Official DLC Speculation Discussion Volume II

[Michael the Spikester]

Wasn't that only focusing on physical sales though? Because without the digital sales it's only half of the story.

True, it slipped my mind that we're still currently in a pandemic. Forgot to factor that in.

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Its kind of bizarre to me that stuff like digital sales in all regions isn't tracked/released to the public better. Even stuff like the NPD tracking feels increasingly questionable as a measure for significant sales trends these days.

 

[Michael the Spikester]

In all honestly, though, I actually don't think Crash is happening.

I feel we're gonna get something more around the lines of Chun-Li or Ryu Hayabusa at E3 this year.

 

[SNEKeater]

It's not surprising Crash 4 wasn't as succesful in terms of sales as the remakes of the original 3 games. Pandemic aside, nostalgia is a strong factor.

Like, I don't think I would be proved wrong if I decided to bet on the upcoming Final Fantasy XVI selling less than Final Fantasy VII Remake or Resident Evil Village also selling less than the eventual Resident Evil 4 Remake.

 

[Wings000]

I still think Spyro would be way more interesting than Crash. Probably biased because I've always preferred Spyro to Crash. Now if only Spyro could get the same revival he did...

 

[Rie Sonomura]

My new prediction for the last three of this pass are: Elma (with a possible Xenoblade X Definitive Edition to go with her), Ahri (per the League rumor) and a wildcard (either Reimu or a Falcom character seems likeliest but it could be anybody)

 

[Professor Pumpkaboo]

My predictions are I have none. Id rather not think something might happen and get burned later

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Interestingly, Nintendo does seem to recognize Crash's history, as he and Spyro are the only two 3rd parties listed on their new "Adventures with Familiar Faces" ad. Well, Sonic's there too but it's only through the Olympic games crossover title.

The existence of Spyro here almost certainly means this ad is American (EDIT: Or just western) only but it's still pretty interesting.

 

[Þe 1 → Way]

Huh, neat. If placeholder and voice theory are dead, does this mean we can realistically speculate on character costumes now?

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Huh, neat. If placeholder and voice theory are dead, does this mean we can realistically speculate on character costumes now?

Not sure we couldn't before but the answer is still that as a general rule, character x does not make sense as an alternate costume of character y.

 

[Þe 1 → Way]

Not sure we couldn't before but the answer is still that as a general rule, character x does not make sense as an alternate costume of character y.

Wasn’t voice theory based around the Voice slots only having 2 placeholders? Which counted out any alternatively voiced costumes for characters?
I might be misremembering this.

 

[SharkLord]

My new prediction for the last three of this pass are: Elma (with a possible Xenoblade X Definitive Edition to go with her), Ahri (per the League rumor) and a wildcard (either Reimu or a Falcom character seems likeliest but it could be anybody)

Honestly I wouldn't put too much stock in 4chan rumors without any credibility to back them up. The one time I've trusted one in recent memory is the negotiations rumor, and even then that's starting to slip. When the most credible leakers are only giving info a week in advance at the absolute most, knowing about a character almost a year in advance is extremely dodgy.

On a side note, where's this XCX DE coming from? I'm curious; I've heard it tossed around a couple times but there doesn't seem to be a source. Is this a rumor or just speculation?

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Wasn’t voice theory based around the Voice slots only having 2 placeholders? Which counted out any alternatively voiced costumes for characters?
I might be misremembering this.

Something like that. Practically though it doesn't count for voiceless characters like Steve, so there's no real concrete conclusions that could have been drawn from the placeholder data in the first place had it existed and wasn't arbitrary.

It also does nothing to narrow down anything as the list of characters that speak is enormous.

 

[Rie Sonomura]

Honestly I wouldn't put too much stock in 4chan rumors without any credibility to back them up. The one time I've trusted one in recent memory is the negotiations rumor, and even then that's starting to slip. When the most credible leakers are only giving info a week in advance at the absolute most, knowing about a character almost a year in advance is extremely dodgy.

