No. If they decided to make Link a full on coward or if they were to just outright make Link a complete douche and be the opposite of what Link is THAT would be disrespectful to the character. Link's spirit being reborn as a female at least once would not be because it's still Link in spirit and essence.
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Aonuma: That was Link in the Wii U Zelda trailer, denies 'female' rumors
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Admiral Woofington
Member
my issue with female link is that she never once paid for drugs.
To the player. Link's identity is "established" to the player, in the since that Nintendo has always manifested him as a male in a green tunic and hat.
But in context of the world and the mythos Nintendo themselves have laid down, Link's identity is not established. He's different every time. Nothing more than a vessel for the spirit of the hero. He could theoretically be ANYONE.
Shamrock7r
Member
So, uh, has anyone changed their mind one way or the other?
Super Stardust
Member
That's true, I was just throwing out random scenarios. I guess at the end of the day I just want to play a zelda game as link just the way he is. And if they do make a new character that's a female it shouldn't be link, just my opinion and if nintendo decides to make link a female ill trust their decision because they haven't let me down yet.
I feel like...there's more to this picture. Like it got cut down.aww.
The Adventures of Linkette-kun
I would still like a girl Link but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. I just want to see more of the game at this point. The game just looks ripe for taking screenshots and making backgrounds.
Version 3.0
Member
Oh, so you did. And I see that more than half of them say literally nothing expressing dissatisfaction with the idea of Link being female, and are only addressing the fact that he is male in this game.
As for a list of quotes, I can only assume you mean aside from the literally dozens of posts saying they would like a female Link, including mine? So when you say "steadfast opposition", you mean "amongst those who steadfastly oppose this"? So that would be...I'm being generous and giving you 5 of the posts that you quoted, out of 12.
You're misinterpreting people saying "they didn't change his gender" and "there's no need to change his gender", and think they're saying "they shouldn't change his gender".
RMS Gigantic
Member
I'm wondering what Aonuma and his design team are thinking, now knowing that their character designs are to a point where half of the Western world can mistake Link for a young woman if Eiji so much as jokes about the possibility of Link not being the primary protagonist.... I imagine the hoopla must have sent quite the message to them.
Regardless of if they're fine with this or not, I think this is the first time Aonuma has needed to respond to these claims, especially for a "recurring" character.
Regardless of if they're fine with this or not, I think this is the first time Aonuma has needed to respond to these claims, especially for a "recurring" character.
Admiral Woofington
Member
Zelda has now become a 'sexism among gamers' discussion hasn't it?
FFS. Nintendo just can't win any can they?
FFS. Nintendo just can't win any can they?
Yes, I think you are giving him too much credit.
To me he's just coming clean with his past teasing on Link's gender speculation and the game will feature a male Link who just happens to be more effeminate (which may change as the story progresses) than his previous versions.
RMS Gigantic
Member
This isn't the first time the series has been accused of sexism. I'm not a supporter of that particular idea, but it gained traction with some folks.
Mango The Magician
Banned
I just really want regular old Link. Why is that a bad thing?
Elfforkusu
Member
I gotta say, I really enjoy the trolling streak Aonuma has been on recently.
I'd actually like to see a poll on gaf to see if it's 50-50 like you suggest
Admiral Woofington
Member
It's not a bad thing. Whatsoever. Don't let anybody tell you it is. I want a male Link too, because that's what he has been for every game. Simple as that.
Jesus man I hope that's a joke post.
That depends. What is "regular old Link" to you?
100% Serious and I stand by my arguments. This is how I read the situation surrounding Zelda Wii U.
Mango The Magician
Banned
-the shared traits among all the other Links not including BS Zelda, CD-i, or cartoon.
-Not customizable at all, ever. (please no customization
)-a mostly blank character that is still part of the story and reacts to events. not really a avatar but a character that links me to the game.
All this talk about changing things about Zelda I like is making me really sad and anxious at the same time.
We should go back to Wolf Link. Throw in Midna again too.
