Nintendo explains why you can't play as a woman in Zelda: Tri Force Heroes

[Dr. Pezus]

Nintendo explains why you can't play as a woman in Zelda: Tri Force Heroes - NeoGAF

Source: http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/...0ef0a14f000007
 

IGN: So earlier, I brought up the similarities in the approach. The outfits remind me of gear-driven games like Monster Hunter and MMOs. Part of what ties into equipment-driven games is a player has a choice between choosing a male or female. I'm curious if, in this game, players will have a choice between a male avatar or a female avatar, especially since the story doesn't seem tied to a specific gender?

Hiromasa Shikata: I'm going to tell you a little bit about the story quickly and we'll circle around, here. There's this kingdom, an event happens, and the king needs heroes. So, he puts out a call for heroes to gather and one of those is this guy Link. He sees this audition, basically, 'Heroes needed; apply here.' And, that's the start of his adventure.

The story calls for this sort of legend/prophecy where heroes will come together to help solve a problem. And in that, they are male characters. So, because the game is set with that as the story background, you cannot choose a gender; you are a male character.

IGN: I guess I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't express some slight disappointment with that, especially because there is a Zelda outfit Link wears in the game. It just feels like it's one step closer to giving the Zelda series' female audience the chance to explore that universe from another perspective.

Shikata: Understood. I understand what you're saying, and just as general information, we do have a lot of female staff members who are playing this game and enjoying it. It doesn't seem to be a big issue to them. They still are getting emotional investment in this game. And to be honest, Link isn't the most masculine of guys in the world, depending on how you want to project yourself into the character.

[Xbro]

I think gaf is overreacting a bit to this. If a dev wants to put male characters in a video game, they should be able to put male characters in a video game.

[Dr. Pezus]

I think gaf is overreacting a bit to this. If a dev wants to put male characters in a video game, they should be able to put male characters in a video game.

His reasoning is just straight up BS though.

"The story calls for this sort of legend/prophecy where heroes will come together to help solve a problem. And in that, they are male characters. So, because the game is set with that as the story background, you cannot choose a gender; you are a male character."

Basically, he says you can only play as a male character because you can only play as a male character

[Legend]

I think gaf is overreacting a bit to this. If a dev wants to put male characters in a video game, they should be able to put male characters in a video game.

Yeah. No game should ever get hate for having a male character because that's what the devs wanted.

The problem is that males are the default, and thus many games have them simply because. Like Pezus says they are male because they are male. Doesn't sound like they are male for a reason.

[kitler53]

...

IGN: I guess I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't express some slight disappointment with that, especially because there is a Zelda outfit Link wears in the game. It just feels like it's one step closer to giving the Zelda series' female audience the chance to explore that universe from another perspective.

Shikata: Understood. I understand what you're saying, and just as general information, we do have a lot of female staff members who are playing this game and enjoying it. It doesn't seem to be a big issue to them. They still are getting emotional investment in this game. And to be honest, Link isn't the most masculine of guys in the world, depending on how you want to project yourself into the character.

[Legend]

Sorry Nintendo, we've decided that Link is officially a girl - NeoGAF

Adjust your 1950s-era PR statements and internal development memos as appropriate. Print new editions of your ultra-important half page long Legend of Zelda lore pamphlets.
 All your Links are girls.
 All of them, from her landmark NES game onward.  Thanks for understanding, Nintendo.
 

[BananaKing]

His reasoning is just straight up BS though.

"The story calls for this sort of legend/prophecy where heroes will come together to help solve a problem. And in that, they are male characters. So, because the game is set with that as the story background, you cannot choose a gender; you are a male character."

Basically, he says you can only play as a male character because you can only play as a male character

i really really dont see a problem in that.

dont get me wrong, his reasoning is BS, but when you get to the bottom line... ugh... i just dont see a problem with it. its what the devs are making and thats it, they arent being sexist or discriminating. the bottom line is, you play as a male character because thats what they are making.

[Dr. Pezus]

i really really dont see a problem in that.

dont get me wrong, his reasoning is BS, but when you get to the bottom line... ugh... i just dont see a problem with it. its what the devs are making and thats it, they arent being sexist or discriminating. the bottom line is, you play as a male character because thats what they are making.

It's the reasoning that is sexist . It's like he's saying women can't be heroes in a story like this

[the-pi-guy]

If there's one main character, I'm not going to care either way.  
I'm not going to be upset that Aloy is a woman and Nathan Drake is a man.  
I am more excited that Aloy is a woman, to be honest.  

But when there's a choice of character, they should really push more towards allowing options.  
The reasoning here is rather silly to be honest.  

[BasilZero]

It's the reasoning that is sexist . It's like he's saying women can't be heroes in a story like this

Technically speaking the Spirit of the Hero (zelda storyline/lore wise - the main character is always depicted in prophecies/legends as male...........so ya).

Anyways I dont see it as sexist lol - its just a fricken video game lmao. If a developer doesnt want to place a female character as a leader character or vice versa - so be it.

[BananaKing]

It's the reasoning that is sexist . It's like he's saying women can't be heroes in a story like this

so? and he didnt say a story like this, he never commented on the general type of story or womens ability to be hero's. he was talking about this story, his story, and how he, the creator of it, has decided that the best thing for the story is having these hero's as male characters.

its like barking about Tomb Raider for not being able to play as a male in the story.

people should stop making mountains out of molehills. there is nothing really into this unless people want to make up an issue here.

If there's one main character, I'm not going to care either way.  
I'm not going to be upset that Aloy is a woman and Nathan Drake is a man.  
I am more excited that Aloy is a woman, to be honest.  

But when there's a choice of character, they should really push more towards allowing options.  
The reasoning here is rather silly to be honest.  

the reasoning is silly, but honestly its PR most likely. if he goes out to say we cant fit making female leads into our budget people will tear them apart, just look at Ubisoft.

and when there is a choice they should push more towards the option certainly, IF it fits the story and lore.

[Dr. Pezus]

so? and he didnt say a story like this, he never commented on the general type of story or womens ability to be hero's. he was talking about this story, his story, and how he, the creator of it, has decided that the best thing for the story is having these hero's as male characters.

Maybe you should read his answers again.