Interesting New Interview

Club Nintendo (CN): Good Morning, Mr. Eiji! Thanks for the interview. Before we start talking about the game, tell us: What does the Legend of Zelda, and its character Link, represent in your life?

Eiji Aonuma (EA): A lot; it is definitely very important to me. Actually, I think that I can only work on Zelda games now because everything I really want to do, I can only do and accomplish with the [Zelda] franchise. I'm really excited about working and developing games like this.

CN: What is the reason of the change of image in this new game, instead of using the style in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker?

EA: Well, in Wind Waker, the story is based on a young Link -- actually a child Link -- and we used the cel-shading technique. With this game, you will now see a new Link. A more mature and detailed Link, in terms of graphics, which makes the game look very realistic. But this doesn't mean that I don't like the style we used [in Wind Waker]. In fact, I liked it a lot.

CN: So you went back to the first Zelda that was showed at Spaceworld 2000 for GameCube?

EA: Those images that were presented at the Spaceworld show were designed by one of the guys who worked with me on Majora's Mask, Mr. Kuisumi, who was in charge of making that video for the show. What we are showing now is totally different.

CN: We know you can't disclose any details of the game, but could you give us a sneak peek at the story and gameplay elements?

EA: We are focusing more on giving the game a very realistic tone, as you could see in the video we showed [at E3], and it's heavily influenced by Ocarina of Time. As development goes on, we will be adding new details that have worked in other titles, so we can come up with a very complete game. I'm sorry I can't tell you more, but be sure that it will be sensational.

CN: We have received several emails in which our readers ask: Will Zelda and Link ever be involved [romantically]? [laughs] I'm sorry, but we had to ask.

EA: [laughs] Good question. Well, as you already know, we are now dealing with a teenage Link, and as you know, teenagers are very emotional beings, so there are definitely possibilities of seeing Link showing his feelings towards the princess. But honestly, we don't know what the future holds.

CN: What are the similarities of this game, and the N64 games?

EA: Well, in terms of story elements, you can probably imagine what the story will be like, although I can't tell you any details. In terms of graphics, they will be totally different, and -- as I told you before -- heavily influenced by Ocarina of Time, but with a unique style. You'll have to be patient and wait for the end result.

CN: Any Zelda game for the DS planned?

EA: The Zelda team is already planning Four Swords for the Nintendo DS. This game will have a lot of connectivity and feature a lot of interaction between both screens. It will be interesting.

CN: Any plans for an Online Zelda in the future?

EA: We would probably have to think what to do in terms of an online Zelda game, what could we make in an online world, and how could we make it a fresh experience. But to tell you the truth, I don't have time to think about a project like that right now. I think that the new generation of gamers is the one that's interested in this kind of game because for them it's normal to play online; but I don't know, I would really have to think of something "different" to do with Zelda.

CN: We watched the Zelda video (several times, in fact) and we could see that Link has a horse again, which looks incredible. Is the attention to detail something very important for you?

EA: Definitely, that's something that Miyamoto always focuses on, and [that] encourages us to keep making better games. I mean, you could see the scenes in the N64 versions and watch the [Zelda] video, and you can see the difference. And graphics are a good way of showing innovation in new games.

CN: What's your favorite Zelda game, and why?

EA: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past because it was the first Zelda game I played, and the one that got me involved with the franchise.

CN: Will this new Zelda game push the GameCube to its limits?

EA: Like I said, we are working hard to add a lot more details to the graphical engine. In fact, working with this realistic Zelda title is far easier than what we did with Wind Waker, which was harder to do. Believe it or not!

CN: How long have you worked with the Zelda franchise?

EA: Eight years.

CN: Is there a solid release date for the title?

EA: [laughs] People are already making preorders for it! But for the moment there isn't a release date because we will take all the time necessary to develop an excellent title, no doubt about it. And as soon as we have more news, we will let you know.

CN: Thanks for your time, Eiji.

One part of that really stuck out to me...

EA: Well, in Wind Waker, the story is based on a young Link -- actually a child Link -- and we used the cel-shading technique. With this game, you will now see a new Link. A more mature and detailed Link, in terms of graphics, which makes the game look very realistic. But this doesn't mean that I don't like the style we used [in Wind Waker]. In fact, I liked it a lot.

This *almost* confirms my theory that this is not a direct sequel to TWW, as many people think.

Um, let me add to that sentence so that you understand it for what it really means and not what you want it to mean.

With this game, you will now see a new Link (when compared to the young Link from tWW). A more mature and detailed Link, in terms of graphics (when compared to the young Link from tWW), which makes the game look very realistic.(when compared to the young Link from tWW)

Understand now?

He's right, Reamia--it's not the character being referred to, there.

I still don't understand whether people care so much if it's the Hero of God-damned Time or not. Either way it's Link, and if he's such a badass, who cares? Are people so eager to forget The Wind Waker?

As for the interview, I read it over a few days ago. While it doesn't really tell us anything we already don't know (or haven't figured out) about the new GameCube game, the possibility of a romance doesn't sit well with me. Zelda has never been about such things. A slight sexual and emotional undertone (Link looking at Zelda a certain way, etc.) would be just fine. Anything past that just wouldn't work.

Seems to me that they changed the graphics to fit the new Teenage Link. This is just my theory but I think that they may start doing games that feature Link as a child and having Cel-Shading and the sequel being in realistic graphics and feature Link as a teenager (and continues, kid link, Teen Link, kid link, teen link). Because I beleave that I heard somewhere that they where continuing Cel-shading but perhaps not in this game but future games that feature Child Link. Which wouldnt be a bad thing it would add more diversity to the game serious.

While it doesn't really tell us anything we already don't know (or haven't figured out) about the new GameCube game, the possibility of a romance doesn't sit well with me.

A romance wouldn't sit well with me either, being a girl. I play Link and I become attached to the character I'm playing. I DO NOT want to see the character I've been playing the whole game suddenly fall in love with Zelda, because then it sort of looses the feel that that's me on the screen. I wouldn't fall in love with Zelda... why should the Link I've been playing?

Did that make sense? If they do put in romance, it won't drive me away from the series, but I wouldn't prefer it.

Romance would not fit Zelda. The ocasional looks at Zelda are okay but actual love stuff would ruin the series. The Legend of Zelda has always been an action adventure game not a romantic game. So NO I do not want to see any romance happening between Link and Zelda other than the looks.

Originally Posted by Miniblin

A romance wouldn't sit well with me either, being a girl. I play Link and I become attached to the character I'm playing. I DO NOT want to see the character I've been playing the whole game suddenly fall in love with Zelda, because then it sort of looses the feel that that's me on the screen. I wouldn't fall in love with Zelda... why should the Link I've been playing?

That kinda falls apart right at the "being a girl" part though, dosen't it? I mean, why would your voice break and hair grow on your chest? And yet these things still happen to Link. Because he's male. Similarly, chances are he's a heterosexual.

I still don't understand whether people care so much if it's the Hero of God-damned Time or not. Either way it's Link,

You might as well stop there, Sear, because that ain't right. It's not "Link", it's a Link.

That kinda falls apart right at the "being a girl" part though, dosen't it? I mean, why would your voice break and hair grow on your chest? And yet these things still happen to Link. Because he's male. Similarly, chances are he's a heterosexual.

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying... Link obviously is a boy, but he does basically what I want him to, and I don't want him falling in love with Zelda. There shouldn't be any romance, basically, and I don't want to watch Link and Zelda fall in love. Link's just a character on the screen, and the one on the screen is me; I slash the sword and say yes or no and decide what he does.

I don't know if that makes very much sense. It's hard to explain, but I think its clear I don't want any romance.