posted by Fuzzy on Aug 29, 2014:
Wohoo, my first post since i've been lurking for years.
Hope this thread is right for my 'finding'.
To start with very old stuff, i think most of the people here know that old video clip of link entering that icy? dungeon room, opening the treasure chest and receives the triforce.
People took notice that link's character had realtime shadows and it was marked as a precomputed video. Later, as maybe some of you know, someone discovered an actor for realtime shadows, if i remember correctly. But it was said this feature has been completely stripped from the game.
But i just noticed that the final release version indeed had realtime shadows in it, too. Just not on link. Not sure if this has ever been mentioned or is even relevant of any sort, but:
The final boss Ganon seems to be using a -or- the (lowres) realtime shadows actor.
It's just not easy to see or notice, since it's only best visible when a lightning strikes. Also his tail does not seem to be included in the shadow. I would >ASSUME< because his tail is a seperate actor? and the shadow actor can only be linked to one other actor? And having two shadow actors active bould be to much for the N64? (I'm putting "?" there because i do not know these things for a fact and maybe someone else here does)
So it seems realtime shadows is not as much of a tested beta / or trailer video only feature that was completely removed from the game for performance reasons.
Searched through youtube for a video taken from a console, no emulator, where it can be seen quite well. Just keep an eye below ganon (if time-link doesn't work, imo best seen at 4:00+):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FrgHmbGO28#t=243
okay, also checked the TCRF for this:
http://tcrf.net/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Ocarina_of_Time/Unused_objects#Shadow
There's an object which creates a dynamic shadow for Link. Even though it looks pretty impressive, it is not used anywhere in the game.
I'd say debunked! Well in case with "it is not used anywhere in the game" they mean the shadow actor in general not only for link,
what i'd assume since it's just called 'shadow' not 'links shadow' and 'anywhere in the game' not 'anytime in the game' because where else then below links feet would it be?
