So, I typed this in the Goemon thread and felt like posting it here also. I know there are some that are super angry at steve. I like what I wrote and think it sums up my thoughts pretty well.
Smash is a celebration of all of gaming at this point. Ultimate specifically made a note of that. One thing people need to remember is that smash has been around for 20 years now. If not longer. When Smash64 was released, people were content with the original 12, not knowing who Samus or Ness or even captain Falcon were. The game has had 20 years of fans to jump in. Let me try to break it down.
When Smash Melee came out, we have people that were say in their 13/15s commenting online about it. I say that age because most of the gamers leading up to 2001 would have been born in 1988 ish. Fast forward to Brawl in 2007 and we have now 6 years of new people enetering the 13/15 range. Why do I bring this up. Because if we look at Smash4, which was released in 2014. That is y years from brawl, 13 years from melee. The people that will be invested (the age demographic Nintendo is shooting for) has changed. It has shifted. The original 13/15 are now in their 30s and the 12/15 demographic is now 15 or so years younger.
Why do I go into that. I grew up with PSX/N64 being my primarily driving generation. It is the one I remember most fondly and best. That means experimental RPGs, bad platformers and wonky 3D. But 15 years later, my nephew (yes. I am old. This account is from 2007.) he was playing Minecraaft. I actually played it mainly with him. And I know many kids that are smash fans that also grew up on Minecraft.
We have many generations of gamers who play smash at this point. People as old as 35 to people as young as 15. Think about that. That is definitely two generations playing one game. Lets look at FP1.
Hero, Banjo and Terry are definitely boomer reps. They are from old games/series and represent the old guard.
Joker, Byleth, Min Min and Steve are zoomer reps. Whilst FE is an old series, Byleth them-self is a very new character from FEs second wave. These reps appeal to the younger group.
I know people hate the Mii costumes, but I think it is a smart thing given limited resources.
My main point in all of this. Smash is just a game. and it targets many, many many demographics. I know younger crowds hated the idea of Banjo because he was from a forgotten platformer series. And he is. That is a fact. I take all the announcements in strides. Mainly because at the end of the day, it is truly just a game. If you are not finding enjoyment out of it, then please stop and find something that gives you happiness. Steve was not a rep I cared for, but I understand his inclusion and why he is here. I accept that and am hopeful for fun gameplay.
Last note is, I understand the disappointment of not getting a character you really want. In Brawl and Smash4, I REALLY wanted Ridley. I was very disappointed with him being a boss, both times But I looked at the roster and found something to enjoy because I just had fun playing smash. In smash 4, I mained Dr. Mario and Wii Fit Trainer. Both were odd balls and I found enjoyment out of people hating them. I then also mained cloud because I liked his kit. I found happiness where I could. If you cannot, again. please stop and find what makes you happy. But I dont think Steve is the end of smash or its integrity, especially when we have many generations playing smash and we have to focus on all of them.
