The next installment of Smash Bros.

[CFFJR]

I liked Starfox Assault. It had its faults sure, but it wasn't bad.

I do admit though that I'm a bit concerned about this. I'm glad Sakurai is still overseeing things, but then even that might be a bad thing from some people's perspective (those who didn't like Brawl).

[DinnerX]

I liked StarFox assault.

It's time for someone new to develop Smash Bros. There are features people have been wanting or complaining about from the beginning, but Nintendo doesn't seem to take much notice. More skins that are more than just color swaps, character creation, less clone characters, the ability to play as all the characters and at all the stages in the game, options to remove most of the randomness, more testing for character balance, the list goes on and on.

[CFFJR]

Do you think Namco will be able to accomplish all of that?

I'm all for it, but still, that's a helluva list.

[DinnerX]

Do you think Namco will be able to accomplish all of that?

I'm all for it, but still, that's a helluva list.

Balance is always difficult to achieve so it's hard to say there. The smash bros. roster is huge and the styles of the characters are fairly varied. Plus most of the characters have a history of moves, so that limits what you can change for balance without upsetting people by changing the character too much. Character creation wouldn't be a small job either if it is done well.

The other stuff is much more simple. Adding options for removing randomness and allowing access to existing content should not be hard things. Designing more interesting skins means spending more money on artists.

[MrPopo]

I never understood the whole "randomness is bad" thing people complain about. It makes the matches more interesting in my opinion.

[Nintendork666]

Starfox Assault is such an underrated gem. It's half the reason I'm so excited about this news. Namco is a rad company, I think they'll fit the bill perfectly.

[BurningDoom]

I didn't realize Namco developed Star Fox: Assault. If that's the case, then my worries are calmed. I thought Star Fox assault was a great game.

[AppleQueso]

I never understood the whole "randomness is bad" thing people complain about. It makes the matches more interesting in my opinion.

I can understand certain folks wanting matches to be completely skill-based. For any kind of party-type situation, I'd leave 'random' stuff on.

Just make everything optional. Bam, everyone is happy.

[Flake]

I never understood the whole "randomness is bad" thing people complain about. It makes the matches more interesting in my opinion.

Agreed. I like Smash Bros. the most when it is zany and unpredictable. I have never before seen a fighting game where the emphasis is so heavily placed on all parties having fun and everyone has a chance to win.

But when competitive minds get into a game, any game, the first thing they want to excise is any random factor.

[DinnerX]

Just make everything optional. Bam, everyone is happy.

Exactly. And what does it take? A few lines of code and an icon? I do not understand the problem Nintendo has.

Sometimes I want random and sometimes I don't. I just want to be able to pick.

But when competitive minds get into a game, any game, the first thing they want to excise is any random factor.

In a tournament setting, it's annoying to play better than another person, but lose anyway do to something neither player has control over.