A fan-made petition calling for legendary comedian and actor Robin Williams to be included in the upcoming Zelda title for Wii U has passed more than 100,000 signatures.
Robin Williams, 63, was found dead last week at his home in Paradise Cay, California after committing suicide.
Nick Schaedel, the man responsible for starting the petition on Change.org, proposed that Nintendo should name a NPC character “‘Robin’ in his memory.”
Nintendo has acknowledged the petition and support coming from the community on the actor’s death but they went on to confirm that no further information can be added at this time as to whether or not his name will be used in a future Zelda title.
“It’s a lovely sentiment. I noted in my last update that Nintendo making a statement was in my mind a wonderful outcome, and I still believe that,” Nick Schaedel said. “Nintendo has acknowledged the impact that Robin Williams had on the gaming world and on their community. They have also not ruled out the possibility of naming a character in tribute, so we’ll see what happens. It may come to pass, it may not. That’s okay.”
Robin Williams featured in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D commercials for Nintendo alongside his daughter, Zelda Rae Williams, who was named after the the famous princess from the series.
“There’s a big button up on the Change.org menu bar that allows you to “Declare Victory”, but that tone jars with me,” Schaedel added. “It mischaracterises this petition. It wasn’t about forcing Nintendo into acquiescing to fan demands. I certainly never would have guessed it would reach a scale at which the weight of responses – of you and your signature – could have anything approaching that influence.”
The petition continues to increase — which is currently on 111,861 signatures at the time of writing this — and you can add your name here.
The upcoming Legend of Zelda title for Wii U is still in development and is expected for release in 2015.
