Get ready for some good **** today. I'm so ready to comment on everything! While I don't think it was the greatest Direct, I'm very excited about a lot of the stuff.
First, the elephant in the room. Box Theory, which I told almost literally everyone to think about, was proven to be correct today. Not music theory, not blog theory, not the Grinch Leak. The Box Theory.
A lot of the time where I said it was possible, I was met by arguments that didn't actually address the structure or art of the box itself besides "It can be changed", and really the only reason that was used as a counterargument was because people didn't want to believe that yes, that was the final design. Other times, I was disrespected and called stupid for it. I'll remember that, and that's partially what I'm commenting on now.
Expectations were high for characters for this Direct. The Grinch leak, not Nintendo or Sakurai, raised expectations. Sakurai told us to not expect as many newcomers as previous games. People who were called "insiders" said that it was fake. the Box Theory was based on that premise of "we're not getting as many characters as you think". Conversely, the Blog theory expected more characters. The Music theory seemed to suggest characters that people wanted. The Grinch leak suggested we'd almost double the amount of newcomers.
All involved getting more characters. That's what a seemingly hungry majority wanted.
Folks, I'm not really here to say "I told you so". That would be great if I did that, for me anyway. But that doesn't change anything. Smashboards became Saltboards for at least a little while. I'm not even in it to be "right", i'm in it to talk Smash Bros, and talk Smash Bros I have.
Going forward, with DLC, please listen to the people who have done this before. It doesn't mean you have to think the same way, but don't discount "insiders" or veteran community members just because you don't like what they have to say. I've been frustrated beyond belief when I see some users try to say something, and they're immediately overshadowed by people who think they're crazy, simply because you guys "want more".
The nonsense with #TeamReal and #TeamFake has led to not really much of a "Wow, dumbass" type conversation", but it seems like anger/frustration toward the roster.
1) We've known about Ken and Incineroar for month, from a person who was right about Smash before that
2) YOU are responsible for what you get hyped for. Grinch Leak was never confirmed by anyone, yet many still chose to believe it because it's what they wanted.
It's not entirely over yet, we still have DLC. But please, don't approach everything the same way.
Now, onto the actual content of the Direct.
Ken- is about what you'd expect from an Echo, but he's almost even less of an echo that Chrom is. It's pretty cool imo
Incineroar- I don't know why anyone could possibly be upset. He looks FREAKING AMAZING. They characterized him so incredibly well, and his moveset is beyond unique. Incredibly excited to try playing him.
Pirahna Plant- Ok, what the ****? I mean it's awesome, and I was bamboozled at first. However, I've already come around to it because it's a total troll pick, and it proves yet another fan rule wrong. I really think this changes the game in terms of character picks.
Disconfirmations:
Shadow- O O F. Shadow seems like the Echo Fighter, but alas it wasn't meant to be. He could've been pretty cool, but I'm not entirely heartbroken.
Isaac- This one stung, but only because of the Grinch leak. I didn't expect him in when Box Theory was a big deal, and while it upsets me that he probably has no shot as DLC, I am glad to see he's back and is still a part of what makes Nintendo so great. I've only played the original Golden Sun, but I'd love to see more, quality titles from it.
Rex Mii Fighter Costume- Now, at first I was nearly devastated. Rex was one of the characters I was extremely hyped for, because I thought he'd be right up there in the "Pretty much obvious DLC" tier. However, one way to take Sakurai's words was that the DLC may have been decided prior to the development of the game itself, because they knew they wouldn't have time. If the scheduling turns out that way, and Rex wouldn't have had a shot at being playable DLC in the first place, then I can deal with having a Mii that looks like Rex, almost sounds like Rex, and can fight like Rex. I can deal.
Spring Man- Wow. Didn't expect that one at all. However, he seems to fit the role of Assist Trophy quite well. I'm glad ARMS has the chance to have some sort of representation, so I'm willing to deal with it.
Also, one last thing on characters, I'm surprised Geno survived, and I say that because I don't take Spirit appearances as disconfirmations. I don't really know that Rex is hard deconfirmed, but I doubt they'd give him an outfit if he was going to be playable eventually.
I'll talk about DLC picks at another time, but all I will say is that I am beyond excited for this game. It's easily already set up to be one of the greatest games ever created, and boy am I glad to call myself a Smash fan.
I may not have made all the same decisions as Sakurai, but I respect that man for what he does and appreciate him for all the enjoyment he has brought this particular gamer.
