Shantae, the Half Genie Protector of Scuttle Town! (A Switch To A New WayForward)

[A1Again]

Welcome Just imagine the potenial cuteness of the Kirby hat

That's adorable! I could see her having fun with him.

 

[KirbyWorshipper2465]

I do think her absence in those games is suspect, don't get me wrong...

But man... Shantae is my most wanted newcomer and prior to all these little hints piling up (and the SK AT reveal), I wrote her off as an impossible fantasy. I really don't want to get overly optimistic and get let down. So excuse me for remaining cautious and being contented by an AT if that's her fate. I'm really trying to check myself. >_>

As a random anecdotal aside though, I've gotten my most wanted character in the previous two games. In Brawl, Ike was my most wanted and in Sm4sh, Rosalina was my most wanted. If Shantae got in then that would continue the trend of me getting my most wanted character...

But ya know, anecdotal and all. xD

I can see where you're coming from. Dedede's reveal in Brawl meant the world to me, and Little Mac was exciting to get (despite hoping for other characters in 4 afterwards), and this time the one we want most is mutual. With any luck, it'll turn out well.

My thoughts exactly. This is way out of character for them - an NDA is the most likely explanation. I'm not buying the idea that WF is being silent to troll the fans. They're not the type of company who would do that. It's all very suspicious.

Nah, even trolling would be something , which is more or less what Kamiya does all the time.

Maybe it's the "longshot" nature of both characters and the cult status (at least for Shantae 1)?

Actually, when I think on it, both SMRPG and Shantae's series are both goofy, colorful games with flashy movesets and humorous writing.

They also feature characters that detach their own limbs to hurt people.

 

[Teeb147]

And all of a sudden everyone takes a break, lol.
Good exchange tho.

Gonna look for hints at the nindies, not that I'm expecting much. and keep open too

 

[EarlTamm]

And all of a sudden everyone takes a break, lol.
Good exchange tho.

Gonna look for hints at the nindies, not that I'm expecting much. and keep open too

Yeah, it was pretty rapid fire till about 20 minutes ago. The exchange was great though. Heck, since the direct this thread has become one of the bigger newcomer speculation threads.

 

[WreckitRyan]

Has anyone listened to this interview with James by SourceGaming? It was actually a relatively recent (early 2017) exchange concerning Smash with a WayForward member. It's pretty interesting to say the least.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CA9WDHGilM

 

[TheRandomCities4]

As a random anecdotal aside though, I've gotten my most wanted character in the previous two games. In Brawl, Ike was my most wanted and in Sm4sh, Rosalina was my most wanted. If Shantae got in then that would continue the trend of me getting my most wanted character...

But ya know, anecdotal and all. xD

Bruh, that'd be an amazing coincidence if it comes true.

EDIT: Not trying to get too far off topic, but I got my fave in Brawl: Lucario.
Ever since, not so lucky with Krystal--but at least she's an AT here.

 

[Jazzy Jinx]

Hmm... Would James Montagna, as an assistant director, be required to sign an NDA as well? How exactly do company NDAs function?

Unfortunately, a skim of his Twitter has him retweeting Smash Bros stuff. I haven't dug enough to see if he's actually commented on Shantae in Smash yet, though.

 

[EarlTamm]

Hmm... Would James Montagna, as an assistant director, be required to sign an NDA as well? How exactly do company NDAs function?

Unfortunately, a skim of his Twitter has him retweeting Smash Bros stuff. I haven't dug enough to see if he's actually commented yet, though.

Has he retweeted or commented on Shantae for Smash stuff rather than basic Smash stuff?

 

[TheRandomCities4]

Hmm... Would James Montagna, as an assistant director, be required to sign an NDA as well? How exactly do company NDAs function?

Unfortunately, a skim of his Twitter has him retweeting Smash Bros stuff. I haven't dug enough to see if he's actually commented on Shantae in Smash yet, though.

Unless someone like Matt Bozon is the only one privy to the info. Or NDA extends to him, or something else...

 

[Parallel_Falchion]

Hmm... Would James Montagna, as an assistant director, be required to sign an NDA as well? How exactly do company NDAs function?

Unfortunately, a skim of his Twitter has him retweeting Smash Bros stuff. I haven't dug enough to see if he's actually commented on Shantae in Smash yet, though.

