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[Chaotic-Strike]

Link in each game, as set out by Skyward Sword and Hyrule Historia, is the reincarnation of the same character for eternity.

The same male character. Same with demise/Ganondorf.

That was pretty much my take outta this whole situation which is why is baffling Nintendo keeps throwing out poor excuses and making it look worse.

Perhaps they don't want to put their foot in their mouths and make a game with Zelda as the main protagonist in the future.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

I mean, some of those come hand in hand with allowing different races...a black Link isn't going to be blond or have bangs or remotely the same hair...unless we're talking "anime black person" like in the Pokemon games which have pretty poor customization

They could've used a few more hair options for sure, but the game isn't worse for having that customization. And it's start.

Link's outfit could be enough of a constant with other types of appearance present. And BotW already looks considerably different now, appearing in different clothes, slightly different hairstyle, etc. Seems like a non-issue tbh

 

[……forgetit]

It really does seem like Nintendo doesn't want it, or at least select individuals don't. But search "benefits of diversity in media," and there's all sorts of reasons to add something like that in. Shows with diverse casts do better, movies, games, etc. And it isn't always diversity in appearance, but gameplay wise too.

They definitely don't have to, but these's fewer benefits to not doing it.

I can see it going over well and I know their are perks to diversity in media, but I'm just trying to look at it from Nintendo's position.

Also considering what I here about the traditions in Nintendo Miyamoto going away wouldn't change anything. Their'd be a huge contingent wanting to honor his wishes. Also we haven't really heard any rumbblings on people who want to do it. Everything I've read seems to be overwhelmingly against it. Personally I'd be cool with it and a full character creator, but something about the games would probably seem different to me. A given character just always feels different than a create a character to me.

 

[PadWarrior]

Wait I always thought link was a descendent of another link and not an actual reincarnated link?

 

[……forgetit]

Poor customization is fine for a Zelda game. Give people a few general traits to change to their liking -- gender, hair color, skin color -- and leave it at that. Let them pick a Link that looks a little more like them without letting them chisel Link's chin or nose using twelve slider settings each.

I disagree completely, their is a lot more to a character being black than dark skin and hair. If that's the only option you got for link it would feel like a massive disappointment and as if Nintendo didn't even try.

Essentially this is not a black Link

This is

 

[AgeEighty]

That doesn't change the fact that they really don't want too, which is the crux of the issue.

That's not the crux of the issue, because no one is debating whether or not Nintendo wants to do it. They're debating what Nintendo should do, and what makes sense within the context of the games and their story. They're expressing opinions on Nintendo's explanations of their choice for BotW. They're giving feedback, which Nintendo may or may not listen to for future titles.

I disagree completely, their is a lot more to a character being black than dark skin and hair. If that's the only option you got for link it would feel like a massive disappointment and as if Nintendo didn't even try.

That's fine, they could make other subtle changes to Link's features if you pick a different skin color. What I'm saying is that I don't favor giving the player too much fine control over those features, allowing them to morph him too far away from looking like Link or like "a Link".

 

[Mega]

Also maybe don't call people lunatics for wanting a female character in place a shitty sexist caricature of masculinity?

What?? Link is a shitty sexist caricature of masculinity? Link?! Or did you mean gaming in general? Because Link is so far from a sexist hypermasculine stereotype.

Yes, a reincarnation of Link from Skyward Sword. But reincarnation is a nebulous concept, and there is nothing innate to the concept that spells out what traits a reincarnated character has to take on from his or her predecessor. Every Link has had a different birth, a different life, and even a different race (Hylian, Kokiri, et al.). Nintendo has never spelled out precisely what it means for someone to be reborn as the Hero.

Link is not a Kokiri at all in OOT. This is explicitly learned by the player early on. He's always a Hylian. You made a similar common error about the series earlier but it was pages back and with the thread moving quickly I forgot to point it out. Im not trying to nitpick for the sake of it, bit you're basing your argument in that paragraph that Link can be multiple genders because he has been other races when that's not true.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

I disagree completely, their is a lot more to a character being black than dark skin and hair. If that's the only option you got for link it would feel like a massive disappointment and as if Nintendo didn't even try.

