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The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword Was Originally Planned With Button Controls

By Spencer . October 18, 2011 . 2:25am

The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword Was Originally Planned With Button Controls Wii MotionPlus sword swinging controls are new for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, but the game’s defining feature wasn’t always part of producer Eiji Aonuma’s plan. Aonuma began planning the next Zelda game after completing The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Hidemaro Fujibayashi, director on Skyward Sword and a number of Zelda games for Game Boy, suggested to use Wii MotionPlus.

 

Fujibayashi was experimenting with the new hardware, but Aonuma was skeptical and stored the idea in the back of his mind. That is until Wii Sports Resort came out. After trying swordplay and archery, Aonuma felt that those mini-games had a similar feel to the Zelda series. Aonuma then told design leader Ryuji Kobayashi the game’s direction is going to change to support Wii MotionPlus. Kobayashi, unaware of Aonuma’s plan, was finalizing the basic battle controls with buttons.

 

That’s not the only change detailed in the Iwata Asks roundtable interview. Tanaka, the UI designer, was thinking about the game’s inventory system. Fujibayashi wanted an innovative system and Tanaka came up with the idea of twisting your wrist to change items. Iwata said that’s like changing the channels on an old TV. This idea was scrapped though since the wrist has a limited turning radius.

 

Early in development, the boomerang was actually the beetle, one of the new weapons made just for Skyward Sword. The weapon then evolved into a Rocket Punch, Kobayashi explained, who played around with the idea of a flying hand grabbing things. Once the design of the beetle was complete, the team started planning levels with the item in mind.


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  • http://twitter.com/Paradox_me Paradox me

    The motion controls look nice and this is actually the first time I’m looking forward to using them, but they really should have left a traditional controller option in there.

    The people that are gonna wanna play the game with the motion controls probably would have done so anyway, and I’m sure skeptics would have at least given them a try, but forcing them on players (no matter how well they work) is really just a poor decision.

    It’s all about options. I’m really not sure how anyone thought otherwise was a good idea.

    • Ren

      Eh, I believe is less of a decision as it is pretty much impossible, or too much work to actually be viable at least. Once they changed the game’s playstyle to motion controls, they redesigned the whole game for motion controls, so it would be pretty difficult to make the controls on a normal controller to work well.

      Take the slashing. Are there ways to implement the multidirectional slash system on a normal controller? Yes, there are. Are there ways to implement the system in a way that probably won’t be cumbersome? I don’t really see any, and that is only one of many different ways the motion controls will be used in this game. Some things will just not translate well or not translate at all. And if they had to change it make it work well with a normal controller, then, well, why go all the way to make it work with motion controls at all?

      And I prefer they use the time they could be using to fine-tune a normal controller system to fine tune their motion control system, since it’s the big draw of the game and all. Also, I kinda want to see a motion control game done well that isn’t just a minigame pack.

      • icecoffemix

        Here’s an idea for multidirectional slash : second analog + key modifier (as the default for it should be camera control). Not cumbersome at all imo.

        • Suicunesol

          That is possible. But come on. Do you really think that assigning sword movements to the second analog stick would be easier to use than just swinging your sword? It just sounds like you’re shoe-horning motion controls into a traditional controller. That’s just no good at all.

          • icecoffemix

            Yes, since by the eighth hour I will be playing the game, swinging the wiimote would be cumbersome (this is the kind of game that will suck your time, not a half an hour distraction). Not to mention doing it for every single mob.

            Thought at this point, no one can really tell which would work better beside Nintendo chaps

          • Suicunesol

            Maybe. But it’s no different from wearing out your thumbs from pushing analog sticks all day.

          • icecoffemix

            Better than your entire wrist (at best), don’t underestimate seasoned gamer’s thumb.

      • malek86

        I thought the big draw of a Zelda game was, you know, being a Zelda game. People would buy it even if it were on the Atari 2600 with the one-button joypad.

        • Ren

          Only if Atari were owned by Nintendo. You do remember the CD-i, don’t you?

