Nintendo's Mario Series Sustains Creative Continuity Through Long-standing Staff and Fresh Perspectives
ICARO Media Group
In an industry known for its revolving creative teams, maintaining continuity in popular game franchises can be a challenge. However, the Mario series has defied the odds, with every person credited in the creation of the original Super Mario Bros. having a role in the making of Super Mario Bros. Wonder last year.
According to Takashi Tezuka, a Wonder producer, the secret behind this long-tenured staff at Nintendo is that people simply don't quit. The deep-rootedness of the team allows for easy communication and collaboration. Tezuka himself has a soft spot for Super Mario Bros. 3, as it was the last game where he contributed to the visual art side.
Nonetheless, Tezuka recognizes the importance of incorporating fresh perspectives to stay relevant and avoid falling behind the times. He expressed a great interest in observing how newer staff members play, what they enjoy, and what appeals to them. Combining the experiences of these two groups can lead to innovative ideas and creative breakthroughs.
To ensure a broad range of viewpoints, the development team of Super Mario Bros. Wonder reached out to Nintendo employees across the board. They solicited thousands of ideas for potential game-altering "Wonder Effects" and badges. This approach allowed for the incorporation of diverse histories and memories of the series, as well as inspiration from previous titles that might have gone unnoticed by Tezuka himself. Some staff members even had their first encounter with older Mario games, allowing for a fresh approach to reinventing the series.
Shiro Mouri, the Wonder director, shared his fascination with the original Super Mario Bros., which he played during his elementary school days. He was captivated by the secrets and mysteries hidden within the game. To recapture that sense of wonder and discovery, the team introduced Wonder Effects in the new game. These effects aimed to surprise players and evoke the feeling of stumbling upon something new and exciting.
While Mouri did not directly attribute any inspiration to Yoshi's Island, he drew parallels between its transformation elements and the new Wonder transformation effects. Both concepts aimed to provide surprises and align with Nintendo's philosophy of delivering engaging experiences.
The Mario series continues to push boundaries and bridge the generation gap by combining the wisdom and expertise of its long-standing staff with the fresh perspectives of newer team members. By doing so, Nintendo ensures that its beloved franchise remains innovative, appealing to both longtime fans and new players alike.
With Super Mario Bros. Wonder's recent success, it is clear that the blend of experience and innovation is a winning formula for Nintendo, enabling them to sustain the creative continuity of the iconic Mario series for decades to come.
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