Essentially this is not a black Link

This is

Someone who gets it

 

[Fury451]

That's fine by me.

Me too. But I would absolutely love (as would there I think) Sheik/Zelda, etc. spinoffs then. Could do some great stuff with them.

 

[Shaanyboi]

What?? Link is a shitty sexist caricature of masculinity? Link?! Or did you mean gaming in general? Because Link is so far from a sexist hypermasculine stereotype.

Talking about James Bond

 

[Spring-Loaded]

I can see it going over well and I know their are perks to diversity in media, but I'm just trying to look at it from Nintendo's position.

Also considering what I here about the traditions in Nintendo Miyamoto going away wouldn't change anything. Their'd be a huge contingent wanting to honor his wishes. Also we haven't really heard any rumbblings on people who want to do it. Everything I've read seems to be overwhelmingly against it. Personally I'd be cool with it and a full character creator, but something about the games would probably seem different to me. A given character just always feels different than a create a character to me.

That's partly why I would want a few set character appearances available rather than full customization, even though I would like the latter more. Having two character models or a few variants would still have a "hand-crafted feel," to them.

I disagree completely, their is a lot more to a character being black than dark skin and hair. If that's the only option you got for link it would feel like a massive disappointment and as if Nintendo didn't even try.

Essentially this is not a black Link

This is

And they could totally capture those subtleties within the art style of a given game. Doesn't have to be a massive departure from the existing Link appearances.

 

[MutFox]

Talking about James Bond

You mean Jane Bond.

 

[……forgetit]

That's not the crux of the issue, because no one is debating whether or not Nintendo wants to do it. They're debating what Nintendo should do, and what makes sense within the context of the games and their story. They're expressing opinions on Nintendo's explanations of their choice for BotW. They're giving feedback, which Nintendo may or may not listen to for future titles.



That's fine, they could make other subtle changes to Link's features if you pick a different skin color. What I'm saying is that I don't favor giving the player too much fine control over those features, allowing them to morph him too far away from looking like Link or like "a Link".

I don't see how bringing up why Nintendo has the opinion it does is irrelevant, their's more to that first post. Also you're essentially doing what the male only crowd is doing. You have an arbitrary idea of what makes Link a Link and Nintendo has to adhere to that at the cost of representation. Your barrier is just a little further down than others.

That's partly why I would want a few set character appearances available rather than full customization, even though I would like the latter more. Having two character models or a few variants would still have a "hand-crafted feel," to them.


And they could totally capture those subtleties within the art style of a given game. Doesn't have to be a massive departure from the existing Link appearances.

My point is that their's no reason why Link can't look completely different from past Links, if he's meant to be an avatar too the player then their's no reason not to be able to make a 6'1 muscular Link, everyone just has an arbitrary set of features that they stop at and say "that's far enough."

 

[AgeEighty]

Link is not a Kokiri at all in OOT. This is explicitly learned by the player early on. He's always a Hylian. You made a similar common error about the series earlier but it was pages back and with the thread moving quickly I forgot to point it out. Im not trying to nitpick for the sake of it, bit you're basing your argument in that paragraph that Link can be multiple genders because he has been other races when that's not true.

I'm basing my argument on the fact that all Links are different people and that there's no logical reason why they should all be the same gender as the man whose spirit has manifested itself in them. The Kokiri vs. non-Kokiri thing is tangential to that.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

That's partly why I would want a few set character appearances available rather than full customization, even though I would like the latter more. Having two character models or a few variants would still have a "hand-crafted feel," to them.


And they could totally capture those subtleties within the art style of a given game. Doesn't have to be a massive departure from the existing Link appearances.

I'm not sure how you could go from aryan to black without it being a "massive departure", although "massive" is completely relative.

