Nintendo has cancelled Nintendo Live 2024 Tokyo and postponed multiple competitive events after receiving persistent threats targeting employees and participants.
The moves, confirmed in a Nintendo press release, affect flagship community events tied to Splatoon 3 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch.
Background and immediate impact
Nintendo Live, an annual fan event showcasing tournaments, concerts and hands-on demos, was scheduled to return to Tokyo in January 2024.
Nintendo announced the complete cancellation of the Tokyo event to prioritize the safety of staff and attendees.
In the same statement, the company confirmed the postponement of several major competitive fixtures: the Splatoon 3 Koshien 2023 National Championships, the Splatoon 3 World Championship 2024, the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Online Challenge Finals, and the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe World Championships 2024.
Details from Nintendo's statement
In its press release, Nintendo said that threats had been directed at employees in the lead-up to the Splatoon Koshien 2023 finals, which were scheduled for December 16 and December 17, and that those threats subsequently extended to other staff and event participants.
The company said this escalation led it to postpone the cited tournaments and cancel Nintendo Live 2024 Tokyo to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Nintendo also noted it will publish further updates about rescheduling and ticketing on its official website and social media channels.
Community context and recent history
Nintendo Live first expanded beyond Japan with an event in the United States in Seattle in September 2023, running alongside PAX and offering fans a localized version of the live experience.
The franchise of events has been an important outlet for Nintendo's competitive and community engagement around Splatoon 3 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch.
What to expect next
Nintendo has committed to providing more information regarding the postponed competitions and any potential rescheduling.
For verified updates, Nintendo directs fans to its official website and verified social accounts.
The company framed the cancellations and postponements as necessary precautions in response to credible threats, emphasizing staff and attendee safety as the primary concern.
The moves, confirmed in a Nintendo press release, affect flagship community events tied to Splatoon 3 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch.
Background and immediate impact
Nintendo Live, an annual fan event showcasing tournaments, concerts and hands-on demos, was scheduled to return to Tokyo in January 2024.
Nintendo announced the complete cancellation of the Tokyo event to prioritize the safety of staff and attendees.
In the same statement, the company confirmed the postponement of several major competitive fixtures: the Splatoon 3 Koshien 2023 National Championships, the Splatoon 3 World Championship 2024, the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Online Challenge Finals, and the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe World Championships 2024.
Details from Nintendo's statement
In its press release, Nintendo said that threats had been directed at employees in the lead-up to the Splatoon Koshien 2023 finals, which were scheduled for December 16 and December 17, and that those threats subsequently extended to other staff and event participants.
The company said this escalation led it to postpone the cited tournaments and cancel Nintendo Live 2024 Tokyo to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Nintendo also noted it will publish further updates about rescheduling and ticketing on its official website and social media channels.
Community context and recent history
Nintendo Live first expanded beyond Japan with an event in the United States in Seattle in September 2023, running alongside PAX and offering fans a localized version of the live experience.
The franchise of events has been an important outlet for Nintendo's competitive and community engagement around Splatoon 3 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch.
What to expect next
Nintendo has committed to providing more information regarding the postponed competitions and any potential rescheduling.
For verified updates, Nintendo directs fans to its official website and verified social accounts.
The company framed the cancellations and postponements as necessary precautions in response to credible threats, emphasizing staff and attendee safety as the primary concern.
