AnectNotes:
Japan Earthquake - Nintendo Aimed To Make Japan Smile With Super Mario 3D Land
The date March 11, 2011 appeared on the projector screen as Mr. Hayashida's face became uncharacteristically serious. He explained he was delivering a presentation about Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the fifth floor of the Nintendo studio when the earthquake hit. He recalls the cacophony of noises he heard as the building sustained damage and he thought he was going to die. Fear of aftershocks, power outages, and radiation suspended development of Super Mario 3D Land for two weeks, a stretch of time off that Hayashida says is very damaging. After what felt like an eternity to Hayashida, the team returned to development.
"We’re all asking ourselves what we can do to help right now," says Hayashida regarding the disaster. "Bringing smiles to the faces of people by the end of this year is something we can do."
With spirits low due to the strife in Japan, the team banded together to help boost morale. Developers hung out together while play-testing Super Mario 3D Land, which Hayashida says reminded him of just playing games while hanging out at a friend's house. Work was fun again.
(more at the jump)
