Prerelease:Mother 3/1998
This is a sub-page of Prerelease:Mother 3.
Contents
January 1998
The MOTHER 3 Times Volume 6
"MISSING FAMILY FOUND NEARBY GREAT SCALE VILLAGE!
At the break of drawn on the 28th, 30 year old Captain Lighter of the fishing boat Hatemi Maru and his 8 year old son Fuel were rescued five kilometers off the shores of Great Scale Village. The ship was attacked by some mysterious large creature while sailing to the south. Many fear for the safety of his 28 year old wife Tobacco, who is presumed dead. The two fisherman who were rescued only suffered minor injuries, and seem to be in good health. The Osohe Coast Guard team plans to conduct an interview once the two have fully recovered. "
Akihiko Miura Interview
Also featured in this issue is an interview with Akihiko Miura (which was reprinted in French Planet 64). The following translation is from OkeijiDragon:
Dengeki 64: Regarding Mother 3, has the transition to the N64 changed anything for you as a designer?
Akihiko Miura: Yes. On the SNES, regarding ideas, many were hard to materialize. Therefore, we gave up on quite a few things, unlike on the N64. So I’m happy that we moved to the N64. But then again, it’s not always easy to materialize what we have in mind on the N64 either.
Dengeki 64: Any details?
Miura: The map is in 3D, whether on a flat surface or on a hill, and the speed of the character changes. It is thus hard to apply a logical variation to the character’s speed. To make the character move on the N64, we first have to create the basic algorithm that corresponds to the sequence. For instance, when the character tumbles down a hill, we have to decide what the speed of their fall should be. Once the rules are established, no matter if the angle of the hill is 30 or 45 degrees, the equation does the rest. As such, the way to create a game, in comparison to the SNES, is completely different.
Dengeki 64: So, the hardest part is to design the basis?
Miura: Yes. Once this basis is finished, we can finally start working on the scenario. But, the process leading to that step is very laborious. So, before starting the development of Mother 3, I bought books of mathematical equations and of physics to improve and polish my knowledge.
Dengeki 64: For Mother 3, you had to restart everything from the beginning?
Miura: Exactly. But, while discussing with the Mother 2 team, we brought back old ideas.
Dengeki 64: What is the advantage of using the 64DD in Mother 3?
Miura: As a designer, I can't reveal too much information at this point of development. Its very important for me to keep the element of surprise when you play Mother 3. But not only have we used the writing (saving) abilities of the 64DD, I also integrated things that will only by possible with the 64DD. I can't say more about it.
Dengeki 64: Very well. We’re impatiently waiting for the game. What exactly does your job consist?
Miura: I give directives to the programmers, and I approve or disapprove the result. It is very hard to communicate one’s thought to programmers, and I would often like to connect my brain directly to the programmers’.
Dengeki 64: Right now, at what level of the development are you, in comparison with the level you wished to reach?
Miura: My job consists in submitting ideas. And as long as the ideas flow, there is no ending. But, after a while, the chief of the project tends to ‘bridle’ me.
Dengeki 64: As a designer, what do you think of your game, Mother 3?
Miura: I like games that communicate with people. Mother is a video game, but it also teaches you the importance of communicating with others. All the games from Mr. Itoi, general chief of project, revolve around this concept.
Dengeki 64: And if you wish to modify a detail at the last moment, do you have the possibility to do so?
Miura: It's on a case-by-case basis, but it’s possible. I would go and cry at the programmer’s place, if I had to. The programming part is done by HalKen. They materialize things that no one else could do.
Dengeki 64: Are they a strong ally?
Miura: I thank them very much for their help. And I want to insist on that at this point. [1]
"LUCAS AND CLAUS ARE IN FACT TWINS!
According to Dengeki Nintendo 64's internal research, the main characters of MOTHER 3 are the 7 year old twins Lucas and Claus. Here is a rare photo we were able to take of the two (with Lucas on the left!) According to our investigation, they are the children of Flint and his wife Hinawa who live in Tazmily Village. We also learned the twins are nearly identical, as stated from testimonies from those involved.
Speaking of Flint, video footage released at Spaceworld ‘97 showed a battle scene between him and an enemy that looked like a wild boar. That person was the father of the main characters all along, which may come as a shock to MOTHER fanatics! We're curious to see how these relationships play out in MOTHER 3's story."
"TAZMILY VILLAGE MAYOR P.K. PIRKLE SPEAKS!
An urgent call sent a Dengeki staff member to the village to conduct interviews. We were able to get into contact with one of the most authorative figures, Mayor P.K. Pirkle of Tazmily who testified a simple fact on the matter. He proclaimed, "All the above is true! It's something everyone in Tazmily knows." Stayed tuned to hear more of his words!"
Masayuki Miura Interview
Below is an interview with Masayuki Miura, script editor and assistant to Itoi for MOTHER 2 and 3.
Let’s begin by talking about your responsibilities.
Miura: Of course, Itoi-san is the one in charge of the scenario. So please think of me as the link between Itoi-san and the programmers.
