Radio Free Nintendo Episode 432
E3 2015 predictions
- Non-predictions -
James: Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem will appear at the show.
Jonathan: "I'll be surprised if it's playable."
Jonathan: Xenoblade Chronicles X will be out this year, playable at E3, and in English (at least text).
Jonathan: "I don't think Star Fox is a slam dunk (of being ready for this year)." The rest of the panel thinks it will be ready.
- Predictions -
Jonathan: Digital Event will focus on Wii U, and amiibo will be a significant focus. Retro amiibo for Mario Maker (e.g. Pixel art Mario, NSMB Mario)
Jon: Xenoblade Chronicles X amiibo. Maybe a limited one shipping with the game.
James: Nintendo has a big, multiplayer-focused game that is fun to play and watch. Online multiplayer focus or major component, evergreen, Q2/3 2016.
Jon: Announce a premium Splatoon expansion for early 2016. Adds a lot more content (think Super Luigi U). Adds voice chat.
James: Announce DLC plans for Smash 4. Maybe more DLC for Mario Kart 8. DON'T announce (premium) multiplayer DLC for Splatoon, but maybe some single-player DLC.
Jonathan: Any premium DLC for Splatoon will be announced in August at the earliest.
Jonathan: At least one or two New 3DS exclusive games. Maybe digital only. Other 3DS games will have major New 3DS exclusive features.
James: "Capcom breaks our hearts?" Capcom should announce a new Mega Man game at E3. "Capcom talks about Mega Man in a way that makes me cry." They will not ignore Mega Man's 30th anniversary.
Jon: "Capcom makes us cry."
Jonathan: "James may cry."
Jonathan: A Wii U price cut and/or new sleeker Wii U model with more storage and new GamePad.
Jon: A Wii U GamePad Lite.
James: A price cut and an agressive bundle with an evergreen title. $250 with a game, $200 without. "First hit's free, the rest you got to pay."
Jonathan: A path to PlayStation Plus - new ownders will buy DLC for the bundled evergreen title. There needs to be a $200 model.
Jon: Mario Marker will have an Smartphone or 3DS app that can make levels to upload to the cloud and download to the Wii U.
James: Mario Maker will have something where a person can modify a level as another person is playing it.
Jon: We will see an appearance by Katsuhiro Harada (Project Treasure, Pokken Fighters). Project Treasure makes an appearance. Start talking about Pokken Fighters on Wii U.
Jonathan: Pokken Fighters on Wii U will come to North America and Europe first.
Jonathan: Zelda Wii U will not be technically at E3. It will only be a trailer at the World Championships or Digital Event. "Look, but don't touch."
Jon: Minecraft will be announced for Wii U with skin packs for Nintendo characters, published by Microsoft.
James: Nintendo will go back to the well and grab old Japan-only 3DS games to release to the west (e.g. EX Troopers). Maybe 1, maybe 2, or 4. Give the impression of vibrancy.
Jonathan: Please, may I have Dragon Quest 7?
Jonathan: Nintendo's Treehouse Live will be better. Nintendo's media access for the press will be worse.
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Good show!
I've been rolling around Jonny's lament of Nintendo's dwindling media access in my head since the episode was uploaded. In my eyes, I see companies becoming more PR trained and managing their own "editorial" content in the future. For a company, any value that comes from being candid and honest is outweighed by controlling all information and drastically mitigating any PR gaffes. I don't like this trend, but don't see it reversing given how increasingly fickle and flippant internet commentary is becoming.