I'm being serious, Hyrule Warriors makes me want everything
This. Especially that last point, and I think that's an important distinction to make. Link has always had a predefined set of attributes, he's not supposed to be an avatar of the player in the game world. He's supposed to be the link between the world and the player, he is the character through which they experience the world.-the shared traits among all the other Links not including BS Zelda, CD-i, or cartoon.
-Not customizable at all, ever. (please no customization
-a mostly blank character that is still part of the story and reacts to events. not really a avatar but a character that links me to the game.
-the shared traits among all the other Links not including BS Zelda, CD-i, or cartoon.
-Not customizable at all, ever. (please no customization
-a mostly blank character that is still part of the story and reacts to events. not really a avatar but a character that links me to the game.
I actually think I might suffer from anxiety problems, and all this talk about changing things about Zelda I like is making me really sad and anxious at the same time.
But what's the shared traits? Link has been slightly different across all the games. Different hair color. Different age. Different body type. Different facial features.
The only shared trait besides the tunic is his maleness, and the fact that by the end of the game he'll wield the Master Sword.
This distinction always struck me as silly. By this definition every playable character is the "link" of their respective games, because they player uses them. It's not a distinction that in any way makes Link unique.
Evil Monkey DTT
Banned
As it turns out this comment is right.........
Seriously though I was hoping for it, I was really up for breaking tradition and having Zelda be a lead. Oh well, better luck next time.
In my opinion, this is a very key moment for Nintendo to start a brand new action/adventure IP using the same universe but following Zelda's perspective.
A game centered around the 7 years when the Hero of Time was gone, and Zelda was on the run with Impa from Ganondorf would be really cool. Imagine the co-operative gaming opportunities with tag-team elements using magic, etc. between Zelda and Impa?
Do it, Aonuma. Don't just give us one or two games per gen. Give us moar.
A game centered around the 7 years when the Hero of Time was gone, and Zelda was on the run with Impa from Ganondorf would be really cool. Imagine the co-operative gaming opportunities with tag-team elements using magic, etc. between Zelda and Impa?
Do it, Aonuma. Don't just give us one or two games per gen. Give us moar.
Mango The Magician
Banned
Basically the shared traits of all of these minus the transformations or the starting gear. This is Link to me.
I never said it was.
Because if you do, you're a pig-headed, misogynistic, chauvinist, sexist, piece of garbage! You anti-woman anti-feminist woman-hater!
I just think it's ironic -- all the people clamoring for female leads didn't go out and buy Remember Me or Tomb Raider in droves, two games with bad-ass women as the main characters.
Thanks for highlighting how different all of these Link's look. Really, the only trait they share is the green tunic and the fact that they're all boys.
Personally, I don't see why you couldn't have a brave, strong-looking female with the same shade of hair and green tunic right on that picture. She'd fit from a thematic perspective.
Mango The Magician
Banned
And what about after that game is released huh? Are we to believe that the Zelda team will be able to get away with making Link a boy again without backlash or should all Zelda games allow you to play as a female? Heck why stop there, since Link is apparently not enough of a character to be an established iconic character might as well just start filling that poster up with everything and anything anybody can imagine.
I personally think you're being purposefully daft. All the Links share a somewhat familiar face, pointy ears, being a guy, blonde/brown hair, and the familiar garb. Which brings me to my next question, why is it necessary for Link to change? I'm fine with the way he is.
What is strictly male about this design? Is there anything other than prior knowledge (and assumption that this will continue) that Link's male, that would make you say this person is male? Something that makes this design impossible to be female?
Colorful Vocabulary
Member
The dream is dead...
I really don't get this. Tomb Raider (2013) was boring. Remember Me looked equally boring. Why should supporters of female leads have to buy mediocre games?
Disclaimer: I am not someone who agrees with your first paragraph. I don't think people who want Link to be male are sexist. I personally think a female Link could work, but I also don't think Link needs to be female. It would be nice to get some more female representation in this series though, one way or another. Though preferably not in the form of another damsel in distress.
You can argue your own hypothetical future. I don't have the time.
