Aonuma wants Zelda to appeal to everyone, Wind Waker HD and A Link Between Worlds influence/impact Zelda Wii U
Nintendo has previously spoken about making Zelda accessible. This is something that was discussed even prior to the reveal of Skyward Sword. And it’s something that Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma is striving for, though he’s not looking to lessen the experience.
Speaking with IGN, Aonuma said the following when asked if he’s trying to reintroduce any themes given how long the 3D Zeldas have been around:
“That’s a tough one. Well, for us, when we’re developing a new Zelda, we’re not necessarily focused on which target audience we’re aimed at. We definitely think about who the target audience is, but we’re not focused on a specific age range or specific gender. What we want is a wide audience, so that this game is open and accessible to as wide an audience as possible and everyone enjoys it.”
“I think there’s been a tendency lately to see games as more focused in on a specific audience or a specific age. We’re seeing that range of interest in a game become narrower as we feel like we’re forced to make a game that appeals to a certain group. If we don’t make it appeal to a teenager, then it’s not a game that they’re going to mark off on their calendar.”
“What I want to do going forward is to find that balance, where the game appeals to a wide audience, but is still true to what we’re trying to create. That’s the challenge for us, trying to find that balance. Going forward, I want to make Zelda accessible to a wide audience. It’s trying to find that direction and the vehicle through which we can accomplish that goal that’s the challenge we face every day in development.”
Aonuma also spoke about how Zelda: Wind Waker HD and A Link Between Worlds will influence Zelda’s original entry on Wii U, noting:
“Of course, we’re looking at the new Zelda game for Wii U, and absolutely, working on these titles has influenced and impacted the development of the new Wii U title. For example, in Wind Waker, we’re using the GamePad to travel around in the boat, using it almost like a GPS controller. I really want to take that mechanic and implement it in the Wii U game. I’m not saying that we’re going to be in a boat, but we’re going to be traveling around in the adventure. I think the GamePad is something that can allow us to make that as smooth and enjoyable an experience for the end user as possible.”
“Also, with A Link Between Worlds, we have some brand new elements, some never before seen in Zelda play styles in that game. I don’t have any direct or concrete examples, but it’s definitely bleeding over into the development on Wii U.”
“So what we’re seeing is… I think it’s a Zelda that incorporates some of the elements that players have come to love in the series and want to see, and also marrying them with new technologies and some new play styles from A Link Between Worlds. It’s all coming around full circle. It all ties in together.”