I'm basing my argument on the fact that all Links are different people and that there's no logical reason why they should all be the same gender as the man whose spirit has manifested itself in them. The Kokiri vs. non-Kokiri thing is tangential to that.

You're trying to apply logic to the completely fantasy concept of reincarnation. It's why this argument will never really reach a definitive conclusion. It's entirely dependent on the creator's definition

 

[HardRojo]

I'm completely fine with it, just like the way I think Samus should always be female, problem is Samus doesn't get as many games as Link
Hopefully we'll see a spin-off for NX that involves a female Link or Zelda/Sheik.

 

[AgeEighty]

I don't see how bringing up why Nintendo has the opinion it does is irrelevant, their's more to that first post. Also you're essentially doing what the male only crowd is doing. You have an arbitrary idea of what makes Link a Link and Nintendo has to adhere to that at the cost of representation. Your barrier is just a little further down than others.

When did I say it's irrelevant? I said it's not what people are debating.

I hate to break this to you, but all ideas of what makes Link a Link are arbitrary, because he is a fictional character. Even Aonuma's ideas are arbitrary, because someone else can take over the series and decide they want to do things differently.

 

[ClayKavalier]

Where did I say that? I didn't say that the only people who want this are whiny. I also never said that a female character would piss me or anyone off. A female Link would, and understanding the difference between those two ideas is very important to understanding this argument.

Seriously though, you're picking my post apart to form your own idea as to what they're suppose to mean. I called the idea of a female Link unnecesarry because it is, as it's not a issue with the series, and there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the series if Link is a dude. A game breaking bug or a continous slew of poor gameplay choices would be necessary to fix, Link's gender is Link's gender, and if plenty of fans and the developers prefer it that way than that's how it should stay.

Likewise, I guess you didn't get the factitious tone in my last post. To make it more clear, nothing is necessary, you live ya die, the world turns, the world is engulfed by the sun, the universe floats away and eventually a new one appears in it's place, making everything conceivable unnecessary.

Sorry if you didn't personally say the word "whiny" but it's definitely a theme among people saying that Link should always be male. Nintendo owes no one an explanation, people are causing a stir over nothing, etc.

"If plenty of fans and the developers prefer it that way that's how it should stay."

Do you have any evidence that a majority of fans feel it's important that Link always be male? Clearly some don't. Why do you value one set of fans' opinion more than the other?

How many people work on Zelda, and how many have publicly stated their opinion on a potential gender change? If they did feel it would be an interesting idea, what are the odds they would contradict the company line?

Really silly to act like the numbers are on your side when there's no way to prove that one way or the other. All we can say for sure is that some people think it'd be interesting if a Zelda game had a female main character and some people are very opposed to it.

"There's nothing fundamentally wrong with the series if Link is a dude."

Explain what would be fundamentally wrong with the series if Link was a girl.

"Likewise, I guess you didn't get the factitious tone in my last post. To make it more clear, nothing is necessary, you live ya die, the world turns, the world is engulfed by the sun, the universe floats away and eventually a new one appears in it's place, making everything conceivable unnecessary."

Exactly. Link being a woman would have basically zero effect on either of our lives. Yet your reason for why that shouldn't happen is "It's not necessary." I don't get it.

 

[Shaanyboi]

You mean Jane Bond.

lol hey, maybe one day

 

[shaza]

Normally I'd tell people who make drive-by posts of "why are people STILL talking about this female link shit" that as long as they keep clicking these threads, it will always appear to be a huge deal. However, the fact that fem!Link is predominately being discussed over Sheik (who is in the thread title, NOT fem!Link) is making their complaints kind of understandable to me for once. Nintendo fans really have strong convictions lol

I am of the opinion that Zelda should have her shine first and foremost, but having a female Link would not be harming anyone if it does happen (might prove to be a great marketing tool with such a ground-breaking feature making buzz in the news). However, this reoccurring derailment isn't really helping at all, and I speak as someone who largely sympathizes with the fem!Link side. Princess Zelda is one of my favorite fictional characters ever and I'm disappointed that she currently seems to be on the backburner. I like Sheik and all, but I'm not terribly enthusiastic about the idea of a stealth-based game that some people are throwing around. A magic wielding, puzzle-solving Zelda as a playable character appeals to me a lot more. Having both at once wouldn't be a bad mix, though.