  • http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada

    He, a Nintendo producer, expressed skepticism over Nintendo hardware?  

    I would like to try the game to see if it is really good without buttons. 

    • malek86

      Considering that even Nintendo themselves have barely made any games using the WM+ (as well as any games with proper motion controls at all in the last 3 years), I guess nobody really liked it. They probably felt they had to do it in wake of the upcoming Kinect and Move peripherals. Didn’t work, although Kinect and Move didn’t work either, so I guess people just don’t like motion controls that much.

      It will be interesting to see how much the Wii U makes use of motion controls. I get the feeling Nintendo has noticed that people don’t like them outside of quick Wii Sports and Mario Kart matches, so they’ll probably be scaling them back to only the games that actually need them.

      • James Beatty

        People don’t like bad motion controls. They sometimes improve the game greatly like in oot 3D Where  the aiming was taken care off by motion controls and it felt great. 

  • http://madebyluke.com madebyluke

    They should have left a traditional control option in there, many disabled gamers will be missing out on a Zelda game for the first time. I’d be gutted if I were stuck in that position. Bad move, Nintendo.

  • http://twitter.com/Xander_VJ David García Abril

    I’m calling it right now.

    If the game, god forbid, sucks, fanboys will refer to this as some kind of excuse.

    As in “Yeah, well, but that’s only because the game was not what it was supposed to be in the first place!”.

    • neo_firenze

      If the game sucks, don’t discount the possibility that a major change to control methods well into development may indeed be a legitimate reason. 

      I personally would be very surprised if the game isn’t good (and I expect the controls will be well implemented), but just throwing that out there. 

      • James Beatty

        The sword mechanics are based on the sword fighting mini game from wii sports resort. That mini game along was worth the full price, combine that with one of the deepest Zelda games to date with a beautiful artstyle and orchestrated music and there is no reason for this game to be bad. It seems to be deserving of the GOTY award, but it’s going to be tough competing with the likes of portal 2, skyrim, batman, etc. 

  • http://photovoltaik.bandcamp.com/ Ujn Hunter

    I wish it stuck with buttons… because then I’d actually be able to play it. Wii MotionPlus controls without the option to switch to Left Handed mode screws me. :(

    • http://twitter.com/Paradox_me Paradox me

      From what I’ve read it’s not impossible to play left-handed. I gather that it’s quite awkward at first, but once you get your footing it works well enough to enjoy the game.

      • http://photovoltaik.bandcamp.com/ Ujn Hunter

        Sure. It’s not impossible to play the game blindfolded either… but being forced to feel handicapped while playing a game isn’t much fun.

        • http://www.siliconera.com Ishaan

          Going by that theory, shouldn’t all of us right-handed gamers feel handicapped that we have to move characters using the left stick (with our left hands) in most games?

          • http://photovoltaik.bandcamp.com/ Ujn Hunter

            You are obviously not seeing the disconnect here. You’re not moving anything with your left “hand”, you’re moving with your left “thumb” and you have for 30+ years, as have I.

            The problem starts when you break that controller down and split it into two separate “hands”. You’re alienating one or the other and obviously they chose to alienate left handed players because they are the minority. Hands and fingers/thumbs are two totally different things. I’m sure everyone can press buttons and type on a keyboard with both sets of fingers/thumbs, but you can’t throw a football/baseball with your left hand, can you? How can you expect me to do so with my right hand?

            You’re just ignorant to the problem because you are not forced to deal with it. Note that I’m not making fun of you for this oversight, just stating the fact that it’s there. If you want to know how I feel, play any of your Wii games with your Wiimote in your Left hand and the Nunchuck in your Right hand. Then tell me you don’t feel handicapped.

          • http://www.siliconera.com Ishaan

            I don’t think they’re all that different, honestly. In fact, I’d argue that in the case of fighting games or perhaps even racing games, certain analog stick movements are harder to perform if you aren’t using your writing hand. 

            The fact that analog sticks are housed in such a small casing makes this even more difficult, since you have very limited room for movement. Even in third-person games, I always find it hard to make my characters “walk” as opposed to running, because you have to gradually ease the stick forward, and righties may not have that amount of control over their left hand.

