Forget I ever mentioned the leakers. I get it. I literally only mentioned them because Glio was implying that there was literally no reason to expect a General Direct. I didn't say "blame them for the disappointment," (though, really, qualitative leaks seem like they'll never be worthwhile to me) or anything. Please.
I get it.
I know dude. I feel for you. Didn't want you to get the feeling that the things you care for aren't worth shit.
Because of course they do.
But at the end of the day we have also accept the truth that gaming companies as a whole still struggle with the pandemic. Game development was hard enough before Covid hot.
I am also no stranger to criticizing their communication. I just did last week because honestly they should say that they don't do a direct this month. They don't owe us shit but it shows that they aren't really aware what fans expect at this time of year and if they are they
don't give a shit about it.
Personally speaking I will wait for tuesday and see whats up with the direct.
Thing is, though - I don't believe that all of Nintendo's supposed woes are due to the pandemic. We know that they sit on games for months, if not years, because they need to find an "opportune," time for them to release. They've consistently drip-fed NSO titles throughout the entire generation. Certain types of games from are consistently bereft of content no matter when they release.
Like, yeah, the pandemic's a big thing and it's hit a lot of things; but I'm tired of pretending like it's an excuse for, say, staying almost completely silent on BotW2 until what is liable to be the absolute minute. Or choosing to a Partner Direct with no Treehouse despite doing a full E3 Direct with Treehouse last year. Or taking 7 years to port a bunch of Mario Kart Tour tracks to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
When I say it's hard to be a Nintendo fan, it's because Nintendo doesn't seem like a company who wants 'fans' anymore. They seem like a company who just wants to put out their products, have people buy them, and then disappear into the ether until it's time for next product. They want to dictate exactly what their "product" is at all times; to dictate that we
must have things in exactly the way they want them to be. That "we can't have TPHD because BotW2 is scheduled for Q2 2023, and it represents a 0.5% potential decrease to BotW2's profit potential." They don't let developers on stage at The Game Awards; they don't mingle with the wider industry at large in any real way; they have systematically kicked out any unique voices from their marketing.
I mean, they're the only one of the main three whose
entire 'production group' has stayed completely, deafeningly silent on the Roe vs. Wade repeal. Not even their American teams - one of which is literally based in Texas - have said anything. I 100% wouldn't be surprised if they have a gag clause preventing any of their companies from saying anything 'political.' I know that that and silly game reveals aren't the same thing, but I think it's a really good indication of the soullessness and ruthless dedication to marketing efficiency that is corporate Nintendo. If it doesn't serve to help their carefully-crafted marketing plan it does not exist to them.
It's just so frustrating and so tiring.
please....
