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[LectureMaster]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2023/05/20/eiji-aonuma-zelda-tears-kingdom-producer/

Since the turn of the century, Aonuma has been the franchise master of the Zelda series. He’s worked on every title since 1998’s “Ocarina of Time,” often called the “Citizen Kane” of video games thanks to innovations that inspired “Grand Theft Auto” and countless other titles.

“I found myself at times wondering, ‘should I be doing this at my age?’” said the 60-year-old Aonuma in an interview earlier this month, after traveling here from his home in Kyoto for a launch event on the eve of the game’s release. “I’m kind of reaching my limit here and I don’t want to push myself too hard.”
Later, as he slowly lowered himself to sit for a photo, he smiled and muttered, “like a grandpa.”

Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma: “I would really be happy if our game encourages imaginative thinking in people, and that they could carry that into their real lives.”
Huge hat off to Mr. Aonuma. Normally at age 60 we'd expect a easier and leisurely life. Old man still has great passion and delivered such a masterpiece. It is per se the pure heartwarming side of gaming.

 

[Banjo64]

60 isn’t even close to retirement age in the UK. Get back to work I beg.

 

[Mr Hyde]

The true MVP of the Zelda-franchise.

 

[Arsic]

Idk how you even advance dramatically from ToTK. You either scrap and build from scratch or polish what’s here with small tweaks.

 

[Ronin_7]

Dude probably doesn't wanna make another one.

Making games seems to be Soul sucking.

 

[DonJorginho]

Aonuma, Miyazaki, Kojima.

My three favourite visionaries in gaming, may they all continue to make timeless art for years to come.

 

[LectureMaster]

Idk how you even advance dramatically from ToTK. You either scrap and build from scratch or polish what’s here with small tweaks.

Maybe something like time travel close to titanfall 2 or dishonored 2 but in a full-blown open world. That would require a stronger spec for their next console.

 

[DenchDeckard]

Take a break, you've earned it.

 

[Zannegan]

Maybe something like time travel close to titanfall 2 or dishonored 2 but in a full-blown open world. That would require a stronger spec for their next console.

Reminds me of my favorite moment from Skyward sword. Sailing through the desert, even though it was only part of a dungeon, was magical in action.

Expanding on that to be forward and backward in time, like Ocarina on crack, would be crazy.

 

[BennyBlanco]

nintendo really cracks the whip on these guys. reminds me of the stuff sakurai was saying after smash ultimate.

 

[SantaC]

Take a break, you've earned it.

It is already 6 years between zelda games.

 

[SantaC]

nintendo really cracks the whip on these guys. reminds me of the stuff sakurai was saying after smash ultimate.

Cracks the whip? They have the luxary to take their time. EA and other 3rd party developerson force their developers to release unfinished games

 

[Madflavor]

Idk how you even advance dramatically from ToTK. You either scrap and build from scratch or polish what’s here with small tweaks.

I honestly feel after TotK they should go back to a more traditional Zelda. Scale back the world, and really focus on fleshing out the dungeons, areas between them, and the towns. Wide as a lake, but the depth of an ocean.

Because the alternative is stick with the new Open World format with Zelda, and just go bigger and bigger and bigger with each new entry, and I don't see how that's gonna work. It's going to be absolutely soul sucking. 6+ year long waits between new entries is so long.

 

[Northeastmonk]

1 more Zelda game. Then retire.

 

[GHG]

It is already 6 years between zelda games.

He wasn't taking a break for that period of time.

 

[Crispy Gamer]

Just port or patch totk to their next hardware and it'll last 10 years

 

[Beer Baelly]

Majoras Mask 2, do it.

 

[MagnesD3]

I honestly feel after TotK they should go back to a more traditional Zelda. Scale back the world, and really focus on fleshing out the dungeons, areas between them, and the towns. Wide as a lake, but the depth of an ocean.

