GamePad Features for Breath of the Wild Rejected Due to Disrupting Gameplay Experience
Posted on June 16 2016 by Kristen G. Rosario
A feature that was lacking in the E3 demo of Breath of the Wild was the lack of GamePad features. Back during the 2014 playthrough during The Game Awards, they showed Aonuma access a mini-map of Hyrule on the GamePad, but the newest build of the game doesn’t have that (with the map now being on the main screen). The closest thing to a dual-play feature it has now is that it picks up the users voice via the controllers microphone. Now Aonuma is finally talking about why this new Zelda title doesn’t have any big GamePad features.
In an interview with Wired about Breath of the Wild, Aonuma is asked why there aren’t any GamePad features for the game like in Star Fox Zero. He states that there are no unique things to do dual screen gameplay-wise because it disrupts your overall play experience. Aonuma compared it to having a GPS on your lap in your car when driving. He explains further in the excerpt from the Wired interview below.
“We realized that having something on the GamePad and looking back and forth between the TV screen and the GamePad actually disrupts the gameplay, and the concentration that the game player may be experiencing. You have your car’s GPS system on your dash. If you had it down in your lap, you’re going to get into an accident! Still, you can play the game entirely on the GamePad screen, if you like. Considering how vast the world is, it would keep you from monopolizing the TV.” — Eiji Aonuma
What do you think about the lack of dual screen features for Breath of the Wild? Does it take away from the game overall? Let us know in the comments below and make sure to stay tuned here to Zelda Informer as we’ll have more Zelda E3 goodness coming straight to you!
Source: Wired
Kristen G. Rosario is an Editor who joined Zelda Dungeon back in September of 2015. His current goal is to become a full-time video game journalist, hoping to eventually gain a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. While he pursues that dream, he not only takes care of his adorable dachshund Angel, but also helps run a YouTube channel with his brother. The Zelda series is a quest he hasn’t fully completed yet, but hopes to get there one day.
