Shigeru Miyamoto, the development hero at the heart of Nintendo’s software output, has told MSNBC that his firm no longer sees E3 as the best way to target the core gaming audience.

“While attending an E3 event like this, [gamers] might be given the impression that Nintendo is no longer focusing on the games that appeal to the core gamer,” he explained. “In fact we’re still working on many of those titles, but it’s just not the type of event where we’ll be showcasing that anymore.

“I think that there’s probably one other element to it, and that’s that our view of how we use E3 has changed. For a very long time, E3 was an event where — and certainly Nintendo included — catered specifically to the core gamer. Now we look at it more as an opportunity for us to introduce new concepts and new types of play that we intend to bring to the broader audience, particularly because of the media that gathers at E3 now.”

The Nintendo guru went on to add, however, that in his opinion the Wii does in fact serve the core gamer: “I want to clarify that the concept that Wii intentionally does not cater to core gamers is probably a misconception, and perhaps one that’s almost a PR tactic used by some of the other companies to paint us as a company that’s not targeting core gamers.

“In fact, while we may not be focusing on the high-end graphics and technology that core gamers would typically be drawn to, the types of games we create, and continue to create, are certainly games that people who play games would certainly want to continue playing.

The comments tie-in to remarks made by outspoken NoA boss Reggie Fils-Aime earlier in the week in response to internet claims that Nintendo had abandoned its faithful hardcore at its E3 press briefing.

“How could you feel left out?” CVG quotes. “The Animal Crossing that we've been hearing about that people wanted, fully connected to the internet, go to other people's towns. Plus as I said, Grand Theft Auto on the DS. How do you feel left out with those types of announcements?

"Make no mistake, Mr. Iwata said quite clearly – Mario teams, Zelda teams are working, they're bringing product out for Wii this generation. We're going to continue to bring all our best franchises to both of our key platforms and continue driving that experience both core as well as brand new consumers."