Nintendo Japan cancels Nintendo Live 2024 and Splatoon event over safety fears
The company says its employees have been the subject of threats, which have spread to fans
Nintendo Japan has cancelled a series of public events that were scheduled to take place in Tokyo this month and next over safety concerns.
Following persistent threats targeting its employees, which it said had recently spread to attendees and event staff, the Splatoon Koshien 2023 National Finals and Nintendo Live 2024 will no longer go ahead.
The former was previously scheduled to take place from December 16-17 at the Ota Sogo Gymnasium in Tokyo, while the latter was set to be held at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition centre from January 20-21, 2024.
The company said it had decided to cancel the events because it couldn’t sufficiently ensure the safety of its customers.
“Our company has been persistently receiving threatening behaviour targeting our staff,” Nintendo said in a statement translated by VGC contributor Robert Sephazon.
“Recently, these threats have extended to the audience and staff of the Splatoon Koshien 2023 National Finals event as well. With consideration to the safety of our customers as our top priority, we have decided to postpone the event.”
“Nintendo Live 2024 Tokyo… has been cancelled due to the inability to ensure the safety of our customers,” it added.
The Splatoon 3 World Championship 2024, the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Online Challenge Final Stage, and the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe World Championship 2024, which were scheduled to take place at Nintendo Live 2024, have been postponed.
Nintendo said a new schedule for the tournaments will be announced on its website and official X account once it has been decided.
“We deeply apologise to our customers who were looking forward to these events and ask for your understanding in this matter,” it said.
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Following the event’s return in Japan in 2022, the Nintendo Live fanfest headed to the United States earlier this year.
Nintendo Live 2023, which was held in Seattle in September, featured Switch gameplay opportunities, live stage performances, gaming tournaments, photo ops and other activities.
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