Shantae, the Half Genie Protector of Scuttle Town! (A Switch To A New WayForward)

[Xevious 1]

I personally think that actions speak louder than words ( the interview) ; She is not included in any fighting games but she is in other games, we had plenty of obvious hints in jammies mode here and there, the whole company behaves very silent whenever smash's topic is brought up to them ect
I may be deluded, but to me that interviews does not weight nearly as much as these FACTS.

That is what makes Smash speculation so fun especially for this game since it is going by ballot characters.

 

[Veodok]

When you pass out early and come back to see 4 new freaking pages on the thread, holy ****. I missed so much discussion T_T

 

[Jorichi]

Welp, back from Gamescom and I'm glad to see that I've had several pages to read through ^.^

On the topic of Gamescom, the Nintendo Booth was much bigger than last year's, I feel. A few indies they showed in the UK indie video presentation had playable demos there (Everspace, Baba is You and Monsterboy for example). I couldn't see which Smash demo version was used as the floor demo since the whole Super Mario Party and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate sections were walled off. Unfortunately I couldn't really justify standing in line to get a hands-on experience since I had a stand of my own to attend to.
I was also surprised to see more indies around this time. I find it really fun to discover new indies this way.

Anyways, back on the speculation topic (puts on tinfoil hat):
I've had the impression that James Montagna might be the middleman between WayForward and Sakurai/Smash Devs. I mean he does state how it's important to have those connections and relations between companies to make these 3rd party characters work. We know James has met Sakurai, I know he knows some basic Japanese (and has close connections with someone who knows fluent Japanese) and James is ofcourse one of the people who's very much involved with Shantae.

There was an earlier interview with James Montagna by Source Gaming on January 16th, 2016: https://sourcegaming.info/2016/02/07/sfts-james-montaga/
(sorry if this has already been covered).
This interview covers some talk about Indies in general, some Shantae and some Smash, but noting really about Shantae being in smash (it's about 2 hours long though). The interesting part to me is his mentioning of being with Sakurai during the reveal of PacMan (around 1:07:00). So this relation might just have already been there a bit back then.
So I could think James Montagna is under NDA as well. Though he is more comfortable talking about Smash and like someone stated before he's a big Smash fan and going dead silent would just create more suspicion.

Also, when it comes to the Nindie Direct, I wouldn't expect a reveal there, though it's not impossible. What does seem more likely and a much more Sakurai-like thing to do is leave a subtle tease in there.
I know I'm keeping my eyes open during this Direct, because I just like to speculate.

 

[Deleted member]

I'll be honest, my hope for a Shantae character reveal hasn't changed, but thinking about it, I'd be more than happy if she at least got a trophy or direct reference of some other kind.

 

[Staarih]

I'll be honest, my hope for a Shantae character reveal hasn't changed, but thinking about it, I'd be more than happy if she at least got a trophy or direct reference of some other kind.

Indeed, even a trophy would be better than nothing. With Sakurai confirming he refers to the ballot when choosing (at least some) of the characters, there's no way he hasn't seen Shantae up there - I don't believe any fan polls etc. can be that off in regards to how the ballot actually went down. So I feel at least a trophy of Shantae is a given, to give her at least a little recognition.

As for the interview discussed above, I really have no clue what to think lol - so I guess I'm just not gonna think about it. I just hope we get some hints or even a confirmation of how Shantae is represented (if at all), the sooner the better. Even if it's a disappointing result, at least we'd know what the deal is. The wait is killing me haha!
...though I guess in the case of her not being in at all, in any capacity, would have to wait until release. Oh boy.

 

[Klimax]

You can add me to the supporters' list ! I would like to see Shantae coming to Smash Bros, i think she deserves it and that she could have a wonderful moveset !
And with the deconfirmation of Shovel Knight, i think she clearly has a chance.

 

[KirbyWorshipper2465]

EDIT: The longer we go on without seeing Shantae as an AT, the higher the likelihood of her being a playable character given the SK AT (IMO). However, by the same right, so would the 3rd option's likelihood increase (bad news if true).

Yes. There has been rumbling about whether Kat & Ana managed to be promoted for similar reasons. Ashley has been briefly shown as an AT, but why not them too? It's unnecessarily conspicuous.

 

[GoldLiger]

Man a few hours gone and lots of stuff to go through. But man more evidence to her at least being in Smash in one form or another(I pray it is in playable form). I feel like I am playing Detective Pikachu again with the whole finding clues and solving puzzles. Now a quote from a book writer for a famous detective:

"When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains while improbable, must be the truth." or something like this.

