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[Rich!]

I completely disagree. Those other Marios and Sonics are multi-dimensional representations of one character. The different Links are different characters.

Link in each game, as set out by Skyward Sword and Hyrule Historia, is the reincarnation of the same character for eternity.

The same male character. Same with demise/Ganondorf.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

The hilarious thing about your post is that it contains a link back to a post by me in which I say I'd be fine with letting people change Link's race and making other changes to his appearance, and you're trying to use that as an example of someone who doesn't want Link to change races. It's like you're not actually reading anything anyone says.

So what do you consider as making him completely unrecognizable?

 

[……forgetit]

I completely disagree. Those other Marios and Sonics are multi-dimensional representations of one character. The different Links are different characters.

The different sonics sure, the marios? They're as much characters as the different Links are.

 

[Mango The Magician]

Well considering you've insulted everyone who wants Girl Link your one to talk.

But keep on going. It'll make it funnier when you get banned.

Where have I insulted people? I've only resorted to name calling when others have been name called first.

I completely disagree. Those other Marios and Sonics are multi-dimensional representations of one character. The different Links are different characters.

What's the difference? They're still clearly the same character despite being from different universes. How's that any different from the 12 or so nearly identical incarnations of Link?

 

[Rich!]

The different sonics sure, the marios? They're as much characters as the different Links are.

Yep. Paper Mario being in the newest Mario and Luigi proves this.

 

[Pendas]

They should called it The Legend of Link.

I see this argument is still going strong.

It's never going to stop. People will keep complaining until they get what they want. #Merica.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

I completely disagree. Those other Marios and Sonics are multi-dimensional representations of one character. The different Links are different characters.

Technically the Link's on the different post Oot timelines would be considered "multi-dimensional representations" as well

 

[kenji]

Link in each game, as set out by Skyward Sword and Hyrule Historia, is the reincarnation of the same character for eternity.

The same male character. Same with demise/Ganondorf.

And I think we should be done here.

 

[Ryouji Gunblade]

Fairy Link is a trap guys.

Word of god.

 

[sphagnum]

Of course it's bad. Not because being black or gay is bad, but because Link is an established character that is none of those things.

I mean christ, why not go all the way and change Zelda into a giraffe whilst we're at it?

Zelda doesn't reincarnate, it's a name handed down through the generations to princesses who get their magical power from their lineage. Link, on the other hand, is a character who is imbued with the "Spirit of the Hero", which could logically settle on any sort of character (that's why it never mattered before what his name was, although since they're obviously starting to treat him as a character I wonder if he'll be treated more explicitly as a reincarnation than a hero possessed by the Spirit). So Zelda, by definition, always has to be a female, but Link doesn't always have to be a male. Unless Nintendo wants to just state that the Spirit itself is a male spirit, which they seem to be implying anyway.

edit: poster above might want to edit that post

 

[DangerMouse]

It always seemed like that quote about Link having nothing to do was them inartfully implying that they were either making or now considering a Zelda Zelda game. This just confirms it. A knock off lady Link is is kinda lame imo. Zelda is a great character let her get some shine.

Except it doesn't. They shot it down with lame excuses even after decades of knowing about the issue.

If we get anything it'll probably be a cheap spinoff game, that probably plays nothing like Zelda (additions would be fine like more ninja stealth or something that fits her, as long as, IMO, it's not typical fallback female heroine differentiation stuff like her being mainly ranged magic when the series has always been about close combat) and likely relegated to portables and not a big console-Zelda-level release, which is what people really want.

Totally different, if there's any IP in the world that Zelda is in the slightest comparable to, it's Doctor Who. Spoilers:

Spoiler

the master regenerated into a female and everyone loved it.

Link is more comparable to the Doctor, than the likes of Lara/Nathan Drake/Samus/Mario.

Yeah. And in addition not every Link is the same Link so it's even more open-ended than something that did it. Some were probably worried about it since it had never been done and yet that was fucking awesome and the actress killed it, she was so good.

 

[Shaanyboi]

Gross logic? No. It's sound logic. I support gay marriage. I do not support forcing a developer to change an established character or bend to the will of a vocal minority on the internet just for the sake of some silly argument.

It reminds me of all of those people wishing for a female James Bond. Absolute lunatics.



What the hell. Where did you get that absurd logic from? I didn't mean that at all with my post, anyone with sense could see that.

I was using another example of unnessecarily changing a character simply for the sake of it.

Pick some better words and analogies to get your point across next time then.

