Why did it take so long for Sora to get into Smash?
The highly anticipated question that has been on everyone’s mind – why did it take so long for Sora to join the Super Smash Bros. family? The answer is quite complex, involving a blend of creative decisions, commercial considerations, and behind-the-scenes negotiations. In this article, we’ll dive into the details of why Sora, the protagonist of the Kingdom Hearts series, finally made his grand entrance into the Smash Bros. universe.
Complicated Licensing Agreements
One of the primary reasons for the delay was the complex licensing agreements between Disney, Square Enix (formerly Square), and Nintendo. Disney and Square Enix have separate relationships with Nintendo, making coordination and negotiations a daunting task. Disney, being a major shareholder in Kingdom Hearts, had to be brought on board, while Square Enix, the owner of the Kingdom Hearts series, had to grant permissions for Sora’s character to be used.
Disney’s Initial Hesitation
Disney, initially, was not very keen on allowing Sora to join Smash Bros. According to Tetsuya Nomura, Kingdom Hearts director, Disney’s primary concern was maintaining control over the character’s franchise. This led to significant delays in the negotiation process. It took years of discussions and convincing by Nintendo and Square Enix to finally get Disney to agree.
Kingdom Hearts’ Closeness to Disney
Sora’s inclusion in Smash Bros. was further complicated by the fact that the Kingdom Hearts series is very closely tied to Disney’s intellectual property. This proximity made Disney even more cautious about allowing Sora to join the fray, fearing it might compromise their control over the character. Nomura’s intervention played a crucial role in convincing Disney to come aboard.
Sakurai’s Passion Project
Masahiro Sakurai, the director of the Super Smash Bros. series, has always been fascinated by the Kingdom Hearts franchise. He is quoted as saying that Sora was his "dream addition" to the series, and he worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make it happen. Sakurai’s passion project finally bore fruit when Sora was confirmed as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Technical Challenges
Another significant hurdle was the technical aspect of integrating Sora into the game. Kingdom Hearts and Super Smash Bros. utilize different game engines and technology, making it challenging for developers to ensure seamless interaction between the two franchises.
Timeline of Events
Here’s a breakdown of the key events leading to Sora’s inclusion:
- 2010s: Disney and Square Enix begin discussing the possibility of Sora joining the Super Smash Bros. series.
- 2019: Nintendo and Square Enix confirm that Sora will be joining the fight in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
- 2019: Sora officially debuts as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Timeline of Events
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2010s | Disney and Square Enix begin discussing Sora’s inclusion in Super Smash Bros. |
| 2019 | Nintendo and Square Enix confirm Sora’s inclusion |
| 2019 | Sora officially debuts as a playable character |
Conclusion
Sora’s inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was the result of years of creative and commercial negotiations between Disney, Square Enix, and Nintendo. It required a delicate balance of convincing Disney to allow Sora’s character to be used, while also ensuring the technical feasibility of integrating him into the game. As Sakurai’s "dream addition" finally made the cut, fans worldwide eagerly await the next addition to the Smash Bros. universe.