 

[DOTBHDD]

Final proof that James knew nothing of Super Smash Bros Ultimate or of Shantae in Smash. Also confirms he was not under any sort of NDA during the time of the interview because he knew nothing of Smash coming to Switch.

https://youtu.be/3CA9WDHGilM
5:05

"As of right now there is no Super Smash Brothers game for Switch that has been announced as of this conversation... I personally do not know of anything but I am willing to bet that there is something in development."

So if Shantae is in Smash, Sakurai went to Matt Bozon who is under an NDA and whoever is maybe handling the WayForward Twitter who is also apart of that NDA.

I'm still listening to the interview but just wanted to clarify that now.

 

[Dixie Kong]

It could also be very possible that WayForward (or rather Matt) has been negotiating with Nintendo for Shantae to become a dlc character, which is why they have been super quiet about the matter recently, yet James didn’t know anything a year ago.

 

[WreckitRyan]

Glad to see our detective crew was on the case on that video I posted while I was sleeping, haha.

 

[Boo Jr.]

Final proof that James knew nothing of Super Smash Bros Ultimate or of Shantae in Smash. Also confirms he was not under any sort of NDA during the time of the interview because he knew nothing of Smash coming to Switch.

https://youtu.be/3CA9WDHGilM
5:05

"As of right now there is no Super Smash Brothers game for Switch that has been announced as of this conversation... I personally do not know of anything but I am willing to bet that there is something in development."

So if Shantae is in Smash, Sakurai went to Matt Bozon who is under an NDA and whoever is maybe handling the WayForward Twitter who is also apart of that NDA.

I'm still listening to the interview but just wanted to clarify that now.

He could have lied. When under NDA lying is sometimes a better option other than dead silence.

I'm listening the interview too, and at 17:05 he cleary says "doesn't seems too likely that we will see an indie character in a future smash title" and at 19:30 he says, about indie representation in smash, "maybe a figher is too much, but a trophy is reasonable".
From what I'm hearing, it appears that Wayforward IS under NDA, but Shantae will (sadly) be just an AT. I find weird not having her along side Shovel Knight AT in the last direct, and I still hope for her to be a playable fighter, but honestly my expectations are low...

 

[Shinuto]

He could have lied. When under NDA lying is sometimes a better option other than dead silence.

I'm listening the interview too, and at 17:05 he cleary says "doesn't seems too likely that we will see an indie character in a future smash title" and at 19:30 he says, about indie representation in smash, "maybe a figher is too much, but a trophy is reasonable".
From what I'm hearing, it appears that Wayforward IS under NDA, but Shantae will (sadly) be just an AT. I find weird not having her along side Shovel Knight AT in the last direct, and I still hope for her to be a playable fighter, but honestly my expectations are low...

I believe directly stating there is no new Smash underway would break NDA?....

 

[AngrySun88]

The more I look into it the more it sounds like James doesn't really knows anything about Shantae in Smash Bros. He's a fan, sure, but he doesn't seem to know if Shantae's in or not. If she is in, then it's likely Sakurai only told Bozon and he's under the NDA. I'm not sure who else would be under the NDA, but it would explain why they haven't really talked about Shantae in Smash this year. Seems like a lot of effort just for an assist trophy.

Of course we all could be over-analyzing and reading what we want to see out of it. We won't know for sure until we hear it from the horses' (Bozon or Sakurai) mouths.

 

[DOTBHDD]

He could have lied. When under NDA lying is sometimes a better option other than dead silence.

I'm listening the interview too, and at 17:05 he cleary says "doesn't seems too likely that we will see an indie character in a future smash title" and at 19:30 he says, about indie representation in smash, "maybe a figher is too much, but a trophy is reasonable".
From what I'm hearing, it appears that Wayforward IS under NDA, but Shantae will (sadly) be just an AT. I find weird not having her along side Shovel Knight AT in the last direct, and I still hope for her to be a playable fighter, but honestly my expectations are low...

I honestly think lying is kind of a bigger stretch than him just simply not knowing. There was also nothing that prompted James to say that. He just said it.

I also think Sakurai doesn't contact everyone involved with the character. Mainly just the main heads. Matt and Erin Bozon could have been conversating to Sakurai anywhere from late 2015 to early 2018 about Shanate.

It's also worth mentioning that James talked about how the ballot data may have a large influence on Nintendo. That has been proven with Sakurai's latest interview as well as he comments on picking characters mainly from the ballot.

