New Zelda game won't have 'typical multiplayer'

Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma talks about multiplayer in Zelda, the possibility of downloadable content, and why the games are likely to stick with the fantasy setting.

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Last week's E3 marked two years since Nintendo teased a new Zelda title with a sharp-looking Wii U tech demo. We didn't see hide nor hair of the game at this year's show, but producer Eiji Aonuma has dropped a few more clues about what Nintendo is considering for Link's next adventure.

Aonuma had previously remarked that the company is rethinking the series as a single-player experience. Speaking to Nintendo Life, he clarified what he meant.

"In saying it's not a single-player or lone experience, I didn't necessarily mean multiplayer," he said. "But for example in [the Wii U version of The] Wind Waker, with the Tingle Bottle--it's not a traditional multiplayer experience but you certainly have the feeling that other people are exploring the same world and sharing information." In the updated HD port for Nintendo's latest home console, players can leave notes for each other online via Miiverse, similar to how players can converse with each other in New Super Mario Bros U. "So that's one way that I meant that it's not a single-player experience. We'll continue to explore different ways of opening up this world beyond a single-player experience, but that's not necessarily to say that there will be typical multiplayer."

Nintendo has also started offering downloadable content recently, and Aonuma says that is something his team is considering for Zelda. He offers new environments as an example, but says they have to consider how to make it worth it for players. "It's certainly a balancing act, but I can't say that it is something we're not considering."

Finally, those hoping for Zelda to go steampunk or futuristic will probably be disappointed. He remarked that the environments in Zelda are a mix of Japanese and Western influence, which allows creative flexibility. "I don't see us making any drastic changes, unless it really suits the story," he said.

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  • reply
    June 17, 2013 10:20 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, New Zelda game won't have 'typical multiplayer'.

    Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma talks about multiplayer in Zelda, the possibility of downloadable content, and why the games are likely to stick with the fantasy setting.

    • reply
      June 18, 2013 2:07 AM

      Please keep core Zelda games a single player experience. And going a little into the future wouldn't be so bad and its time to add voice acting to this series. Those 2 could change the game experience and freshen it up a bit.

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        June 18, 2013 4:11 AM

        SciFi & voice acting? You must be thinking of Final Fantasy.. Keep that out of my Zelda please. ;)

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          June 18, 2013 10:46 PM

          Oh did I say Sci-Fi? Oh no I didn't. Plus Twilight Princess features the City in the Sky which was obviously a technological feat hence futuristic and Skyward Sword features the Ancient Robots in a story which was before all others. So Nintendo has touched upon futuristic elements before within the Zeldaverse. Now it'd be cool to see them evolve the series to an industrial revolution type era where magic is losing ground to technology or they have been combined. In fact Nintendo has kind of even touched upon that with Spirit Tracks. So Nintendo has dabbled with futuristic things but I think it's time for the series to evolve a little further down the timeline which could allow for new things to be done with the gameplay which Aonuma wants to do anyways.

          And I've always wanted to hear the characters actually talk as it would really help immersion IMO. That and I've just finished the Witcher 2 again and I'm a little biased on that.

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      June 18, 2013 2:53 AM

      [deleted]

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      June 18, 2013 4:02 AM

      Multiplayer Zelda is tantamount to heresy!

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      June 18, 2013 4:09 AM

      MP Zelda Four Swords on Gamecube was actually quite fun. Not exactly your typical Zelda experience; but fun nonetheless.. Perfect for those "now I'm your friend, now I'm not" moments.
      People basically said the same regarding MP Mario and look what happenned..

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      June 18, 2013 4:35 AM

      [deleted]

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