News: E310 | Aonuma Grilled on Zelda: Skyward Sword, OOT 3D Page 1

E310 | Aonuma Grilled on Zelda: Skyward Sword, OOT 3D

17.06.2010

E310 | Aonuma Grilled on Zelda: Skyward Sword, OOT 3D on Nintendo gaming news, videos and discussion

With two games in development, producer and all-round Zelda fanatic Eiji Aonuma talked Skyward Sword, OoT, MotionPlus and more.

Nintendo announced the pair this week at the annual E3 conference, revealing a fluid, painted art style and controls for their latest console Zelda offering, and several snaps from an Ocarina of Time remake for 3DS. Both games are venturing into newer areas for Nintendo, so Aonuma had a fair bit to say when speaking to IGN on crafting the new entries.

On The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Former Capcom designer Hidemaro Fujibayashi, who worked on fan favourites Minish Cap and the Oracles duo, is acting as director for Skyward Sword.

The team weren't able to get the most out of MotionPlus initially, but with Wii Sports Resort offering a natural swordplay experience, the technology was incoporated for a more free and varied approach.

Image for E310 | Aonuma Grilled on Zelda: Skyward Sword, OOT 3D

The use of MotionPlus has had a "dramatic effect on the strategy". Before it was all based on timing, now there's been a shift to location - see where the enemy is blocking, attacking from and vary your approach based on that. It's hightly affected how character designs and puzzles came about as well.

For now Link will be right handed in the game. Because a lot of the game's structure is based on location/direction this time round, Nintendo would have to make a mirrored game (essentially a second game) if Link were to be left handed. "We just hope that people will play it right-handed."

In Wind Waker, Link was very young and so the cell-shaded nature Aojuma felt was a good match. Now that Link takes on an older role, the "art style grew up a little bit".

The team talked about orchestration for some time. Miyamoto said at E3 "I guess we're going to have to" (almost reluctantly, it seems). Although it's near enough confirmed, Miyamoto may just change his mind at a later point.

On The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for 3DS

The team had considered remaking Ocarina of Time on many occasions, even a possible Wii version, but Aonuma declined. He wanted a specific reason to revisit the game, not a simple port.

3D allows Hyrule to have some depth and appear differently, "unique in its own way", a more immersive feeling".

There'll be some new ways in implementing 3D into the gameplay and add fresh, new elements to the classic.

"So again, not just a port -- but a retelling of the tale using new technologies to reinvent it."

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Azuardo 17.06.2010#1

Former Capcom designer Hidemaro Fujibayashi, who worked on fan favourites Minish Cap and the Oracles duo, is acting as director for Skyward Sword.

This makes me very happy and I am now looking even more forward to the game.

( Edited 14.01.2013 18:43 by Guest )

JoshSL 17.06.2010#2

Former Capcom designer Hidemaro Fujibayashi, who worked on fan favourites Minish Cap and the Oracles duo, is acting as director for Skyward Sword.

Fuck yes. God tier characters and tons of cameos confirmed! Brilliant fantastic news.

However

The team talked about orchestration for some time. Miyamoto said at E3 "I guess we're going to have to" (almost reluctantly, it seems). Although it's near enough confirmed, Miyamoto may just change his mind at a later point.

This plain worries/disturbs me. That kind of attitude is what I don't like about Miyamoto.

And now OoT 3DS...

"So again, not just a port -- but a retelling of the tale using new technologies to reinvent it."

Brilliant.
I completely second Aonuma's decision to not remake it on Wii. With the 3DS they can make it look lovely AND be handheld. It was a good decision to wait until now.

( Edited 14.01.2013 18:43 by Guest )

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meeto_0 17.06.2010#3

I dont understand the reasoning for why it would be a port on wii (motion plus would change how it was played just as much as the DS stylus) but the 3ds will change it enough to be considered not a mere port.

Cant wait to see what they change so its a retelling. 3D wont retell the story.

( Edited 11.12.2012 23:00 by Guest )

Canyarion 17.06.2010#4

It's good to hear that OoT 3DS is more than just a port.

( Edited 11.12.2012 23:00 by Guest )

JoshSL 17.06.2010#5

meeto_0 said:
I dont understand the reasoning for why it would be a port on wii (motion plus would change how it was played just as much as the DS stylus) but the 3ds will change it enough to be considered not a mere port.

There's a big difference between a remake and a port. A port would mean it looks like the original with few extras, but a full remake is like graphics, music, different text/story progression etc.

Perhaps a Wii version would be too much work? This is only a side project afterall, Nintendo don't have enough teams to work on that many Zelda and Mario games at once, amongst other things.

Besides like I said being handheld is an additional reason to have a rerelease.

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mooojc 17.06.2010#6

I don't understand why Miyamoto wouldn't fully support orchestration music, it is essential. And wow so OoT 3DS won't just be a port but a remake? Can't wait to see what improvements they make.

crackedthesky 17.06.2010#7

Sounds like the report on Aounuma hating the graphics didn't hold much water.
I wonder what Miyamoto dislikes about using a live orchestra? And why he was okay with doing it for Mario but a bit reluctant to do it for Zelda?

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crackedthesky 17.06.2010#8

meeto_0 said:
I dont understand the reasoning for why it would be a port on wii (motion plus would change how it was played just as much as the DS stylus) but the 3ds will change it enough to be considered not a mere port.
Cant wait to see what they change so its a retelling. 3D wont retell the story.

It wouldn't. It doesn't say that anywhere.
"The team had considered REMAKING Ocarina of Time on many occasions, even a possible Wii version..."
It would've been a remake no matter which version they had gone with.

NNID: crackedthesky
My blog, mostly about writing: http://www.davidjlovato.com

PMD (guest) 18.06.2010#9

But meeto was using the word port, which was what SuperLink was responding to. And I agree they shouldn't invest too much time remaking it since it is, after all, just a side project. I would much rather have a new game built with 3D in mind.

Also, I can see how Miyamoto wouldn't want orchestrated music since it is a lot less flexible than midi. Same with text vs voice acting. But I think most people would rather have orchestrated music than dynamic music.

jb 18.06.2010#10

Miyamoto is such a twat I swear.

He's so reluctant to put in orchestrated/live instrumental music - why? Nintendo are a big enough company and can easilly afford to record proper music, over midi. A game like Zelda definitely needs proper instrumental recordings at the very least.

You can still record different variations of a song if you want to add some dynamic elements/different pace. You can get ambient tunes with more realistic sounding instruments/synths.

Zelda doesn't have to sound all epic/orchestrated all the time, but at least use real live instrumental recordings over midi, imo.

Voiceovers I'm not too fussed about, but would certainly help for NPCs - Link doesn't usually have a script anyway.

For example the final Bowser level music in Galaxy 1/2 has some Zelda tones, and would work pretty well (the opening minute or so:

I bet it'll still be dungeon after dungeon - because of Miyamoto holding the series back.

( Edited 18.06.2010 09:54 by jb )

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DisAfecT 18.06.2010#11

Definitely looking forward to this. the battle scheme sounds interesting, I wonder how they will implement this...

Show Spoiler

Martin_ 19.06.2010#12

Yeah I find Zelda really formulaic, now. I'll be well interested to see how OoT turns out, though. As for the music, perhaps Miyamoto doesn't particularly like the way Zelda music sounds when orchestrated maybe? Other than that I can think of no reason. Nintendo certainly have the chips to fork out for it. Meh.