Quote:Club Nintendo (CN): Good Morning, Mr. Eiji! Thanks for the interview. Before we start talking about the game, tell us: What does the Legend of Zelda, and its character Link, represent in your life?
Eiji Aonuma (EA): A lot; it is definitely very important to me. Actually, I think that I can only work on Zelda games now because everything I really want to do, I can only do and accomplish with the [Zelda] franchise. I'm really excited about working and developing games like this.
CN: What is the reason of the change of image in this new game, instead of using the style in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker?
EA: Well, in Wind Waker, the story is based on a young Link -- actually a child Link -- and we used the cel-shading technique. With this game, you will now see a new Link. A more mature and detailed Link, in terms of graphics, which makes the game look very realistic. But this doesn't mean that I don't like the style we used [in Wind Waker]. In fact, I liked it a lot.
CN: So you went back to the first Zelda that was showed at Spaceworld 2000 for GameCube?
EA: Those images that were presented at the Spaceworld show were designed by one of the guys who worked with me on Majora's Mask, Mr. Kuisumi, who was in charge of making that video for the show. What we are showing now is totally different.
CN: We know you can't disclose any details of the game, but could you give us a sneak peek at the story and gameplay elements?
EA: We are focusing more on giving the game a very realistic tone, as you could see in the video we showed [at E3], and it's heavily influenced by Ocarina of Time. As development goes on, we will be adding new details that have worked in other titles, so we can come up with a very complete game. I'm sorry I can't tell you more, but be sure that it will be sensational.
CN: We have received several emails in which our readers ask: Will Zelda and Link ever be involved [romantically]? [laughs] I'm sorry, but we had to ask.
EA: [laughs] Good question. Well, as you already know, we are now dealing with a teenage Link, and as you know, teenagers are very emotional beings, so there are definitely possibilities of seeing Link showing his feelings towards the princess. But honestly, we don't know what the future holds.
CN: What are the similarities of this game, and the N64 games?
EA: Well, in terms of story elements, you can probably imagine what the story will be like, although I can't tell you any details. In terms of graphics, they will be totally different, and -- as I told you before -- heavily influenced by Ocarina of Time, but with a unique style. You'll have to be patient and wait for the end result.
CN: Any Zelda game for the DS planned?
EA: The Zelda team is already planning Four Swords for the Nintendo DS. This game will have a lot of connectivity and feature a lot of interaction between both screens. It will be interesting.
CN: Any plans for an Online Zelda in the future?
EA: We would probably have to think what to do in terms of an online Zelda game, what could we make in an online world, and how could we make it a fresh experience. But to tell you the truth, I don't have time to think about a project like that right now. I think that the new generation of gamers is the one that's interested in this kind of game because for them it's normal to play online; but I don't know, I would really have to think of something "different" to do with Zelda.
CN: We watched the Zelda video (several times, in fact) and we could see that Link has a horse again, which looks incredible. Is the attention to detail something very important for you?
EA: Definitely, that's something that Miyamoto always focuses on, and [that] encourages us to keep making better games. I mean, you could see the scenes in the N64 versions and watch the [Zelda] video, and you can see the difference. And graphics are a good way of showing innovation in new games.
CN: Will this new Zelda game push the GameCube to its limits?
EA: Like I said, we are working hard to add a lot more details to the graphical engine. In fact, working with this realistic Zelda title is far easier than what we did with Wind Waker, which was harder to do. Believe it or not!
CN: What's your favorite Zelda game, and why?
EA: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past because it was the first Zelda game I played, and the one that got me involved with the franchise.
CN: How long have you worked with the Zelda franchise?
EA: Eight years.
CN: Is there a solid release date for the title?
EA: [laughs] People are already making preorders for it! But for the moment there isn't a release date because we will take all the time necessary to develop an excellent title, no doubt about it. And as soon as we have more news, we will let you know.
Wow great job CN. It's always nice to read interviews with Aonuma. This game will turn out fantastic.
Yes, Four Swords DS! I knew the Zelda DS game was going to be a FS title. Now let's just hope it uses wi-fi online play!
Here's my favorite quote, which I wish I had three years ago when Wind Waker was shown and you babies cried about how graphically primitive it was:
"In fact, working with this realistic Zelda title is far easier than what we did with Wind Waker, which was harder to do. Believe it or not!"
*Lazy Fat Bum and OB1 are strolling along a pre-dawn beach, hand-in hand. Suddenly they stop; the one turns to the other, and they share a gentle kiss. There is only the sound of the surf about them, and the beating of their fluttering hearts. Then, OB1 feels something brush against his feet. He picks it up; it's a waterlogged, frosty green bottle...chipped and worn from untold ages at sea. He uncorks it, and unfurls the parched yellow text within.*
"It's in Goron script!" he exclaims, beginning to decipher it. He begins to read;
To whomsoever may find this document---know that it is written by the hand of none other than deposed Sovereign Lord of Tendo City, Emperor Marcus Darunius XIV! Many fortnights have passed since last I trodded thine sacred halls. My nights have been weary and long. My computer's ailments know no rest, my friends. For reasons unknown, it will not allow me to post here. Know that my thoughts are with you all, and that may all the Sages of Hyrule and the three shimmering golden goddesses Nayru, Din and ...ehh whatever the third one's name is---hasten the day when I shall return to you. Make insulting Goron jokes in response to this all you want; I fear I shan't reply for a long time yet. Who knows when I shall return home to you.
Best regards,
Your Most Excellent Sovereign Lord and Majesty,
(Royal seal of Darunia).
OB1 and Lazy exchange bewildered glances.
"What should we do with the bottle, hunny?" OB1 asked. To this, Lazy smirked pervertedly.
"Oh--I know where we can put it..."
OB1 giggled gingerly, and hand-in-hand, the two scampered along to frolic in the surf.
Some of you may remember the Sims family I started starring a few of us. Well, in case anybody wondered, they're still around and doing fine. I thought I'd bring you up to date with what's been happening in their little lives...
Here we see the classic moment when DMiller summoned the Great Mighty Poo to deal with us not writing reviews.
Darunia, drunk, wakes up lazyfatbum to yell at him.
The tragic day when WhiteFleck burned to death in a kitchen fire.
Now with an opening in the house, lazyfatbum proposed to ThunderAngel and brought her into the house as well.
As in real life, lazyfatbum and Darunia never got along, and it all came to head when the two of them got into a fistfight.
Darunia, defeated and outraged, packed his things and left the house.
This picture was hung to commemorate the King of Gorons who had left us.
The newest addition to the household was a little dalmation puppy, aptly named Cow. Here we see him being scolded by DMiller for whizzing on the dining room floor (it was around the time Cow joined the family that I gave everyone real clothing instead of those stupid white shirts with their avatars on them, as we can see from DMiller here.)
This is WhiteFleck's ungodly huge shrine. Lazy is mourning.
He may be dead, but WhiteFleck still occasionally returns as a ghost and haunts the house. This was taken shortly after he scared ThunderAngel. See her running away? You may note the presence of a second Whiteflekc ghost near the bottom of the image. This was the result of a game glitch which caused two ghosts to appear rather than just one.
Laser Link redefines cool in this picture.
So that's what's been going on. I'm playing with them now, so if anything else happens, I'll be sure to let you all know!
:clap: 
![[Image: birthdaystud.jpg]](http://www.tcforums.com/images/birthdaystud.jpg)