 

[Mega]

I disagree completely, their is a lot more to a character being black than dark skin and hair. If that's the only option you got for link it would feel like a massive disappointment and as if Nintendo didn't even try.

Essentially this is not a black Link

This is

This is a huge reason why I don't want a palette swap female Link dropped into the mainline series, which is where I feel the poorly thought out Female Link arguments reside. Choose Your Gender just seems so crappy and shallow. Make it Zelda, Sheik the ninja, Tetra the pirate, Impa, or Irene the Witch in an equally significant spin-off series with its own timeline or concurrent events (Mario Bros is a DK spin-off series so don't interpret this as a minor concession).

 

[Spring-Loaded]

I'm not sure how you could go from aryan to black without it being a "massive departure", although "massive" is completely relative

A black Link could still be recognizable as Link, same with a girl Link or Link wearing completely different clothes than normal. He doesn't need facial hair, or even different lips, different nose, etc. It's somewhat of an anime aesthetic in this series, and character like from the Boondocks animated show are "anime"-like while still recognizable as black.

Keep in mind I don't place much importance on Link always looking the same considering WW Link looks comprehensively different form past Links and BotW Link doesn't have the classic outfit, at least not by default.

This is a huge reason why I don't want a palette swap female Link dropped into the mainline series, which is where I feel the poorly thought out Female Link arguments reside. Choose Your Gender just seems so crappy and shallow. Make it Zelda, Sheik the ninja, Tetra the pirate, Impa, or Irene the Witch in an equally significant spin-off series with its own timeline or concurrent events (Mario Bros is a DK spin-off series so don't interrupt this as a minor concession).

They could make a girl Link that isn't just "a palette swap," though. They can change the model and still have it look like link

And that wouldn't preclude those other existing female characters from getting lead roles either, at least no more than sticking with a boy Link does.

 

[AgeEighty]

You're trying to apply logic to the completely fantasy concept of reincarnation. It's why this argument will never really reach a definitive conclusion. It's entirely dependent on the creator's definition

Correct. But at the center of this debate, we're not arguing about what reincarnation is. We're arguing about whether Nintendo's definition of reincarnation makes sense for this particular creation.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

lol hey, maybe one day

Isn't Bond being a sexist pig intrinsic to his character though? Without that he might as well be any other generic Hollywood "spy" (ie. Ethan Hunt, Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher, etc)

Correct. But at the center of this debate, we're not arguing about what reincarnation is. We're arguing about whether Nintendo's definition of reincarnation makes sense for this particular creation.

I don't see how those are different arguments.

 

[……forgetit]

When did I say it's irrelevant? I said it's not what people are debating.

I hate to break this to you, but all ideas of what makes Link a Link are arbitrary, because he is a fictional character. Even Aonuma's ideas are arbitrary, because someone else can take over the series and decide they want to do things differently.

That's exactly my point? but I will say Miyamoto as creator has a bit more weight, especially considering how things work at Nintendo.

Also you said that Nintendo not wanting to isn't the crux of the issue, but that's really is it. The burden in this discussion is to convince Nintendo that they should do something that they don't want to do, and their really isn't enough saying why they should do it at this point.

Correct. But at the center of this debate, we're not arguing about what reincarnation is. We're arguing about whether Nintendo's definition of reincarnation makes sense for this particular creation.

I'd disagree with even that because as I said, Lore honestly doesn't matter, at the end of the day it really should just be why Nintendo should or should not do this thing. As to whether it makes sense in lore, seriously, who cares? It's entirely possible if Nintendo decided tomorrow it was possible.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Isn't Bond being a sexist pig intrinsic to his character though? Without that he might as well be any other generic Hollywood "spy" (ie. Ethan Hunt, Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher, etc)

What if that Bond was sexist (in any way) and a woman?

