For the second year in a row, Nintendo is forgoing a traditional E3 press conference in favor of a, presumably, pre-recorded presentation available online. Given Nintendo's recent stuggles, it's certainly a puzzling decision to make. E3 is far-reaching event that Nintendo should take advantage of in order to promote their hardware. Seeing them bow out of E3 again gives the impression that they're content with Sony and Microsoft hogging the spotlight while they're off to the side doing their own thing. I mean, shouldn't they want to be involved in the whole 'E3 battle?'
While I agree that they should have a grand E3 conference, I also believe their lack of one is not as big a deal as it seems. E3 is primarily distributed through a live stream. So Nintendo is doing the same thing as every other year, just on a smaller scale. Where they talk directly to the fans as opposed to a room full of people from the media. Keep in mind that E3 is an event that speaks to gamers. We look forward to seeing more of previously announced games as well as new ones. If gamers have any interest in games like Super Smash Bros, Bayonetta 2 or X, then they will watch the presentation just like before. And for people who didn't watch, the event will still be covered by the major gaming websites. So whatever they announce, the message will still reach people one way or another.
Monolith Soft's X
I know it's not the same as the big E3 conference we've become accustomed to. We won't get moments like a room full of grown men crying at the sight of Twilight Princess if/when The Legend of Zelda for Wii U is announced. Or that awesome Zelda orchestra from a few years back. And to be clear, it's not a complete no-show. Nintendo will have a presence at the big event in the form of a Super Smash Bros tournament as well as streaming game demos online. But again, their lack of a live conference isn't the big nail in the coffin many presume.