TIME has run an interview with none other than the legendary Shigeru Miyamoto. The interesting interview is full of golden nuggets about the Nintendo Switch and the upcoming launch title, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Miyamoto was asked about the all-important story in video games and says that with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild the team wanted players to feel not only like they’re wrapped up in a story but also participating in an epic adventure.
I’ve read you weren’t a fan of story-heavy games early in your career. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is clearly more story-driven than the franchise’s earliest installments. What are your thoughts these days on story in games?
Let me start off by saying that Mr. Aonuma [Eiji Aonuma, the game’s producer] and his team, instead of creating a game where you’re playing the story, you yourself are embarking on an adventure, and I think they’ve found a unique way to strike a balance between the story and the fact that you’re on an adventure. It’s not that I don’t like story, that I’m denying the importance of story. I think after someone has played a game, it’s important that a story lingers in their mind. But what I do think is a challenge, is to cut down on playtime to set up and explain a story that’s already been set.
I think what’s important, especially for the Zelda series, is for the person to be able to think it through for themselves, and to really live the story. I think that’s the challenge we’ve been working on through the many iterations of The Legend of Zelda. And so in this game, while you’re playing, you start to kind of dig the narrative out and see the overarching story that lies in the background.
And so I think the story in Breath of the Wild still doesn’t break the balance that’s been established in previous Zelda games. But we also wanted to make a game where, after someone is done playing, their own experience in that game is what the story is, and I think we’ve been able to accomplish that with this title. And really in this game, everybody can take very, very different routes and approaches. How long it takes to beat the game has a huge range.
Please don’t Miyamoto. I can’t take the wait anymore. You’re killing me man. ><
Don’t worry mate. You will get it. :D
Please don’t what?
You know it does make you go on a epic adventure. It’s kinda like adventure Time.
Can’t wait for this game.
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Anytime someone leads a sentence with, “it’s not that I don’t”, …. generally means they don’t. lol
It’s not that I don’t like my ex, I just can’t stand being around her.
It’s not that I don’t like the Virtual Boy, it just gives me a headache.
“It’s not that I don’t like Story”…. I just don’t put any thought or effort into making one!
lol, well, I’m sure that Nintendo wouldn’t release a loz game with a thin story, but I do get what you’re saying. I thought the same thing. :b
“I’m sure that Nintendo wouldn’t release a loz game with a thin story. . . ”
Triforce Heroes says hello.
For their main home console though?
I mean, they’ve already released a couple of thin storyline loz on handhelds in the past, so that’s no surprise, but I don’t think that they would be that lenient with the launch game for a major console expected to compete with microsoft and sony. I really don’t.
I hope not. From what I’ve seen so far BotW has a good story. But unfortunately BotW is an exception to the rule. Miyamoto always says he wants the gameplay to be fun over anything else in the game. (story, graphics, etc.) But what he just can’t seem to grasp is that a good story IS fun. When I read a good book, or watch a good movie, I’m having fun. Watching a good story unfold is fun and entertaining and I don’t know why miyamoto has never understood that.
I wouldn’t be too hard on Miyamoto. He values game mechanics and “fun” over all else. That is an admirable stance. Remember, he cut his teeth in the days when consoles were so primitive that conveying a story was almost impossible.
I also think that BOTW will have a more flexible story than past LOZ games. Remember, the stories in previous LOZ games could be epic, but they were terribly linear.
Yea I try not to be too hard on Miyamoto. His past achievements have concreted his status as a legendary developer no doubt. But as much as I try to think of him that way, when I compare his recent work to games such as Bloodbourne, The Dark Souls Trilogy, and Doom (just to name a few) his work just doesn’t stack up. Not even close. I think there is a reason he is not the developer of BotW.
Go get me a lime julep or iced tea or something. :P
Your not one of those people who just say random shit trying to be funny are you? Random jokes were kinda funny in 2012 but now everyone does it and it’s just annoying. Although to be fair to you it would be pretty hard to argue with my last statement.
It… was a joke in bad taste. I apologize.
Haha you don’t have to apologize I don’t care. Here have some iced tea.
mmmm… delicious! :P
what i die thursday before midnight?!?!
Like another said, Miyamoto’s biggest problem is he doesn’t realize just how fun a game can be when it does have a story.