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Just Being Mii: Curb Your E3nthusiasm

by Zack Kaplan - June 5, 2013, 12:00 pm EDT
Total comments: 15

Zack tells you to calm down and be realistic. 

E3 comes but once a year; it can be the most magical time to be a gamer, but it can also blow Donkey Kong chunks (I don’t know what that means, I just like saying it). Last year I learned a valuable lesson in hype when I looked forward to the surprises I have come to expect at Nintendo press conferences and got Nintendo Land. Sure it ended up being a fantabulous game, but not much of a surprise compared to previous year’s surprises like then titled Luigi’s Mansion 2 and Kid Icarus: Uprising.

So, E3 can sometimes be a big letdown. The key is to set expectations low…really low. For example, what I want Nintendo to show during their Nintendo Direct is many previously unannounced 3rd party games for Wii U. What I am going to expect is more footage of Rayman Legends.

See how easy that was? I was able to be realistic so I don’t have to cry myself to sleep. I have come to realize how dangerous hype can be. For example, everyone (read some people) were really excited for the Xbox One reveal, but many were left disappointed. I would argue that it was because of it being hyped too much. Sure there weren’t many games shown, but should people really have expected Microsoft to focus on games with their current press conference track record?

Going back to Nintendo, what can we really expect from them this year? I believe we will see many previously announced games like Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart, along with a focus on the few big (Ubisoft) 3rd party games coming to the Wii U, like Watch Dogs. When it comes to 3DS, don’t expect any big surprises. Maybe we will find out when Miiverse is coming to the system, or they will actually announce a solid date for when Hulu Plus is heading to the system, which is something that was supposed to happen a long time ago.

E3 in the past few years has focused on big spectacular press conferences to get people excited. Companies like Nintendo are realizing as fun as they might be, it is not very cost effective. E3 is big for game journalists, but in no way is it made for anyone who reads or works on Nintendo World Report or any other gaming site. E3 is a Trade Fair. Its secondary function is to be a media event, and the most important media to game companies are not gaming sites, but places like USA Today. Expect Nintendo to focus on Mario games. They sell very well which pleases retailers and the earlier buzz starts for the game the better.

After reading this you probably think I am a somewhat negative person, it’s not called being a cynic, it is being realistic. So heed my warning, or be prepared to go “FUUUUU-“ after the “big” E3 Nintendo Direct.


Did you like reading this? It is a part of my semi-not regular blog series Just Being Mii, where I open my mouth hole, then close it since I actually write it. Leave a comment if you liked it, and if you didn’t that’s fine *walks with head down to Charlie Brown music*.

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Talkback

PhilPhillip Stortzum, June 05, 2013

Hey Zack. You're missing an "s" in "E3nthusiasm."


Anyway, I think some people intentionally hype events to kingdom come just so they have an excuse to cry like the man-children they are when their expectations aren't met.

SonofMrPeanutJune 05, 2013

But the thing is, given modern internet culture, every single thing will result in at least one person crying like a man-child.


Not enough announced, or nothing new period was announced?  Outrage!
What they announced wasn't what I wanted?  Outrage!
They announced what I wanted but not exactly how I wanted it?  Outrage!
I got what I wanted?  I won't outrage, but others will!  Though I will outrage if it's console-exclusive!  That machine doesn't deserve said game!


No matter what Nintendo does, they're going to get people complaining.  This isn't due to Nintendo fans in specific being hard to please, it's the fact that the internet is so splintered in tastes/opinions/etc that there's bound to be haters.  I'm sure there's someone out there right now who will disagree with everything I wrote here.  Perhaps they're allergic to peanuts and find my name offensive.  Maybe they're offended I'm not saying I'm Mrs. Peanut's son.  Perhaps they're even offended I'm supporting anthropomorphic foods that enslave their kind to a life of consumption.


I know that's going a bit over the top, but essentially I sure am glad to be going into this with moderate expectations.  Not nothing, but not the generous flow content 2010 provided either.

Steel DiverZack Kaplan, Associate EditorJune 05, 2013

Quote from: Phil

Hey Zack. You're missing an "s" in "E3nthusiasm."

A classic Zack mistake  :-[  Thanks and fixed.
@SonofMrPeanut, I did not edit your comment, just fixed the spelling of the title which was my mistake.

