E3 Watch: With Miiverse, Nintendo Unveils Social Network for Wii U Consoles

The annual E3 video-game conference this week is bringing gamers a flurry of announcements to keep them excited about where the ever-evolving industry will take them next.

Ahead of the annual confab, Nintendo released a video (watch it below) to showcase how its new Wii U console (called the Wii U GamePad) will use social networking in new ways. “The machine will promote the Miiverse in which users can see what others are playing, share self-created game content and swap gaming tips,” the BBC reports.

The plan is for users to be able to connect into the network not just from the new console, but from PCs, smartphones, and 3DS handhelds.

Nintendo is hoping that the new product — which has a TV control button and can be used as a fully independent infrared TV remote — can win back some of the love of its investors, who have been ditching out of the company since Wii U was announced last year. The BBC notes that the new announcement didn’t do much to juice financials as shares only rose by 0.2% on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Monday.

Miiverse will be available at launch of Wii U, while access from other devices like smartphones will be available later. Miiverse members will be also to “send typed or handwritten messages to other Miiverse members as well as drawings,” the BBC reports.

"We believe it can solve the issue of 'alone together'," said Nintendo’s global president, Satoru Iwata. "We believe it enables the sharing of more smiles, more laughs and more empathy." And, of course, if Nintendo has its way, more money. Watch Iwata's pre-E3 remarks below.