So a little
again, but just saw the news that Monolith Soft is hiring people for a new Zelda. How significant is this? I know they did a lot of work for BotW, so they're not exactly new to the series, but could this suggest something about the next major title? Given the kinds of worlds that Monolith Soft creates, this could mean another BotW-style game. Yet I wonder what they're exact approach will be: Nintendo's always trying to mix things up with Zelda, and after people have thoroughly explored an open-world Hyrule, will they want more of the exact same?
A truly open Hyrule kind of felt like BotW's unique selling point: I wouldn't be expecting them to do something similar so soon afterwards. At the very least, it could be suggesting we get significantly different environments. People might be sick of exploring the fields, deserts and jungles of BotW Hyrule, so I don't know if we'd be getting more of the exact same: perhaps more built-up, urban environments (yes plz)?
I know BotW's success meant that many of its features would be carried over to future games, but I'm still expecting the next title to try something different in order to distinguish itself. Whatever the case, hopefully it isn't a v long development cycle: they had a great basis with BotW, so hopefully they don't feel the need to recreate the wheel. Even a MM-style sequel would be good.