Nintendo enters E3 2014 in a distant third place for next-gen console sales. Yet as Sony and Microsoft battle it out for momentum and buzz, Nintendo is pushing ahead to keep its current and would-be fans connected with all things Wii U and 3DS. One of the ways it’s doing this is letting fans watch Nintendo E3 2014 events live online through E3 this week through several means.
E3 officially starts Tuesday, June 10, although the E3 press conferences start Monday. Nintendo is once again skipping the big E3 media briefing, opting instead for a series of more-intimate showings and a slew of app-based and live online events.
At 9am on June 10, a slot held by Nintendo in years past for its media briefing, the company will instead broadcast the Nintendo Digital Event via this special Nintendo E3 microsite. During that online broadcast fans will hear breaking news about upcoming “game experiences” for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS through the end of 2014 and beyond.
It’s interesting to see Nintendo use the term “game experiences,” because the company’s long been rumored to have a Skylanders- or Disney Infinity-like game/toy system in the works. That would certainly fall into the “experience” category, particularly if the Nintendo E3 rumors are true that the toys/figures will work across Nintendo platforms.
Immediately following the 9am Digital Event, an online special called “Nintendo Minute: Live @ E3” will offer a post-show recap of the Nintendo Digital Event. Nintendo has indicated that the “Nintendo Minute” will also include additional information about the games highlighted in the 9am hour.
Around 4pm PST on June 10, as E3 2014 begins wrapping up its first official day, Nintendo will broadcast the Super Smash Bros. Invitational tournament. Super Smash Bros. fans can tune in to watch 16 players compete in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. The Super Smash Bros. Invitational will be broadcast live via a live-stream on Nintendo’s Twitch.tv channel.
Those live E3 events are tied to June 10, but the “Nintendo Treehouse: Live @ E3” will be going throughout the show (June 10-12). During all hours of E3 on Nintendo’s Twitch channel, members of Nintendo’s Treehouse will live stream exclusive game demos directly from the the show floor of Nintendo’s E3 booth. In addition to E3 game demos, Nintendo will use the Treehouse to show the latest game reveals and entertain special developers and other guests, including Shigeru Miyamoto.
So, if you want to watch Nintendo E3 2014 events live online this week, there’s no shortage of ways to do so.