While I find it difficult to believe that a third party accessory company (allegedly) got the release date for Nintendo's next console, that's the rumor surrounding Performance Designed Products (PDP).
It's reported that at the GameStop Conference in San Antonio, PDP let slip the release date for the Nintendo Wii U as November 18. Since then, however, they've gone on the defensive, saying they never knew Nintendo's planned release date for the new console.
PDP's Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, William Otte, has released an official statement on the matter:
"Performance DesignedProducts ("PDP") is aware of recent rumors posted alleging that PDPinadvertently "leaked" the official release date of the upcomingNintendo Wii U gaming system during a trade presentation earlier today.To be clear, PDP has no knowledge whatsoever of the official Wii Urelease date, and thus it is not possible for PDP to have "leaked"this information.
During PDP's presentation of our fall line of gaming accessories tocustomers at a trade event, we stated that our Wii U accessories would beavailable at launch. Much later in the presentation we showed our EpicMickey 2: The Power of 2 accessories for the Wii and confirmed that the Wiiaccessories will be in stores by the game's November 18 launch date.Connecting the Wii U launch and Epic Mickey 2 peripheral launch dates isinaccurate and false. PDP has no knowledge whether this is the official Wii U release date or not."
Otte also explained to Kotaku, "Connecting the Wii U launch and Epic Mickey 2 peripheral launch dates is inaccurate and false. PDP has no knowledge whether this is the official Wii U release date or not."
Nintendo has not confirmed the date, seeming content to wait until their New York event where they'll make their own announcement, that will teach consumers "more about how the Wii U will change the future of gaming and entertainment."
Hosted by Nintendo of America's President and COO, Reggie Fils-Aime, the event is scheduled for September 18.