Also maybe don't call people lunatics for wanting a female character in place a shitty sexist caricature of masculinity?

 

[Mango The Magician]

Fairy Link is a trap guys.

Word of god.

Not saying this to argue with you, as I know you're joking, but a transformation, as others have tried to use to prove that Link "changes" doesn't really count.

I mean Mario transformed into a Boo once that wouldn't mean that we should have Super Maria.

I know you're probably not arguing this, I just wanted to make this known.

 

[ClayKavalier]

The difference being that Link has always remained the same compared to the different art style, thus making them not at all comparable. Likewise I get why people don't want a three decade old character changed, I don't understand the want to change said character especially if there's no need and that it's not a necessary change.

This is really no different than people asking for a Mario powerup that changes Mario into Maria, it's not necessary and the only people that want it seem to be a tiny minuscule group of people who are shouting very loudly.

The Zelda series has gotten along fine without a female Link, and Link has been very clearly established in the series and out, if there's no reason for the change, then this debate has nothing to sustain itself on.

You keep saying it's not necessary. Please provide examples of what artistic decisions in the game are "necessary."

The art styles are absolutely a valid analogy. Cel-shading was a huge departure for the series and there was a dramatic reaction from the fanbase. At the time, conservative fans like yourself who would have preferred Nintendo sticking with the more realistic style of Ocarina and the GameCube tech demo could have said that a switch to a cartoony style is "not necessary." They'd be just as right as you are now. It was not necessary, Nintendo could have easily maintained the status quo and kept a more familiar art style, but they didn't.

Same with motion controls. They aren't necessary whatsoever. Nintendo could have easily released a more traditionally controlling Zelda instead of Wind Waker. But they made the decision to shake things up.

Same with LBW's system of buying items. Do you think that was necessary? You think there was no possible way Nintendo could release a 3DS Zelda game where you get items in dungeons the traditional way?

Explain to me the necessity of any of those decisions and maybe we'll be on the same page.

Link in each game, as set out by Skyward Sword and Hyrule Historia, is the reincarnation of the same character for eternity.

The same male character. Same with demise/Ganondorf.

What exactly do you think the consequences would be if they made the main character female?

I don't like condescending to people, but when it was explained to you that Link and Demise/ Ganondorf are eternal reincarnations of a specific person, it was in the context of a fictional story told in a video game that was completely made up by people.

Hopefully you're not a Star Wars fan, I'm not sure you would have survived being told the Extended Universe wasn't canon any more.

 

[MutFox]

Can't wait to see Nintendo tackle a Sheik game,
as it could be them doing a magic ninja.

The fanfic Link change outrage is still going I see... :|

 

[Seik]

Sheik spin-off sounds more like my kind of Zelda game featuring a woman, makes megatons more sense than simply changing Link's sex.

I'm in if that ever happens.

 

[AgeEighty]

Link in each game, as set out by Skyward Sword and Hyrule Historia, is the reincarnation of the same character for eternity.

The same male character. Same with demise/Ganondorf.

Yes, a reincarnation of Link from Skyward Sword. But reincarnation is a nebulous concept, and there is nothing innate to the concept that spells out what traits a reincarnated character has to take on from his or her predecessor. Every Link has had a different birth, a different life, and even a different race (Hylian, Kokiri, et al.). Nintendo has never spelled out precisely what it means for someone to be reborn as the Hero.

So what do you consider as making him completely unrecognizable?

Round ears. Radically different hair. A gigantic, muscled frame like Groose. Those are some examples.

You can make a female Link or a dark-skinned Link that still looks like Link, or a relation of him. That doesn't mean I think they should let people go crazy and make him look like just anything.

The different sonics sure, the marios? They're as much characters as the different Links are.

Maybe, but I also don't consider Mario to have a "lore". Zelda does. You're not likely to see anything like a Mario Historia published.

 

[Mango The Magician]

Zelda doesn't reincarnate, it's a name handed down through the generations to princesses who get their magical power from their lineage. Link, on the other hand, is a character who is imbued with the "Spirit of the Hero", which could logically settle on any sort of character (that's why it never mattered before what his name was, although since they're obviously starting to treat him as a character I wonder if he'll be treated more explicitly as a reincarnation than a hero possessed by the Spirit). So Zelda, by definition, always has to be a female, but Link doesn't always have to be a male. Unless Nintendo wants to just state that the Spirit itself is a male spirit, which they seem to be implying anyway.

edit: poster above might want to edit that post

Technically this isn't correct. SS Zelda is Hylia reincarnated, the Zeldas after her are named Zelda by coincidence. The rule that requires that they're named Zelda only comes into play near the end of the Downfall timeline. Likewise all the members of the royal family would technically have magical powers being that they have the blood of Hylia's reincarnation in them.