 

[Mega]

Talking about James Bond

Ah, okay. I was stunned for a moment. We can all at least agree that Link is a huge departure in the PS3/360 gen with the hordes of ripped space marines and grizzled 30-year old, brown haired protags.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

That's exactly my point? but I will say Miyamoto as creator has a bit more weight, especially considering how things work at Nintendo.

Also you said that Nintendo not wanting to isn't the crux of the issue, but that's really is it. The burden in this discussion is to convince Nintendo that they should do something that they don't want to do, and their really isn't enough saying why they should do it at this point.

I'd really say there is, but those reasons probably won't be a big concern for anyone who places this particular type of importance on gender in the first place.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

What if that Bond was sexist (in any way) and a woman?

Sure it'd work, but it wouldn't be 1:1. Like old school Lara Croft (well from the PS2 era) using her sexuality to get information, etc from men is pretty different than Bond doing the same with women. The power dynamics between genders make it so while analogous, it wouldn't be the same. It'd be interesting to see, that's for sure

 

[MutFox]

What if that Bond was sexist (in any way) and a woman?

Just change all the popular IP's to the opposite gender.
That'll make all the fanbases happy.

Though don't make them non-white, that's going too far!

 

[Shiggy]

Oh this discussion again. One day, there might be a female link. And then the discussion will go on to Link not being black. And then to something else, Link not having a physical disability or something.

Link has been Link for 30 years. Why not just deal with it? Does it make the game worse? Do you go into movies and say "Oh, not gonna watch the next Harry Potter if he's not female"? Why not ask for a NEW major series with a female lead, instead of replacing an iconic character? Even if there was a female option, it would just be a second choice and people would call it shoehorned in.

 

[Shikamaru Ninja]

Oh this discussion again. One day, there might be a female link. And then the discussion will go on to Link not being black. And then to something else, Link not having a physical disability or something.

Link has been Link for 30 years. Why not just deal with it? Does it make the game worse? Do you go into movies and say "Oh, not gonna watch the next Harry Potter if he's not female"? Why not ask for a NEW major series with a female lead, instead of replacing an?

Welcome to NeoGaf (gif). Welcome to the internet (gif). I don't understand this discussion - especially it becoming a constant after a Emily Rogers rumor. People are now harassing the development team about it.

 

[The Maverick]

How can you argue against a gender option? What gets taken away from you if a female Link is included? Or a dark skinned Link? Not even bring condescending, I'm actually curious, what is the defense?

Oh this discussion again. One day, there might be a female link. And then the discussion will go on to Link not being black. And then to something else, Link not having a physical disability or something.

Link has been Link for 30 years. Why not just deal with it? Does it make the game worse? Do you go into movies and say "Oh, not gonna watch the next Harry Potter if he's not female"? Why not ask for a NEW major series with a female lead, instead of replacing an iconic character? Even if there was a female option, it would just be a second choice and people would call it shoehorned in.

Harry Potter is an actual character with thoughts and characteristics that are essential to his depiction, and to the story at large. Link is a voiceless avatar. That is the difference.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Oh this discussion again. One day, there might be a female link. And then the discussion will go on to Link not being black. And then to something else, Link not having a physical disability or something.

What's bad about that discussion existing? What series would you be okay with that discussion existing?

 

[……forgetit]

I'd really say there is, but those reasons probably won't be a big concern for anyone who places this particular type of importance on gender in the first place.

We can agree to disagree, I honestly don't care what they do with Link, but I always said before this E3 that Nintendo can't have it's cake and eat it too, either decide that he's his own character or an Avatar and stick with one of those. Their responses seems to mean they're deeply in the "he's his own character" camp.

How can you argue against a gender option? What gets taken away from you if a female Link is included? Or a dark skinned Link? Not even bring condescending, I'm actually curious, what is the defense?



Harry Potter is an actual character with thoughts and characteristics that are essential to his depiction, and to the story at large. Link is a voiceless avatar. That is the difference.

