VGA's: Where is Nintendo? (by Jennie B.)
December 12, 2010, by Jennie B. - The Video Game Awards: arguably the biggest event for video game enthusiasts. The event brings the stars of the gaming industry to thousands of viewers annually. Video games are honoured, comedians bring their A-game, and gamers are given their first glimpses of upcoming releases. The VGA's is ultimately an incredible event for the industry; promotions and premiers of new video games are common.
The Video Game Awards 2010 have come and gone though, and now everyone can calm themselves down and rest for a second.
But where was Nintendo? This year, there was a definite absence of Nintendo games in the list of VGA winners. Many gamers have come to accept the fact that Nintendo is rarely featured during the VGA's. In the past, Nintendo was never present and was seldom nominated in gaming categories at this event.
Is Nintendo not interested in their presence at the VGA's? Nintendo representatives were scarce at the VGA's this year, and there wasn't any sign of Nintendo promotion. It seems as if gaming media isn't as significant to Nintendo as other gaming companies consider it to be.
Of course, this creates a huge backlash to Nintendo (or not, depending on how you look at the case). Instead of promoting their games to a gaming audience, Nintendo has developed a new audience of non-gamers. And we've seen this happening a lot. Nintendo will hardly be featured on G4, but could easily be mentioned during a morning talk show with an audience of soccer moms or seniors. Of course, this could be Nintendo's ultimate marketing strategy.
But by marketing towards the amateur gamer, Nintendo has created a demeanour of ridicule among casual and professional game-enthusiasts.
That could easily change. With new games like Metroid: Other M and Mario Galaxy 2, Nintendo can easily remind the hardcore gamer just how awesome this video game company is. And hey, don't forget Zelda!
As much as it appals me that Nintendo is never mentioned at the VGA's, I do admire their ability to enchant the non- gamer into picking up a controller. Regardless, Nintendo shouldn't ignore us hardcore gamers completely. After all, we're more dedicated to games than anyone else.