Thus if you wanted, you could argue that a Prince Zeldo is actually more likely than a female Link. Though I'm not saying this to argue merely adding a correction.

 

[PadWarrior]

Perfectly fine by me. No reason to change him.

 

[……forgetit]

Maybe, but I also don't consider Mario to have a "lore". Zelda does. You're not likely to see anything like a Mario Historia published.

I still contend that lore really doesn't matter at all in the discussion. If Nintendo wanted every character they had would be gender swapped. In the end I honestly think this is about, 3 things, brand, the Zelda team just not wanting to do it, and little to no incentive to actually do it.

Also I disagree on character creation, if you're going to put it in do it right or don't do it at all, see my dislike for fire emblem character creation.

 

[Maebe]

Then why the hell is it called the legend of zelda

 

[Mango The Magician]

You keep saying it's not necessary. Please provide examples of what artistic decisions in the game are "necessary."

The art styles are absolutely a valid analogy. Cel-shading was a huge departure for the series and there was a dramatic reaction from the fanbase. At the time, conservative fans like yourself who would have preferred Nintendo sticking with the more realistic style of Ocarina and the GameCube tech demo could have said that a switch to a cartoony style is "not necessary." They'd be just as right as you are now. It was not necessary, Nintendo could have easily maintained the status quo and kept a more familiar art style, but they didn't.

Same with motion controls. They aren't necessary whatsoever. Nintendo could have easily released a more traditionally controlling Zelda instead of Wind Waker. But they made the decision to shake things up.

Same with LBW's system of buying items. Do you think that was necessary? You think there was no possible way Nintendo could release a 3DS Zelda game where you get items in dungeons the traditional way?

Explain to me the necessity of any of those decisions and maybe we'll be on the same page.



What exactly do you think the consequences would be if they made the main character female?

I don't like condescending to people, but when it was explained to you that Link and Demise/ Ganondorf are eternal reincarnations of a specific person, it was in the context of a fictional story told in a video game that was completely made up by people.

Honestly no game play change is "necessary" in the grand scheme of life, they're video games, but if you're gonna change a thirty year old character, a fan favorite character that sells games on his face alone, you need a reason to do so, and "why not" doesn't really compete with "potentially pissing off fans and causing the game to loose potential sales."

 

[Chaotic-Strike]

Then why the hell is it called the legend of zelda

It's not called that in Japan.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

And in which ways Miyamoto is that then? Are you seriously gonna say he's sexist because he wants Link to stay the hero?

For your reply on my post on the previous page, sorry, I've read it, but I really feel that you don't want to understand any arguments that are put your way and might show you why they don't want that. I really don't like when it goes like that, but sorry, I find hard to reply to that post when you don't even bother reading specific elements, nor bringing new elements (related or not) to the discussion.

Can't speak for the person you were quoting, but if Miyamoto thought the main character needed to be a boy to go on adventures like the ones in the Zelda series, that would be

What makes you think it even matters whether he's sexist? If someone willfully ignores the consequences of rejecting the notion of a girl character starring in games like these, then the message would be sexist, and that person would come across as sexist, intentionally or otherwise.

There was nothing you said that I didn't read, nor did I ignore any of it — if you can't even back up your assertion that I didn't read your post or point it out, you can just admit that you're tired of the discussion, can't actually illustrate your point while refuting others, etc.

If we're resorting to that childishness of "I'm tired of the discussion, and can't think of a way to refute what you're saying since I'm not being told that my views are valid, but YOU'RE the one who isn't responding to my misguided posts," then you won't mind me saying you're considerably confused about the matter though, and you'll probably stay that way now.

Actually the closest comparison is Avatar, which changes gender nearly every time, but I think Nintendo sees it more like cloud Atlas, where they basically look the same every time.

Actually the more I think about it Zelda is really nothing like Doctor Who at all.

I've seen Doctor Who mentioned before in these disucssions, but they actually have Time Lords reincarnate and switch between men and women.

The hilarious thing about your post is that it contains a link back to a post by me in which I say I'd be fine with letting people change Link's race and making other changes to his appearance, and you're trying to use that as an example of someone who doesn't want Link to change races. It's like you're not actually reading anything anyone says.

That is kind of funny. If anyone needs actual examples of someone not reading posts (i.e Eolz), they should check out that quote chain.

