Nintendo Job Listing Appears To Confirm Next Nintendo Direct
With accusations that Nintendo is resting on its laurels when it comes to announcing what's next, the fact it's been 520 days since the last official Nintendo Direct (September 4, 2019) isn't exactly proving critics wrong. Everyone is looking for when the next Nintendo Direct could be, and with 2021 marking so many gaming milestones, we're hoping one's on the way soon. Much more than just Mario and Zelda, Nintendo's massive IPs include Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Smash Bros. Mario Kart, Kirby, and more.
The coronavirus pandemic hasn't helped the lack of Nintendo Directs. With the all-star announcements being Nintendo's version of the Xbox Games Showcase or the PlayStation5 Showcase, it's a must-watch even that has gamers excitedly looking to the future. Alongside rumours that a tonne of new or remastered Pokemon games are just over the horizon, these announcements alone would be enough to hold up a direct on their own. However, with players demanding to have some actual evidence to back up the wild whispers, a Nintendo Direct is long overdue.
What's going on with the next Nintendo Direct?
Nintendo America is currently looking for an Associate AV Producer, with the description asking for someone who can "assist with filming live-action footage for use in Nintendo Directs, and other content marketing initiatives". Unfortunately, that's all there is. The job listing simply mentions Nintendo Directs, without giving any confirmation on when the next one could be. Considering the application is now live, Nintendo would still have to interview, find the right person, and let them settle into their role before presumably forging ahead with the next Nintendo Direct.
Last year, there was the Super Nintendo World Direct to hype the opening of Japan's Super Nintendo World, while we've also had a few mini Direct-style events for games like Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury. For the time being, we're stuck with low-fat game reveals rather than a full-fat Nintendo Direct. Even if there's no sign of the next Nintendo Direct, rest assured that the company is busy beavering away behind the scenes.
When is the next Nintendo Direct?
Following the 35th anniversary of Mario leaving some underwhelmed in 2020, 2021 has a lot to celebrate thanks to The Legend of Zelda's 35th anniversary and Pokemon's 25th anniversary. While we've all heard about the rumoured Pokemon Snap remaster, there are also claims Diamond and Pearl will be getting a facelift. It's less clear what's going on in the world of Zelda, but following the under the radar release of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, it's time to turn our attention to the promised Breath of the Wild sequel.
Last June, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa warned fans (via VGC) that Nintendo Directs might not be around forever. At the time, Furukawa explained: "We feel Nintendo Directs are an incredibly effective way to present information directly to our customers in a very straight-forward way.
"Inversely, times change and so does the most effective way to promote products, so there is a chance that a new, better way to present this information comes about. So we always like to examine all of the possible ways to communicate this information to customers". That won't stop speculating about when the next Nintendo Direct will be.
In light of a Directless future, Numskull Games has announced it will be holding a Direct-esque showcase today (February 5) to confirms its next Switch game. Hopefully, other developers will be able to hold on long enough to make an announcement at the next Nintendo Direct. Sadly, we've been here before with Nintendo Directs.
There was talk of a Nintendo Direct coming on January 11, which was due to announce the Nintendo Switch Pro, Mario Kart 9, and Super Mario Odyssey 2. Anyone could've come up with this realistic-looking list of future Nintendo titles, the date came and went, and we've been left still waiting for news of an official Nintendo Direct. They say patience is a virtue, but a year-and-a-half could be pushing it!
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