At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2024, set to take place from March 18th to 22nd in San Francisco, Nintendo is ready to captivate attendees with in-depth presentations on two of its flagship titles: “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” and “Super Mario Bros. Wonder.” These sessions promise to offer unique insights into the development and creative processes behind these iconic games.
Exploring the Evolving World of Hyrule
Nintendo’s session titled “Tunes of the Kingdom: Evolving Physics and Sounds for ‘The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’” is set to be a highlight of the conference. This talk will feature an esteemed panel of developers, including Technical Director Takuhiro Dohta, Lead Physics Programmer Takahiro Takayama, and Lead Sound Engineer Junya Osada. They will delve into the intricate process of structuring the expanded world of Hyrule around a physics-based gameplay and an evolved sound design.
Attendees will gain a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges faced in developing this highly anticipated sequel, which has garnered seven nominations at the 2024 Game Developers Choice Awards, including Best Audio.
The developers will share insights on Link’s new abilities, the composition of Hyrule’s sound design and music, and how these elements synergize to create a fresh experience for players. By the end of the talk, the goal is to offer a new perspective on the world of “Tears of the Kingdom” and the innovative strides within.
Reinventing Classic Side-Scrolling with Super Mario Bros. Wonder
The session “2D and Tomorrow: How the Developers of ‘Super Mario Bros. Wonder’ Find New Joy in Creating Classic Side-Scrolling Adventures” promises to be equally engaging. Developers Takashi Tezuka and Shiro Mouri will discuss the unique challenge of transforming classic side-scrolling Super Mario Bros. gameplay.
They will explain how the new “Wonder” effects in the game – which include flipping, spinning, and transforming the game’s Flower Kingdom world – draw inspiration from Mario’s 2D past while offering new surprises for players.
Tezuka and Mouri will also provide insights into the game’s creative inception, the expansion of player choice options, and the process of integrating a new online experience into the game. This session is an opportunity for attendees to understand the creative journey of taking a beloved classic into new, innovative realms.