 

[A Link to the Past]

It's not called that in Japan.

Most people who play Zelda aren't in Japan

EDIT: Actually that doesn't even matter. The literal translation of the title IS The Legend of Zelda.

 

[AgeEighty]

I still contend that lore really doesn't matter at all in the discussion. If Nintendo wanted every character they had would be gender swapped. In the end I honestly think this is about, 3 things, brand, the Zelda team just not wanting to do it, and little to no incentive to actually do it.

I don't think brand is at risk with a female Link because he already looks somewhat androgynous. Hell, most Link cosplayers are women. Few would look at a promo poster featuring a female Link and go "Whoa, what the fuck happened?"

As for incentive, it's something that female fans may appreciate and may get them more players as a result. And by giving players a choice and letting players still pick the traditional male Link if they want to, there's really nothing to lose, either.

 

[James Scott]

Then why the hell is it called the legend of zelda

Because it sounds cool. It was also named that 30 years ago, so it's a bit late to change

 

[supermetfreud]

Listen, my dudes, my friends, my guys. Can we stop repeating the "he's a reincarnation of X" as if Zelda Lore is some immutable truth created ex nihilo. There's a reason The Character Who Fixes Everything In This Series always reincarnates as a dude. That's a decision made by its creators, and fans have every right to question it.

 

[Shaanyboi]

Do you expect to not have any criticism at the way you complain about this matter?

That's the problem, maybe you complain because for you "would be nice to choose between a male and female Link", but in reality it sounds like you PRETEND a female Link, and if they don't do it there are big ethical problems, they Can be even sexists, hate women and so on

And that is an hyperbole. It's ridiculous

Firstly, I have no idea what you're trying to say with the 'pretend' bit, so maybe edit your post.

Secondly, sexism doesn't have to intentionally malicious to be sexism. Giving arguments that a playable Zelda would leave Link with nothing to do, or that Link is male because of the "balance of the triforce"... Those are some real ass-pulls. Like Miyamoto saying Peach wasn't playable in NSMB Wii because skirt physics? Which apparently they figured out four years later with Mario 3D World. Or Ueda saying a girl character wasn't picked for one of their games because they didn't want to figure out skirt physics which... like... there's a whole ton of shit to unpack there.

There are definitely some people in here who want to retain "the classic look", but also want a female option. I say, if you want both, go all the way. Blond, white can still be the defaults and what's used in marketing (someone has to be), but limiting it to JUST those options, while trying to use "reincarnation allows anyone" as justification is nonsensical



. . .



Read AgeEighty's posts then and stop talking out of your ass

That's AgeEighty's own issue, and that's a conversation that we'll come to when we come to it. Right now, the conversation is centered around even the possibility of a female Link.

 

[Ryouji Gunblade]

Not saying this to argue with you, as I know you're joking, but a transformation, as others have tried to use to prove that Link "changes" doesn't really count.

I mean Mario transformed into a Boo once that wouldn't mean that we should have Super Maria.

I know you're probably not arguing this, I just wanted to make this known.

Sure. My joke is that the only way we can get a feminine Link is through magic or cross-dressing.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

I don't think brand is at risk with a female Link because he already looks somewhat androgynous. Hell, most Link cosplayers are women. Few would look at a promo poster featuring a female Link and go "Whoa, what the fuck happened?"

As for incentive, it's something that female fans may appreciate and may get them more players as a result. And by giving players a choice and letting players still pick the traditional male Link if they want to, there's really nothing to lose, either.

That's really what it comes down to — the discussion goes around repeatedly, but I haven't seeing any refuting of this. People want it, it can be in the game without getting in the way of those who want Link to be a boy again, and there's nothing compromised about the story (that is, if a given game features a new Link, not like MM or, potentially, BotW).

 

[ClayKavalier]

Honestly no game play change is "necessary" in the grand scheme of life, they're video games, but if you're gonna change a thirty year old character, a fan favorite character that sells games on his face alone, you need a reason to do so, and "why not" doesn't really compete with "potentially pissing off fans and causing the game to loose potential sales."

So Nintendo doesn't have to give any reason for keeping Link male and people who ask for one are whiners, but making a change to the character necessitates a reason. Alright then.

Why is female character something to get pissed off over? Why is the response to people who want a female Link "Well don't buy the game then" but keeping Link male is justifiable because sales may be lost otherwise?

How can you not see that the only difference between any of these changes is your personal comfort level with them? You're so close! You've gone from saying that Link shouldn't be female because it's not necessary to acknowledging that nothing about these games is necessary! All you need is a brief moment of self-reflection!

