How Did Nintendo Get Sora?
The surprise announcement at E3 2019 marked a significant moment in gaming history as Nintendo revealed that Sora from Kingdom Hearts would be a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. But exactly how did Nintendo secure the rights for a character from a rival company and PlayStation exclusive franchise? Let’s break down the events leading up to his inclusion in the popular fighting game franchise.
A Lucky Meeting between Sakurai and a Disney Executive
According to Masahiro Sakurai, the creator of Smash Bros., it was a brief encounter at an awards show that set in motion the chain of events that led to Sora’s inclusion in the game. A Disney executive happened to pass by Sakurai, and while they didn’t formally introduce themselves, Sakurai decided to pounce on the opportunity and casually pitch the idea of having Sora in Super Smash Bros.
Nintendo, Square Enix, and Disney: Triple Threat
It’s now widely known that Disney owns Kingdom Hearts, Square Enix is behind the development of the game, and it’s Nintendo who is adding Sora to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. However, it didn’t start out as a straightforward proposition. Sakurai explained that Square Enix was initially hesitant to lend characters to the game, fearing it could cannibalize their own sales by exposing their characters to a broader audience (emphasis on "broader audience").
A Strategic Partnership
Despite the hesitations, Sakurai and his team did some behind-the-scenes work with Square Enix to make this partnership happen. By offering promises of exposure for Square Enix games, ensuring that the character models and cutscenes would meet their specifications, and working together to create exciting gameplay mechanics, the parties gradually came to an agreement.
Disney Play
Kingdom Hearts is, at its heart (pun intended), a Disney property based on various franchises, including Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. As much as it is a Square Enix game, Disney is ultimately the controlling force behind the franchise. It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that Disney’s involvement ensured that Sora’s inclusion remained a key component of the equation.
Timeline and Challenges
Between the initial meeting at the awards show in 2018 and Sora’s 2019 announcement, tensions ran high as all parties involved ensured that the collaboration went smoothly. Keep in mind that Disney, due to its Disney-Fox News merger, was reorganizing its business at the time, likely adding to the complexity.
Roxas’s Cancellation Leads to Sora’s Inclusion (Almost)
Did you know Roxas from Kingdom Hearts was originally intended as the character from the franchise representing in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, not Sora? Although Roxas was ultimately removed from the game, rumor has it that Sakurai initially wanted to include both Sora and Roxas in the game simultaneously. Alas, due to the complexity of integrating Roxas seamlessly, Sora took centre stage.
Inclusion and Popularity
With the official announcement come January 2019, Sora’s inclusion sent shockwaves through gaming communities worldwide. His signature Keyblade abilities and high-flying moves made Kingdom Hearts fans even more excited about his inclusion while also introducing newcomers to the characters and world. Today, Sora tops the charts as one of Smash Bros.’ most popular characters on the roster.
Table Timeline: Sora’s Journey From Concept to Reality
| Event/Timeline | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 (Q1) | Sakurai meets the Disney executive at an awards show, starts pitching Sora for smash | |
| 2018 (After Q1) | Square Enix takes a step back due to concerns that Sora would cannibalise their own sales | |
| 2019 | Nokia and Square Enix start working together. Sakurai works with creators to create exciting gameplay mechanics | |
| mid-2019 | Sora confirmation announced for Smash Bros. Ultimate (after initial "Roxas inclusion" plans |
Conclusion: The journey to Sora’s inclusion took time, patience, and collaboration at the highest levels. A lucky initial meeting between Sakurai and a Disney representative set the ball rolling, followed by several months of intense behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts between Nintendo, Square Enix, and Disney. While Roxas was initially in the mix, Sora ultimately stole the spotlight. Today, there’s no denying the success of this improbable partnership.