Nintendo, Please hold a Space World

For those who don't know, Space World is a Japan trade show where Nintendo shows off future products. I'm not certain, but I'm under the impression that it is an only Nintendo event and that they are the ones who hold it. It used to be held anually, but Nintendo has cancelled it the last two years, probably for financial reasons. Traditionally however, space world has been a major event for revealing for huge Nintendo products. N64 and Gamecube were revealed during it, and so was the "mature" Zelda trailer that never came to be, and the infamous unvieling of Celda.

Like I said, Nintendo has cancelled it the last two years. Why? Seeing as the general gamer now ignores you, you must expose yourself. Space World is maximum exposure, because Nintendo does not need to share the floor with its competitors. Nintendo must learn that to make money, they must spend money. With a Revolution comming, and the DS on the verge of greatness (I think if they hurry and get some software out, it could bury the PSP, but they must act quickly and not let them hang around), now is a crucial time to show your stuff. It is a crucial time to act seeing as Revolution isn't supporting HD, is supposedly weaker than Xbox 360 or PS3, and worse of all, is being released last.

So, I say the way to generate some hype is to hold a space world. It will be what E3 should've been.

For Gamecube, they should focus mostly on Zelda. They should reveal the pre-order bonus, show off later stages of the game, reveal some spoilers and expose the game. The wolf feature should be playable. Story details, a new trailer, a wolf demo, tons of gameplay details and whatever else. This is the only Gamecube game that looks very good at this point. Others look rather crap-worthy (Battalion Wars, Dance Dance Revolution with Mario, Mario Soccer, Geist, Fire Emblem, Pokemon). Of course Nintendo wants to sell these more than likely mediocre titles, so they should set up demos for them as well. Admittedly, the Gamecube lineup is borderline horrendous, which is why the should focus on DS.

For DS. They reveal new games such as Metroid Dread (pretty sure it is real, it was in the same magazine that Twilight Princess was found to be the title of the new Zelda). They emphasize online play and there are demos of Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Pokemon. Then they should announce that Metroid Hunters has been delayed to incorporate Wi-Fi. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing the one-player removed completely. Because it is a traditional FPS, I doubt it will be any good, so they should just focus on building an online multiplayer beast. Other software could be a new 2D or 3D Zelda (not a port), New Super Mario Bros, new original titles, Trace Memory, Lost in the Blue ect, as well older titles like Kirby, Nintendogs, and Electro Plankton. Some new third party games from Square Enix would be a nice bonus too.

Then there is Revolution. Space World 2K5 will be the Revolution's comming out party. Tons of information to be given. Specs, perhaps? Nintendo can share more of their philosophies and then back it up with some trailers. We don't need any info on the next Zelda, Metroid, Mario, Crystal Chronicals, Super Smash Brothers, but some trailers would be nice. Some trailers that confirm Revolution software will make us say "wow" because a lot people may have doubts if Nintendo remains secretive. They don't necessarily have to reveal what is revolutionary, but they should, and it should be playable. I really don't think they have to be worried about being copied at this point. Microsoft is too far along, and Sony seems to focusing on graphics only. Details on Nintendo's back catalogue, online, and the promise of new types of gameplay and new franchises (a short clip of Miyamoto's new game could end the show) should be present also.

Well, that is what would happen in a perfect world. Still, I think it would really be in Nintendo's best interest to hold Space World this year. Not having to share the show with the competition is a major plus. There are two things which make me optimistic of a Space World this year:

-A new console is comming out. Nintendo debuted the Gamecube and N64 at Space World and it just makes sense.

-Nintendo said they would share Revolution details by the end of the year.

So, what do you think? Should Nintendo hold a Space World this year? Is it likely? What should they reveal? Discuss.

I do remember a reporter asking Miayamoto if the Revolution Controller would be displayed at Space World....he had no comment, if I remember correctly. Like you said, it's been over two years since the last time Nintendo hosted the Space World Convention....I have two questions that relate to one another:

1. Will Space World happen before or after the release of Twilight Princess (when it comes to conventions, they usually have it at most a week's difference from last year's)?

2. If you don't know that answer, do you know the dates of the previous Space World Conventions so we can get a general idea?

-BGS

Well, if they hold one, which obviously isn't guaranteed:

1.) Yes it will be before Twilight Princess releases, for sure.

2.) It is held near the end of the summer. The end of August to be specific. I don't know the exact dates, because there are no exact dates, yet.

Speaking as someone that works in marketing, and regularly attends trade shows: I don't see any compelling reason for Nintendo to start up Spaceworld again.

Reasons:
1. Overlap in content with TGS.
2. General consumers are only concerned with a very limited amount of media at trade shows that could just as easily be released through press releases or at smaller expense through larger, company non-specific trade shows (i.e. TGS, E3), small booth events, private developer events, and appearances at other industry trade shows.
3. The legitimate press doesn't grant the same credibility to company trade shows as they do industry trade shows.
4. The money can be a lot more effectively through other marketing avenues.

Here is some info on Space world 2005 via IGN


"We don't know yet," Kaplan said when asked if Nintendo would hold another Space World event. "It eats people alive to do these shows. It's a huge amount of work. So we really have to think it through seriously."

Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto reiterated Kaplan's comments in a recent interview, saying that more Revolution information would be forthcoming sooner rather than later, and that a new Space World was under consideration.

so there you go they are working on a space world 2005 and more then likely the new zelda will be there too.

PS. last years space world didn't happen because Nintendo wanted promote the DS

Well I heard that Nintendo was thinking about bringing it back. It would be nice to see more Rev/TP info.