14 DAY TRIAL // Nintendo has announced a couple of its plans regarding the summer videogaming conventions, telling people that it will not be attending the Games Convention in Leipzig, but also detailing its presence at E3, which is organized by the Entertainment Software Association.
At E3, which is moving back into the Convention Center this year, after a far more quiet affair last year, Nintendo plans to hold its annual press conference at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood on July 15. Apparently, although the event is held in one of the most prestigious theatrical locations, there's no clearly spelled out dress code for attendants. There are some rumors running around, though, that the Nintendo top brass is planning on putting on a theatrical show in which all top executives will play characters from famous Nintendo franchises like Mario and Zelda.
With the obvious jokes out the way, the Nintendo press conference is something every gamer should be looking forward to because it provides a venue from which the company has traditionally announced the major developments it plans to undertake for the next one or two years. At the press conference last year, the Wii Fit was unveiled and the game is now taking the Wii world by storm. Mario Kart Wii was first seen at the same press conference and the game is also a success. Release dates for Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Mario Galaxy were announced then, too. So there's every reason to expect at least one big game unveiling at this year's E3 press conference.
The same press conference has sometimes offered a venue for more unorthodox behavior, like the taking of the stage by the sword wielding, shield clad Shigeru Miyamoto as he announced the release of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Regarding its absence from the Leipzig based Games Convention Nintendo has stated that it will not be attending because "Following the E3 Media & Business Summit 2008, Nintendo will start a nationwide roadshow to also inform its media and retail partners as early as possible about the newest games". So, for Nintendo roadshow > games convention.