It’s your job to turn Itoi-san’s words into text on screen.
Miura: That’s right. But I’m also responsible for many of the ideas and stories in the game. It’s my job to make sure all the ideas and stories Itoi-san tells me are communicated to the other staff members.
How do you communicate with Itoi-san?
Miura: It’s basically like playing catch. I throw a ball to Itoi-san, and he throws it back at me saying, “Maybe throw it like this?” But sometimes it’s not like that at all, and I actually hit it back with a bat. So, in some ways it’s more like batting practice rather than catching a ball (laughs).
Is the dialogue faithful to Itoi-san’s own words?
Miura: Yes, it is. There’s a lot of dialogue to go through. So, I draft and organize it all, and sometimes fill the blanks in with temporary dialogue. But, Itoi-san makes sure to review everything at the end of the day.
For example, even supporting characters in the village have their own dialogue?
Miura: Yes, I ask him to look through everything. Every line of text in the game was written by Itoi-san.
That’s a ton of work.
Miura: Yeah, it is. Itoi-san is extremely fast at it though. But even then, it takes months. Even if it’s just a small line of dialogue like, “You’re carrying a lot of stuff!”, all of it is written by Itoi-san himself.
So, Itoi-san is doing something akin to scripting a play.
Miura: Yes, he writes the original story and script himself. I’m like an assistant to the director.
Is the scenario for MOTHER 3 almost finished?
Miura: I’ve finished making the story, but still have a lot of work to do, like filling in all the dialogue.
Did you think about the concept for MOTHER 3 while working on MOTHER 2?
Miura: I had a lot of ideas I wanted to implement towards the end of MOTHER 2’s development, but I couldn’t fit them in anywhere. So I said, “Let’s save it for the next one.” But now I turn around and it’s all come to life. I think that’s where the concept for MOTHER 3 came from.
Does it continue from the end of MOTHER 2?
Miura: Yes, it does. It’s not like it’s completely unrelated. After all, we’ve envisioned this as a series.
I’m looking forward to it. What’s your favourite line of dialogue?
Miura: In MOTHER 1 there is a dog that says, “Look me in the eye!” I really like that one…
“Look me in the eye?”
Miura: I really like how the dog accuses the player of stealing the key to Duncan’s Factory and says, “Look me in the eye!” I’m sure this line will also appear in MOTHER 3.
64 Dream
A January issue of 64 Dream covered all that was revealed at Spaceworld '97. Of particular interest is this paragraph introducing the character of Claus and his relationship with Flint and Lucas:
“LUCAS IS ONE OF FLINT’S TWIN SONS!!”
I was also thrilled to receive this new piece of information. The boy to the right of Lucas is his twin brother “Claus.” They are Flint’s twin sons, and of the two Claus seems more subdued. According to Benimaru, Lucas is “a kind and gentle boy who likes flowers and birds”, but Claus may have an opposite personality. For example, he likes state of the art technology, which is the opposite of nature…
Claus text: This is the first relationship revealed in “MOTHER 3.” I was surprised to learn Lucas was Flint’s son, but nobody knew he had a brother (I wonder which one is the older brother?)
February 1998
Famimaga 64
In the February 1998 issue of Famimaga 64, Shigesato Itoi was reviewed by editor Nae Yuki.
SHIGESATO ITOI’S SHOCKING CONFESSION
This is the world of MOTHER 3!!!
Nae Yuki, a regular contributor to our magazine, interviews Shigesato Itoi directly about “MOTHER 3”! Mr. Itoi’s own image of “MOTHER 3” is brought out perfectly in this interview!
First, before starting the interview, we asked the two of them to watch the video of “MOTHER 3” that was aired at Space World ‘97. It was the first time that Mr. Itoi watched the video properly.
What kind of world is “MOTHER 3”?
Yuki: What kind of world is the world of “3” this time? If you compare it to cooking?
Itoi: Cooking, huh? Hmmm…
Yuki: Kid’s lunch?
Itoi: …I think it’s a cuisine with no nationality… But this time, it’s a story that will make you cry. It’s not a matter of how many times I can make you laugh, but how many times I can make you cry.
Yuki: Is that a reflection of the creator’s life?
Itoi: Recently, I realized that crying is something to look forward to. So when I have a little time to watch videos, I look for ones that can make me cry. But that kind of thing is inconvenient, isn’t it? I wanted to make a story that makes you cry because I thought it would be nice to have a place to go to cry, just like going to a comedy parlor for a laugh.
What is the story this time?
Yuki: What are you talking about, like a popular play?
Itoi: That won’t make you cry. It would be too much like a comedy.
Yuki: Then, how can you make us cry?
Itoi: The main character in this story goes through a terrible time. He gets hurt so badly that I say, “I’m sorry.” I think, “I’m so bad, I wrote the torturer’s lines myself”, and I often find myself saying things like “Why are you saying that?”
Yuki: Like when you go to your friend’s house to play and your mother shuts the gate on you?
Itoi: It’s not that sweet, is it?
Yuki: Is it more harsh?
