Nintendo has reiterated their plans to focus exclusively on the next installment in the Legend of Zelda series at this year’s E3 event, according to a press release the company put out on Thursday.
Nintendo’s announcement detailed plans to use their massive booth space and media presence at the annual gaming conference, to create an “immersive Zelda experience, by giving attendees extended hands-on time with this remarkable game.” said Scott Moffit, Executive Vice President of sales and Marketing for Nintendo.
Nintendo plans to do live stream game play demonstrations for the Wii U version of Legend of Zelda throughout the conference, however Nintendo is not planning to broadcast their normal Nintendo Direct video presentation. This will be the first time in the 20+ year history of E3, that Nintendo forgoes either a stage presentation during the conference, or their digital Nintendo Direct E3 presentations, which they began airing in 2013.
Regigie Fils-Aime will kick off Nintendo’s Treehouse live stream by introducing the world to the Wii U version of Legend of Zelda, which Nintendo announced would be released for both the Wii U and their upcoming next-generation console, code-named NX.
Nintendo sent shock waves throughout the industry last month when they announced that both the Legend of Zelda and the NX would not see a release until 2017, during an investor’s meeting held in Japan. They also announced that the Wii U version of the Legend of Zelda would be the only playable game that they will bring to E3 this year.
The next installment of the Legend of Zelda will be the first 3D installment in the series to utilize a non-linear, open-world design of game play. The game was originally scheduled for release in 2015, however it has suffered numerous set-backs since its initial reveal.
Nintendo will broadcast its demonstrations of Legend of Zelda starting June14, at 12pm EST, and can be viewed at e3.nintendo.com.
What’s your reaction to Nintendo’s singular Legend of Zelda focus at E3 this year? How do you feel about the lack of a Nintendo Direct? Give us your direct feed-back in the comments section below.