The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild could have been a very different game

Nintendo held a panel at GDC overnight, that is the Game Developers Conference and there they talked about their trials at creating something new for the next Legend of Zelda game. The panel was presented by Mr. Fujibayashi, Mr. Dohta, and Mr. Takizawa from the Breath of the Wild development team.

There was a lot of information provided, one of which is that the game might have almost included aliens as they attempted to invade Hyrule. In addition we also got a look at a very different Links and I for one am grateful that they kept working on them.

In fact almost everything change as developement progressed on, as chemisty and physics came to play a central role in the game, most noticeably with how fire behaves in the game.

Because it is a lot easier to digest the information, here are the tweets that Nintendo of America shared out from the event.

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[tweet https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/837016858251292673 hide_thread=’true’ align=’right’]

What does this look like to you? It might look like the original The Legend of Zelda, but it plays a key role in today’s panel! pic.twitter.com/pt3Jau7QFE

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

The existing conventions of #Zelda created a challenge for the developers: how do we take a “passive” game, and create an “active” game? pic.twitter.com/K3wyaoa4a1

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

In looking at the boundaries of the previous #Zelda games, and designing around them, a new freedom of expression and gameplay was formed. pic.twitter.com/dFFcNDcNGQ

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

By creating a game in which the player can interact with objects, and objects can react to the world, #Zelda could become a more active game

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

The quickest way to bring these ideas to life, and present it to the team, a 2D prototype of #Zelda was created. pic.twitter.com/OJnE4yt8Oi

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

What are the elements that make up #Zelda: Breath of the Wild? It’s a matter of physics and chemistry of course! pic.twitter.com/jRirlH9Djp

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

Creating a high degree of freedom is paramount for this #Zelda. For example, being able to push this rock.. all the way to the final boss! ? pic.twitter.com/4qrbad4dlO

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

Mr. Dohta on the increasing freedom and complexity of this #Zelda: “My excitement was coming not as a developer, but as a player.” pic.twitter.com/wo0dFuVMnT

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

What is the “chemistry” of #Zelda: Breath of Wild? All reactions are connected to the world, and of course, Link. pic.twitter.com/lqZpfHTUw1

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

The 2D #Zelda prototype we discussed earlier? It was actually 3D, running BotW’s physics and “chemistry” engine in the background! pic.twitter.com/xouThXgwqb

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

Mr. Dohta: “We really want players to have these moments where they interact with the world and think, ‘Wow! I’m a genius!‘” pic.twitter.com/uTcT0Yz52T

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

Just development things ? The #Zelda team was caught off guard, but pleasantly surprised by the portability of #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/n1byyVjCIk

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

Joining us now is Mr. Takizawa to discuss the art of #Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and he brought some interesting earlier concepts! pic.twitter.com/hHq45fS801

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

Before there was #Zelda: Breath of the Wild there was.. Hyrule Wars? And an alien attack!? The early concepts were definitely wild. pic.twitter.com/0vNYFvtrsQ

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

Link himself went through some trial and error. Meet Biker Link, Tracksuit Link and Musician Link. Tag yourself, #Zelda fans! pic.twitter.com/l2OLxZs4TV

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

Building off #Zelda: Wind Waker HD’s art style, what slogan did Mr. Takizawa adopt for Breath of the Wild? “Refreshing and full-flavored!” pic.twitter.com/tsTKUJaowe

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

Mr. Takizawa summarizes #Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s art style as “The reconciliation between the concepts of playability and reality.” pic.twitter.com/hyQeALQmnU

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

Mr. Takizawa’s aim is to impress “Gutto Kuru” upon a player: “To stir the soul.” To do this, #Zelda conventions needed to be broken. pic.twitter.com/ihnADdtKjW

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017

From the development team of #Zelda: Breath of the Wild, thank you all very much for your support! And thank you for joining us today! pic.twitter.com/Lh0mmNStrJ

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 1, 2017