Fox McCloud

[[File:Inari-kitsune fox in front of an Inari shrine with a key in its mouth.jpg|thumb|left|upright|A fox holding a key in its mouth, at the main gate of the Fushimi Inari shrine]]

[[File:Inari-kitsune fox in front of an Inari shrine with a key in its mouth.jpg|thumb|left|upright|A fox holding a key in its mouth, at the main gate of the Fushimi Inari shrine]]

In 1992, [[Nintendo]] and [[Argonaut Games|Argonaut Software]] collaborated to produce a 3D [[shoot ’em up|space shooter]] for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], provisionally titled ‘SnesGlider’.<ref name=”cuthbertinterview”>{{cite news |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=154567&site=ngm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208150744/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=154567&site=ngm |archive-date=2008-12-08 |title=Star Fox Command Interview |publisher=N-gamer |date=December 7, 2007}}</ref> The development team, led by [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], redesigned what had been a [[tech demo]] into a [[rail shooter]], from Nintendo designing the game and Argonaut handling the programming aspects.<ref name=”lifeofstarfox”>{{cite news |url=http://gc.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=4209&pg=2&comments=&preview= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070605010246/http://gc.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=4209&pg=2&comments=&preview= |archive-date=2007-06-05 |title=Tech Demo Gone Franchise – The Life of Star Fox |publisher=Advanced Media Network |date=December 7, 2007}}</ref> However, without a story, it lacked any incentive to play beyond flying and shooting. Miyamoto sketched out a universe but could not decide on a natural hero to convey a sense of an epic space saga. Names under consideration included “Star Wolf”, “Star Sheep”, “Star Fox”, “Star Sparrow”, and “Star Hawk”.<ref name=”lifeofstarfox”/> Miyamoto finally settled on having a fox as the main character after visiting [[Fushimi Inari-taisha]] in [[Kyoto]], the head shrine of [[Inari (mythology)|Inari]], a Japanese ”[[kami]]” associated with foxes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flayrah.com/8331/new-translation-star-fox-designers-interview-sheds-light-series-furry-characters|title=New translation of ‘Star Fox’ designer’s interview sheds light on the series’ furry characters|date=4 April 2021}}</ref> Inari is portrayed as being able to fly, and its shrines, particularly the one in Kyoto, are surrounded by red arches (”torii”), giving Miyamoto the idea of a fox that could fly through arches.<ref name=”lifeofstarfox”/><ref>{{cite video |people=Shigeru Miyamoto |title=Equinox: Serious Fun |medium=TV Series |publisher=Channel 4 |location=United Kingdom |date=1993}}</ref> His face was modeled after Inari’s, and usually wears a “red turtleneck” or “red scarf” around his neck, like the statue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McFerran |first=Damien |date=2022-05-18 |title=This Important Piece Of Star Fox History Was Almost Thrown Away |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/05/this-important-piece-of-star-fox-history-was-almost-thrown-away |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref> Fox McCloud’s personality is heavily based on [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]’s personality, with the surname ‘McCloud’ being suggested by [[Dylan Cuthbert]], one of Argonaut’s programmers.<ref name=”cuthbertinterview”/><ref name=”lifeofstarfox”/>

