Iwata Asks - Link's Crossbow Training: Ocarina of Time could have been first-person, Miyamoto proposed a futuristic story for LCT, Miyamoto believes epic games are important, and tons more!

Wow, this is an absolutely fantastic entry in the ‘Iwata Asks’ series. There is some amazing stuff that you just have to read. I’ve posted the best bits (in my opinion) below.

Iwata
(laughs) For now, rather than hearing too much about the details of the game, I’d like to ask you what sort of image you had in mind when creating Link’s Crossbow Training.

Miyamoto
I see. Well, where should I start? I’ve always been into first person shooter3 (FPS) style games, 3D games in which you can walk around freely and see things from your own point of view.

Iwata
And why do you like those games?

Miyamoto
I think it is more comfortable, more natural. We are creatures of habit. We don’t look at our feet when we’re walking around, and we’re always trying desperately to take in the scenery while we’re living our lives. So, even in these games I want people to be able to get really into the 3D geography, so it feels like you’re really there, since I think it’s a really natural thing to be able to look around while you’re walking. At first when we were developing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time4, I even proposed using a first-person perspective.

A bit about true entries in the Zelda series, and epic games…

Miyamoto
…So, I asked our Zelda staff to think about a new project with an extra story based around Twilight Princess. But then, they were coming up with stories that can be described as ’epic tales’ rather than ’side stories’.

Iwata
And the people have to wait 3-5 years for it again?

Miyamoto
Of course it’s also important to continue creating epics, but I do not believe that an epic tale alone can make a great game. I mean, depending on what kind of characteristics are added to a game, the fundamental enjoyment behind it can get lost amongst all the gadgets. With that in mind, we took some time to ponder over the new project and I ultimately suggested that we make a game based on the Twilight Princess that utilized the Wii Zapper.

A portion of the interview a few paragraphs below, which talks more about the Zapper and LCT…

Iwata
But, even though the original idea for the Wii Zapper came from a Zelda staff member, was there any hesitation on your part about the idea to develop the Wii Zapper in conjunction with Link? Link does not use guns in the first place, does he?

Miyamoto
Yes, that was a bit of a problem initially (smiles). But it didn’t really seem right to make the Wii Zapper for use with Animal Crossing…

On the other hand, the whole reason that this project began was due to the ideas of the Zelda staff, so it really was thanks to them that it went smoothly most of the way.

Iwata
Yeah, an FPS Mario game doesn’t seem to fit either! (laughs)

Miyamoto
So we figured that Link was the logical choice. Then we argued that it would’ve been kind of strange for us to give Link a gun, so I proposed a sort of Terminator style story about a time warp from the future, but…

Can you even believe that stuff? I swear, there are some insane ideas tossed around Nintendo. Click the link below to read the full interview, and learn more about the prototype Zapper pictured below.

Interview here