            Actually, this is one the reasons I’ve always felt more comfortable playing fighting games on a keyboard. Because then, I can use my right hand for movement, using the arrow keys, which makes them a lot more accessible for me.

            Also, throwing a ball at a target requires accuracy. I don’t think this would require nearly the same kind of accuracy, since all you’re doing is swinging your hand in a certain direction. As long as you’re in range of the target, your swing is still going to hit.

    • http://myanimelist.net/profile/Kuronoa Kuronoa

      I’m a lefty but I adapted lol. Just something we have to do when it comes to motion and touch.

      • http://photovoltaik.bandcamp.com/ Ujn Hunter

        Do you have a link that verifies this? All I’ve read so far seems to verify the opposite. This would be great if it’s correct.

        • http://myanimelist.net/profile/Kuronoa Kuronoa

          Sorry edited after I typed that.  I thought it was a week ago, but apparently there was a update that isn’t once I checked new info the game. =/

  • nazna

    You guys clearly don’t know what this game is, or haven’t been following it. It is no longer possible, at all, to play this with buttons. So many of the mechanics, hell almost all of the combat mechanics, are now built around slicing in perfect precision. Whatever it started as, it’s not that game anymore. Wii Motion Plus is the core of this game, and buttons aren’t remotely possible.

  • Syltique

    Like I’ve said for a while now, Wii Sports Resort is the tech demo for Skyward Sword.  Basketball is throwing the bombs overhead, bowling is rolling the bombs, skydiving is skydiving, airplane flight is flying on the bird, swordplay is swordplay, archery is archery.  

    The motion controls are great in Resort, so if you have any doubts about how Skyward Sword will play, just give that a try.  The archery is fun just on it’s own when shooting a stationary target.  I can’t imagine how fun it will be when you’re using your bow in the context of a full Zelda game.

    • http://myanimelist.net/profile/Kuronoa Kuronoa

      THIS
      Loved Resort, so I agree I have no problems with SS’s motion.  I do have to maybe get that remote plus as I dont’ like the original motionplus with its longer design and condom…

      People are really skeptic with anything that doesn’t involve buttons.  Considering more than half the games used waggle I don’t blame them, but sometimes I think it is for the best we don’t have button controls a game made with motion in mind and works well for it would make for something much more special.

      • Syltique

        Yeah, I’m picking up the gold controller.  I just have the longer version and it is a little annoying.  But I guess it helps a bit when doing the swordfighting in resort two-handed.

  • http://twitter.com/DarylNoir Daryl

    I’m fine with motion controls, but they should’ve kept in a traditional control option. Skyward Sword is Nintendo’s biggest motion game so far. While Metroid: Other M, Donkey Kong Country Returns, and Super Mario Galaxy relied on motion controls as well, that was mostly a little pointing and shaking. It would’ve been nice for those games to have it, but Skyward Sword needs it way more than those games due to how active a role motion controls play in it.

    I hope that at the last minute Nintendo says the option of dual control options is present, but I doubt it.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Nick-Tetlow/1301633575 Nick Tetlow

      Considering how reliant the swordplay (and other aspects of the game) are on 1-1 movements, it’ll be near impossible to translate the extra axis into buttons and sticks.

      • nyobzoo

        not necessarily, using the classic controller, they could’ve use the 2nd analog controller for the sword movements

        • James Beatty

          That would be terrible

          • nyobzoo

            not really, it wouldn’t really be any different than playing a game using 2 analogs. Not to mention you could’ve made Link vertical and horizontal slash in the 3D zelda games, adding a diagonal slash to the traditional controls doesn’t seem hard at all. *point analog diagonal direction, press attack button*

          • James Beatty

            It would lose all of it’s charm. Also, the sword isn’t the only thing using the wii motion plus (which controls just as well as ps move) all the items also need precision that could not be emulated on a controller. Try out wii sports resort before thinking that the wii motion plus doesn’t work well :P

          • http://www.siliconera.com Ishaan

            Sorry, but that sounds like a legitimately horrible idea that would do nothing but make it more cumbersome to play the game, and limit how much control you have over the sword.