In 1992, [[Nintendo]] and [[Argonaut Games|Argonaut Software]] collaborated to produce a 3D [[shoot ’em up|space shooter]] for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], provisionally titled ‘SnesGlider’.<ref name=”cuthbertinterview”>{{cite news |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=154567&site=ngm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208150744/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=154567&site=ngm |archive-date=2008-12-08 |title=Star Fox Command Interview |publisher=N-gamer |date=December 7, 2007}}</ref> The development team, led by [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], redesigned what had been a [[tech demo]] into a [[rail shooter]], from Nintendo designing the game and Argonaut handling the programming aspects.<ref name=”lifeofstarfox”>{{cite news |url=http://gc.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=4209&pg=2&comments=&preview= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070605010246/http://gc.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=4209&pg=2&comments=&preview= |archive-date=2007-06-05 |title=Tech Demo Gone Franchise – The Life of Star Fox |publisher=Advanced Media Network |date=December 7, 2007}}</ref> However, without a story, it lacked any incentive to play beyond flying and shooting. Miyamoto sketched out a universe but could not decide on a natural hero to convey a sense of an epic space saga. Names under consideration included “Star Wolf”, “Star Sheep”, “Star Fox”, “Star Sparrow”, and “Star Hawk”.<ref name=”lifeofstarfox”/> Miyamoto finally settled on having a fox as the main character after visiting [[Fushimi Inari-taisha]] in [[Kyoto]], the head shrine of [[Inari (mythology)|Inari]], a Japanese ”[[kami]]” associated with foxes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flayrah.com/8331/new-translation-star-fox-designers-interview-sheds-light-series-furry-characters|title=New translation of ‘Star Fox’ designer’s interview sheds light on the series’ furry characters|date=4 April 2021}}</ref> Inari is portrayed as being able to fly, and its shrines, particularly the one in Kyoto, are surrounded by red arches (”torii”), giving Miyamoto the idea of a fox that could fly through arches.<ref name=”lifeofstarfox”/><ref>{{cite video |people=Shigeru Miyamoto |title=Equinox: Serious Fun |medium=TV Series |publisher=Channel 4 |location=United Kingdom |date=1993}}</ref> His face was modeled after Inari’s, and usually wears a “red turtleneck” or “red scarf” around his neck, like the statue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McFerran |first=Damien |date=2022-05-18 |title=This Important Piece Of Star Fox History Was Almost Thrown Away |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/05/this-important-piece-of-star-fox-history-was-almost-thrown-away |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref> Fox McCloud’s personality is heavily based on [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]’s personality, with the surname ‘McCloud’ being suggested by [[Dylan Cuthbert]], one of Argonaut’s programmers.<ref name=”cuthbertinterview”/><ref name=”lifeofstarfox”/>

Fox McCloud is an anthropomorphic fox with orange-brown fur, with golden-brown or white highlights. He has a stereotypical bushy, white-tipped tail which appears to be very short in ”Star Fox 64” and ”Command”. His eyes are inconsistently shown to be either green or blue. He will occasionally wear large [[tanker boot]]s over his legs when fighting on the ground.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070820110055/nintendo/en/images/0/09/Fox_McCloud_Adventures.jpg |title=Fox_McCloud_Adventures.jpg |access-date=2016-06-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007194226/http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070820110055/nintendo/en/images/0/09/Fox_McCloud_Adventures.jpg |archive-date=2014-10-07}}</ref> Takaya Imamura from the Star Fox development team noted that the anthropomorphic styling was to help players feel empathy towards the characters in Star Fox.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tan |first1=Xinyi |last2=Tan |first2=Chin |date=2022-11-22 |title=Empathy in game design – Exploring a human-centric approach in designing engaging video game experiences |url=https://ojs.upsi.edu.my/index.php/JICTIE/article/view/7323 |journal=Journal of ICT in Education |volume=9 |issue=2|pages=123–136 |doi=10.37134/jictie.vol9.2.9.2022 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Fox’s outfit has changed in every game he appears in, but generally includes an orange or green [[jumpsuit]] under a pale gray [[flight jacket]] or combat vest and a [[headset (audio)|headset]]. In ”Star Fox 64”, if the game is played in expert mode, Fox wears a pair of [[sunglasses]] similar to what his father wore. Nintendo has never officially cited Fox’s age or height in a game manual, but ”[[Nintendo Power]]” released a card featuring Fox, which stated that during ”Star Fox 64” he is 18 years old, his height is 1.73 SM and his weight is 70.31 SK.<ref name=”Fox McCloud Card”>{{cite news |url=http://www.arwinglanding.net/images/cards/fox1.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928041308/http://www.arwinglanding.net/images/cards/fox1.jpg |archive-date=2007-09-28 |title=Fox McCloud card |publisher=Nintendo Power |year=1997}}</ref> The SNES ”Star Fox” soundtrack booklet stated that Fox’s height is {{convert|152|cm|ft}} and his weight is {{convert|46|kg|lb}}.<ref>[http://www.game-ost.com/albums/16290/starfox/ Profile page of soundtrack] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419055937/http://game-ost.com/albums/16290/starfox/ |date=2015-04-19}} from game-ost, [http://www.game-ost.com/static/covers_soundtracks/1/6/16290_48402.jpg Page with data on Star Fox Crew] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131140010/http://www.game-ost.com/static/covers_soundtracks/1/6/16290_48402.jpg |date=2016-01-31}}.</ref> Fox would be 26 in ”Adventures” (as ”Adventures” takes place just 8 years after the events of ”Star Fox 64”), 27 in ”Assault” (the game manual stated 1 year had passed since the conclusion of ”Adventures”), and 29 to 30 in ”Command” (exactly three years right after the conclusion of ”Assault”).<ref name=”Star Fox Command Interview”>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehylia.com/index.php?start_from=&ucat=5&subaction=showfull&id=1169758903&archive=1184511749& |title=Star Fox Command Interview |publisher=The Hylia |date=2007-01-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208161350/http://www.thehylia.com/index.php?start_from=&ucat=5&subaction=showfull&id=1169758903&archive=1184511749& |archive-date=2008-12-08}}</ref>