Itoi: Yes, it’s harsh. This time, my dream is that people who want to play games happily in the middle of the night are saying, “It’s hard….” Because the situation in the world this time is very rough.
Yuki: Speaking of that, what is this (pointing to the photo on the left) in the video?
Itoi: I like this one. Claymen. Poor people…
Yuki: So they are people. Poor people…
It’s all about how many times you can make them cry.
BGM ALREADY DONE!
Do you have a theme song or something you can play?
Yuki: A sad story is so different from what I imagined for the series!
Itoi: It’s totally different from the past, isn’t it? For example, the music is not of the familiar type. This was a discovery for me, too, but when something different comes in and clashes with something else, sometimes something new is born from the place where you wonder what to create. That’s how the music for this project came about, and it must have been very exciting for the creators as well.
Yuki: Do you already have a theme song or something?
Itoi: (Turning to Mr. Hongo of Nintendo, who is watching the interview from the corner of the room) Mr. Hongo, I think there’s probably a tape of the music over there. Shall I play it for you? I want to surprise you in as short a time as possible.
Hongo: Ah, that’s right.
Mr. Itoi arranged for us to hear the music from “3”! A boom box and tape arrived a short time later. The song started playing immediately. I can’t tell you what kind of music it was, but it was clearly different from anything I had heard before. What surprised me more than anything was the extremely high degree of perfection. Perhaps the background music was already completed?
(While listening to the music)
Yuki: Can this be made into a game with the sound quality as it is?
Itoi: It will be better than this
Yuki: What kind of scene is this music going to play in?
Itoi: It’s a live performance scene by a band called D.C.M.C.
Yuki: I see, it’s different, now. So there won’t be a boy wearing a cap or something?
Itoi: We lost that whole world!
Yuki: Why did you lose it! I liked it so much!
Itoi: Customers always say things like that. If I listen to all the demands, I have to make the same thing. So, this time, I took away all of that in order to make something newer. For example, “MOTHER” until now has always been a cup full of hot water. It if were hot water, pouring water into it would only make it lukewarm. The theme of “3” is to drink cold water after emptying the glass.
Let’s hear some tunes!
Are there any elements carried over from the series?
Yuki: I understand that “3” will be something new, but are there any elements from the series that will appear?
Itoi: Not so much, but yes. There are some elements that we can’t miss, such as dialogues.
Can I enter a favorite food or name?
Yuki: In “MOTHER,” you enter the names of the main character and his friends, as well as his favorite food, at the beginning. Is that the same thing in this game?
Itoi: Yes, there is. We have names and favorite foods.
Yuki: Until now, favorite foods have not been visualized, but this time?
Itoi: If we don’t have a visual, even foods without names can be entered, which is interesting…
.Yuki:' But if there were 99 kinds of food and fish were actually served, it would be worth going home, wouldn’t it?
Itoi: If we were told that there were 99 different kinds of food, that would be something, too. If you put a mosaic on the food, you can use any name you want.
Yuki: Maybe there is steam or something?
Itoi: Hmmm, I will consider how to use mosaic for a while.
Will any familiar characters make an appearance?
Yuki: Even if the boy in the cap doesn’t appear, what about the mother? Will the mother appear?
Itoi: Mothers are hard! I don’t want to talk about my mother right now! It’s not that I’m hiding it, it’s just… I can’t… I can’t tell you!
Yuki: It hasn’t been done yet.
Itoi: That’s not true! But it’s hard work for a mother, really!
Yuki: Since you have gone that far, did you set up a positive characterization of your mother and so on?
Itoi: That was very important. It was all about what to do with the mother.
Yuki: A reasonable mother?
Itoi: The mother in “2” is more reasonable. I like that kind of mother.
Yuki: When the child comes home, she serves his favorite food, right?
Itoi: Yes, She does what he has to do, but she seems to be dismissive of her children. She is not without love, but she lives her life as an individual. That is the kind of mother I wanted to portray.
Yuki: There was also a father, wasn’t there?
Itoi: The father has been more irresponsible than the mother, until now.
Yuki: He would just say, “I’ve transferred the money to your account,” and that was it.
Itoi: This time the father is going to do it!
Yuki: So you still don’t go home, but money is transferred to the bank on a regular basis?
Itoi: Yes, he has money. I guess there is an adventure story about the father that we can’t see.
Yuki: Will there be a dog in the story?
Itoi: Yes, they do appear. There is even a theme song for dogs.
Yuki: The idea is like something you would find in America? The kind of dog that comes into his owner’s bedroom after washing his body and romping around?
Itoi: Also, it is that type of dog. But this time, it’s a dog that makes you cry.
Yuki: In “2,” the dog was really just a dog.
Itoi: He’s a bad dog. But this time the dog does it when he has to, and he makes you cry!
Yuki: Will there be any companionship or friendship between the main characters?
Itoi: The girls are quite important this time, too. However, rather than being the main character, she is in a “I’m glad she’s here” kind of position.
Yuki: Is “Mr. Saturn” going to appear this time?
