Project H.A.M.M.E.R. for Wii, initially shown at E3 2006 alongside the console's unveiling, has since been left in the tool shed to collect dust. After the title was rumored to be axed, and was conspicuously missing from their E3 presentation, we asked Nintendo's Beth Llewellyn to clarify.

What's the status of Project H.A.M.M.E.R. or Disaster: Day of Crisis?

Disaster is still in development. Project H.A.M.M.E.R. we've sort of shifted resources off that title. But Disaster is still in development. Again, you have to remember, E3 is one small little blip in time and we tried to focus on a few key titles. Rest assured, there is a lot more going on behind the scenes at Nintendo. You know the company, and we always have stuff going on ...

Are you talking about the reasons why H.A.M.M.E.R. has been cancelled?

No.

Now, Ms. Llewellyn did not use the word "cancelled" but, coupled with the existing rumor, the vague shifting of resources, and a lack of protest when we specifically referred to the project as being "cancelled," the nebulous status of the project can only be interpreted as such.

[Update: Reader WiNG just reminded us of the H.A.M.M.E.R. acronym's true meaning – Hiatus: Ambiguously Muttered Message Extinguishes Reassurances.]