I think that during the time of this interview, James was not under any sort of NDA and its possible he still may not be. Matt is probably under some sort of NDA and informed the WayForward media team that any outward replies that specifically handle Shantae and Smash must not be directly replied to.

I also want to note that every single criteria James goes through to get into Smash, Shantae qualifies for. I'm sure he wants Shantae to be playable or have some sort of representation but is keeping cautious expectations like any fan would.

 

[Shinuto]

The more I look into it the more it sounds like James doesn't really knows anything about Shantae in Smash Bros. He's a fan, sure, but he doesn't seem to know if Shantae's in or not. If she is in, then it's likely Sakurai only told Bozon and he's under the NDA. I'm not sure who else would be under the NDA, but it would explain why they haven't really talked about Shantae in Smash this year. Seems like a lot of effort just for an assist trophy.

Of course we all could be over-analyzing and reading what we want to see out of it. We won't know for sure until we hear it from the horses' (Bozon or Sakurai) mouths.

Imagine how Erin and Matt must feel if Shantae was indeed made playable.

 

[Veodok]

Of course we all could be over-analyzing and reading what we want to see out of it. We won't know for sure until we hear it from the horses' (Bozon or Sakurai) mouths.

This is really what we should be focusing on. (tbh I'm not even sure how the topic of James even came up) But Matt partially owns Shantae and Sakurai is making the game; these should realistically be the only people that matter in addition to WF's official twitter.

 

[AngrySun88]

Imagine how Erin and Matt must feel if Shantae was indeed made playable.

Honestly, if anyone at WayForward knows about her status in Smash, it would be them, and they're under an NDA not to talk about it.

Shantae's voice actress would also likely know at this point if she's had to record new lines or not, which would mean she's also under an NDA.

This is really what we should be focusing on. (tbh I'm not even sure how the topic of James even came up) But Matt partially owns Shantae and Sakurai is making the game; these should realistically be the only people that matter in addition to WF's official twitter.

Exactly. I'm leaning towards the side that James doesn't really know one way or the other.

 

[Veodok]

Exactly. I'm leaning towards the side that James doesn't really know one way or the other.

Which is why I think a lot of this discussion has been over-analysis. There's no reason to believe that James would have ever been needed to be contacted about her inclusion (AT or otherwise), so his quotes should be meaningless. When you keep things under wraps you don't go alerting the entire company about the thing that's supposed to be a secret.

If there's an NDA involved, I would assume that only a small handful of people @ WF even know there's one in place to begin with.

 

[DOTBHDD]

Yeah. So... basically, to sum this up. The interview has not shifted Shantae's chances up or down at all.

However, it was an interesting listen and encourage people to watch the interview if you have the time.

Also worth noting that at the end, both say to stay encouraged and let your voice be heard because we may be surprised. Which is exactly what Shantae fans are doing and have been doing since Brawl so I think we are on a good track.

 

[Captain Hazama]

Xenoblade 2 is getting a "special surprise" in an hour. Maybe WayForward would do the same later on?

 

[DOTBHDD]

Xenoblade 2 is getting a "special surprise" in an hour. Maybe WayForward would do the same later on?

REX AND PYRA!?!?!?!?!
Don't do this to me. Pleeease don't do this to me.

 

[Veodok]

Xenoblade 2 is getting a "special surprise" in an hour. Maybe WayForward would do the same later on?

Off-topic of Shantae, but Pyra and Mythra would be cool to see in smash. (I don't care for Rex tho) (and yes I know that it's impossible to have them used seperately)

 

[MoveMan1]

LETS GET READY FOR SPAMMING "That's it? No smash?"

 

[Captain Hazama]

I think it's an actual trailer of the rumored Elma as a blade in XB2. But a I stated before, let's keep an eye out on WayForwards twitter, they may announce something like in this way as well.

 

[WreckitRyan]

Xenoblade 2 is getting a "special surprise" in an hour. Maybe WayForward would do the same later on?

Where did you get this from? Sorry on my phone and just can’t find where that announcement originated.

 

[AngrySun88]

It's most likely DLC. Seems odd that they would randomly drop a trailer for Smash so soon after the Direct, and I think that Rex and Pyra are too new for Smash anyway. Elma is the more likely Xenoblade candidate.

But even if it is a Smash announcement, it still has no impact on Shantae's chances. I also think that James' interview doesn't change things one way or the other.

 

[MoveMan1]

It's on Nintendo uk's twitter at the very least.

 

[Veodok]

Where did you get this from? Sorry on my phone and just can’t find where that announcement originated.

Reddit source

 

[Captain Hazama]

Where did you get this from? Sorry on my phone and just can’t find where that announcement originated.