See above.

 

[Shaanyboi]

Sure it'd work, but it wouldn't be 1:1. Like old school Lara Croft (well from the PS2 era) using her sexuality to get information, etc from men is pretty different than Bond doing the same with women. The power dynamics between genders make it so while analogous, it wouldn't be the same. It'd be interesting to see, that's for sure

I'd hope they avoid this, as it's a constant cliche with female heroines. Melissa Rosenberg specifically stated she was trying to avoid this with Jessica Jones, calling it 'the honey pot'. It's an excuse to blatantly objectify your female lead for the audience. And yes, before someone brings it up, it happens to male characters too with blatant shirtless scenes, except those are more or less one-off instances versus the vast majority of prominent female roles.

But we're also getting way off-topic with this James/Jane Bond thing.

Ah, okay. I was stunned for a moment. We can all at least agree that Link is a huge departure in the PS3/360 gen with the hordes of ripped space marines and grizzled 30-year old, brown haired protags.

I'd say we're, in-general, doing better than the PS3/360 era. I don't think Link is a sole example of that.

 

[Platy]

Link being reincarnated as a Gerudo would be awesome, specialy if they keep Ganondorf as the only male Gerudo ...

...would give the zelda game an interesting "fight the evil president" side that the series never had

 

[Trogdor1123]

If you want customization, a new game would be better.
Would be cool to have a game like that set in Hyrule, even call it "Hyrule"
Heck, even make it multiplayer.

Actually, that's awesome

 

[Enduin]

I find it really annoying and depressing that after so many fruitless threads about Female Link we actually have a thread specifically about Zelda being the protagonist of the series, or rather not but maybe getting a spin-off, and yet the actual discussion after the first couple pages has devolved once again around Female Link almost exclusively.

Can't be the lead in the series named after her, can't be the main topic of discussion in a thread about her. For shame.

 

[Shaanyboi]

Link being reincarnated as a Gerudo would be awesome, specialy if they keep Ganondorf as the only male Gerudo ...

...would give the zelda game an interesting "fight the evil president" side that the series never had

I could dig that.

 

[Shiggy]

What's bad about that discussion existing? What series would you be okay with that discussion existing?

Why do you want iconic game characters replaced? Do you want Harry Potter to become Mary Potter, James Bond to become Jane Bond, Super Mario to become Super Mariana? What's the problem with creating new series or spinoffs instead of replacing the protagonists?

And I'm even acknowledging that a Link with some kind of disability could bring some interesting gameplay and story elements, whereas I have trouble seeing how a female Link would change much.

 

[MisterHero]

How can you argue against a gender option? What gets taken away from you if a female Link is included? Or a dark skinned Link? Not even bring condescending, I'm actually curious, what is the defense?

Link has evolved for years from avatar status, and a general character that Nintendo wants to market as such. Who knows, maybe the Nintendo Cinematic Universe Link will even be male.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

I'd hope they avoid this, as it's a constant cliche with female heroines. Melissa Rosenberg specifically stated she was trying to avoid this with Jessica Jones, calling it 'the honey pot'. It's an excuse to blatantly objectify your female lead for the audience. And yes, before someone brings it up, it happens to male characters too with blatant shirtless scenes, except those are more or less one-off instances versus the vast majority of prominent female roles.

But Bond is a honeydick and a female Bond, if staying true to the character, would have to be a honeypot. You're right though, that's another discussion.

 

[Pilgrimzero]

Any spin off game isn't going to be an adventure title like the core series. So yea you may get a Princess Zelda led game it would probably be something like an action game or a stealth game.

 

[Mango The Magician]

Sorry if you didn't personally say the word "whiny" but it's definitely a theme among people saying that Link should always be male. Nintendo owes no one an explanation, people are causing a stir over nothing, etc.

"If plenty of fans and the developers prefer it that way that's how it should stay."

Do you have any evidence that a majority of fans feel it's important that Link always be male? Clearly some don't. Why do you value one set of fans' opinion more than the other?

