Zelda: Ocarina of Time Producer Doesn’t Want Nintendo’s Next Generation To Rely on BotW’s Ideas
Zelda producer Hidemaro Fujibayashi told Polygon why the series so often changes from game to game.
The Legend of Zelda series has maintained its popularity for four decades, a trend Nintendo's upcoming Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 remake looks set to continue. Part of the series' enduring appeal lies in its consistent reinvention. The Zelda series has a history of evolving with each new installment, often making radical changes that disrupt the established formula.
Hidemaro Fujibayashi, producer of Zelda games, explained to Polygon why the series tends to deviate rather than stick to one formula. Fujibayashi credits creative freedom as a major factor, citing examples like the shift from 2D to 3D on the Nintendo 64 and the introduction of gesture controls in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
He added that Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, represent a significant departure from traditional Zelda games by offering vast freedom in design. Fujibayashi is keenly aware of this philosophy as the series enters a new era. When working with younger staff, he discourages them from simply borrowing ideas from previous Zelda games.
Instead, he encourages them to ask themselves if the concept would be fun or if they have already explored it in previous titles. This approach aims to prevent developers from relying too heavily on established Zelda ideas. While the future of Zelda remains uncertain, Fujibayashi's comments suggest that the next game could be another significant departure if it inspires the new team.
Whatever direction the next Zelda game takes, it's unlikely to be a predictable continuation of the series.
Written by urgent.news from Polygon's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
