I'm sure most of you have seen the leak by
now, if not run and get off the internet before
you see it.
This is you cue to hit the back button.
Most people either believe the leak is 100%
true, or are in denial that the minor differences
between the Shulks disproves it.
Now that the smoke has cleared, this would
be a good time to cover what we know about
the leak and to look at the most compelling
arguments for and against it.
This leak started with a user on 4chan posting
a picture of every veteran character and some
alleged newcomers with x's over who has been
cut.
A little while later the more famous alleged
final roster screenshot from the 3DS version
was released.
Comparing these two, either the leakers knew
each other or were the same person, since
the first contained bits from the 3DS character
select screen leak.
About a week later, the crappy Shulk and Bowser
Jr. footage was uploaded to youtube and eventually
taken down by Nintendo at which point the
leaker released a bunch of screen shots of
new trophies and modes.
Later that day we learned the leaker actually
worked for Nintendo and had used the ESRB
name to create confusion and prolong the period
before he was caught.
In addition, he was allegedly fired and Nintendo
is suing him to death and showing no mercy.
Sakurai continued to post the pic of the day
pictures this week confirming many of the
leaked mode screenshots were accurate.
And on Friday he uploaded Shulk's reveal trailer
with the depressing tag line "Looks like we
don't have a choice!"
This trailer revealed the official render
for Shulk has only small differences from
the one leaked.
This fact has led to most accepting the leak
as absolute truth and the resistance to propose
many insane theories for why the leak still
isn't real such as the leaker actually being
Sakurai and him trying to lead us astray and
more rational arguments.
The two best arguments against it that I've
heard are A. Similar to the argument those
still believing the Gematsu leak use, they
claim the slight differences indicate the
crappy footage and roster screenshot came
from a predevelopment point where only mockups
of the official renders had been made and
the for sure characters received more detailed
renders.
So for Gematsu it means at the predevelopment
stage somebody mentioned Chrom, but he was
never seriously considered and the Gematsu
leaker had no contact with the team after
that point.
It's a bit of a stretch in my opinion.
The second argument stems from the leaker
being a complete psycho.
As we know, he worked for Nintendo and created
a diversion with ESRB, but he has admitted
to lying and trying to deceive through his
leaks just to screw with people.
He stated that Ice Climbers, Chorus Men and
others had been cut, but would be DLC, then
later said it wasn't true, he said it to mess
with people.
He also bragged about randomly numbering the
videos to confuse people.
Everything he did pertaining to the leak was
intended to create confusion, upset and harm.
This has hurt his believability to many.
Some argue since he worked at Nintendo, he
would have easier access to assets for various
upcoming games, announced and unnanounced
and judging by how psychotic he seemed he
could have leaked elements that were true
and created and mixed in false elements to
confuse and upset the fans and to harm and
upset Nintendo and Sakurai.
This the strongest argument the opposition
has in my opinion; it is not impossible that
could be the case, but I wouldn't hold my
breath until it launches... because I'd suffocate.