If he was involved/knows the information, he would be under NDA as well. If he knew but wasn't under NDA...someone else broke NDA.

 

[EarlTamm]

Hmm... Maybe I am being hopeful, but something felt weird about how he approached things in that interview.

 

[Jazzy Jinx]

Hmm... Maybe I am being hopeful, but something felt weird about how he approached things in that interview.

I'm the opposite, I'm pessimistic. xD

It actually really bothers me that this interview exists. It skirts the line of breaking NDA way too hard.

 

[Deleted member]

James isnt an IP holder, He might not be in a position to know if shantae was in smash, that would probably only be the heads at WF

Has he retweeted or commented on Shantae for Smash stuff rather than basic Smash stuff?

As far as I have been able to find, using Twitter Advanced search, the last time he tweeted the words Shantae and Smash together was 2015, and that was for the ballot.
Twitter search doesn't take in to account retweets or the post he responded too. only what the user typed.

 

[EarlTamm]

I'm the opposite, I'm pessimistic. xD

It actually really bothers me that this interview exists. It skirts the line of breaking NDA way too hard.

I guess, but how much did they really discuss Shantae that much? It was never in depth in any form.

 

[DOTBHDD]

What did he say in the interview? I can't watch it.

 

[Jazzy Jinx]

What did he say in the interview? I can't watch it.

He basically said an indie as playable is impossible and to be realistic about indie representation in Smash. xD

Although, he did say, "Eh... But who knows??" and kinda just Sakurai fanboyed throughout.

I'm not going to lie, that interview feels like a gut punch.

 

[EarlTamm]

He basically said an indie as playable is impossible and to be realistic about indie representation in Smash. xD

Although, he did say, "Eh... But who knows??" and kinda just Sakurai fanboyed throughout.

I'm not going to lie, that interview feels like a gut punch.

Hey, at the end they said to keep supporting any character we want to support. And he was wrong in the end, as he clearly did not expect indies to go beyond trophies or possibly costumes. Now we have SK as an assist trophy.

 

[TheRandomCities4]

I think he put a lot of emphasis on "establishing a good relationship with Japanese developers" and "having a history with Nintendo as far as the franchise is concerned". This is regarding his opinion on indie characters getting in Smash. I think the rest of his "indie characters not likely to get in" talk is just off-the-cuff response.

Do we think both of those criteria can/have be/been met by Shantae/WayForward?

 

[EarlTamm]

I think he put a lot of emphasis on "establishing a good relationship with Japanese developers" and "having a history with Nintendo as far as the franchise is concerned". This is regarding his opinion on indie characters getting in Smash. I think the rest of his "indie characters not likely to get in" talk is just off-the-cuff response.

Do we think both of those criteria can/have be/been met by Shantae/WayForward?

I think Wayforward has done both of those things. They do well in japan at least and we have heard that they communicate with Nintendo often. If there is any indie with deep Nintendo connections, it would be Shantae no doubt. And yeah, he never truly elaborated on a lot of stuff and I don't think anything her said would contradict an NDA agreement, at least I think. For all we know, he might not have even known at that point, who knows? What I do know is that this video is gonna go through a lot of dissecting in the near future by the Shantae community.

 

[DOTBHDD]

Who is James? The artist for Shantae?

 

[Jazzy Jinx]

Who is James? The artist for Shantae?

A wiki search turned up that he was a level designer for Risky's Revenge and the assistant director (so a pretty significant position) for Pirate's Curse and Half Genie Hero.

 

[A1Again]

I can't see it breaking an NDA, but it seems to me like he catches himself before he says something many times, replacing it with a general statement. The small sounds before people speak means they're thinking hard about the topic...

 

[Deleted member]

I think Wayforward has done both of those things. They do well in japan at least and we have heard that they communicate with Nintendo often. If there is any indie with deep Nintendo connections, it would be Shantae no doubt. And yeah, he never truly elaborated on a lot of stuff and I don't think anything her said would contradict an NDA agreement, at least I think. For all we know, he might not have even known at that point, who knows? What I do know is that this video is gonna go through a lot of dissecting in the near future by the Shantae community.

the questions now are,
Would James be in a position to know?
What would constitute breaking of this theoretical NDA?
Why the radio silence from Matt, and WF?

