIRD: It seems like Nintendo's not publishing this. They did show it during Treehouse Live last year, though. A new look at Itagaki’s game, both single-player and multiplayer, would have added variety. In this scenario, it wouldn't have been shown a week early.
- SPIN-OFFS: Present the following as "spin-offs" that aren't replacing anything, and keep their trailers short and sweet: 1) Metroid Prime: Federation Force, by Next Level Games; 2) Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash, with its own amiibo; and 3) the two Animal Crossing titles — Happy Home Designer and Amiibo Festival, the latter F2P. Note the connection between them (you can upload HHD homes to AF), and show the amiibo figures and cards. Keep it short.
- MONSTER HUNTER X: If they have any intention of releasing this worldwide (and I admit, they may not), they should've premiered this here.
- POKEMON SUPER MYSTERY DUNGEON: World premiere in this scenario, but keep it quick. Again, the idea is to keep the ball rolling with news.
- MARIO SPIN-OFFS: In this scenario, world premieres of 1) Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure, available after the show; 2) Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash; and 3) Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam. Keep it quick, especially Dr. Mario.
- YOSHI’S WOOLY WORLD: Save the dev story for a separate upload. Instead, show a sizzle reel of later levels and amiibo support. Emphasize the inventiveness and challenge — something that will resonate with fans watching E3. Keep it quick.
- SUPER MARIO MAKER: Minimize the dev story. Focus more on the incredible variety of levels and wild enemy combinations. Detail the online features — the searching and sharing options. Note the amiibo support where you can play as Wii Fit Trainer, etc. Show the 8-bit amiibo and booklet. Keep it quick.
- “ONE MORE THING”: 1) Smash logo appears — Ryu trailer players; 2) quick overview: light/medium/heavy attacks, command inputs, FADC, two Final Smashes; 3) Suzaku Castle shown off; 4) tease about ongoing Fighter Ballot; 5) Ryu, Roy, Lucas, Suzaku Castle, Dreamland 64, Miiverse, and Mii Fighter outfits AVAILABLE NOW. Unspoiled in this scenario.
In conclusion:
The above obviously wasn't possible in our timeline (lol) because stuff leaked early (the data-mining of Smash DLC, Hyrule Warriors, etc), and Nintendo chose to show so much in other Directs and right before E3, when they could've saved certain items and consolidated the leftovers.
But seeing this alternate scenario, I think it puts into perspective they have a lot of good stuff coming out in 2015 and early 2016, even with this being a transitional period as they move toward NX and QOL. The message was just lost because the delivery was so off the mark.
How do you think they could've played their cards better (if at all)?
. I can't blame them as I to fell for Nintendo's "illusion"; I was debating between getting a Wii U or a PS4 for the past few month because I loved Nintendo's effort and (and I still do) applaud them them for supporting the Wii U so well despite it mirroring the Vita's situation. But after their Digital Event and learning more about the NX rumors? I am done with thinking about the Wii U and while I might get the handheld version of the NX if it supports my 3DS games.....I'm done with them honestly