Event - E3 Invitational 2014 Smash Q+A Presentation being held at E3!

[Morbi]

Actually disregard my last post. Public entrance is only until 6 pm and Q&A is at 7:00 pm, so I won't be there.

Oh, do not worry, well you know... we always have this to look forward to.

Unless someone from this site (@ Chiroz ???) manages to get into the Q&A, expect a whole lot of "OMG Sakurai what's it like???" or "Thank you so, so, so much, you're literally the best!" remarks, with the occasional nugget of info scattered in the mix if we're lucky.

 

[Oracle_Summon]

If someone is able to get into the Q&A at E3, I think we should make a thread poll asking which character we want news on.

 

[Hippopotasauce]

If someone is able to get into the Q&A at E3, I think we should make a thread poll asking which character we want news on.

As nice an idea it is, I don't think anyone here will be going to the Q&A and I know Sakurai won't be saying whether or not a character will be in.

 

[Oracle_Summon]

As nice an idea it is, I don't think anyone here will be going to the Q&A and I know Sakurai won't be saying whether or not a character will be in.

True....well whoever is going to E3 is probably keeping it on the down low, since they would get swamped with responses.

 

[AustarusIV]

I swear to God, if questions about Ridley and King K. Rool aren't given out then I don't know what to say anymore.

Hopefully the Q&A's will be interesting to look at, and not gratuitous praise for creating "yet another stunning masterpiece".

 

[Morbi]

Is the entire hour and a half reserved for the Q&A? If that is the case, we should get a lot of relevant answers actually, there are bound to be a few good ones.

 

[Chiroz]

True....well whoever is going to E3 is probably keeping it on the down low, since they would get swamped with responses.

Well, the problem is that the Q&A is solely reserved to news media. Just like the Pokemon X & Y Q&A of last year's E3 (the one where someone asked if Mewtwo Y was going to be in Smash 4) the event will be held after public hours are over meaning only people who are invited by Nintendo themselves will be able to attend the event. Meaning only news media people will attend.

I will be at E3 all day for the 4 days of the expo, I am restricted to only the public hours (until 6 pm), but I will try my very best to see if there is any legal way possible for me to attend the Q&A, although I highly doubt it.

 

[Oracle_Summon]

Well, the problem is that the Q&A is solely reserved to news media. Just like the Pokemon X & Y Q&A of last year's E3 (the one where someone asked if Mewtwo Y was going to be in Smash 4) the event will be held after public hours are over meaning only people who are invited by Nintendo themselves will be able to attend the event. Meaning only news media people will attend.

I will be at E3 all day for the 4 days of the expo, I am restricted to only the public hours (until 6 pm), but I will try my very best to see if there is any legal way possible for me to attend the Q&A, although I highly doubt it.

Don't knock yourself if you can't though. Just enjoy the event.

 

[Venus of the Desert Bloom]

I imagine Sakurai will withhold information that he doesn't wish to share I.e"Where is Ridley?" If Ridley is not revealed at E3, that question will just be met with "I'm sorry but I'm unable to answer that question now."

 

[Amazing Ampharos]

If anyone from here finds there way into this Q&A, please don't ask bad questions like "Is Ridley in the game?" That question will not get you any sort of answer that gives new information ("Yeah, he's a newcomer; I wasn't going to announce him today, but because you asked, I guess I will!"... yeah, right), but there's so much that could be asked that would be very interesting. I suggest focusing on balance decisions and game systems; Sakurai is known to have a passion for that stuff but often shies away from talking too much about it since it's really technical stuff. A well-crafted question could get him to drop a hefty explanation that would be super interesting to those of us in the competitive community. I can think of so many ways to do it...

"Strong Brawl players often got ahead by playing with an extreme focus on defense. What sort of system changes in smash 4 are going to change that dynamic?"

"Does smash 4 have any systems to prevent the lengthy, inescapable chaingrabs that could do so much damage in Melee and Brawl?"

"How is the game's balance shaping up, and can we be confident no character will be as strong relative to everyone else as Meta Knight was in Brawl?"

"Is the online being tested to work with typical American internet connections? We have a lot lower speeds and larger distances between players here than in Japan, and it makes a lot of Japanese games hard to play online for us."

You could even go for smaller details and probably get good info...

"You said in a picture of the day that Link's new down aerial meteor might be removed if it turns out too good. How did it turn out?"

"We know Olimar has fewer pikmin, but how much does that help the larger and slower characters that had no way to crack his defenses in Brawl?"

"Diddy Kong always seemed like a more speed based character in Brawl. How does his extended range change his playstyle?"