Itoi: Yes. I like “Mr. Saturn” myself. Basically, I will show what I like.
Yuki: When I talk to him, he says, “boing!” I don’t know what they are saying, but they really have no malice towards me.
Itoi: Yes, yes.
Yuki: Even though Mr. Saturn is polygonal, he is still like a two-dimensional creature, isn’t he?
Itoi: That’s right. He was created from my doodles.
I’ll include whatever I like.
What will the battle be like this time?
He is being snatched up by a very huge monster with a crunch. How could anyone fight such a huge thing?
Once again, we review the video from Space World. It shows a scene where a player character is running away from a monster at high speed and getting hit in the buttocks.
(While watching the chase between the character and the monster)
Yuki: What kind of scene is this?
Itoi: It is the interaction with the monster before entering the scene.
Yuki: So, there is a distinctive way of entering the battle scene.
Itoi: Yes, there is.
Yuki: Doesn’t the screen change when you encounter an enemy?
Itoi: Yes. It was the same in “2,” the battle took place after you made contact with the enemy, wasn’t it?
Yuki: That’s right. I could have just run away.
Itoi: This time, we will make it more prominent. I don’t want it to be like an action game, but I would like to make it so that there are advantages and disadvantages depending on how contact is made. Especially on the N64, it should be fun to play.
Yuki: I see, 3D!
Itoi: Like when you go around the back of the car.
Yuki: That sounds interesting.
Itoi: The scene of the exchange before the battle is already interesting in the experimental stage, but I’m sure it will become even more interesting.
(pointing to the screen shot on the right)
Yuki: What kind of scene is this?
Itoi: This is the battle scene, and this is the one where the dragon is looking at us with its head turned all the way down. It’s still hard to explain the battle scene, but it’s amazing. Basically, most RPG battles are an exchange of additions and subtractions, but I want to do something more than that, something that comes from the heart.
Yuki: A monster who is really strong may be feeling a little sick today, or he may be feeling weak (laughs).
Itoi: The most important thing in creating RPG battles is to make them not feel like numbers. That’s what I want to do.
Yuki: Can you use psychic powers in battle?
Itoi: Yes, you can. It’s more like supernatural powers, or some kind of mysterious power.
Will any familiar characters make an appearance?
Yuki: I know there are a lot of monsters, but are there any monsters that become your friends?
Itoi: Yeah….
Yuki: Yes, there are.
Itoi: I just saw a scene in the video where you are riding astride this thing, but there are ways to use it as a friend.
Yuki: So it can be captured and used as a vehicle. There were other vehicles in the video, weren’t there?
Itoi: That one was called “Pork Bean,” which is a vehicle that flies through the air.
Yuki: I was wondering what the back of the dragon looks like.
Itoi: I don’t know that either.
Yuki: Is the back of the dragon a pilot’s seat?
What is possible with the N64?
Yuki: Is there anything you were able to achieve that you couldn’t do before?
Itoi: I think it was the fact that I was able to give all the characters their own personalities. All the characters have different faces and names!
What are the advantages of being polygonal?
Yuki: These days, no matter what you do, the games are polygonal, aren’t they?
Itoi: Customers ask if it’s not polygonal.
Yuki: Even Mr. Taijiri of “Pokemon” fame said that! Even the old guy at the bar said “Aren’t those polygons?” (laughs).
Itoi: The other thing is how to make it unique with the pictures.
Yuki: Certainly, I think that children would no longer be satisfied with the inclusion of ordinary animations.
Itoi: For the creations, it is good that there are more things they can do.
Yuki: What are you able to do with “MOTHER” by making it polygonal?
Itoi: I feel that the use of polygons made it possible to create more of a “sandbox” game. In other words, once you create a character, no matter where you put the doll, it remains that doll. If you wanted to bring the doll here, you can suddenly bring that doll and put it anywhere. This allows for a great deal of freedom when creating a story. From my standpoint as a scenario writer, I was really happy about this.
Yuki: Polygons seem to be more graphically beautiful and difficult to work with, but on the contrary, you have had more trouble with them up until now, is that correct?
Itoi: In another sense, yes, in the case of the Super Famicom, it was the same as moving a lot of picture storyboards. But with polygons, it’s just a puppet animation, so you just had to put them in place.
All the characters have their own personalities.
Why is the story 12 chapters?
Yuki: Why did you choose to structure the story as a total of 12 chapters?
Itoi: I wonder why. I already had a story in mind. Then I thought it would be boring if I didn’t divide it into chapters. I wanted to make various people the main characters.
Yuki: How do you do that?
Itoi: For example, I wondered what would happen if they were in the same story from the standpoint of the weaker person, or if they were together at the same time in the story from the standpoint of an old man, and so on. In this way, the main characters of each chapter cross paths, and what was done by Mr. A in that scene in chapter 1, when done by Mr. B would look like this.
Yuki: How many main characters are there in the story this time?
Itoi: If you want to call them main characters…. If you mean characters that can be moved, then there are quite a few.
Yuki: More? More than three?
Itoi: More than three. I gave them a bonus.
