Hey everyone! You probably might not remember or care about this series, but I’m back with another entry, baby!
<bass boosted whining plays>
Now, where were we….?
KIE: S&R (Part 6: The Lengthy Hiatus of Heck)
First Part of Original KIAE (cringe alert cringe alert cringe alert)
Oh yeah! 2012!
So, it all started with the development of the positively received Nintendo 3DS was in development (you can still buy one today if you have a lot of money). Games were already starting to become developed at the time, so Nintendo’s president and CEO Satoru Iwata (RIP press f in the comments for him) suggested to many game designers and directors to make a new game launch title for the new console.
One of those people being requested to do so was the iconic Masahiro Sakurai (who is mainly known for his directory and creation of the Kirby and Super Smash Brothers series). Heck, he was the FIRST PERSON to know about the creation for the new console! Imagine how that feels like! Anyway, this put Sakurai in a big dilemma (im sorry guys): Sora Ltd (the company that Sakurai is the founder of) were short on people, due to the company usually having members of other Nintendo production teams. Sakurai also saw it as hard to create a new franchise or new game ideas (we’ve all been there, Sakurai, don’t worry). So Sakurai made some plans.
He first wanted to create the game as a third person shooter, so you could play as the character, but still see their appearance and movements (and also experience the 3D effects in the 3DS). Second, he wanted to create the game out of an already existing franchise, so no creating any new Nintendo series! He pitched the ideas to Mr. Iwata and was met with positive approval! Sakurai was at first considering Star Fox, but then decided not to, as there were some restrictions to the gameplay features that were originally going to be put in the game.
Then he stumbled onto Kid Icarus and ideas blow up in his mind-
Sakurai decided on Kid Icarus because 1) Nobody knows what it was because of its long absence and 2) The Americas LOVED the original game. And then, it was time for <drumroll> PITCHING IDEAS!!!
<shows Sakurai, Pit and Palutena lined up horizontally on a table, styled as if they were in a panel show>
Game Designer 1: I present a lighthearted slice-of-life that lets you bond with the Kid Icarus characters!
Sakurai: (bored) Next!
Game Designer 2: Pit is on a quest to become a god, and all the gods are against him!
Pit: (seems like he has heard the plot before, looks confused) That sounds like something a buff guy could be the protagonist for. It also seems familiar…. where did you say you worked in before, again?
Game Designer 2: Santa Monica Studio.
Palutena: (realizes the similarities to God of War) NEXT!
Game Designer 3: Pit is banished from Skyworld by Palutena because he is framed and now an adult, fighting against an impending darkness for redemption!! <fun fact: this was an actual pitch! see more info here!)
Pit: (shivering) NEXT! Too scary!
Game Designer 4: (screaming) PALUTINA AND PEET MARRY AND HAVE CHILDRE-
Sakurai, Pit and Palutena: (Palu and Pit visibly embarrassed, all are irritated) NEXT!!
After a lot of reviewing, Sakurai got tired and wrote the script himself, making a story full of good, evil and shades of grey.
And thus, Kid Icarus Uprising was born!
To be continued…
– Nova S