Because the alternative is stick with the new Open World format with Zelda, and just go bigger and bigger and bigger with each new entry, and I don't see how that's gonna work. It's going to be absolutely soul sucking. 6+ year long waits between new entries is so long.

I really hope the next one is alot more traditional in structure, Im fine with it being a big (not as big as BOTW) open world but I dont want it to be a an open freestyle sandbox game like BOTW. Also no more weapon breaking, Id personally love it if you had weapons that leveled up the more you used them to encourage players to use them and fight enemy camps with rewards that allowed you to upgrade your weapons as well, give them unique movesets with purpose and everything, keep all the unique clothes and make them upgrade able by use and items as well. There's alot they could do but Im fine as long as we would get traditional dungeons/items.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

I honestly feel after TotK they should go back to a more traditional Zelda. Scale back the world, and really focus on fleshing out the dungeons, areas between them, and the towns. Wide as a lake, but the depth of an ocean.

Because the alternative is stick with the new Open World format with Zelda, and just go bigger and bigger and bigger with each new entry, and I don't see how that's gonna work. It's going to be absolutely soul sucking. 6+ year long waits between new entries is so long.

Totally agree. Something is missing with BOTW/TOTK.

I would much prefer a smaller more intimate world the size of OOT, but really flesh out the design of those areas.

BOTW and TOTK have so much content but I feel most people never even bother. It's too watered down with tons of stuff and I don't really need a 160 hour game....just give me a solid 40.

 

[PapaEmeritus]

Probably thinking of the future, when a new zelda game comes out he'll probably be 67-68, it's exhausting mentally I'm sure. Let the new breed take over

 

[Madflavor]

Totally agree. Something is missing with BOTW/TOTK.

I would much prefer a smaller more intimate world the size of OOT, but really flesh out the design of those areas.

BOTW and TOTK have so much content but I feel most people never even bother. It's too watered down with tons of stuff and I don't really need a 160 hour game....just give me a solid 40.

If they do another BotW style entry after TotK, Zelda just may not be for me anymore.

 

[Captain Toad]

It is already 6 years between zelda games.

Are you being serious?

 

[near]

He's mentored Hidemaro Fujibayashi to become a beast director, he can retire knowing Zelda is in great hands now.

 

[LordOfChaos]

It does honestly work my brain in different ways than most games out there

 

[Danjin44]

They did FANTASTIC job with TotK, they absolutely earned their rest, especially this gen more games come out unfinished and broken and yet these guys managed to release game with this scale on underpowered system.

 

[bender]

 

[Jinzo Prime]

Eiji Aonuma has been making 9/10 and 10/10 rated games for 25 years. Man has more than earned a break.

 

[Bruno_Arrais85]

The franchise is in good hands with Hidemaro Fujibayashi leading the rest of the team. Aonuma did well

 

[K' Dash]

If they take 6 years again to deliver the next game, I’ll be 45

Dude made two games of the generation in a row.

Take a long vacation.

 

[lefty1117]

he oughbt to do a middle-aged link game before he retires. like link is a dad and has to go rescue the kids

 

[K' Dash]

nintendo really cracks the whip on these guys. reminds me of the stuff sakurai was saying after smash ultimate.

They are doing 6 years between games, I don’t know any other company that has an IP this successful taking this much time to iterate.

Regarding Sakurai, it was mostly himself pushing to perfection, not Nintendo, besides he doesn’t work for Ninty.

 

[Mozzarella]

Legend says if you open this guy brain you will find a galaxy inside it.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

60 isn’t even close to retirement age in the UK. Get back to work I beg.

In Mexico 65 is the limit.

So there is no excuse

 

[DenchDeckard]

It is already 6 years between zelda games.

Yeah, maybe pass the reigns on. I mean....these games look like they must take years to come up with the ideas and puzzles etc. Himself and the team must be working g none stop.