The possibilities are really quite endless, and I bet if asked in a Q&A Sakurai would answer every question I've listed here. It's likely no one from here will be in that Q&A, but please, if you are, think carefully about what questions you ask. I already expect most of the questions will be either really vague and answered by Sakurai just saying what we already know (game journalists love asking those kinds of questions) or dumb questions like which characters are in the game that obviously aren't going to be answered with new information.

 

[ChikoLad]

I actually would rather no questions about unconfirmed characters or anything like that.

Firstly, because Sakurai will likely dodge them anyway. Secondly, because the 3DS game will be out in like, two months-ish at most by that point, so we will know the full roster before long. Thirdly, we'll probably see at least one newcomer and one veteran reveal at E3, and considering all of the Smash Bros coverage we will get at E3, that's enough to get people excited and get them talking.

I'd rather get information about things only Sakurai could answer. For example, some people seem confused by additions like Rosalina and Wii Fit Trainer. While I can personally rationalise and accept all of the characters (and adore Rosalina specifically), it'd be interesting to hear what actually inspired Sakurai to add the newcomers he did.

Maybe we could possibly ask about how exactly Bandai Namco is involved in the game. I know they developed the development kit, but they have to have more involvement than that.

It'd also be interesting to hear Sakurai's current thoughts on more competitive Smash in his own words, as we know he's at least watching us, and we know he had to have approved the Smash Bros Invitational, which allegedly has top Smash players competing (whether or not they are a part of the actual competitive community is something the public does not know yet).

I don't mean this in a snobby way, but I feel like since I take the majority of active members here to be at least teenagers, we should be above asking for information about stuff we will inevitably know about. This may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to find out some behind the scenes development info, and we should not squander it on "IS RIDLEY STILL TOO BIG????".

 

[True Blue Warrior]

A good question to ask is how much "relevancy" actually factors into the roster decision.

 

[ChikoLad]

A good question to ask is how much "relevancy" actually factors into the roster decision.

The problem with the term relevancy is that it's contextual. It really doesn't matter, since relevant can mean many different things.

When people say "relevancy" in terms of Smash characters, I often feel the word they are looking for is "topical".

 

[BBG|Scott-Spain]

Is anyone confirmed to be liveblogging this?

 

[True Blue Warrior]

The problem with the term relevancy is that it's contextual. It really doesn't matter, since relevant can mean many different things.

When people say "relevancy" in terms of Smash characters, I often feel the word they are looking for is "topical".

Alright then. What I mean is-is being recently prominent a major factor into character inclusion (for example, does K. Rool's abscence from his series affect his chances of being in Smash 4, hypothetically speaking, despite all of his merits?)

 

[Snagrio]

Since chances are the Digital Event will already showcase a multiple newcomers trailer presumably with the characters everyone has been waiting for (i.e. Ridley, K. Rool, Palutena, Mewtwo, ext.) then I imagine such questions won't be too prevalent since most would hopefully already been "answered" hours ago. In fact I bet that's the plan so Sakurai won't have to worry about them at the Q&A.

 

[ChikoLad]

Alright then. What I mean is-is being recently prominent a major factor into character inclusion (for example, does K. Rool's abscence from his series affect his chances of being in Smash 4, hypothetically speaking, despite all of his merits?)

It should be obvious that this isn't really a factor, at least not a primary one. Pit hadn't been in a game in a long, long time when he showed up in Brawl.

I think if a character is recently prominent, it helps, as Sakurai would pretty much be forced to think about them due to them being in his face, but it's hardly necessary.

 

[Sahfarry]

My personal questions:

• What can we be expecting in terms of alt. costumes?
• How does Lucario's Mega Evolution work?
• What other stages can we expect to return?
• Are stickers returning? (Perhaps in the form of Miiverse stamps?)
• Will Final Destination mode stages all feel the same? Platforms?
• Are there Little Mac codecs with Doc Louis?
• Will we be seeing any more playable 3rd party characters?
• What do the varying Luma colours mean?
• Ridley question

 

[aliensalmon]

This is awesome! I hope it will be a good, informative Q and A session. As always, I can't wait!

 

[GamerGuy09]

Questions that Really Need Answers:

• What is your thoughts on Project: M?
• What is your criteria for if a character is eligible for Smash? As you said Villager was not a viable Smash Character back in 2008, however as you can see he is playable and looks fun and unique.
• Did you feel you were pressured to make a more competitive Smash by the community? And if they did not, why did you decide to go the competitive route?
• Why haven't you gave clones, such as Toon Link, more variety than their base? Did you not have the time to replace one of their special moves to something that represents them more? Such as the Deku Leaf?
• Alt costumes, you shown quite a few. Will each character have one? Could you please give some examples.