        • http://www.siliconera.com Ishaan

          Why make awkward controls just for the sake of putting them on a traditional controller?

          • icecoffemix

            depend on your value of “traditional controller”.

          • Guest

            Because some people prefer this method. I don`t mind waving things around in some party game for half an hour, but in a 3hr Zelda session I`d like my movements to be handled by thumbs.

          • http://www.siliconera.com Ishaan

            Look at the alternate “solutions” people are proposing though. They’re terrible. There is no alternate solution here. The game — including combat and puzzles — was re-designed from the ground up with the assumption that you now have more free control over your sword. 

            There is absolutely no reason to include traditional controls. They’re making it very clear that this isn’t a game for people who will never accept the idea of anything but a traditional controller. If they don’t like it, they don’t play it.

    • http://myanimelist.net/profile/Kuronoa Kuronoa

      Skyward Sword is also the most ambitious with motion than the ones you mentioned.  Even then Galaxy wouldn’t of been as fun without motion.  Pointing at star bits with dual analog would of been tiring and the rolling levels wouldn’t of been as entertaining for example.

  • http://twitter.com/ifarah12 Gren

    I can’t believe i’m hyped for motion controls

  • http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/members/55321.html FinalArcadia

    For this one game I’m fine with motion controls, but I hope this doesn’t become a trend for future Zeldas.

  • Suicunesol

    Come on, guys! You really want a traditional controller option AGAIN? Do you understand how motion is being used in this game? Do you understand that these are not button controls shoe-horned into waggles? Do you understand that pressing a button to pull the sword from the stone is just not the same as grabbing the sword and pulling it up yourself?

    I see gamers have been saying for years “motion controls are a gimmick, unnecessary, this and that…” I feel like this is Nintendo’s way of saying “No it isn’t. Play this.”

    So go head~! Play it first! See how the motion controls offer a swash-buckling Zelda experience like no other! And if after playing you still think button controls would be better, then go ahead and complain. But until then, I’m going to believe that my Wiimote is a sword. And it’s going to be marvelous.

    • http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/members/55321.html FinalArcadia

      You have some very valid points. However, I realize that motion control isn’t in here just for the sake of it. I’m sure Nintendo knows what they’re doing with Skyward Sword.

      My issue is that I personally don’t care to feel like I’m swinging a sword through my Wiimote. I just want to plop down on a comfy chair and relax while playing a game. And for me, that doesn’t involve any sort of movement beyond pressing a button.

      Yes, I realize I sound like the world’s laziest human being right now, but I prefer my games to be played with a controller safely nestled between my hands. And for the record, I’m not a huge slob. I actually enjoy playing DDR and am quite good at it. ;)

      I’m not trying to sound like I’m attacking you, but I just wanted to point out that not everybody thinks motion controls are gimmicky. I don’t, really. I simply don’t want them. But I’ll just have to deal with it, I guess.

      This game was made for motion controls, and that’s fine. A traditional control scheme would be next to impossible to add. But should future Zelda games utilize motion control? That’s the question, and I’ll suppose we’ll learn the answer to that come release date.

      • Suicunesol

        Good show, sir. You make valid, personal points.

        However, I feel a Zelda game with this kind of control scheme had to be made at least once. I know that when Wii was first announced, at least a handful of people thought, “Hey, with motion controls we could do this in this so-and-so game.” It’s a bit late, but such a game has appeared and I really want to see how it performs. Adding a traditional control scheme I feel would just insult the extensive work the development team has done to make a real motion control sword-fighting game. And I just know that if they hadn’t done it when the technology was available, many people would look back and wonder why.

        • http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/members/55321.html FinalArcadia

          You know, that is true. It would be kind of strange for the Wii, a console built around motion control, NOT to have a flagship title like Zelda utilize such features. Especially after Twilight Princess, which had limited (if at all; I played the Gamecube version, so I don’t know for sure) motion control integration. And this is the last chance to do so.

