More information about Skyward Sword

Hey guys.

While talking with other people on the staff, I managed to come across gamespot, and them being at Nintendo’s Conference. This usually happens after most events, which is how we got the artwork last year. This year, there is another conference, and we have some new, decent details about the game, as listed below: (This does contain spoilers, so look at your own risk)

*Starts from the bottom to the top

• Posted 7:21 PST Answer: No.
• Posted 7:21 PST He asked if the images of the evolution of the Zelda series in the trailer has to do with the story.
• Posted 7:20 PST Last question.
• Posted 7:20 PST Aonuma says that the pace will vary enough, with puzzle solving and exploring and whatnot, that it shouldn’t be a problem. But the demo on the show floor made it look like its constant combat.
• Posted 7:19 PST But he plays it a LOT, apparently.
• Posted 7:19 PST Miyamoto says he does get a bit tired playing it at the office.
• Posted 7:18 PST Next question wonders if the developers worry that the sword fighting mechanic will tire out players.
• Posted 7:17 PST Much of the staff of Spirit Tracks is working on Skyward Sword.
• Posted 7:17 PST Aonuma said the whip originated in Spirit Tracks, and that the same person is handling the mechanic in Skyward Sword.
• Posted 7:17 PST Next question talks about how he just beat Spirit Tracks on the plane and wants to know if the whip originated in Spirit Tracks or Skyward Sword. He gushes about the whip item at length.
• Posted 7:15 PST Miyamoto says one of the goals of the game is to have gameplay be as seamless as possible.
• Posted 7:14 PST Aonuma said that it was a decision to provide more seamless combat.
• Posted 7:14 PST Next questioner says he noticed that Link could drink potions while running in Zelda, where as in the past he had to stop.
• Posted 7:08 PST Miyamoto says they have increased the number of music staff at Nintendo to write more songs.
• Posted 7:07 PST Third questioner asks whether or not Skyward Sword will have an original orchestral score or maybe even voice acting.
• Posted 7:07 PST Aonuma said that the demo at E3 will have the HUD up all the time, but they are still working on how to deal with it exactly.
• Posted 7:06 PST Second questioner expresses concern the HUD for Skyward Sword is too crowded and takes up too much real estate.
• Posted 7:05 PST In a very Japanese way, they gently explain the 3DS doesn’t really work that way. They do say it will have “push” passive updating technology, much like the Wii does. The system can be updated without being turned on.
• Posted 7:04 PST A Japanese reporter asks a question about the 3DS wireless capabilities in broken English. The panel doesn’t understand, so he repeats it in Japanese. It’s about the 3DS’ push Wi-Fi capability, which the reporter thinks will be based to a wireless carrier.
• Posted 7:00 PST The lights come up, and the session moves to Q&A.
• Posted 6:59 PST They run the trailer from this morning’s presentation again. Wait–Link? In a Zelda game? I. am. shocked.
• Posted 6:58 PST He said the Wii MotionPlus will have a new pointing system that will make the Wii Remote be used like a three-dimensional mouse.
• Posted 6:57 PST He said the pointing item system from Twilight Princess could be cumbersome because people often couldn’t find the cursor on screen.
• Posted 6:55 PST Miyamoto says the item selection process may be unfamiliar, but once players are used to it, it will feel comfortable.
• Posted 6:54 PST He said that Skyward Sword will make item management and changing clothes much easier and more streamlined.
• Posted 6:54 PST He says the 3DS version will make this process much easier.
• Posted 6:54 PST He apologizes for the long time it took to change out of iron boots going through the Water Temple.
• Posted 6:53 PST He asks how many people have played Ocarina of Time. ALL the hands go up.
• Posted 6:52 PST He said they also want to change the typical structure of Zelda games with Skyward Sword.
• Posted 6:50 PST Aonuma said the new, exaggerated art style helps in this process. “If we had kept the Twilight Princess art style, we’d be done already!”
• Posted 6:49 PST He said the Wii MotionPlus offers such precision that players have to pay close attention to the enemies. For instance, the demonstrator is fighting a scorpion, and must hit its claws at specific angles.
• Posted 6:47 PST Miyamoto said he’s a big fan of Impressionist Art, so the new art style reflects that. He said Cezanne was a big influence.
• Posted 6:47 PST Apparently Miyamoto was such a fan of the art style the approval process took one step.
• Posted 6:47 PST He said when you play the game, the cloud banks are “very impactful” and they wanted to make the art style highlight them.
• Posted 6:46 PST The sky is also very important to the game, apparently.
• Posted 6:46 PST The Skyward Sword will become the Master Sword, apparently.
• Posted 6:46 PST It’s the “master sword.”
• Posted 6:46 PST The sword possesses intelligence, and will assume the semi-human form in the teaser poster shown last year.
• Posted 6:46 PST The reason he goes down is in the title–it’s the Skyward Sword.
• Posted 6:46 PST However, the revelation prompts a series of events which forces him to go to the land beneath the clouds.
• Posted 6:44 PST One day, he learns there is a land below the clouds ruled by evil forces.
• Posted 6:44 PST In this Zelda, Link is a little boy born into a land above the clouds called Skyloft.
• Posted 6:43 PST He said the scene this morning showing Link diving off a cliff into a bank of clouds was meant to be “impactful” because it was an important event in the story.
• Posted 6:41 PST He is going to talk about the game’s story.
• Posted 6:41 PST Eiji Aonuma talking now.
• Posted 6:41 PST However, since he couldn’t guarantee it would arrive this year, he’d rather take his time and get it right.
• Posted 6:40 PST He said they need to make a few more dungeons but it’s mostly complete.
• Posted 6:40 PST He said that gameplay on Skyward Sword is almost complete, and the graphics are being polished.
• Posted 6:40 PST He said the reason they only showed a piece of teaser art at last year’s event was because of this lag.
• Posted 6:39 PST He said that there’s often a big lag from when the graphics get done and the game is completed.
• Posted 6:38 PST Miyamoto said that the goal of Skyward Sword is to get back to basics and focus on what makes them really fun.
• Posted 6:37 PST Nintendo of America has now apparently confirmed a full-fledged remake of Ocarina of Time for the 3DS, so those demos opening up the show are a taste of a real game.
• Posted 6:36 PST A member of the Treehouse development team takes the stage for a demo.
• Posted 6:36 PST He apologizes that a glitch on stage this morning was wireless interference, and a majority of people in the audience who have played the game agree.
• Posted 6:35 PST Miyamoto suggests they move onto Skyward Sword. He jokes about his performance this morning, and invites Eiji Aonuma to the podium.