Naysayer Design Development

This is a sub-page of Prerelease:Super Monkey Ball Adventure.

Given the 3 or so month process¹ in designing the Naysayers, along with the fact it was done late in development, many of their functions revolved around already existing mechanics from the player.

Once again, unless specified, art is done by Keith Webb.

Phase 0#

With base concepts done by Paul Gardner² enemy designs already at this stage revolve around the following mechanics; Boxing Ball, Scalar Ball, Wood/Fire Ball, as well as 2 mechanics relating to trapped NPCs and being eaten. The latter eventually being Scalar Ball's Naysayer.

There were also plans in having the Naysayer's use particles for more wispy/ghostly bodies requested by SEGA, but issues with the engine caused it to be unfeasible.

Phase 1#

With Keith Webb taking over for Naysayer designs³, several ideas from Paul's sketches were solidified, such as having the naysayers in darker colors, and a weakness on the belly for common Naysayers.

Phase 2#

For the next several revisions, stronger emphasis was put in designing around gameplay and scale to the player. Ideas such as a charging bulldog Naysayer and a gopher were considered, but they were soon scrapped for the Chant exclusive Naysayers, bar spinning.

Phase 3#

At this point, the more "Nightmare Before Christmas"-esque designs arose, along with even more humanoid based designs.

Phase 4#

While more humanoid designs were considered, a large handful of animal based (particularly ape or monkey) designs were done. Keith notes that the "generic" humanoid Naysayer was hard to place in the game given how little Naysayers would be used. Eventually the role of "generic" Naysayers was given to the Spinning one in the final.

Interestingly, of all the animal based Naysayers scrapped, the Crab WAS technically used in the final.....as a none Naysayer.

Phase 5#

More focus is set on the Ape/Monkey based designs to tie into player mechanics. Boxing Ball and Scalar Ball are noted.

Phase 6#

A reversion the more "Nightmare Before Christmas"-esque designs ended up scrapping the animal based Naysayers. By this point, modeling by Chris Abedelmassieh begins, and designs are extremely close to final. The designated Spin, Boxing Ball, Scalar Ball, and Fire/Wood Ball.

Final With Model#

The Diced eyes key to Super Monkey Ball designs return!

Inconsistencies With Models#

Due to Phase 6 being the base for the model along with the rushed schedule, several details are borrowed from it, creating the inconsistencies when 2D art was finalized.

Clawed fingers for Fire and Scalar Naysayers instead of hands
A dark purple instead of grey used for base body color, in addition to eyes being mirrored
Mono colored eyes instead of red and black
Short white hair for the spinning Naysayer instead of longer red
Mirrored eyes

References/Sources#