Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash team on HD development, new characters, amiibo, and online play
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 23 Comments
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash finally launched in Japan last week. To celebrate, Famitsu spoke with a few developers who worked on the game. The lineup includes director Shugo Takahashi and producer Hiroyuki Takahashi from Camelot as well as Nintendo producer Toshiharu Izuno.
Our complete translation of the interview can be found after the break. The staff touched on topics like approaching HD development for the first time, how new characters were selected, amiibo integration, and online play. There’s also an interesting bit about how Nintendo was initially opposed to including Boo in Mario Tennis 64.
Aonuma on valuing feedback from Zelda fans, not trying to force messages into the games
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 79 Comments
Speaking with GamesMaster this month, Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma commented on how feedback from the fans is greatly valued.
He said:
“We’re constantly thinking about how to make it unique compared to other games, both in general as well as to others in the Zelda series. Of course, the response of fans is most important and something we care very much about, which is why recently we have been showing early previews at events like E3. We’re looking to see that there are no problems with the directions we’re taking, and are reflecting the reactions we do get into subsequent development.”
At another point of the interview, Aonuma talked about how the Zelda games are free of meaning. He finds the idea of putting ideologies in games “kind of scary.”
Aonuma stated:
“I haven’t and won’t be trying to put any message or meaning into the games. (If someone else were to make a Zelda game though, of course it might be different.) Occasionally I receive messages from fans telling me how playing Zelda games has changed their lives. While of course this makes me incredibly happy to hear, I feel a great sense of responsibility as well, so part of me feels that developers putting their own ideologies in games is kind of scary.”
That wasn’t all from Aonuma. During the same interview, he also weighed in on Link having a voice. You can find his comments about that topic here if you missed them last week.
More: Eiji Aonuma, interview, The Legend of Zelda, top
Video: Image & Form talks possibility of a SteamWorld amiibo
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Videos | 0 comments
Image & Form has prepared a new episode for its series known as “The Engine Room” – watch it below.
This time around, the studio tackles the topic of amiibo. To put it simply, Image & Form is interested in making a SteamWorld amiibo happen, but there would be a lot of work involved. They do want to continue to see fans support the idea, and they encourage everyone to share their own ideas for what the figure would look like and how it would function.
More: Amiibo, Image & Form, indie, interview, SteamWorld Heist
Shigesato Itoi on Mother 3’s development and much more
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 3 Comments
Late last year, an event for the Mother series was held in Japan. Nintendo Dream was in attendance, and spoke up with well-known designer Shigesato Itoi.
In the interview, Itoi commented on topics such as Mother 3’s development (cancelling the project on the Nintendo 64 before moving onto the Game Boy Advance), the series in general, the fans, and plenty more.
We now have a complete translation of Nintendo’s Dream’s piece. To read it in full, head past the break.
More: interview, Mother 3, Nintendo Dream, Shigesato Itoi, top
Genei Ibun Roku #FE devs on how the setting and Fire Emblem characters were chosen
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 19 Comments
Last week, we posted some translated excerpts from Nintendo Dream’s Genei Ibun Roku #FE interview. It’s a very interesting read since it gives you more of a clear picture about the project’s origins and how the game eventually turned into an RPG. If you missed it, be sure to check it out here.
We have a few final excerpts from Nintendo Dream’s piece today. Primarily, today’s topics include an in-depth explanation as to how the setting was decided upon, and how the team determined which characters from Fire Emblem to include.
Head past the break for the translation. The comments are from the interview with producer Hitoshi Yamagami (Nintendo), director Kaori Ando (Nintendo), producer Shinjiro Takata (Atlus), director Eiji Ishida (Atlus), chief director Wataru Hirata (Atlus), and art director Fumitaka Yano (Atlus).
Aonuma unsure about having Link speak in Zelda games
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 80 Comments
In an interview with GamesMaster this month, Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma shared some thoughts about the possibility of having Link speak. He does believe that this could be a good idea, but at the same time, he also “feels that that air of proud independence he has because he doesn’t speak is a precious part of the individuality of his character.”
Aonuma’s words in full:
“We’ve had a lot of requests from fans to hear [Link’s] voice, and while in some ways I do feel that it could be good to have a game where he speaks, part of me also feels that that air of proud independence he has because he doesn’t speak is a precious part of the individuality of his character. I want to think long and hard about whether changing that would be for the better or not before I make any decision.”
Link has been known throughout the history of Zelda as being a silent protagonist. If he were to be given a voice, that would definitely have a notable impact on the series. How would you feel if Link spoke in a Zelda title?
More: Eiji Aonuma, interview, The Legend of Zelda, top
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam – Miiverse Miiting – lack of Paper Luigi and original characters, more
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 10 Comments
Nintendo held a “Miiverse Miiting” for Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam earlier today. This is the Big N’s interview series on the social community involving the game’s developers.
A number of topics were discussed in today’s Miiting, including why Paper Luigi isn’t featured in the game, and the lack of original characters. We’ve included the full interview below.
More: AlphaDream, interview, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, top
Genei Ibun Roku #FE devs – thought about different genres, considered 3DS, more
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 39 Comments
In late December, Nintendo published Genei Ibun Roku #FE in Japan. Nintendo Dream thought it would make sense to speak with the game’s staff now that development is complete. The Japanese magazine caught up with producer Hitoshi Yamagami (Nintendo), director Kaori Ando (Nintendo), producer Shinjiro Takata (Atlus), director Eiji Ishida (Atlus), chief director Wataru Hirata (Atlus), and art director Fumitaka Yano (Atlus). That’s quite a number of developers indeed!
We’ve translated a lengthy part of the interview below. The excerpts are very insightful, as the developers spoke about how they thought about different genres for the project, considered 3DS (even making a project plan), and more.
Yacht Club made Shovel Knight amiibo work in the box due to fan feedback
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 5 Comments
All amiibo figures Nintendo have shipped thus far have a protective piece preventing consumers from using them while in the box. However, Yacht Club Games opted for a different approach with Shovel Knight. It’s actually possible to scan the character without removing him from the box.
Speaking with Polygon, Yacht Club’s David D’Angelo said the team went in this direction due to fan feedback. He explained:
“We got a lot of feedback from fans before release who wanted to be able to scan the amiibo inside the packaging so they could still use the figure [in-game] while keeping it as a collector’s item. We didn’t see much issue with their request: while you can stand with a 3DS in store and try to scan it — we didn’t think that was actually something people would do due to the nature of the content we were making.”
Nintendo was completely fine with Yacht Club’s decision, and signed off on having Shovel Knight ship without the protective piece.
More: Amiibo, David D'Angelo, interview, Shovel Knight
Atlus teases “several unannounced titles”, says 2016 is a year where its popular series gather
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 2 Comments
Atlus CEO Naoto Hiraoka was interviewed in this week’s issue of Famitsu. On the topic of the company’s 2016 and future plans, Hiraoka said:
“In 2015, we were able to develop existing IP like Persona 4: Dancing All Night and Etrian Mystery Dungeon. In 2016, starting with Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir, we plan to release a large number of titles. In the summer, we’ll launch the long-awaited Persona 5. Of course, in addition to that we have several unannounced titles. I have no doubt this will be a year Atlus’ popular series all gather together.”
Etrian Odyssey V is long overdue, and should hit Japan this year. As for other surprises? We can only hope that Atlus will continue to spread the love on Nintendo platforms!