 

[Morbi]

Questions that Really Need Answers:

• What is your thoughts on Project: M?
• What is your criteria for if a character is eligible for Smash? As you said Villager was not a viable Smash Character back in 2008, however as you can see he is playable and looks fun and unique.
• Did you feel you were pressured to make a more competitive Smash by the community? And if they did not, why did you decide to go the competitive route?
• Why haven't you gave clones, such as Toon Link, more variety than their base? Did you not have the time to replace one of their special moves to something that represents them more? Such as the Deku Leaf?
• Alt costumes, you shown quite a few. Will each character have one? Could you please give some examples.

I am very interested in Sakurai's thoughts on Project M, that is a really good one.

 

[Deleted member]

I am very interested in Sakurai's thoughts on Project M, that is a really good one.

Chances are he'll just refuse to comment on it if he's asked his opinions, to put it bluntly.

 

[Morbi]

Chances are he'll just refuse to comment on it if he's asked his opinions, to put it bluntly.

You think so? What is he going to answer then? Why is he even there? Haha.

 

[shrooby]

I'll be going to E3 as well, but, as Raykz said, the Q&A will be held after visiting hours. I'll try to ask around, see who's going to be at the Q&A, and see if they'll pass on some questions, but, based on what little we know, I most likely won't be able to do anything more than that.
Asking about Project M would be really interesting. I'd also be interested in a question regarding how he's going about balancing the game this time around and how it differs from Brawl.

 

[Johnny Wellens]

Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but asking questions we'll get an answer to in a month seems like a waste. I think better questions would be focused on either the future or getting a better look into Sakurai's brain. Asking about connectivity between the two games, while it'd be nice to know, we're going to get the answer soon enough, better to know why Sakurai chose one thing over another, in my opinion.

 

[Norm]

There's gonna be some sort or screening process so that people don't ask foolish questions. I don't really know what you would really want to ask. I guess something about the possibility of DLC. I personally would like to know if the events are making a return because I loved those. I can't really think of anything that really needs to be asked at this point though.

Maybe, can you add friends through the for glory and for fun modes? Just if you're playing against someone you're having a good match against and want to keep it going can you just add them at the character select screen. Also wouldn't mind knowing is there going to be a voice chat option.

 

[Moldy Clay]

I don't really know what you would really want to ask. I can't really think of anything that really needs to be asked at this point though.

Agreed. Like, seriously? Why would you want to waste a question asking what Sakurai thinks of Project M? That irrelevant and I don't even know why we should care.

In all honesty, the only things I want to know are things that we wouldn't be able to learn by actually playing. Like how he chose the roster, what warrants a character upgrading or being revisited, why Toon Link doesn't have a new moveset, ask about the character files on Brawl that were removed, characters he wanted in that didn't make the cut and why, etc. Anything that would be cool to know, as opposed to things that we'll learn anyway.

If it had to be questions that we'll learn naturally, then I'd say to focus on learning about modes (especially on Wii U), 3DS-Wii U connection, DLC, character cuts (and more importantly, why they were cut), costumes for everyone, stickers/stamps, StreetPass functionality, Miiverse functionality, voice chat and/or if text taunts are back, etc.

 

[Morbi]

Agreed. Like, seriously? Why would you want to waste a question asking what Sakurai thinks of Project M? That irrelevant and I don't even know why we should care.

In all honesty, the only things I want to know are things that we wouldn't be able to learn by actually playing. Like how he chose the roster, what warrants a character upgrading or being revisited, why Toon Link doesn't have a new moveset, ask about the character files on Brawl that were removed, characters he wanted in that didn't make the cut and why, etc. Anything that would be cool to know, as opposed to things that we'll learn anyway.

If it had to be questions that we'll learn naturally, then I'd say to focus on learning about modes (especially on Wii U), 3DS-Wii U connection, DLC, character cuts (and more importantly, why they were cut), costumes for everyone, stickers/stamps, StreetPass functionality, Miiverse functionality, voice chat and/or if text taunts are back, etc.

No offense, most of those questions are pretty obvious. I mean, we can never know definitively. But I think we have a pretty good idea. That being said, those are the questions that are going to be asked anyways, so at least someone will be happy.

 

[Moldy Clay]

No offense, most of those questions are pretty obvious. I mean, we can never know definitively. But I think we have a pretty good idea. That being said, those are the questions that are going to be asked anyways, so at least someone will be happy.

The questions at the bottom are certainly obvious/will be asked, but that's why they're at the bottom. Ones that shouldn't be asked since we'll learn them anyway.

The first chunk are not 'obvious'. They're about his thought process in how the roster was formed, why characters are how they are, why they were chosen or not chosen, further information on the infamous list of characters in Brawl's data, and stuff that would literally only he would have the answer for.