Yuki: Is the main character a child?
Itoi: He is a child, but he becomes a young man.
Yuki: Is he about 15 years old?
Itoi: He must be at least 15 years old. I think he will be a teenager.
Yuki: You say that there are many characters that can be moved around, but do they have their own quirks or differences?
Itoi: We have seen this before. There was a boy who was good with machines.
Itoi: Yes, that’s right. We are going to use that approach again this time.
What made you want to make it?
Yuki: I would like to ask you about the concept and dream behind the creation of the “MOTHER” game.
Itoi: I wanted to create an exciting RPG in a more familiar world, not one with magic and swords.
Did you have any difficulties from the beginning?
Yuki: I like games, and I am also interested in people who make games….
Itoi: Why don’t you just make them?
Yuki: What? I can’t even make a website….
Itoi: No, that’s not what I mean. I have only touched a computer recently.
Yuki: But there must have been people around who could make one.
Itoi: That’s just as a connection. I do it by myself. If you try it and it is a boring proposal, why don’t you just say, “Oh, I can’t do this.” That’s how you get hit by the cold wind, by the dying of the trees. I cried…. I went to see Mr. Miyamoto (Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo) with a proposal for “MOTHER”. I went to show it to him and said “That is what I came up with!” I went to show it to him. But Mr. Miyamoto didn’t say, “That’s wonderful!” I gently said something simply like, “It’s how you create it that counts, isn’t it?”I thought it was a bad idea because he didn’t praise me at all…. On the bullet train on the way back home, I started to cry. That’s the kind of experience I had.
Yuki: Why me? I’ll do my best in my day job…. (laughs). (laughs) But people who play games also feel cold. “Why did I buy this game?”'
Itoi: That kind of sadness as a consumer should just be crushed and thrown away!
Yuki: Oh, no! Oh my God….
Itoi: Because everyone is doing it. It’s as cold as 14℃ when you buy a game and play three or so rounds of it!
Yuki: I won’t freeze to death.
Itoi: First, I had to get to about single digits. And then it was below zero, Then I would get up and say, “I’m not cold, I’m not cold! I’m not cold!” I wiped my tears at Tokyo Station and thought, “Then what am I going to do? Oh, that Miyamoto and I are friends now!”, but at that time I was really angry! He didn’t mean it, but I felt I had nowhere else to go, and that made me sad!
Yuki: I have to think about it.
Itoi: Without that, you can only do the same thing. Someone who loves games as much as you do should really get into the deep end. You are still young now.
Yuki: I am not young.
Itoi:' No, you are young. 30 is before adulthood, so that’s when you start working in that field.
Yuki: That’s a good story. Coming of age at 30.
Itoi: From there, a completely different kind of joy and suffering begins, like in an RPG. When the person you saved betrays you.
Yuki: What? Now the atmosphere around here has suddenly become heavy (laughs).
What does “MOTHER” mean to you, Mr. Itoi?
For me, “MOTHER” is a job.
Yuki: “MOTHER” is one of the games that really hooked me. But what does “MOTHER” mean to you Mr. Itoi?
Itoi: It’s my job.
Yuki: Work, huh?
Itoi: Yes, it is, after all. I wanted to make games for “fun,” so I jumped into the world of game making. Even if you think you are playing grass baseball, if the customers are waiting for you, it will turn into a professional baseball game. So when a game has people who buy and play it, it can’t just be a game. Unlike advertising, this is a job where the customer is definitely waiting for you (laughs).
March 1998
The MOTHER 3 Times Volume 7
"MR. P.K. PIRKLE HAS BEEN RE-ELECTED AS MAYOR OF TAZMILY VILLAGE!
Tazmily Village’s Mayor, P.K. Pirkle’s term is coming to a close, so an election was going to be held. However, since no opposing candidate registered in time for the ballot, it was automatically decided Mr. Pirkle would be re-elected. He will be entrusted with running the village for a second term. Like the president of the United States, a third term election is prohibited in Tazmily Village. So, for P.K. Pirkle this comes as a critical moment. Everyone in P.K. Pirkle’s family gathered together to celebrate his victory (pictured above.) All the villagers were happy to hear the news of P.K. Pirkle's re-election, welcoming him back with open arms.
Hear P.K. Pirkle’s words of joy!
We received a comment from Mr. P.K. Pirkle regarding his re-election:
“As long as this town’s villagers are happy, I’m happy. I could be mayor forever as long as that’s the case. I will do my best!”
April 1998
The MOTHER 3 Times Volume 8
"A “CAREFREE GUY” HAS BEEN DISCOVERED IN TAZMILY VILLAGE!
A photo of someone who claims to be a “Carefree Guy” was taken in Tazmily Village on April 21st. The mayor of Tazmily Village, P.K. Pirkle made an urgent announcement upon the sighting of this person. According to his announcement, this man has long hair, a bandana, and wears a shirt and jeans.
