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In the high-stakes world of gaming announcements, few things generate as much buzz and speculation as the unveiling of a new character for Super Smash Bros. Nintendo, the mastermind behind these titanic teases, is renowned for wrapping each reveal in layers of secrecy that would make even the most seasoned spoiler-hunters balk. It's an open secret that the anticipation builds not just among fans but also within the industry, with insiders often left guessing alongside the rest of us.
A quintessential example of this veil of secrecy was dramatically lifted with the announcement of Sephiroth joining the fray in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This revelation wasn't just a shock to the player base but also to those who, by all accounts, should have been in the know. Among the surprised was Naoki Hamaguchi, the visionary director of Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, who was as blindsided by the news as anyone.
In an enlightening conversation with Kinda Funny, Hamaguchi shared his astonishment regarding Sephiroth's crossover into Nintendo's celebrated brawler. "So actually, with Sephiroth in Smash Bros., it was actually extremely confidential that he was even going to be in it. So none of the dev team knew, including myself. So it was more like when the whole world knew, that’s when we knew. It was like, ‘Oh, I had no idea!'" he expressed, capturing the essence of surprise and excitement that accompanies such announcements.
Sephiroth's descent into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's arena in December 2020 was a landmark moment in the game's DLC history, marking him as one of the eleven formidable fighters introduced through the Fighters Pass expansions. His arrival not only thrilled fans but also showcased the lengths to which Nintendo and its collaborating developers go to preserve the element of surprise, ensuring that each character reveal remains an unforgettable event.
The collaboration between Square Enix and Nintendo, culminating in Sephiroth's addition, underscores the intricate dance of confidentiality and surprise that defines the gaming industry's most electrifying announcements. It's a reminder of the magic and mystery that keep the world of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate ever-expansive and eternally exciting.
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