The Longest Development Period: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Developed by Nintendo, the game was first announced in 2013 and released in 2017. A total of four years passed between the announcement and release of the game.
The development process for Breath of the Wild involved a team of over 200 developers, including programmers, artists, and producers. The game’s director, Hideto Kozaki, stated in an interview that the development team worked tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the game was perfect.
“We wanted to create a game that was not only visually stunning but also filled with depth and complexity,” he said.
One of the key factors that contributed to the game’s long development period was its ambitious scope. Breath of the Wild is an open-world adventure game, featuring a vast and immersive game world filled with secrets and side quests. The development team had to ensure that every aspect of the game world was fully realized and polished, which required a tremendous amount of time and resources.
Another factor that contributed to the game’s long development period was the use of new technology. Breath of the Wild was one of the first games to utilize Nintendo’s custom-built Wii U hardware, which allowed for advanced graphics and physics simulations. The development team had to work closely with the hardware manufacturers to ensure that the game could run smoothly on the Wii U platform.
The Impact of Long Development Periods on Game Quality
Long development periods are not always a guarantee of high-quality games. In fact, some developers have been criticized for taking too long to release their games, resulting in disappointment and frustration among fans. However, when done correctly, a long development period can result in a game that is more polished, refined, and enjoyable for players.
One example of the positive impact of a long development period is the case of Red Dead Redemption 2. Developed by Rockstar Games, the game was announced in 2011 and released in 2018, taking a total of seven years to develop. Despite the long development period, Red Dead Redemption 2 received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and players alike, praised for its immersive world, engaging story, and top-notch graphics.
Expert Opinions on the Benefits and Drawbacks of Long Development Periods
To gain a better understanding of the impact of long development periods on game quality, we spoke with several experts in the gaming industry. Their opinions varied, but most agreed that a long development period can be both beneficial and detrimental to game development.
“A long development period can allow for more polish and refinement,” said John Carmack, co-founder of id Software and lead developer of the Doom series. “However, it’s important not to lose sight of the original vision for the game. Sometimes, a game can become so complex that it loses its essence in the process.”