Canceled Ubisoft Zelda project Goliath featured Ganondorf as protagonist

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Ubisoft Milan pitched a canceled The Legend of Zelda game codenamed Goliath that ultimately evolved to feature the series’ villain, Ganondorf, as its lead character, according to a report by Insider-Gaming.

Project ‘Goliath’ and the pitch

• Studio Background: Following the underperforming commercial results of Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, Ubisoft Milan sought to elevate its internal status within the company by pitching a Zelda title.
• Creative Leadership: The project was led by Davide Soliani, a veteran at Ubisoft for over 25 years who previously directed Mario + Rabbids.
• Concept Evolution: Established in 2023 under the internal codename Goliath, the project was initially designed around an original protagonist set in Hyrule before pivoting to make Ganondorf the central main character.

Nintendo rejection and breakdown of talks

• Proposal Declined: Despite enthusiasm from the development team, Nintendo turned down the pitch for unspecified reasons, rejecting the idea of an external studio handling a mainline Zelda concept.
• Alternative Franchises: Nintendo remained interested in working with Ubisoft and proposed collaborating on other properties, such as Star Fox or a new Mario spin-off.
• Cooling Relationship: Discussions between the two companies cooled in early 2024, leading Ubisoft Milan to reassign team members—some to Beyond Good & Evil 2 and others to unassigned hold statuses.

Exits and the formation of Day 4 Night

• Key Departures: Following the cancellation and team splits, central Mario + Rabbids figures Davide Soliani, Cristina Nava, and Gian Marco Zanna departed Ubisoft.
• New Studio: The former Ubisoft leads founded a new independent studio named Day 4 Night.
• Debut Title: Day 4 Night is currently developing its debut game, Bradley the Badger, which will be published by Focus Entertainment with no release date announced.

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Amanda Torati

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Amanda Torati is a linguist and postgraduate researcher who specializes in the intersection of storytelling and interactive media. With a deep fascination for the gaming ecosystem, she focuses on deconstructing game narratives and technical trends to make them accessible to players of all levels. At ABWaves Game, Amanda combines her academic background with in-depth research to deliver reviews and guides that are both precise and engaging, ensuring readers stay informed in a fast-paced digital world.

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