 

[Jedisupersonic]

Shantae's games are absolute spectacular and have tons of charm and character. I'd love to see her in so put me down for a supporter.

I'm just not sure of her chances when SK became an assist.

 

[perfectchaos83]

Pretty sure James is the creative director at Wayforward.

 

[EarlTamm]

I can't see it breaking an NDA, but it seems to me like he catches himself before he says something many times, replacing it with a general statement. The small sounds before people speak means they're thinking hard about the topic...

Yeah, I heard some noticeable pauses as well. I don't think an NDA would restrict you from interviews, just what you say in said interviews. Of course, that extends to other ways of social communication. Heck, maybe Wayforward can do small things for Shantae, but they are so afraid of ruining what they have that they have put restrictions on themselves in company. Maybe I am just rambling stupid ideas, but it's possible.

 

[A1Again]

the questions now are,
Would James be in a position to know?
What would constitute breaking of this theoretical NDA?
Why the radio silence from Matt, and WF?

He never mentions Shantae and Smash in the same sentence as far as I heard, but he only refers to indie or third party support. I also think it's kind of strange that Wayforward would get the interview as they've met every criteria, according to the interview. He just doesn't come out and say they have.

 

[DOTBHDD]

This is getting too confusing for me. I'm SICK OF IT! Lmao! WayForward and Nintendo need to stop playing games. Sakurai or Matt need to tell us if she's in or not or I'm throwing my computer at an old lady.

 

[Deleted member]

Pretty sure James is the creative director at Wayforward.

No. Matt Bozon is the creative Director, and the (at least partial) owner of the Shantae IP.

 

[TheRandomCities4]

I think Wayforward has done both of those things. They do well in japan at least and we have heard that they communicate with Nintendo often. If there is any indie with deep Nintendo connections, it would be Shantae no doubt. And yeah, he never truly elaborated on a lot of stuff and I don't think anything her said would contradict an NDA agreement, at least I think. For all we know, he might not have even known at that point, who knows? What I do know is that this video is gonna go through a lot of dissecting in the near future by the Shantae community.

I gotta be honest. History with Nintendo is another thing I think Shantae has over Shovel Knight (no disrespect intended, I love SK). Despite being a powerhouse indie, SK doesn't have a 16-year history with Nintendo like Shantae does. We've already talked about facial expressions as a possible hit against SK as well (as I would argue its importance for a game like Smash).

 

[Jazzy Jinx]

Shantae's fans be like:

 

[Captain Hazama]

Its sure is a mystery that we all want solved lol

 

[Jazzy Jinx]

If you aren't a detective or a lawyer, you can't be up in this fandom. xD

This **** is too stressful!

 

[EarlTamm]

And as said in the interview, when you get your character in Smash, it is in the hands of Sakurai and the team, so how many people at Wayforward really have to know about this, at least before Smash Ultimate was formally announced?

 

[EarlTamm]

If you aren't a detective or a lawyer, you can't be up in this fandom. xD

This **** is too stressful!

Found this.
Edit: Sorry for the double post, I was a bit too hasty.

 

[TheRandomCities4]

Shantae's fans be like:

Not trying to get too far off topic, but I wanted to mention why this GIF made me crack up more than usual. I used GIFs from that movie during Sm4sh speculation regarding Krystal in a private thread shortly after the game's initial release.

But anyways, back to Shantae.

 

[DOTBHDD]

Shantae's fans be like:

I stg! Lmao. We out here deciphering interviews and Tweets. I'm honestly having a lot of fun.

 

[perfectchaos83]

No. Matt Bozon is the creative Director, and the (at least partial) owner of the Shantae IP.

Found what I was looking for. He's game designer and director.

 

[EarlTamm]

Honestly, this just feels like a bump in the road. Heck, I feel we could learn something new from this. Nice potential discussion as well.

 

[Teeb147]

Whoa. Well you guys sure got turned around while I was gone.

I admit the timeline isn't quite exactly like I thought..
I didn't know that interview was in 2017. But it is at the start of it, January, so.. I know people think the roster was finalized in 2015-2016, but it's still possible third parties are given a bit longer grace period to be introduced. Also, I'd like to point out that it's most likely the case for DLC. Not to say that she is, but just sayin'.