It's said this “Carefree Guy” bears a resemblance to someone, but these theories have been discarded due to doubt. Hopefully some proof can shed some light on “Carefree Guy” and confirm these baseless theories. Whether it truly is that person himself or an imposter remains unknown. Regardless, it’s important to inform the authenticity of this person’s identity. In MOTHER 1 and 2, the “Carefree Guy” was an enemy. So, the security of the villagers of Tazmily must be taken to heart and arranged.
Thankfully, no villagers have been harmed at this time. However, there is an overhanging feeling of anxiety among the people, including Mr. P.K. Pirkle. It looks like some rules have been arranged because of this: In the village, it is mandatory for all elementary school children to head to and leave school together. Everything right now is on high alert, with a late night curfew also in place.
According to exclusive information we got in secret, a special investigative headquarters has been set up in Tazmily Village in order to study this man. We will deliver any breaking news as soon as results come in."
May 1998
The MOTHER 3 Times Volume 9
“A "DRAGO" RESCUES MISSING CHILDREN?!
On the afternoon of May 21st, some children went to go play in the Sunshine Forest, but failed to return home by dinner time. 7 year old Richie and 5 year old Nichol went missing, but returned to Tazmily Village by 9 PM the same day after being rescued by the Youth Group. Richie said, “I was really worried because we fell off a cliff and got lost, but we were carried home by riding on the back of this huge creature!"
It is believed this creature is a Drago due to the boy's sketch of the creature (pictured left) and footprints left at the scene. The elders of Tazmily Village say this is entirely possible. “The Dragos living in the forest are gentle and have a very high level of intelligence. They probably felt sorry for the lost children.” The truth of this matter remains unclear, but this case is guaranteed to develop when MOTHER 3 releases."
E3 1998
After a year long drought of information, "EarthBound 64" finally made a re-appearance in the US at E3 1998, on May 28th. It was featured in a sizzle reel of upcoming Nintendo 64 titles, and all the footage was recycled from the Spaceworld '97 showing. This brief clip was downloadable on Nintendo's website at the time, and once again EarthBound 64 would be featured in the Volume 109 of Nintendo Power. Although MOTHER 3 was being reported on, no official localization was announced yet. Many North American publishers questioned if it would see a release and labelled EarthBound 64 "TBA".
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Media reaction to the E3 1998 showing was extremely positive, with Computer and Video Games Magazine proclaiming, "Here's a new truth that's sure to upset people - MOTHER 3 is the best looking RPG ever, many times more impressive than Final Fantasy VII." Nintendo Power detailed, "The completed areas in the game are delightfully rendered, and the interiors of buildings are rich in detail. The shops, caves and cabins feature dramatic lighting from glowing candles and warm fireplaces. And the game's funky, animated critters will leave you dazed, amazed and amused."
French Planet 64
Featured in this magazine is a French translation of the January 1998 interview with Akihiko Miura from the MOTHER 3 Times.
Under the screenshot with the carriages: Here is the ancestor of France's F1 Grand Prix: carriages pulled by pigs... Gruik! Gruik!
Next to it: Your little stroll seems to have taken a bad start… you better run fast!
Against the screenshot of the village: If it wasn’t for the sign in English, we would think we’re in the high plateaus of South America...
Under it: Two hippos in a lagoon, how cute is that? Undoubtedly one of the instances of platforming in this RPG.
Beside Akihiko’s picture: During the entirety of the interview, Akihiko Miura was obstinate to deny the devastating effects of Mother 3. However one only has to give a look at his colleagues (page 39) to be convinced of the opposite!
Under it: We have found a group picture of the protagonists of Mother 3. In the lower-left corner is the dog that accompanies you throughout your quest.
Beside the sketch of the woman: Is the head against the wall a hunting trophy or a fountain? Beside the sketch of the castle: This looks like the legendary basement where the Beatles began…
In the black box in the bottom half of the page: Looking at these pictures, there’s something you can’t miss: working on Mother 3 is not entirely good. To be convinced (if needs be), one only has to look at the mindless expressions plastered on these famous faces. This sad spectacle begins with the sketchy face of Mr. Ito, art director of Mother 3. We'll intentionally forget to mention his hat… which seems to delight Masayuki Miura, scenarist of M3. One thing is certain, you have to be crazy to write such a wacky game. Then comes (to top it off), a fine selection of crazies: Shigesato Itoi, a genius in its purest form. Designer and chief of project of the Mother series. It's thanks to him that we can play those extraordinary creations. It seems, however, that the honorable and honored Itoi might have fallen victim to the pressure… To relax, he hasn't invented found anything better than to invite his friend Miyamoto (you know, Shigeru) in his flat to play “Cross and Circle,” a classic in the world of Japanese games. Only one thing bothers him: Miyamoto always plays the circle, and accompanies his every moves by a long contended chuckle... Nothing's more annoying, isn't it?