 

[AgeEighty]

That's AgeEighty's own issue, and that's a conversation that we'll come to when we come to it. Right now, the conversation is centered around even the possibility of a female Link.

It's not even my issue.

 

[……forgetit]

I don't think brand is at risk with a female Link because he already looks somewhat androgynous. Hell, most Link cosplayers are women. Few would look at a promo poster featuring a female Link and go "Whoa, what the fuck happened?"

As for incentive, it's something that female fans may appreciate and may get them more players as a result. And by giving players a choice and letting players still pick the traditional male Link if they want to, there's really nothing to lose, either.

That doesn't change the fact that they really don't want too, which is the crux of the issue. As far as it selling more, their really isn't any proof that it would help or that it's what female fans want. Honestly I think Zelda having a big female fan base actually hurts the chances because Nintendo doesn't have to reach out, the fans are already their. The brand more has to do with representation in games like smash, ect. I really think it's the smallest factor but I think it's something they thought about.

That's really what it comes down to — the discussion goes around repeatedly, but I haven't seeing any refuting of this. People want it, it can be in the game without getting in the way of those who want Link to be a boy again, and there's nothing compromised about the story (that is, if a given game features a new Link, not like MM or, potentially, BotW).

I agree, people want it, but Nintedo doesn't, and then the question comes up whether they'd sell more games if they put it in, and I honestly don't think so and I doubt Nintendo thinks so either.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

Round ears. Radically different hair. A gigantic, muscled frame like Groose. Those are some examples.

I mean, some of those come hand in hand with allowing different races...a black Link isn't going to be blond or have bangs or remotely the same hair...unless we're talking "anime black person" like in the Pokemon games which have pretty poor customization

 

[Spring-Loaded]

That's AgeEighty's own issue, and that's a conversation that we'll come to when we come to it. Right now, the conversation is centered around even the possibility of a female Link.

He actually agrees with you, more or less.

 

[Chaotic-Strike]

Most people who play Zelda aren't in Japan

I'm aware of that but the localizers aren't handling the games.

New Edit: welp it was a subtitle in the original woops.

 

[zelhawks37]

Zelda as the main character on handhelds would be fine with me.

 

[Captain Europe]

Firstly, I have no idea what you're trying to say with the 'pretend' bit, so maybe edit your post.

Secondly, sexism doesn't have to intentionally malicious to be sexism. Giving arguments that a playable Zelda would leave Link with nothing to do, or that Link is male because of the "balance of the triforce"... Those are some real ass-pulls. Like Miyamoto saying Peach wasn't playable in NSMB Wii because skirt physics? Which apparently they figured out four years later with Mario 3D World.

Wasn't this a joke by Miyamoto? It's long ago so I don't remember. I thought it didn't make sense cos Peach was playable in games prior to NSMBW. Joke or not, two Toads was definitely boring.

 

[ClayKavalier]

Zelda as the main character on handhelds would be fine with me.

Why does the console being a handheld or not make a difference?

 

[AgeEighty]

That's really what it comes down to — the discussion goes around repeatedly, but I haven't seeing any refuting of this. People want it, it can be in the game without getting in the way of those who want Link to be a boy again, and there's nothing compromised about the story (that is, if a given game features a new Link, not like MM or, potentially, BotW).

Exactly. What part of these games would the choice of being female disrupt? Link doesn't talk. He's a blank slate for the most part. Every different version of him comes from a completely different background that's made up on a game-to-game basis.

Nintendo have cited the relationship between him and Zelda as one reason for keeping him male, but that's almost always been portrayed as a depressingly platonic one. Of all well known video game characters, Link is probably the least innately gendered one I can think of.

So the backlash here is mind boggling to me.

 

[Pendas]

Do we really need a new thread every time someone says anything about Links Gender?

Does that thread always have to balloon into a 20 page argument about why Link should or should not be female?

It's getting embarrassing at this point.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

That doesn't change the fact that they really don't want too, which is the crux of the issue. As far as it selling more, their really isn't any proof that it would help or that it's what female fans want. Honestly I think Zelda having a big female fan base actually hurts the chances because Nintendo doesn't have to reach out, the fans are already their. The brand more has to do with representation in games like smash, ect. I really think it's the smallest factor but I think it's something they thought about.



I agree, people want it, but Nintedo doesn't, and then the question comes up whether they'd sell more games if they put it in, and I honestly don't think so and I doubt Nintendo thinks so.