Like, Sakurai confirmed with Brawl they had plenty of characters in mind, more than the amount we got, but some of them got cut before they even started (I remember K.Rool being mentioned, but I can't seem to find a source, so maybe I made that up), and others got cut at varying points during development (evidenced by how much Mewtwo & Roy had done) and other characters were seemingly added at the last second. None of this stuff is obvious. Most of it was found out by tearing the disc apart. I just think it'd be cool to know more about the actual development, from Sakurai himself. Things that we would never know.

Those were just examples though. I don't mean those questions specifically, just that I feel that questions that can't be answered by ourselves that result in nothing more than educated assumption or by trying to piece stuff together are more valuable than stuff that means absolutely nothing or that we will find out by simply playing the game.

 

[Morbi]

The questions at the bottom are certainly obvious/will be asked, but that's why they're at the bottom. Ones that shouldn't be asked since we'll learn them anyway.

The first chunk are not 'obvious'. They're about his thought process in how the roster was formed, why characters are how they are, why they were chosen or not chosen, further information on the infamous list of characters in Brawl's data, and stuff that would literally only he would have the answer for.

Like, Sakurai confirmed with Brawl they had plenty of characters in mind, more than the amount we got, but some of them got cut before they even started (I remember K.Rool being mentioned, but I can't seem to find a source, so maybe I made that up), and others got cut at varying points during development (evidenced by how much Mewtwo & Roy had done) and other characters were seemingly added at the last second. None of this stuff is obvious. Most of it was found out by tearing the disc apart. I just think it'd be cool to know more about the actual development, from Sakurai himself. Things that we would never know.

Those were just examples though. I don't mean those questions specifically, just that I feel that questions that can't be answered by ourselves that result in nothing more than educated assumption or by trying to piece stuff together are more valuable than stuff that means absolutely nothing or that we will find out by simply playing the game.

I don't necessarily believe that he will answer Brawl questions during the Smash 4 Q&A to be perfectly honest. I can't say that I am not curious. I just don't find it to be that likely. The thought process is most certainly going to be asked though, I expect that one.

 

[Kamikazek]

I wouldn't be surprised if the journalists are told not to ask about stuff like unused game data and mods beforehand. And probably some other things as well.

 

[Substitution]

Edit: Wrong thread...

 

[OddCrow]

I'd really love to hear the question - "How often do fans surprise you with their dedication to - and love of - this game?"

 

[Protom]

The first question will be: "Is Ridley too big?"

 

[supercopper64]

I personaly think we SHOULD ask more about Sakurai, such as,
"What was your favorite smash game to develope so for?"
"Did you think Smash would ever get this big?"
"Who is your favorite character in the franchise?"
"Is this the last Smash Bros game?"
or
"How come there is no name such as Melee or Brawl, but simply Super Smash Bros for Wii U/3ds?

 

[Gamer YTP]

Questions I'd like to ask:

• Is Ridley deconfirmed?
• Is Ridley deconfirmed?
• Is Ridley deconfirmed?

That would be a wonderful thing to put to rest.

 

[Snagrio]

Questions I'd like to ask:

• Is Ridley deconfirmed?
• Is Ridley deconfirmed?
• Is Ridley deconfirmed?

That would be a wonderful thing to put to rest.

I'm fairly certain we'll know of Ridley's fate before the Q&A.

 

[Norm]

I think we've got our question right here.

 

[Mega Bidoof]

You people realize that 90 minutes is the average length of a movie, right?
Basically, were going to get "Smash 4 Q+A: The Movie"

Anywho, this is how I feel it will go down:

- Is Ridley playable?
Sakurai: No, he is not. *Shows footage with him as stage hazard*

- Why not?
- What's your favorite color, mine is Ridley.
- Name a character that you felt was too big to include in Smash? Don't say Ridley, because he isn't.
- Why isn't Wolf a stage hazard? He's just as important as Ridley.
- Why didn't you make everyone a stage hazard? You clearly seem to be giving absolutely zero craps about importance.
- Why am I asking all these questions?
- Why is everything slowly fading away?
- Why am I suddenly in my bed awake?
- Why would I have such a terrible nightmare?

 

[FreeFallUp]

Unless someone from this site (@ Chiroz ???) manages to get into the Q&A, expect a whole lot of "OMG Sakurai what's it like???" or "Thank you so, so, so much, you're literally the best!" remarks, with the occasional nugget of info scattered in the mix if we're lucky. So much for gaming journalism.

If we're lucky, there will be at least a few halfway-decent questions from the (largely) laughable state of the gaming media.