A possible leak is causing excitement: Is Nintendo working on a new SRPG for the Switch 2? Maybe even a Fire Emblem sequel?
A supposedly inconspicuous entry on LinkedIn is currently causing great speculation in the Nintendo community: a Japanese 3D character artist named Takeshi Maruyama lists work on a Nintendo strategy game on his public profile. More specifically, a sequel to an SRPG that is to be released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Whether someone was looking for possible leaks or simply got lucky discovering the entry by chance is up for debate. In any case, it was a fortunate find.
What We Know About the Game
The following information about the title has been disclosed:
- According to the profile, it is an in-house Nintendo project in the SRPG genre.
- It is a sequel, not a new IP.
- It will be released exclusively for the next generation of the Switch.
- Maruyama was involved in the project for four months.
Cygames, SEGA and Nintendo
Besides working for Nintendo, Maruyama, the author of the profile lists work for Cygames, a studio best known for its Granblue Fantasy series and its lavishly produced anime series, such as The Summer Hikaru Died.
Nintendo has repeatedly hired external studios to support series such as Fire Emblem in the past, often outsourcing 3D modeling or cinematic production.
It would therefore come as no surprise that Cygames might be involved in animation or cutscene work for Nintendo's unlisted, mysterious game.
Interestingly, Maruyama appears to have also worked for Sega continuously since 2020.This could indicate a project involving multiple clients, or at least an overlap in the past.While it's unusual, it's not impossible for an external artist to work for Nintendo and Sega simultaneously, especially if they're working on a freelance or contract basis.
A Plausible Assumption: Fire Emblem
It's no coincidence that many observers immediately think of Fire Emblem when hearing about the game's properties: it's one of the few active entries in the SRPG franchise that Nintendo regularly continues.
While other Nintendo-related SRPGs, such as Pokémon Conquest or Project X Zone 2, are possible, they are unlikely based on the description.
However, Fire Emblem titles are traditionally not direct sequels. With a few exceptions, such as Radiant Dawn as the successor to Path of Radiance, most entries are standalone stories in new worlds.
Therefore, the term "sequel" is somewhat misleading in this context. This issue may actually be the result of an inaccurate translation from Japanese to English.
In Japanese, a term for "new series entry" is often used, which is incorrectly rendered as "sequel" in English.
However, it's also possible that the project isn't a new game at all but rather a Switch 2 version of an existing title, such as Fire Emblem Engage, with only graphical or technical improvements. The short project period would support this theory.
Funny Suggestions for Nintendo: Is “Super Smash Zone” on the Horizon?
Some fans are already dreaming of a new crossover SRPG like Project X Zone, but with an all-Nintendo cast this time. This unofficial dream game has even been named "Super Smash Zone."
There are no concrete indications of this, of course, but the combination of Nintendo, Sega, Cygames, and SRPGs provides at least a basis for wishful thinking.
Conclusion and Credibility:
All jokes aside, the LinkedIn leak is not an official leak in the traditional sense. However, it contains enough credible evidence to fuel speculation.
Regarding whether the entry is credible, the following can be said:
Anyone who falsely claims to have been involved in a Nintendo project on LinkedIn is putting themselves at considerable risk, both professionally and legally.
Nintendo is known to be very strict about brand and production secrets. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that someone would publicly make such a claim without genuine involvement.
Therefore, we can assume that something is up, no matter what game is released in the end.
Which game do you think the leak is about? Or rather, which game would you like to see?
Let us know in the comments!