Nintendo developers spent nearly a decade refining the mechanics and aesthetics of the upcoming life simulator, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, including the controversial addition of Mii flatulence.
In a recent 'Ask the Developer' interview, the production team detailed the internal disagreements regarding whether the feature should exist at all.
"There was a big debate among the team about whether Miis should be able to… break wind," said developer Takahashi.
Some staff members argued the feature was too vulgar, while others found it hilarious. The team eventually settled on making it an optional trait that players can bestow upon their characters.
Sound and visual effects
The development process also involved significant trial and error regarding the audio and visual presentation of the mechanic.
Developer Minegishi noted that the team obsessed over the audio, leading to numerous revisions. "I got comments like, 'That’s a bit too realistic for my liking,'" Minegishi said.
Visual effects also underwent several iterations. Kageyama recalled a period where the effect resembled an explosion.
Beyond the minor quirks, the developers revealed that building the game's customization systems for Miis, pets, and buildings took six to seven years. This long development cycle explains why many fans believed the franchise had been abandoned.
While the team initially considered more realistic avatars, they ultimately decided to retain the classic, charming look of the original Miis. They also decided to keep a debug feature that allows players to drag and drop Miis, though they emphasized that the characters retain their independent personalities.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream launches this Thursday.
