Rose Lappin from Nintendo Australia will be presenting this keynote and shortly thereafter it will be Microsoft's turn to take to the stage at 4:10PM AEST, where David McLean will present a keynote on convergence and the Live Anywhere concept.
Latest Photo:
15:20
Hi everyone. After Luke's admirable effort with the Sony keynote, this is James taking over while Luke goes to rest his fingers. We're just sitting here with a whole bunch of "display only" retail boxes in front of us.
15:22
Here we go. Introductions are in progress. Rose Lappin will be presenting.
15:22
"Only 20 days to go until the system launches." Speech will only be short before they move onto demonstrations.
15:24
Nintendo is trying to reduce "gamer drift" as older gamers play less games.
15:25
"To date more than 2 million people have linked together across the world for quick and free gaming". In order to increase the number of people who are playing Wii we need to make people will "feel like turning on the Wii every day." Wii hardware will include several software applications; Disc channel, photo channel and Mii channel.
15:27
Wii shop Channel will be used to purchase software. Are you EXCITED yet?
15:27
VC downloads for third parties will be priced similarly to Nintendo's previously quoted figures for Australia, although not necessarily the same. She's back to talking about touching the Wii everyday. So many puns...
15:29
The Wii will be launched with "the ultimate Zelda game". There will be around 20 games in total at launch. Red Steel will be playable on the show floor.
15:30
"Most retailers are expecting a sell-out, if not on the first day, then in the first week." She's urging us to pre-order in order to avoid disapointment. Quick, stop reading this update and go now!
15:32
Vispi is now up on stage demoing the Wii interface. Disc channel, Mii Channel, Photo Channel. Onto Wii shop - 26 available at launch, SNES, NES, N64 & Sega Master System. One off payment - Wii remembers your purchase.
15:35
"Wii Connect 24 is our fancy marketing talk for how the Wii never turns off." Showing Weather, but it's in Japanese. Now into the messages and Calendar - "this is how Wii will appeal to non-gamers".
15:38
Vispi introduces Catalina and Greg (who Vispi accidentally calls Calum - "Oops, I shouldn't do that, he's my boss"). They're playing Wii Tennis. Vispi is actually pretty funny, I think he's been studying up on how Reggie works.
15:42
Catalina and Greg have moved onto Wii Sports. Vispi says there's, "nothing better than having a game with your father". Maybe some repressed issues there...
15:42
Now Callum is up on the stage. Vispi; "If you're a gaming fan, and most of you are, then I don't need to preach to you about Zelda. This is technically the greatest game of all time." Callum is playing the E3 demo of Twilight Princess.
15:48
"This is the first time ever a Zelda game has been rated M. I'm excited."
15:51
Completed E3 demo - moves onto fishing demo.
15:55
... they decided to say "who wants some free stuff" and starting throwing Wii T-shirts into the crowd. Of course everyone rushed to the stage. It also ended in our laptop almost being crushed. A couple of people were fighting in front of us. We've got some great pics. Wii riots?
15:57
And it's over. Apparently Microsoft will be revealing some breaking news in its keynote, which will be up next. Stay tuned. I'm off to go reflect on my near-death experience.
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