Before video games are released, they are tested extensively multiple times. To ensure that this testing is not done only by the developers themselves, sometimes uninvolved individuals are also allowed to play certain sections. A legendary developer had his game tested by his child but could hardly bear to watch.
Which developer is it? Almost every gamer has surely played a game that Shigeru Miyamoto worked on. The Japanese development legend from Nintendo is responsible for many iconic franchises. Super Mario, Zelda, or Donkey Kong are 3 of his most famous games.
Miyamoto was also involved in the important Super Mario 64. The game transformed the red plumber into three dimensions for the first time. To test the fun of the game, Miyamoto had the game tested by independent players, including his child. However, watching the gameplay was hard for him.
Children should test the game too
How did his child play? The website shmuplations has compiled Japanese interviews from strategy guides from 1997 in which Miyamoto talked about many things regarding Super Mario 64. It also mentions that someone tried to experiment with the game by throwing King Bob-omb off a cliff.
Miyamoto recalls a playtesting story with his child, where they let 10 students play the first level of Super Mario 64. They observed this and drew conclusions from it. One of those children was also his child.
He tells how his child tried countless times to climb a mountain, even though it was not actually possible. Miyamoto thought to himself: My God, does this child have any sense?
After playing, the children found the game fun and wanted to keep playing. From this, Nintendo concluded that it is not always about whether you can complete a game. It should be fun, even if you are not achieving anything at the moment.
The game was also designed for players who explore and look at everything, not just for those who want to go straight to the next levels.
Super Mario is one of the greatest icons in video game history, and this is also because Nintendo likes to experiment with its games. The other big Nintendo character is Link from the Zelda series. Despite his heroic deeds, he seems quite defenseless: A developer admits that Link is actually totally defenseless in the Zelda games