In the long vertical box: The wise words of Yi Xua San Kat If you’ve never had the pleasure to play Mother 2 on the SNES (in the form of EarthBound), then you have no idea what bizarre things to expect. Or at least that’s what Yi Xua San Kat thinks. Based on appearances, and by looking at the images on these pages, Mother 3 might seem like a rather traditional adventure-fantasy game which vaguely resembles a cartoon. But scratch the surface a bit and you'll see some rather weird things happening. This professor obsessed with donuts? Is that really normal? And those video game celebrities chuckling stupidly while putting up signs marked with a cross or a circle... Strange, isn’t it? And that’s just the beginning! There’s also all this excitement regarding the personalization function of the NDD (Nintendo Disk Drive, ex-64DD). Additionally, most of your actions and decisions are saved on the disk and shape your adventure throughout the game. Yi Xua San Kat had never seen a game offer such a feature. Mother 3 could be the pioneer of a new type of RPGs. What reinforces this conviction is that one does not simply start in Mother 3 like in any other soft There are initiatory steps: gulping down an entire jar of raspberry jam being one of them! If it really is jam, of course. To sum it up, while Mother 3 isn't as awaited as The Legend of Zelda, it's still as much as Quest 64... Which, far from being a baseless observation, gives this game all its value! And its strangeness...
June 1998
The MOTHER 3 Times Volume 10
"A MYSTERIOUS WASTE APPEARS IN GREAT SCALE VILLAGE!
On the early morning of the 20th, an unknown substance appeared on the sandy shores of Great Scale Village. It was discovered by a 70 year old resident by the name of Mr. Chemli, and immediately the village was thrown into a state of panic. The mysterious substance is about half the size of a calf, and has a strange brown colour. A nearby Tazmily Health Center employee said the object had a “soft feeling” when he tried to poke at it.
Other than that, it remains unclear what this substance could really be. Ever since it’s discovery, a bad smell has been lingering in the village. Dogs have been running out of control, many feel a loss of appetite or the need to fervently wash one’s self, and some find their sense of smell has been affected. There are several people at the Tazmily Village Police Department who are investigating the situation, with the belief it might be a tasteless prank.
We received some testimony from Mr. Chemli himself: “At first I thought it might’ve been a giant pile of poop. But, I don’t think any poo this large could exist. If it is poop, then it’s mighty impressive. I think it might be the droppings of a large creature.” However, upon investigation no traces of any animal footsteps were found at the scene. "
"THE MAIN STENCH OF THE PAST!
Some tourists left behind a couple boxes of bento in a trash can at Osohe Castle. It began to rot inside of it over time, and several children at the scene made a fuss about the smell."
July 1998
The MOTHER 3 Times Volume 11
"A MYSTERIOUS "FLYING RAT" CREATURE ATTACKING PEOPLE?! A VILLAGER'S EYEWITNESSS
A rat with insect wings? This month the MOTHER 3 Times has been flooded with a large amount of reports regarding a mysterious creature. According to eyewitnesses, the creature is about 40 centimeters in length, has insect-like wings, and emits a crying sound like “gee-gee”.
It apparently flies around the sky, attacking humans and livestock. Fortunately, no villagers have been seriously injured yet. However, because this is an unknown creature many are concerned it may be poisonous. Understandably, the villagers are extremely frightened about this issue. The Tazmily Health Center is already developing a strategy to catch it involving a special mousetrap. If it’s successfully caught, some villagers believe this trap will become a Tazmily special - the business spirit is already thriving!"
"THE MISSING BOY HAS BEEN SPOTTED. A CRUCIAL CLUE FOR THE INVESTIGATION!
A missing boy was seen on the security cameras of the daily necessities retailer, “General Store” in the suburbs of Tazmily. It is clear the person seen in the camera is 12 year old Mukodani-kun, who’s been missing for some time. It is under assumption by the Tazmily Village Police Department that the middle-aged man seen on camera with the boy is involved in the incident. The boy was last heard from October last year, when he said, “I want to eat some deep fried shrimp with chili”. He’s been missing ever since he left home that day."
August 1998
The MOTHER 3 Times Volume 12
"AN ALL OUT SPECIAL FEATURE! IS MAGIC A SCIENCE? LET’S ASK "PROFESSOR ORANGE KID"
Does magic really exist in the modern world? We wanted to take a scientific approach to deciphering the buzz surrounding this “magic method” people have been discovering. The MOTHER 3 Times Editorial Department had the pleasure of interviewing the “Orange Kid” this month, whose specialties range from fortune telling to paranormal research. The reporter asked, “Professor, what exactly is this magic?”
The professor responded, “This magic might be the so-called “PSI.” But it could be something else entirely...at least, this is what my research tells me so far.” So in conclusion, could magic truly be a type of psychic power? Maybe...or maybe not. There’s no way to tell right now. How do you feel about this shocking revelation? What answer will you accept? Please look forward to the next report."
"THE ANNUAL SUMMER YADOGARIN MIGRATION BEGINS!
At noon on the 20th, the annual Yadogarin migration started a week later than usual. This summer tradition had been long established for these great crab migrations, so why are they moving in groups this time of year? The meeaning behind it hasn’t quite been figured out yet. Alas, due to unknown recent developments in the forest, the number of Yadogarins seems to be declining. Some researchers are speculating this year might be the last big move for them."