Last year was the first year I was disappointed in an E3 I went to (I also went to 09, 10, and 11). I really hope it's not duplicated, but I'm very scared I'll come away bummed out again. It's like I started off my E3 career with a 3-game winning streak, only to suffer a resounding thud of a defeat that put the fear in me that maybe those first 3 wins were flukes.

I generally try to be zen about these things, because it is what it is and all that, but like, seriously, last year was really rough. Part of it was to do to high expectations, but I'll keep coming back to the idea of being surprised. I have hopes 3D Mario and whatever other games we don't know exist as of now will be pleasant surprises that make me anticipate it in only a way Nintendo can make me anticipate a game.

xcwarriorJune 05, 2013

Expectations can't be much lower:
1) New Smash
2) New Mario 3D
3) A Mario Kart that plays just like the previous 7
4) Some Mario sports title for Wii U
5) Xenoblade sequel update

And my one outlandish hope:
They show 1, yes just 1, 3rd party big title not from Ubisoft coming to Wii U.

If Nintendo can't deliver on the above, then they have their own bar too low.

AilingforaleJune 05, 2013

I'm totally excited for Watch Dogs on the Wii U, but I have to admit that I would be excited to hear that the "almost finished" version of Crysis 3 was finished and coming this holiday season with extra content for only $49.99...


Hey, if you've got to dream, dream big amiright?


I don't expect it (let's be honest with ourselves), but it would be nice, but since EA isn't usually like that I won't hold my breath.


If we're able to get exact dates of Smash Bros. and Mario Kart I'll be good.  If not, I'll be ok since I know they are come'n anyway.

ShyGuyJune 05, 2013

I heard rumors of Steel Diver 2 coming to 3DS and Wii U with cross platform MMO and a 30 hour AAA single player campaign. Free download as part of the Ambassador program 2.0

Fatty The HuttJune 05, 2013

http://youtu.be/xyhTJXFBPyg

Glad0sJune 05, 2013

All I want is some awesome Smash Announcements and some GCN virtual console news. And maybe something awesome from Retro. See, my expectations aren't too horrifically high.

Oh, and I adored the Arrested Development reference at the end. Well done, sir.

RazorkidJune 05, 2013

Nice write up, Zack ;D and I agree with having realistic expectations.  I find that those who always expect the worst out of these things are seldom let down and often enjoy the biggest surprises versus those who expect too much ( or anything remotely what they want to happen). 
Next week will be fun.

azekeJune 05, 2013

Quote from: xcwarrior

Expectations can't be much bigger:
1) New Mario 3D
2) New Mario 3D
3) New Mario 3D
4) New Mario 3D
5) New Mario 3D
6) New Mario 3D
...

Fixed

They can show squat besides that and i'll be content.

MASBJune 05, 2013

Quote from: ShyGuy

I heard rumors of Steel Diver 2 coming to 3DS and Wii U with cross platform MMO and a 30 hour AAA single player campaign. Free download as part of the Ambassador program 2.0

I heard that Miyamoto and Iwata make cameos as submarine captains. Their target? The Good Ship Fils-Aime captained by Bill Trinen. One of the many alternate universe scenarios that will be released as DLC.

AilingforaleJune 06, 2013

By new 3D Mario, you guys talking about Galaxy type or 64/Sunshine, because I'll take the latter, but begrudgingly take the former.

RazorkidJune 06, 2013

Quote from: Ailingforale

By new 3D Mario, you guys talking about Galaxy type or 64/Sunshine, because I'll take the latter, but begrudgingly take the former.

As much as I loved Mario64, I prefer the tighter level design of the galaxy games.  I understand that the Mario64/sunshine games offered more exploration through clever use of Mario's platforming tools and I can appreciate the fun in that. But the Galaxy series (especially 2) were the perfect amalgamation of 2D mario level design in 3D. 


Either way, I'm looking forward to being wowed yet again by the franchise.

ThePermJune 07, 2013

Quote from: Fatty_The_Hutt

http://youtu.be/xyhTJXFBPyg

I just saw a vide of Deborah Wilson flashing her boobs yesterday. It was great. I did not expect to see it. I don't expect e3 to be that good

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