Worries about being bitten by infected pigs at E3 2009 may have put a damper on the giant video game expo, but those fears haven't affected Nintendo's plans to exhibit its wares next week.
The company told Kotaku today it has not restricted international travel for key Nintendo employees due to concerns over swine flu, which may not actually be transmitted via pig bites. Nintendo video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto and president Satoru Iwata will make E3 appearances as planned.
"Nintendo has been carefully monitoring the situation worldwide and is taking appropriate steps to minimize health risks for everyone," Nintendo said in an official statement. "As of now, Nintendo has no travel bans in place, but is instructing employees whose travel cannot wait to take precautions, such as wearing protective masks and washing their hands frequently."
Companies including Capcom, Square Enix, and Koei have all expressed plans to limit travel to the U.S. amid health concerns. But Nintendo fans can count on smiles, not surgical masks, on faces at E3.
"Video game fans can rest assured that Nintendo President Satoru Iwata will be presenting during the company's E3 Expo media briefing the morning of June 2, and that legendary Nintendo video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto will host a developer roundtable event later that day."
If anything, Miyamoto may be able to turn swine flu pandemic concerns into a strong game concept. And, no, Dr. Mario doesn't count!