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

I honestly feel after TotK they should go back to a more traditional Zelda. Scale back the world, and really focus on fleshing out the dungeons, areas between them, and the towns. Wide as a lake, but the depth of an ocean.

Because the alternative is stick with the new Open World format with Zelda, and just go bigger and bigger and bigger with each new entry, and I don't see how that's gonna work. It's going to be absolutely soul sucking. 6+ year long waits between new entries is so long.

This.

 

[L*][*N*K]

He has been the man behind Zelda since Majora's Mask and what a spotless job he has done, truly fantastic. He probably has one more game in him, then I assume Hidemaro Fujibayashi will take over as Zelda producer.

 

[BlackTron]

Sakurai 2

 

[MagnesD3]

He's mentored Hidemaro Fujibayashi to become a beast director, he can retire knowing Zelda is in great hands now.

I hope that guy liked Twilight Princess because I've been waiting for a long time for a successor to that...

 

[Portugeezer]

He was closer to 50 when BOTW came out.

 

[GigaBowser]

Totally agree. Something is missing with BOTW/TOTK.

I would much prefer a smaller more intimate world the size of OOT, but really flesh out the design of those areas.

BOTW and TOTK have so much content but I feel most people never even bother. It's too watered down with tons of stuff and I don't really need a 160 hour game....just give me a solid 40.

This is a minorities opinions though reviewers and public likes open world Zeldas more

Higher scores and WAY higher sales

 

[MagnesD3]

This is a minorities opinions though reviewers and public likes open world Zeldas more

Higher scores and WAY higher sales

So does Call of Duty but yes your right it does sell more and get high reviews from the "mainstream masses" but how much stock does that hold..

 

[GigaBowser]

So does Call of Duty but yes your right it does sell more and get high reviews from the "mainstream masses" but how much stock does that hold..

Never saw no call of doody gets a 96 on metacritic

Anywayss this is the new Zelda template now older template is only going to be in the spinoff top down zeldas now maybe

 

[MagnesD3]

Never saw no call of doody gets a 96 on metacritic

Anywayss this is the new Zelda template now older template is only going to be in the spinoff top down zeldas now maybe

That metacritic is journalists though and not the massive public your referring to.. I'm talking about reviews of the masses.

 

[GigaBowser]

That metacritic is journalists though and not the massive public your referring to.. I'm talking about reviews of the masses.

Public votes with wallets TOTK fastest sellings Zelda evers

 

[Dampf]

He's mentored Hidemaro Fujibayashi to become a beast director, he can retire knowing Zelda is in great hands now.

I would rather have Koizumi take the lead. He's a much better fit to Zelda than Mario, as he has proven with Majoras Mask.

Fujibayashi cannot design dungeons, so he can't replace Aonuma. Literally that guy is the reason why Skyward Sword has the simplest and most linear dungeons in the series (albeit with great theming of course, which is the reason why the dungeons are beloved by many, not the complexity). And the lackluster TOTK dungeons are probably also designed by him.

 

[DAHGAMING]

60 isn’t even close to retirement age in the UK. Get back to work I beg.

Get him on the next Zelda asap and crunch hes old arse untill its ready.

 

[Robb]

Hopefully he’ll keep going for at least one more installment. I really want to see what he and the team has in mind to top TotK.

Not to mention seeing what they can do with all these in-game systems on more powerful hardware.

 

[Valt7786]

I'd be happy with another ToTK style game but obviously on more powerful hardware, give combat an overhaul, give us unlockable combat moves like in twilight princess etc, different movesets for weapons etc.

 

[Boy bawang]

Idk how you even advance dramatically from ToTK. You either scrap and build from scratch or polish what’s here with small tweaks.

Fully destructible world in my opinion. Buildings, but also landscape. Break a dam and flood a valley for example.
I don't know how to make it properly work in a game though, but then again, I don't work in videogames.

 

[brenobnfm]

Meanwhile Scorsese is directing big hollywoord productions at 156 years old with no sign of stopping.