On a side note, where's this XCX DE coming from? I'm curious; I've heard it tossed around a couple times but there doesn't seem to be a source. Is this a rumor or just speculation?

just speculation on my part

 

[chocolatejr9]

On a side note, where's this XCX DE coming from? I'm curious; I've heard it tossed around a couple times but there doesn't seem to be a source. Is this a rumor or just speculation?

Mostly just speculation. It's arguably the last big Wii U game to not recieve a Switch port.

Then again, people said that about The Wonderful 101, and that only got ported via Kickstarter.

 

[Goombaic]

On a side note, where's this XCX DE coming from? I'm curious; I've heard it tossed around a couple times but there doesn't seem to be a source. Is this a rumor or just speculation?

Wishful thinking at the moment. Hard to tell if they'll go for a sequel, remake, or port.

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

If we assume that a lot of Monolith Soft is or has recently concluded working on BOTW 2 and that there's a vested interest in keeping the Xenoblade brand somewhat active until the next sequel, then a XCX port does make sense.

Size compression is the biggest hurdle, but if that can be done, the franchise is not only kept relevant but Nintendo could keep up its momentum with notable first party JPRG's, especially when its likely that the next mainline Fire Emblem might be some ways off as well.

 

[SharkLord]

Mostly just speculation. It's arguably the last big Wii U game to not recieve a Switch port.

Then again, people said that about The Wonderful 101, and that only got ported via Kickstarter.

I could see an XCX DE happening, but it seems a bit soon for that. It hasn't even been a year since XCDE released, and the team's gone on record saying that they'd have to rework the game to make it fit with the Switch's lack of gamepad. It doesn't seem like something they can just pull out that quickly, especially when the company is also working on BotW2 and that new fantasy IP they teased. If we get an XCX DE, I don't think it'd come out in time for a Smash cross-promotion.

 

[Deleted member]

On a side note, where's this XCX DE coming from? I'm curious; I've heard it tossed around a couple times but there doesn't seem to be a source. Is this a rumor or just speculation?

It's real. Sawano would never leave his magnum opus stuck on the Wii U.

 

[Guynamednelson]

have obnoxious stuns. And stun-to-death combos, of course.

Please don't make me not want a MOBA rep even more.

It's not surprising Crash 4 wasn't as succesful in terms of sales as the remakes of the original 3 games. Pandemic aside, nostalgia is a strong factor.

Also, the N. Sane Trilogy was a better deal. 3 games for $40 vs. 1 for $60.

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Especially with Zelda's 35 anniversary this year, Wind Waker HD, Twilight Princess HD, and Xenoblade X all feel like the last three titles that feel most valuable to port beyond the Wii U.

 

[ChunkySlugger72]

I still think Spyro would be way more interesting than Crash. Probably biased because I've always preferred Spyro to Crash. Now if only Spyro could get the same revival he did...

Spyro did get a revival in "Reignited Trilogy" which likely happened because Crash Bandicoot's "N. Sane Trilogy" was very successful and it just seemed like the next most obvious thing to do from a business stand point.

Chances are I wouldn't be surprised if the Crash 4 team started working on Spyro 4 seeing how they were the same team that made "Reignited Trilogy", But then again Crash was always bigger and sells better than Spyro so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[CureParfait]

My predictions are a Pokemon, Waluigi, and Reimu since the fighters picked for the pass seems like they are curve-balls for the most part.

 

[SharkLord]

It's real. Sawano would never leave his magnum opus stuck on the Wii U.

Ah yes,

Sawano's masterpiece
(NOISE WARNING)

 

[Louie G.]

If we get an XCX DE, I don't think it'd come out in time for a Smash cross-promotion.

To play devil's advocate here, does it have to? (Also lol, "cross" promotion)

Let's say we hear about it sometime this summer or fall, it's set to release in 2022 and then we get Elma as FP11 by the end of the year. This wouldn't be too jarring to me because everything Sakurai needs to work with is already in a game that released years ago, as opposed to a brand new character and such. With how much focus has been on Xenoblade as of late the idea of bringing attention back toward XCX could have been in the cards a long time ago, and adding Elma could serve to be a step in that direction.