How many people work on Zelda, and how many have publicly stated their opinion on a potential gender change? If they did feel it would be an interesting idea, what are the odds they would contradict the company line?

Really silly to act like the numbers are on your side when there's no way to prove that one way or the other. All we can say for sure is that some people think it'd be interesting if a Zelda game had a female main character and some people are very opposed to it.

"There's nothing fundamentally wrong with the series if Link is a dude."

Explain what would be fundamentally wrong with the series if Link was a girl.

"Likewise, I guess you didn't get the factitious tone in my last post. To make it more clear, nothing is necessary, you live ya die, the world turns, the world is engulfed by the sun, the universe floats away and eventually a new one appears in it's place, making everything conceivable unnecessary."

Exactly. Link being a woman would have basically zero effect on either of our lives. Yet your reason for why that shouldn't happen is "It's not necessary." I don't get it.

Ugh...

"Plenty" just means a sizable amount, it doesn't specify if it's the larger or smaller amount.

Also

considering Aonuma said he talked to his team and they decided that Zelda would be the simplest option for a female character, it's not that much of stretch to extrapolate from that that the team prefers the idea or rather considers the idea of playing as Zelda as more viable.

Likewise, nothing truly matters if we want to get metaphysical so I don't see why we're still talking about this. No one has provided a valid reason why it should happen though which makes it seem like something that within the context of the series, that isn't necessary. Simiarly explain to what would be fundamentally wrong with Samus being turned into Sam Aran via Chozo magic.

Correct. But at the center of this debate, we're not arguing about what reincarnation is. We're arguing about whether Nintendo's definition of reincarnation makes sense for this particular creation.

Nintendo makes the world and the lore, they decided how the reincarnation works, so there's nothing to debate over whether or not it makes sense.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

We can agree to disagree, I honestly don't care what they do with Link, but I always said before this E3 that Nintendo needs can't have it's cake and eat it too, either decide that he's his own character or an Avatar and stick with one of those. Their responses seems to mean they're deeply in the "he's his own character" camp.

That is a problem I've had with their statements. They've outright said Link was meant to be an avatar, but now they're coming out saying he a set character that has to stay the same. It's hard to buy the "just a 'link' between the player and the game," stuff now, and it's hard to believe that while believing there's no room for customization.

Why do you want iconic game characters replaced? Do you want Harry Potter to become Mary Potter, James Bond to become Jane Bond, Super Mario to become Super Mariana? What's the problem with creating new series or spinoffs instead of replacing the protagonists?

And I'm even acknowledging that a Link with some kind of disability could bring some interesting gameplay and story elements, whereas I have trouble seeing how a female Link would change much.

I don't. What makes you think that?

 

[Cipherr]

I mean, this has been obvious for a long while. Not a problem that folks wanted that change, but he is pretty damn crystal clear here that its not happening solely because they don't want to make that change.

He says maybe a spinoff, but a bunch of people go "Meh I don't want a spinoff". Well, your loss then. Ill play it when it comes, and you can just be angry I guess.

Any spin off game isn't going to be an adventure title like the core series. So yea you may get a Princess Zelda led game it would probably be something like an action game or a stealth game.

Would make sense, especially if its going to be a Sheik game. I'd play it.

 

[Platy]

I could dig that.

The one where Link turned into a wolf had lots of Okami and Shadow of the Colossus references ... so why not the one where he is a girl to have some Beyond Good and Evil references ? xD

 

[Shiggy]

I don't. What makes you think that?

If you're asking for a female Link, you are huh

 

[Spring-Loaded]

I find it really annoying and depressing that after so many fruitless threads about Female Link we actually have a thread specifically about Zelda being the protagonist of the series, or rather not but maybe getting a spin-off, and yet the actual discussion after the first couple pages has devolved once again around Female Link almost exclusively.

Can't be the lead in the series named after her, can't be the main topic of discussion in a thread about her. For shame.

Is it better or worse than Miyamoto putting Zelda on the backburner?