It really does seem like Nintendo doesn't want it, or at least select individuals don't. But search "benefits of diversity in media," and there's all sorts of reasons to add something like that in. Shows with diverse casts do better, movies, games, etc. And it isn't always diversity in appearance, but gameplay wise too.

They definitely don't have to, but these's fewer benefits to not doing it.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

It really does seem like Nintendo doesn't want it, or at least select individuals don't. But search "benefits of diversity in media," and there's all sorts of reasons to add something like that in. Shows with diverse casts do better, movies, games, etc. And it isn't always diversity in appearance, but gameplay wise too.

They definitely don't have to, but these's fewer benefits to not doing it.

I'm sure they're well aware, which is why almost every game they release now has a character creator. They just don't want to change it for Zelda

 

[Mango The Magician]

Sure. My joke is that the only way we can get a feminine Link is through magic or cross-dressing.

Well either way I didn't want to come off as If I was try to berate you or anything, so apologies if I came off too strongly.

So Nintendo doesn't have to give any reason for keeping Link male and people who ask for one are whiners, but making a change to the character necessitates a reason. Alright then.

Why is female character something to get pissed off over? Why is the response to people who want a female Link "Well don't buy the game then" but keeping Link male is justifiable because sales may be lost otherwise?

How can you not see that the only difference between any of these changes is your personal comfort level with them? You're so close! You've gone from saying that Link shouldn't be female because it's not necessary to acknowledging that nothing about these games is necessary! All you need is a brief moment of self-reflection!

Where did I say that? I didn't say that the only people who want this are whiny. I also never said that a female character would piss me or anyone off. A female Link would, and understanding the difference between those two ideas is very important to understanding this argument.

Seriously though, you're picking my post apart to form your own idea as to what they're suppose to mean. I called the idea of a female Link unnecesarry because it is, as it's not a issue with the series, and there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the series if Link is a dude. A game breaking bug or a continous slew of poor gameplay choices would be necessary to fix, Link's gender is Link's gender, and if plenty of fans and the developers prefer it that way than that's how it should stay.

Likewise, I guess you didn't get the factitious tone in my last post. To make it more clear, nothing is necessary, you live ya die, the world turns, the world is engulfed by the sun, the universe floats away and eventually a new one appears in it's place, making everything conceivable unnecessary.

 

[AgeEighty]

I mean, some of those come hand in hand with allowing different races...a black Link isn't going to be blond or have bangs or remotely the same hair...unless we're talking "anime black person" like in the Pokemon games which have pretty poor customization

Poor customization is fine for a Zelda game. Give people a few general traits to change to their liking -- gender, hair color, skin color -- and leave it at that. Let them pick a Link that looks a little more like them without letting them chisel Link's chin or nose using twelve slider settings each.

 

[Yabberwocky]

I noticed the Zelda game = Sheik comment before from Aonuma, too, but it's a bit frustrating that it seems the only way Zelda can be a protagonist in a game is if she's acting as Sheik. Like, you can give her a new outfit. She doesn't have to be in a dress if you're worried about her tripping on her ass when she's trying to save the world.

 

[MisterHero]

Secondly, sexism doesn't have to intentionally malicious to be sexism. Giving arguments that a playable Zelda would leave Link with nothing to do, or that Link is male because of the "balance of the triforce"... Those are some real ass-pulls. Like Miyamoto saying Peach wasn't playable in NSMB Wii because skirt physics? Which apparently they figured out four years later with Mario 3D World. Or Ueda saying a girl character wasn't picked for one of their games because they didn't want to figure out skirt physics which... like... there's a whole ton of shit to unpack there.

Obviously they changed their mind because she was playable in 3D World. They had to mess up her proportions but they did it.

Maybe they are capable of determining these things for themselves!

 

[Shaanyboi]

I don't think brand is at risk with a female Link because he already looks somewhat androgynous. Hell, most Link cosplayers are women. Few would look at a promo poster featuring a female Link and go "Whoa, what the fuck happened?"

As for incentive, it's something that female fans may appreciate and may get them more players as a result. And by giving players a choice and letting players still pick the traditional male Link if they want to, there's really nothing to lose, either.

I remember handing Mass Effect to my girlfriend, and I can't imagine she would have taken to obsessing about it the same way if I were to say "Here's this RPG where you have to play as this kinda badly voiced soldier dude."

It's not even my issue.

Well then there ya go. lol

 

[MutFox]

If you want customization, a new game would be better.
Would be cool to have a game like that set in Hyrule, even call it "Hyrule"
Heck, even make it multiplayer.