I disagree. In fact, I'm actually surprised at how exotic the newer Link's look in comparison to the rounder-face, wide-eyed early models. This picture illustrates that Link has had near-complete redesigns, and several of them.
Besides, all the features you mentioned could easily be incorporated into a female character...besides the guy thing. But that's besides the point: making a female Link would not break the lore. That's the important thing, in my mind.
I'm not sure why you're quoting me here.What is strictly male about this design? Is there anything other than prior knowledge (and assumption that this will continue) that Link's male, that would make you say this person is male? Something that makes this design impossible to be female?
you know what would be fun? if it was left like that throughout the game, never to be specified...even in the game different npc would make comments or jokes but Link of course would always stay silent and look frustrated..and this thread would never end
...so we agree.
Mango The Magician
Banned
I know it doesn't go against the lore, I'm not arguing that it can't happen I just don't think it needs to happen. I'm not against FemLink I just:
A) prefer Link as a guy.
B) rationalize that the only way for Nintendo to please both sides is the option to pick Link's gender, which to me breaks immersion and is something I'm strongly against.
Version 3.0
Member
I just have to sigh here. He didn't say you couldn't have a female that fits into that lineup. Preferring a male character is not the same thing as attacking the idea of a female character. Link has always been male, and some people identify with that. It's incredibly hypocritical to want a female character and still condemn someone who prefers male.
Then it's pointless for you to argue for a female Link, when a unisex Link can have everyone covered. And it's the latter I have seen so far in Zelda Wii U.
Admiral Woofington
Member
There's nothing wrong with your reasoning. It's reasonable to prefer a male character if given the option, especially on an immersion reason and the fact he has always been a male.
Except gameplay matters too.
Oh and Tomb Raider was ridiculously successful, just not by Square Enix's obscene standards. Remember Me was sent out to die with zero marketing, the same happened with Fuse, the dudebro shooter. Lack of marketing tends to do that you know.
So I really don't know where your going with either of those examples.
Lots of people did buy Tomb Raider, though.
this whole thing was ridiculous to begin with. some people secretly hoped that Link would be female, they saw the trailer, convinced themselves that the character was androgynous enough to be female (he was clearly Link in my mind, and male), started theorizing that the character was female, making up reasons why it would be sexist if the character was not female. Aonuma says no, the character is Link and is male, at which point people start to complain about Link not being female.
First of all, you all were the ones who convinced yourselves that the character was female. The fact that Link is male should be no surprise to you given the series' history of 25 years. Therefore, you should not be complaining that Link is male, like he is in every other Zelda game. You wouldn't just change Mario or Captain Falcon to a female would you? just like you wouldn't change Samus to a male. This is why I think Link should stay a male character. He is an icon of gaming, like Zelda is. That said, I would be delighted if Nintendo made a Zelda game where Zelda is the protagonist and fights to save Hyrule, nothing wrong with that, but Link is Link, let's keep it that way.
First of all, you all were the ones who convinced yourselves that the character was female. The fact that Link is male should be no surprise to you given the series' history of 25 years. Therefore, you should not be complaining that Link is male, like he is in every other Zelda game. You wouldn't just change Mario or Captain Falcon to a female would you? just like you wouldn't change Samus to a male. This is why I think Link should stay a male character. He is an icon of gaming, like Zelda is. That said, I would be delighted if Nintendo made a Zelda game where Zelda is the protagonist and fights to save Hyrule, nothing wrong with that, but Link is Link, let's keep it that way.
it's not. i want this too.
Paracelsus
Member
Remember Me was a great concept, but wasn't executed well and wasn't even marketed by Capcom at all. It was a flawed game. The fact it had a female lead had nothing to do with it bombing. Tomb Raider sold over six million copies so I don't want you're trying to accomplish with that example.
Nicktendo86
Member
Link had always been a young lad who grows to be the hero, however I don't see any reason why they can't let you decide if link is a boy or girl. As many others have said the character is called link as it is supposed to be an extension of the player, if the player feels more connection with a female character that what's the problem? Leave all the artwork as a boy to keep consistency with the series but let the player decide.