Nintendo knows how to play well with mystery and intrigue. Both when talking about Switch 2 and when pulling out new announcements at its own digital events capable of giving more life and color to the calendar. Precisely for this reason, the first clue of its new project with a code name Emio which has left us completely disoriented. A planned, very calculated reaction with a first slogan that seeks to spark conversation: Who is Emio?
Through a first video of just 20 seconds we arrive at some very clear first conclusions: unlike the Mario, Pikachu or Animal Crossing games, the age rating system of this project makes it clear that It is aimed at an adult audienceIt’s not that the image of a family-friendly company for all audiences is going to be lost, but it is clear that the new batch of Nintendo Switch Online classics with adult content
From here we have to ask ourselves the most basic question of all: Who is Emio? The answer, in fact, is the only masked, trench-coated figure that appears in the trailer: in the Japanese trailer the video title 笑み男, which reads as Emi Otoko and in the language of Cervantes it is translated as The man who smiles. An allusion to the face painted on the paper bag he wears on his head. Or rather, the bags.
In Nintendo’s official website which shows the image of Emio We can see the figure in two states: one with the trench coat buttoned and a more accommodating face painted on the pocket and another with the trench coat unbuttoned and more aggressive and disturbing features. A horror video game?
Looking back, Nintendo is not only dedicated to family-friendly content for all ages. Metroid Prime 4 is perhaps the best example, but we have not forgotten its own legacy that dates back to the days of the Famicom and has given us great games like the m issing but not forgotten Eternal Darkness
Project M, a thread to pull
In April of this year the Polish media Investor Zone offered an interview with Piotr Babieno, the CEO of Bloober Team, in which they reviewed their future plans beyond the Silent Hill 2 remake. Among them, and in a sibylline way, he indicated that they were working for Nintendo consoles on a new title whose code name was Project M.
“Despite its significantly smaller budget than the games we typically make at Bloober Team, Project M is extremely important to our long-term plans. What’s more, we’re developing it in collaboration with the best game creators for Nintendo platforms, so we can’t make a game that’s just decent.”
Moreover, Poles do not talk about Project Mbut they do leave a trail to follow. in the same medium
“The company’s strategy, in addition to creating extensive games based on its own intellectual property, also involves cooperation with other entities through a brand called Broken Mirror Games. Officially, a total of five projects are being created within the framework of Second Party Studios development. Project M, co-created with Draw Distance, will be a game dedicated exclusively to Nintendo consoles. We will be able to see its announcement at the end of this year.”
For reference, of Broken Mirror Games The only thing we know is that there is an account from January 2024 that congratulated Nintendo’s 140 million consoles with concept art. Which has no reason to be related to EmioOn the other hand, we owe Draw Distance the deliveries of Serial Cleaners and Vampire The Mascarade.
We are not entirely certain that Emio and Project M are one and the same. At least for now. But it’s clear that even though they are two separate initiatives, we’re pretty sure that Bloober Team is very comfortable making horror games and has something in mind for Nintendo consoles. A survival horror, an adventure horror title or an asymmetrical multiplayer with monsters? Whatever it is, if the Big N is involved we’re assuming that will not leave us indifferent.
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