Idk if I necessarily expect this to happen as it lies on several hypotheticals, but my point is just that unlike other games that come "too late" XCX is at least a game that already exists with a cast that has already been established.

 

[Rie Sonomura]

To play devil's advocate here, does it have to? (Also lol, "cross" promotion)

Let's say we hear about it by the end of the year, and then we get Elma as FP11. This wouldn't be too jarring to me because everything Sakurai needs to work with is already in a game that released years ago, as opposed to a brand new character and such. With how much focus has been on Xenoblade as of late the idea of bringing attention back toward XCX could have been in the cards a long time ago, and adding Elma could serve to be a step in that direction.

Idk if I necessarily expect this to happen as it lies on several hypotheticals, but my point is just that unlike other games that come "too late" XCX is at least a game that already exists with a cast that has already been established.

especially since Bayonetta 2 was out long before Bayonetta was added to Smash 4. OR they could add Elma now and announce X DE later.

i think it's worth noting that after Sephiroth's reveal we got these two things trademarked:

Square Enix has trademarked “Ever Crisis” and “The First Soldier” in Japan https://t.co/0lgMnBJPYX pic.twitter.com/FPH67O1NXi

— Final Weapon (@fnlwpn) January 11, 2021

The First Soldier... should be obvious who that is alluding to

 

[chocolatejr9]

especially since Bayonetta 2 was out long before Bayonetta was added to Smash 4. OR they could add Elma now and announce X DE later.

i think it's worth noting that after Sephiroth's reveal we got these two things trademarked:

Square Enix has trademarked “Ever Crisis” and “The First Soldier” in Japan https://t.co/0lgMnBJPYX pic.twitter.com/FPH67O1NXi

— Final Weapon (@fnlwpn) January 11, 2021

The First Soldier... should be obvious who that is alluding to

Sergeant Cortez? Asssuming he traveled back in the time to the dinosaur era, that'd TECHNICALLY make him "The First Soldier"...

 

[Ivander]

The First Soldier... should be obvious who that is alluding to

looks around
I do hope people remember Zack wasn't the First Soldier...

 

[Evil Trapezium]

Sergeant Cortez? Asssuming he traveled back in the time to the dinosaur era, that'd TECHNICALLY make him "The First Soldier"...

Let's not get too carried now.

 

[SNEKeater]

looks around
I do hope people remember Zack wasn't the First Soldier...

Neither is Sephiroth, to be honest. Unless we're talking about

Spoiler

the first SOLDIER with Jenova cells, then yes but AFAIK there were "regular" SOLDIERs before Sephiroth

In any case, those trademarks could be for anything if you ask me, I could see those tradermaks end being for mobile games, books or something like that lol

 

[chocolatejr9]

Let's not get too carried now.

Time travel is weird...

 

[LAA9000]

also real leak

Spoiler: real

Not sure why nobody seems to be talking about this. I mean, if this is real we effectively have the codename for the next DLC fighter. That's pretty big for speculation if you ask me.

Personally, the first character that came to my mind was... Cinderace, but for reasons we've already spent days debating over I doubt we're getting them. There are, of course, many characters this codename could allude to, including the other one that I immediately thought of, Sol Badguy. Not gonna lie, I've recently become super on board with him: he'd be mechanically interesting, Guilty Gear has a ton of style that would fit right in Smash, Arc System Works are already involved in Smash via the River City Spirit Event and I just imagine Masahiro Sakurai and Daisuke Ishiwatari would get along well.

Anyway what are your thoughts? I know I'm sounding like a clickbait leak YouTuber here but this seems to be a legitimate datamine, and I just can't let it drown in this thread in case it turns out to be real.

