Nintendo Kept Zelda Tears of Kingdom Reveal a Secret

Entity Definition: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a 2023 action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the direct sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017). The game was kept under extreme secrecy prior to its official reveal, with fewer than ten people aware of its development. The secrecy aimed to preserve the element of surprise for players and prevent leaks.

Key Facts

How Did Nintendo Keep Tears of the Kingdom a Secret?

Nintendo restricted knowledge of Tears of the Kingdom to fewer than ten employees before its official reveal. The company used internal code names, limited access to development materials, and compartmentalized teams to prevent leaks. According to a Kotaku report, the secrecy was so tight that even some senior staff were unaware of the project.

"Less than 10 people knew about the secret."

— Kotaku report on Nintendo's secrecy measures

Fewer than ten employees were aware of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom prior to its public announcement, making it one of the most tightly guarded secrets in Nintendo's history.

What Was the Reveal Event for Tears of the Kingdom?

The game was officially revealed during a Nintendo Direct presentation on September 13, 2022. The reveal included a cinematic trailer showing Link falling from a sky island, confirming the sequel's existence and title. The event was a surprise to most of the industry, as the game had been kept completely hidden.

The September 2022 Nintendo Direct marked the first public confirmation of Tears of the Kingdom, ending years of speculation about a Breath of the Wild sequel.

Why Did Nintendo Use Such Extreme Secrecy?

Nintendo aimed to avoid leaks and preserve the "magic of discovery" for players. The company had experienced major leaks for previous titles, such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and wanted to ensure that Tears of the Kingdom would be a genuine surprise. The Kotaku report noted that the secrecy was part of a broader strategy to control narrative and hype.

Nintendo's extreme secrecy for Tears of the Kingdom was driven by a desire to prevent leaks and maintain player surprise, a tactic that succeeded in keeping the game hidden until its official reveal.

Common Questions

How many people knew about Tears of the Kingdom before its reveal?

Fewer than ten employees were aware of the game's existence prior to the September 2022 Nintendo Direct, according to a Kotaku report.

When was the game officially revealed?

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was officially revealed during a Nintendo Direct on September 13, 2022, with a cinematic trailer.

What measures did Nintendo take to keep the game secret?

Nintendo used internal code names, limited access to development materials, and compartmentalized teams. Only a handful of senior staff were briefed on the full project.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single source: a Kotaku report titled "Nintendo Guarded The Zelda Tears Of The Kingdom Reveal So Closely That Less Than 10 People Knew About The Secret" (published on Kotaku.com). The report details Nintendo's secrecy practices surrounding the game's development and reveal. No additional sources were used. All facts, including the number of employees aware of the secret, are derived directly from that report. This article was last updated on March 24, 2025.