Home Community Music Comics Cartoon Podcast

Spirit Tracks: Elaborate Hoax?

By Dennis Wyman on March 31, 2009 4:37 PM | Permalink | 19 Comments

Ever since VGRC sort of declined in activity, I haven't been too active in the games press as of late. However, this doesn't stop my e-mail box from being bombarded with tons of correspondence from various PR reps and industry insiders. After building up hundreds of relationships, they don't just go away because you're out of the industry (Hell, a handful of publishers still mail me review copies of games, but that's another story).

Anyways, I was having a lovely conversation with an associate of mine who recently started working in NOA's marketing department a few months back. Due to a handful of non-disclosure agreements and the fact he could likely end up in the unemployment line, I can't release his name, but I can go ahead and post one of the messages he sent me:

"I know I've bitched to you quite a bit about some of the ideas the higher-ups around here have been going through with, but this Spirit Tracks debacle is by far the worst. You were right to assume it sounds fishy: The entire thing is a ruse. The heads decided that we needed something extremely ridiculous to draw attention away from Sony and Microsoft's announcements, so for some reason we're taking one of our most popular trademarks and tying it in with a product that doesn't exist for marketing exposure.

All that exists is a tech demo based on Phantom Hourglass that some interns tossed together. The worst thing is, somebody suggested "hey lets announce this is a joke on April 1st!." Not only did somebody suggest it, but a few others actually LIKED the idea. It's absolutely insane. Don't let anybody tell you that the Wii's and DS's success is a result of good marketing, because the entire department is filled with clowns. I'm convinced at this point that Nintendo's success the past few years has been sheer luck, because there isn't a single competent person working here.

I can't confirm or not if the actual Reps are gonna go ahead and admit it was just a marketing stunt, and if they are, if they're really gonna do it for AFD. The original plan was just to never speak of it again and announce the real new Zelda towards the end of the year, but who knows at this point. It's just a mess.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to the circus. Ugh."

I honestly don't have much to say, but I'm sure the community will fill in for that.

I would just like to remind any lawyers who might be reading this that legal precedents say that we don't have to disclose our sources.

Categories: Zelda News

19 Comments

Leminnes | March 31, 2009 5:40 PM

I'm actually quite relieved. This game looked like crap anyway. loltrains

Caseman | March 31, 2009 5:43 PM

Thank you Nintendo for sparing us. That trailer looked so simple and empty anyway. Most of it looked thrown together based off of the Phantom Hourglass engine in the first place. And why would they release another DS game after releasing Phantom Hourgalss just a few years ago, before the next Wii game. Because they aren't obviously.

Alex M. | March 31, 2009 6:21 PM

Am I the only one who gets the joke? Apparently, the other two people who left comments on this article don't know what tomorrow is... ;)

Very funny, ZeldaInformer, but I'm actually looking forward to the game. I don't care what anyone says. I'm especially interested in seeing where it fits in the timeline.

Evan M. | March 31, 2009 7:00 PM

I agree with Alex, And I don't think it makes sense that its a hoax. The reason it came out so early is probably because they had PHs engine to work with. I think it will come out, and while I am a bit perturbed about the twist Zelda is taking, I am also excited to have a new Zelda game out so soon.
Besides, Everyone was worked up about WW and It was one of the best Zelda games

PS- The April Fools joke may be that it's not really an April Fools joke, (think about it and you'll see what I mean.)

Psy | March 31, 2009 10:13 PM

I hate April Fools Day on the Internet. You never know what time zone people are in.

Phil | March 31, 2009 10:44 PM

Questionable.

Sam. | April 1, 2009 12:27 AM

I was almost taken for an April Fool

Hylian Hobbit | April 1, 2009 1:02 AM

Haha, I'm already seeing people posting this on other sites, and "spreading the news". xD So I guess it must have worked on some people.

April Fools... You either love it or ya hate it. :P

Melchizedek | April 1, 2009 1:17 AM

Is Spirit Tracks itself the April Fools hoax, or is what this guy said the hoax? Or are you the hoaxer Dennis. It wouldn't be surprising after last year. :P

Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if Spirit Tracks isn't actually real, though I would be disappointed. I'll wait to find out though.

Mark | April 1, 2009 6:33 AM

na sprit tracks is real, the fact is that YOU are puting up a april fools day joke not them i dont see outher big websites saying this eg.IGN GAMESPOT and how could you bag nentendo after all without them there would be not zelda so what do you have to say for youself now hmmmmmmm!

Dusclord-005 | April 1, 2009 6:39 AM

Omagad... I believe I would better wait for tomorrow x) there we may know what is wrong or not...

Ace | April 1, 2009 11:08 AM

Lol - Just an April 1. joke x( Spirit tracks looks awesome. I don´t understand what people have against it. I´m really looking forward to it.

Erimgard | April 1, 2009 2:02 PM

I challenge you to a game of Brawl Capn :P

I toyed with the idea of Spirit Tracks being a hoax in my mind, but I just can't see the president of Nintendo getting in on it.

Scorce of Twilight | April 1, 2009 6:45 PM

What if this is the April Fools joke and Spirit Tracks really is a game. Seemed awfully elaborate to be just a marketing gimmick.

girls squirting anal | July 21, 2009 10:27 AM

hmm. attractive

Hentai Little Virgins | September 28, 2009 10:21 AM