Nintendo Unleashes a Creative Avalanche with Over 30 Patents for Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Nintendo has recently submitted 32 patents, most of which are connected to the popular game Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This is a common practice for Nintendo, as they frequently patent technologies for their games and apps. However, due to the immense success of their latest Zelda installment, the company is currently filing patents at an accelerated pace.

Tears of the Kingdom successfully integrated exploration and building mechanics from its predecessor, capturing the attention of gamers worldwide since its release in May. The addition of these new mechanics allowed players to create impressive structures within the game, leading to a surge in viral videos showcasing player creations. Consequently, Nintendo is determined to safeguard its technological innovations.

Between July 10 and August 4, Nintendo submitted patent applications for a total of 32 technologies. Remarkably, nearly all of these patents were specifically related to Tears of the Kingdom, highlighting the company's dedication to enhancing various aspects of the game. It is unusual to witness such a significant number of patents being filed within such a short timeframe following a game's release, particularly when they pertain to minute details that may largely go unnoticed by the majority of gamers.

In the patents for Zelda: TotK, it's intriguing to find abilities like Fuse and Ultrahand, which are expected. However, there are also lesser-known abilities like Riju's remote lightning attack, which showcases unique technology. Nintendo even took the step of patenting the loading screen sequence used in the game. It's worth noting that these patents focus on mechanics already utilized in Tears of the Kingdom, rather than hinting at future content in the series. With its immense success, Tears of the Kingdom has surpassed 18.5 million sales, surpassing even the first game in the franchise. In just three months, it has sold over half of what Breath of the Wild achieved in six years.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now for Nintendo Switch.

Source: Automaton