Right here,
https://mobile.twitter.com/NintendoUK/status/1032962566627184640

 

[GoodShepperd]

Wow this thread has officially stressed me out now. I've definitely gotten too excited about Shantae. Anyway, as far as that James Montagna interview goes I wouldn't read anything into it. It didn't sound to me like he was trying to skirt around Shantae, it just sounded like he didn't know anything. He's just like any other fan who has been following Smash and thinking about the chances of Indie characters. When he says Nintendo's listening I'm fairly sure he's just referring to the fact that they did a ballot and everything, at least that's how it seemed to me

Whether this means anything or not though, I'm sick of waiting around :/ I just want to know so this can be over blah!

 

[zferolie]

I think this Xenoblade 2 announcment will most likely be Elma for DLC in that game, but that also does push her chances up for smash afterwards...

Speaking of Xenoblade I need to finish that game. I ckinda burned myself out trying to get KOS-MOS and stopped while climbing the tree...

 

[Pakky]

Spoiler: Risky Boots

 

[AngrySun88]

Wow this thread has officially stressed me out now. I've definitely gotten too excited about Shantae. Anyway, as far as that James Montagna interview goes I wouldn't read anything into it. It didn't sound to me like he was trying to skirt around Shantae, it just sounded like he didn't know anything. He's just like any other fan who has been following Smash and thinking about the chances of Indie characters. When he says Nintendo's listening I'm fairly sure he's just referring to the fact that they did a ballot and everything, at least that's how it seemed to me

Whether this means anything or not though, I'm sick of waiting around :/ I just want to know so this can be over blah!

Agreed. I think people are reading too much into that interview and it sounds like he doesn't know anything about who is in Smash or not. I'm pretty sure if Matt knows something he wouldn't break an NDA by telling the entire company.

 

[A1Again]

I think this Xenoblade 2 announcment will most likely be Elma for DLC in that game, but that also does push her chances up for smash afterwards...

Speaking of Xenoblade I need to finish that game. I ckinda burned myself out trying to get KOS-MOS and stopped while climbing the tree...

Not worth it, tbh. I spent days reloading from the beginning and when I finally got her, I didn't get any other useful rare blade from the cores. I need to beat it as well, lol.

Elma is a good bet, though. It's been getting around for a while, now. Didn't mean to deter from Shantae.

 

[MoveMan1]

Aaaaaand it's not smash. But at least Xenoblade remembers Elma!

 

[Shinuto]

I still need to beat XCX.

that said, How do you think various haters will respond if SHantae gets in, you know the ones, those who call her a "Never ever" or say she's more unlikely than even Sans or Commander Video. I'm an admitted lover of Schadenfreude so I'll take glorious joy in seeing their mountains of salt if they are proven wrong.

 

[zferolie]

Not worth it, tbh. I spent days reloading from the beginning and when I finally got her, I didn't get any other useful rare blade from the cores. I need to beat it as well, lol.

Elma is a good bet, though. It's been getting around for a while, now. Didn't mean to deter from Shantae.

Yeah seems like she is gonna be a rare blade, and in there now. I should go back and do all the extra stuff, then finish the game and get new game plus to get the torna blades as well... man too much to do lol.

I think her being here helps her chances in smash, shows they didn't forget her game and they said in the video she is very popular.

I still need to beat XCX.

that said, How do you think various haters will respond if SHantae gets in, you know the ones, those who call her a "Never ever" or say she's more unlikely than even Sans or Commander Video. I'm an admitted lover of Schadenfreude so I'll take glorious joy in seeing their mountains of salt if they are proven wrong.

You'll get haters no mater who is announced. best to ignore them

 

[A1Again]

I still need to beat XCX.

that said, How do you think various haters will respond if SHantae gets in, you know the ones, those who call her a "Never ever" or say she's more unlikely than even Sans or Commander Video. I'm an admitted lover of Schadenfreude so I'll take glorious joy in seeing their mountains of salt if they are proven wrong.

There's at least 30 GameFAQs members on my ignore list simply because they've resorted to attacking me personally just because I vote for Shantae. One in particular goes out of his way anytime she's mentioned.

 

[Shinuto]

Yeah seems like she is gonna be a rare blade, and in there now. I should go back and do all the extra stuff, then finish the game and get new game plus to get the torna blades as well... man too much to do lol.

I think her being here helps her chances in smash, shows they didn't forget her game and they said in the video she is very popular.



You'll get haters no mater who is announced. best to ignore them

But I want to give them attention, screw the high ground in this, I want to rub it in their faces!