 

[SNEKeater]

Not sure why nobody seems to be talking about this. I mean, if this is real we effectively have the codename for the next DLC fighter. That's pretty big for speculation if you ask me.

Personally, the first character that came to my mind was... Cinderace, but for reasons we've already spent days debating over I doubt we're getting them. There are, of course, many characters this codename could allude to, including the other one that I immediately thought of, Sol Badguy. Not gonna lie, I've recently become super on board with him: he'd be mechanically interesting, Guilty Gear has a ton of style that would fit right in Smash, Arc System Works are already involved in Smash via the River City Spirit Event and I just imagine Masahiro Sakurai and Daisuke Ishiwatari would get along well.

Anyway what are your thoughts? I know I'm sounding like a clickbait leak YouTuber here but this seems to be a legitimate datamine, and I just can't let it drown in this thread in case it turns out to be real.

Wait, it is really legitimate? I saw the image but didn't pay attention, and I guessed him saying "a real leak" was just him being ironic lol

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Clearly Charizard as a solo character is coming back.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate: Revenge of Rock Smash.

 

[TCT~Phantom]

Wait, it is really legitimate? I saw the image but didn't pay attention, and I guessed him saying "a real leak" was just him being ironic lol

I would like a source before jumping whole hog onto this sort of leak. Just something worth exercising caution over.

Interestingly, Nintendo does seem to recognize Crash's history, as he and Spyro are the only two 3rd parties listed on their new "Adventures with Familiar Faces" ad. Well, Sonic's there too but it's only through the Olympic games crossover title.

The existence of Spyro here almost certainly means this ad is American (EDIT: Or just western) only but it's still pretty interesting.

The thing that makes this ad weird is not just what is in it, but what isn't. They did not put Mario Odyssey or Luigi's Mansion 3 in it which feels like very weird choice. I would have expected Odyssey before Star Allies and especially Crash and Spyro for this sort of ad.

 

[Perkilator]

Clearly Charizard as a solo character is coming back.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate: Revenge of Rock Smash.

Okay but real talk; while I don’t mind Squirtle or Ivysaur, I kinda wish Charizard was solo in Brawl onwards.

 

[YoshiandToad]

I still think Spyro would be way more interesting than Crash. Probably biased because I've always preferred Spyro to Crash. Now if only Spyro could get the same revival he did...

Well he sort of did. Sorta. We got the Reignited Trilogy and I swear there's been rumours about a new Spyro game in the works.

The issue is Spyro's presence in Japan is awful. The original games did some random things to the gameplay like slow down the charge speed and run speed so he's barely quicker than when he walks, changed the camera to a more zoomed out one, and removed the colour changing for Sparx. Bare in mind Sparx's colour changes indicate your health bar and you can see why this was a bad move.

Skylanders also never came to Japan it seems, and whilst they did get the Reignited Trilogy released over there it was digital only, unsubbed and undubbed.

Activision for some reason seem to really want to prevent Spyro from getting Japanese fans.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Wait, it is really legitimate? I saw the image but didn't pay attention, and I guessed him saying "a real leak" was just him being ironic lol

He did double down but I still think it's dry humor. Besides, fire is such a common thing to give a main or major character that it doesn't really narrow anything down.

 

[Rie Sonomura]

He did double down but I still think it's dry humor. Besides, fire is such a common thing to give a main or major character that it doesn't really narrow anything down.

I already know who he's alluding to, it's Homura Akemi. back in the day he was known on the pre release social as "that Homura guy"

 

[SNEKeater]

I would like a source before jumping whole hog onto this sort of leak. Just something worth exercising caution over.

I mean, you're right. I was asking him just in case.
But it would be funny if it was indeed a real thing and no one was talking about it lmao.

He did double down but I still think it's dry humor. Besides, fire is such a common thing to give a main or major character that it doesn't really narrow anything down.

I kinda disagree, while obviously fire is really a common thing, it would also write off some names. Like, I wouldn't expect characters like Crash, Lloyd, Monster Hunter or Dante if that "leak" was legitimate.