          It’s nice having a calm, civil conversation like this.
          Just part of why I love this site! :)

    • Eilanzer

      sry but swing a control thinking that you are swinging a sword is just lame and creepy =_=”

      • Suicunesol

        And that, my friends, is the reason hardcore players hate motion controls– because it’s lame and creepy and uncool.

        Because staring at a glowing box for hours on end while tapping little, plastic buttons makes you look way cooler.

        • thebanditking

          “Because staring at a glowing box for hours on end while tapping little, plastic buttons makes you look way cooler.”

          So we agree then, good………. ;P

        • Eilanzer

          Her…You play a game to be cool?! Sry, but gamers who want to PLAY and have FUN playing don´t use controls for something else.

          • Suicunesol

            Well, of course. ~_~ What I said was sarcasm. You play a game to have fun. Not to look cool.

  • raindog469

    I already preordered it, figuring I’d need a MotionPlus to play it anyway so I might as well get the gold Wiimote. Sure hope it doesn’t put my arm in a sling for a month the way playing Carnival Games did when I played it all Thanksgiving weekend with my niece the year it came out.

    Not having been the kind of kid who ran around with cardboard tubes or yardsticks pretending they were swords or lightsabers (that would have been my brother and his friends, none of whom play video games as adults), I think this is taking the suspension of disbelief a little too far. But I’m still going to give it a try. New Zelda games are only gonna get further and further apart at this point, so this is probably it until about 2017.

  • thaKingRocka

    After playing it at NYCC, I would really like to see the option to use a Gamecube controller. It was very awkward. Even raising my shield with the nunchuck felt off. I would have been put off with this being a typical Zelda game clocking in at 15-20 hours, but since this is supposed to be 50-100, I really don’t want to play with those motion controls. As always, I hope I change my mind, but I really just want to play Zelda like I used to. I even ignored the DS ones after trying out Phantom Hourglass’ controls and not liking them at all.

    • thebanditking

      Great thanks for confirming my fears, the last thing I want is a 100 hour epic that I have to both stand to play and fight with the controls…….thanks Nintendo, now I am basically buying this for the CD. I also hate the DS Zelda games as the stylus control was awful (imo) and I have not truly enjoyed a Zelda game since Wind Waker, though I did buy Twilight Princess on Gamecube, just never got to it.

      ……So when can I start begging for a Wii U HD port with traditional controls.

      • http://twitter.com/ads64 abraham schneider

        well i played that same demo and loved it (using the nunchuck for the shield felt like puncing someone to me)
        give it a chance

  • http://profiles.google.com/tengetsu00 Dakuro Kuro

    Thank god that doesn’t happen ;D

  • thebanditking

    I’m sorry but I still wish it had a button control option. If for nothing more then to give me the choice to play how I want. This Zelda has me pretty excited because of how similar it seems to Wind Waker (my favorite Zelda btw) but the motion controls may ruin this for me, and that would make me a very sad panda.

  • http://www.facebook.com/shawn.dickenson1 Shawn SomethingOtaku Dickenson

    I want to play with a a pad 

  • AdamBoy64

    My worry with this game is that they’ve had to dumb it down considerably in order to make dungeons fit with their motion controls.

    I’m expecting the entire game to be a push over. I hope not.

    • Joanna

      I don’t see how that should be a problem. I mean how does motion control impede puzzle elements in dungeons? It may change certain boss fight mechanics, but change doesn’t always equal worse.

  • Joanna

    Perhaps I’m just open to new gaming experiences, but I liked the touch screen Zeldas (PH and ST). So I’m looking forward to trying yet another control scheme in Zelda. Also, 2D and 3D Zeldas play a lot differently, why aren’t people getting angry that combat mechanics and dungeon layouts changed in the move from 2D to 3D?

    Also, I’m really amused by the fact that people constantly accuse Nintendo of not innovating/trying something new and just making the same tired old games yet when they try something new and really innovative, people get angry that they can’t play the tried and old way.

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