Fox McCloud is an anthropomorphic fox with orange-brown fur, with golden-brown or white highlights. He has a stereotypical bushy, white-tipped tail which appears to be very short in ”Star Fox 64” and ”Command”. His eyes are inconsistently shown to be either green or blue. He will occasionally wear large [[tanker boot]]s over his legs when fighting on the ground.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070820110055/nintendo/en/images/0/09/Fox_McCloud_Adventures.jpg |title=Fox_McCloud_Adventures.jpg |access-date=2016-06-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007194226/http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070820110055/nintendo/en/images/0/09/Fox_McCloud_Adventures.jpg |archive-date=2014-10-07}}</ref> Takaya Imamura from the Star Fox development team noted that the anthropomorphic styling was to help players feel empathy towards the characters in Star Fox.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tan |first1=Xinyi |last2=Tan |first2=Chin |date=2022-11-22 |title=Empathy in game design – Exploring a human-centric approach in designing engaging video game experiences |url=https://ojs.upsi.edu.my/index.php/JICTIE/article/view/7323 |journal=Journal of ICT in Education |volume=9 |issue=2|pages=123–136 |doi=10.37134/jictie.vol9.2.9.2022 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Fox’s outfit has changed in every game he appears in, but generally includes an orange or green [[jumpsuit]] under a pale gray [[flight jacket]] or combat vest and a [[headset (audio)|headset]]. In ”Star Fox 64”, if the game is played in expert mode, Fox wears a pair of [[sunglasses]] similar to what his father wore. Nintendo has never officially cited Fox’s age or height in a game manual, but ”[[Nintendo Power]]” released a card featuring Fox, which stated that during ”Star Fox 64” he is 18 years old, his height is 1.73 SM and his weight is 70.31 SK.<ref name=”Fox McCloud Card”>{{cite news |url=http://www.arwinglanding.net/images/cards/fox1.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928041308/http://www.arwinglanding.net/images/cards/fox1.jpg |archive-date=2007-09-28 |title=Fox McCloud card |publisher=Nintendo Power |year=1997}}</ref> The SNES ”Star Fox” soundtrack booklet stated that Fox’s height is {{convert|152|cm|ft}} and his weight is {{convert|46|kg|lb}}.<ref>[http://www.game-ost.com/albums/16290/starfox/ Profile page of soundtrack] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419055937/http://game-ost.com/albums/16290/starfox/ |date=2015-04-19}} from game-ost, [http://www.game-ost.com/static/covers_soundtracks/1/6/16290_48402.jpg Page with data on Star Fox Crew] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131140010/http://www.game-ost.com/static/covers_soundtracks/1/6/16290_48402.jpg |date=2016-01-31}}.</ref> Fox would be 26 in ”Adventures” (as ”Adventures” takes place just 8 years after the events of ”Star Fox 64”), 27 in ”Assault” (the game manual stated 1 year had passed since the conclusion of ”Adventures”), and 29 to 30 in ”Command” (exactly three years right after the conclusion of ”Assault”).<ref name=”Star Fox Command Interview”>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehylia.com/index.php?start_from=&ucat=5&subaction=showfull&id=1169758903&archive=1184511749& |title=Star Fox Command Interview |publisher=The Hylia |date=2007-01-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208161350/http://www.thehylia.com/index.php?start_from=&ucat=5&subaction=showfull&id=1169758903&archive=1184511749& |archive-date=2008-12-08}}</ref>