Hello everyone! I have been working in the gaming industry since 2013. I’ve worked in marketing and reporting with companies such as The Pokémon Company International, Nintendo of America, Curse Inc. and countless digital news organizations. I'm using my experience I have acquired in the industry to compose this post. I wanted to share as much of an articulate perspective on the recent leak as I could produce, and here it is!
I have been maintaining that, in my personal opinion and research, that the leak is a hoax. However, I am not basing this on any insider information or other leaker, including Verge. Furthermore, I am disappointed in the actions of my peers in the gaming industry only arguing on a platform based on inside sources, regardless of who or where they've originated. Doing so is not conducive to debate, especially if the goal is to convince the opposing side that you are correct based solely on evidence they too can have access to. Even taking their positions into account, I should still have to argue against the leak using evidence in regards to the leak. I hate to compare it to court, but even if we KNOW somebody did a crime, we still have to prove it. In that regards, I have reasonable doubt to its legitimacy is all, and that's enough for me. It's not enough for other people, and that's okay. I will be the first to admit if I'm wrong and the last to say if I'm right. Again, this is entirely an opinion of my own and I'm not looking to argue or change anybody else's opinion or views on the matter. I only want to help people come to their own educated conclusion while combating misinformation.
Let's start with what I believe to be physical evidence.
The blurriness of the image is not an issue for me to discuss.
To begin, the background is different. Yes, it can be argued that this is due to a lower quality image being used for printing and other reasons, and that may very well be the case. However, we now know what the blank background looks like. I personally do not believe that the background would be changed for this purpose. I think the background was created first and that it hasn't been touched since. I've heard multiple conflicting points on this, and would enjoy being correct if I am mistaken.
As Artsi Omni has shown, the images shown can not only be created, but also the assets already available can be moved.
We initially believed Eric to be employed by Marina, a company publicly known to work with both Namco Bandai and Universal. However, upon learning that he is no longer employed there, we do not know the same of his current company. That said, we have not received any statements from his current company invalidating the leak.
The promo artwork for the Grinch movie, I believe, has been combined with different custom assets to give the illusion of being legitimate. On the other hand, I've also heard mixed reports on if the material has already been available in the wild. I believe this could be the point to make or break the leak, but at the time, it's still up in the air.
Now for that which isn't evidence but is opinion.
My only major thing I want to bring up is time. You yourself admit that all the leaker needs is time to do all of this. I agree with you there. HOWEVER, my only concern is how can the leaker have that much time on their hands? Assuming the leaker has a normal life, how could they find a random 4chan leak that's new even an OP, do all of these renders, a new Battlefield, put all the fighters on said Battlefield, while also shifting around everything to make it work, design a chandelier and set up instructions, create Grinch promo art, get access to a printer, print the blueprints and brackets without getting caught, create a believable workspace, AND find a scapegoat employee that works there to use to the Snapchat amount of to send it to a friend, who is not guaranteed to spread the leak? I find that particular aspect of it very hard to believe.
THE 6r makes a great point, and I agree that it does take a lot into consideration for somebody to have produced such a paper trail, but it appears as though just a little bit of everything is sprinkled here. It comes across as purposeful to me. It is definitely a longshot story. I'm a history major and while in university, my first professor opened his first class by saying "Nothing in history has ever happened until it did." I think it fits here if the leak is a hoax. Nothing this grand and spectacular had been done, until it now it had. I think people underestimate the talent and patience of people.
It is a fact that a video presenting the appearance of his current job location was available by an associated bank was taken down. While this could be used in favor of the leak, I believe this is due wanting to remove negative attention they may have gotten from Super Smash Bros. fans.
People keep bringing up Incineroar's inclusion. I've seen many people argue that Incineroar could have been used as leakbait. Of course, this is a method employed in the gaming industry. My only counter to this is that I don't believe The Pokémon Company International, with whom I have worked professionally since 2014, would allow its IP to be used as such. This company may be equally owned by Game Freak, Creatures Inc, and Nintendo but independently decides on the IP usage of the franchise. Even toward Nintendo, TPCi can be restrictive. Examples include Pikachu not being allowed to be any other color than a shade of yellow, voices in Mario Maker and limited official image uses. Either Incineroar is either in or out and was not used as leakbait either way. I honestly would prefer us not get him anyway.
With about a month from release, I find it difficult to believe that seven, nearly half of the newcomer roster, would be revealed in such a short time frame. Again, this is only conjecture. Beyond this, we typically don't end Smash news cycles with huge character reveals. Brawl had Pikmin and Olimar and Smash 4 essentially had Shulk. Of course, this is up for debate and is, in my opinion, my weakest point. I am a pessimist and believe that we will get two more character revealed. However, I dislike making such predictions and love being wrong. I hate to admit it, but I do partially believe in what is called "box theory" but mainly from a marketing perspective.
Again, I could very well be wrong, and let's be honest, you've most certainly heard all of this before. I would love for Isaac to be in the game as well as all other characters present in the Grinch leak. However, I personally believe the Grinch leak is a hoax. At best, this is Schrodinger's Leak, both real and fake until proven definitively by the Direct. I have enough of a reasonable doubt towards its legitimacy. I'm sorry if this isn't enough of an answer or convincing, but in my mind, it makes sense. This is nothing against people who believe in it nor am I saying my opinion is gospel and if you disagree you are wrong. We don't know everything yet, and I think that's what's most exciting. Real or not, we don't know what's going to be in the direct or how it will be presented. I think if we took a step back to appreciate that, we can all enjoy the ride together. Feel free to send me any questions, concerns or objections and I’ll do my best to reply accordingly!