Nintendo of America email
On August 14th, 1998, an email was exchanged with a representative of Nintendo of America, Greg Wallace. When asked about the status of MOTHER 3, Wallace shared that the game was going to come out on cartridge format instead. This predates any official statement from Nintendo of Japan by roughly a year, as it would be advertised as a 64DD release well into July 1999.[2]
Media outlets such as IGN quickly caught wind of this news as they and other journalists subsequently reported this information.
September 1998
The MOTHER 3 Times Volume 13
"TOP ANIMAL BREEDER DECIDED AT THE TAZMILY VILLAGE LIVESTOCK CHAMPIONSHIP!
Tazmily Village has been full of livestock producers amidst the busy, fertile autumn season. So, it was decided the “Top Breeder Championship” would be held in Idobata Square to declare a winner. A graceful collection of animals were displayed, from loud chickens to a hoard of capybaras. This time, 15 year old Butch had the honour of winning. He proudly held his trophy in his hands as we interviewed him: “What is the meaning of beauty? Well, just have a look at my pigs!”, Butch pridefully boasted. “You’ll understand it's true meaning once you gaze upon them!”
October 1998
The MOTHER 3 Times Volume 14
"THE DISCOVERY OF CUTE, TINY ACORNS!
Ever since they were found in the Sunshine Forest earlier this month, these “cute little acorns” have been a hot topic in the village. At first glance they seem no different from a regular acorn, but upon closer inspection they emit an indescribable feeling of cuteness. Their smooth texture is also alluring, making them “difficult to let go of once you’ve held them.” Since they are incredibly rare, they go for five times the usual amount if traded at Thomas’s General Store. Thomas commented, “If you happen to find such a cute acorn from the forest, please bring it over to my store! I’ll make sure to exchange it for something good.”
"PIG NOSES BLOOM IN THE AUTUMN SEASON!
Currently trending among the people of Tazmily Village are pig nose masks, which suddenly boomed in popularity out of nowhere. Although putting on the mask won’t improve your sense of smell, they somehow became popular regardless of having no beneficial effect. The idea originally came from the residents of Tazmily thinking it would be cute to wear. Who knows how long this fad will continue for? It’s only a matter of time until the next one. I can already hear the snort of a cow nose in the distance...."
November 1998
The MOTHER 3 Times Volume 15
"WHAT ARE WE SHOWING THIS TIME? IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING INCREDIBLY AMAZING!
Today we will be reporting on “that”. You all know what “that” is, don’t you? If not, this time we have something amazing that is sure to get your interest. We acquired this information in an agreement with a photographer we sent ahead to Tazmily Village, and he succeeded in shooting the scoop! Due to the photographer’s shock, the whole body of “that” isn’t visible. However there is no doubt this is an incredibly rare and valuable image. The creature here has a habit of fluttering towards children and flying into their faces. So please be careful if you’re going to visit Tazmily Village anytime soon."
"D.C.M.C. FACES THE DANGER OF DISSOLUTION?!
Since their debut, many have become huge fans of the D.C.M.C. upon attending their live performances. Alas, despite their success, they’re currently under the pressure of dissolution. The cause of this tension is a misunderstanding between Rodrigo Rodriguez’s parents and the other band members. We’ll have a follow up on this event in the next issue."
"WHAT IS THE D.C.M.C.?
It’s an abbreviation of “Desperado Crush Mambo Combo”. They’re mostly active at Club Titiboo, which can be found at the center of the Shimedori Forest."
December 1998
The MOTHER 3 Times Volume 16
"A MYSTERIOUS CROP CIRCLE APPEARS IN THE SUNSHINE FOREST!
A mysterious phenomenon that's become a hot topic overseas makes it’s incredible unveiling in Tazmily Village! 21 year old Isaac told us he was picking mushrooms in the Sunshine Forest when he witnessed this historical event. According to Isaac, he saw some strangely dressed people who fled the scene at inhuman speeds. The crop circle spun around and dissipated, leaving behind a searing mark in the ground. These so-called crop circles have been reported all over the world, but it’s uncertain if this is the same type of circle here. If so, this is truly history in the making for Tazmily Village, even if a lot more remains to be discovered."
"D.C.M.C. RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS!
Rodrigo Rodriguez’s departure was a decisive moment for the D.C.M.C. Thus, the band decided it might be best to start fresh and recruit some new members. The band leader Shimmy Zmizz stated, “We’ve been going at this for a long time now. These things just happen sometimes. So, the hope for new members is sure to restore our heart and soul. We need a guy who has various skills other than just being able to play the bass. It’d be nice if he could play the ocarina too, haha.”
References
- ↑ French Planet Akihiko Miura Interview Translation - French Planet 64, May 1998
- ↑ Nintendo of America Email - Nintendo of America, August 15th 1998
Index
Mother 3 prerelease timeline
| |
|---|---|
| Overview | Differences |
| Nintendo 64 version | Early N64 Development • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 |
| Game Boy Advance version | Early GBA Development • 2001-2002 • 2003-2004 • 2005 • 2006 |
