Kynan Pearson

Kynan Pearson is a video game designer and former employee of Retro Studios.
==Metroid Prime series==
Pearson was a level designer for Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, also assisting with world planning and mechanics for both and event planning (including of SkyTown, Elysia) for the latter. He came to Retro Studios at the invitation of Jason Behr.Kiwi Talkz. "#114 - Kynan Pearson Interview (Metroid Prime 2, Donkey Kong, Level Design, Management etc.)". YouTube. November 12, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2022. Pearson had left Retro a year into development of Corruption to pursue another opportunity, but returned three months later at the invitation of Mark Pacini, and was credited under additional thanks.Interview: Kynan Pearson. Shinesparkers. November 7, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
After the original Metroid Prime series concluded, Pearson was the lead designer for Donkey Kong Country Returns and an unknown, unannounced project.
In 2021, Pearson gave interviews to Shinesparkers and the Kiwi Talkz podcastKiwi Talkz (kiwitalkz). "Podcast out now with the amazing man and level designer that is @KynanPearson we talk at great lengths about Metroid Prime 2/3, DKCR and much more.... ¶ Thanks again Kynan🙏". 12 November 2021 2:40 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/kiwitalkz/status/1459244752092622848. He also appeared on the Talk Nintendo podcast in 2021, sharing his thoughts on Metroid DreadTalk Nintendo Podcast (TalkNintendoPod). ". @KynanPearson , of Donkey Kong Country Returns and Metroid Prime 2 and 3 fame, joins Perry and Alex for a full blown #MetroidDread Spoilercast! https://nintendoworldreport.com/talknintendo/58863/episode-269-triple-b-and-mr-yugioh-save-the-day" November 4, 2021 6:41 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/TalkNintendoPod/status/1456391154086432778, and the Shinesparkers Podcast in early 2022, discussing his ideas for future Metroid games after Dread."Episode 22 - Kynan Pearson (Ex Retro Studios)". Shinesparkers. February 18, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
==Subsequent career==
Pearson left Retro in December 2010 and joined 343 Industries the next month, becoming the lead multiplayer level designer for Halo 4 and 5: Guardians, before working at Bluepoint Games (founded by former Retro Studios employees) for a few years, and as a creative consultant and the creative director at Playful Corp. He is currently the Creative Director of Discord.
==Thoughts on Metroid==
==Trivia==
*Pearson estimates blocking in "a little under a third of all of the rooms and halls" in Echoes. He also came up with the names for Amorbis and Quadraxis, and conceptualized the Bryyonian Golems.
*He is a good friend of Jason Behr and previously worked with him at Iguana Entertainment (now Acclaim Studios Austin).
*Pearson said that he was "very social" during the development of both Prime games and would amplify the ideas of other staff. He learned a lot from Todd Keller, including how to guide other employees to reach success rather than dictate how they would do so.http://thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/223-kynan-pearson-talks-nintendo-themes/ Starting at 27:45
*Regarding the perceived hard difficulty of Echoes and critics of the Context Sensitive Interaction used in Corruption, Pearson said some appreciated the difficulty of the former, and pointed to Corruption's use of the unique Wii hardware.
*At one point, Pearson went into Pacini's office and found him working on a pitch document, putting more polish into it than what Pearson thought was necessary. Pacini explained that he wanted to do everything, such as create that document, better than the previous attempt. His philosophy of "always do better" greatly influenced Pearson.Podcast, 33:25
*Regarding Jack Mathews' criticism of the Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Multiplayer, Pearson disagreed, stating that a Metroid multiplayer mode could be exciting, depending on its uniqueness and how well executed it was.
*On Twitter, Pearson has commented that he prefers the Japanese covers of each Prime game, particularly Echoes.Pearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). "Always loved the Japanese Metroid Prime 2 box art. Wish this had been the US cover." 27 Oct 2013 10:44 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/394640708037926913 He said that Retro Studios has a larger version of the Japanese Echoes cover on display as a poster inside the studio, but was unsure if such a poster was officially released to the public. He also commented his belief that the Amorbis boss in Echoes would be an excellent toy or action figure."Amorbis: The massive boss of the Agon Wastes in #MetroidPrime2 would be such an impressive action figure or toy!" 16 Nov 2014 2:28 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/534051523286675456
*Datamining of the Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Bonus Disc has revealed that PFC G. Haley, one of the deceased Federation Marines in the final game, was originally named K. Pearson. This is a clear reference to Kynan Pearson.
*Interviewed by fanzine Switch Player in 2017, Pearson revealed what he wanted to see from Metroid Prime 4, which was announced during Nintendo's Spotlight conference in June. He hoped it would reimagine Metroid similarly to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, with a "fully realised planet featuring a vast surface and a deep subterranean world to explore".http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/06/former_metroid_prime_designers_talk_about_what_they_want_from_a_new_metroid_game
*Pearson makes a cameo on track 10 of Harmony of a Hunter Returns, "Prophecy of the Forgotten", voicing the Artifact of Chozo hint.
*In 2019, Pearson released a guide he wrote to creating a Metroidvania game. Part 1PixelProspector [pickaxe icon] (PixelProspector). "Guide to Making Metroidvania styled Games - Part 1" (written by @KynanPearson - Designer on Metroid Prime 2/3) 🗒️https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q0nMArDDA79ASJgiov9IvlTNpyYcCGTingLa02wwuvo/edit?usp=sharing #MetroidWeek #Metroid #gamedev" Oct 17, 2019 7:51 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/PixelProspector/status/1184799208794152960 can be viewed here: , and part 2PixelProspector [pickaxe icon] (PixelProspector). ""Guide to Making Metroidvania styled Games - Part 2" (written by @KynanPearson - Designer on Metroid Prime 2/3) 🗒️https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F2NlTIlRDC8WlDp_FV9F-T6B0tkWCOCEq4gTQCcaxLg/edit?usp=sharing #MetroidWeek #Metroid" Oct 17, 2019 7:53 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/PixelProspector/status/1184799208794152960 here: .
==Gallery==
File:Kynan_Pearson_autographed_Fusion_display.jpg|Metroid Fusion store display autographed by the game's staff, in Pearson's possession. Kensuke Tanabe and Risa Tabata had it signed for him at his request.Pearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). "For Display Only! Perks of having worked on Metroid games! ;)" 12 Jan 2013 5:47 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/290213446623035392Pearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). @Shinesparkers 19 August 2021 12:48 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/1428398390380015616
File:Kynan_Pearson_autographed_Fusion_display_(closeup).jpg|Closeup of the display.Pearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). "Moving offices today and now I need to find a new spot to hang stuff. #metroid" 24 Nov 2015 2:55 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/669227838931759104
File:Kynan_Pearson_Donnie_Darko_Samus.jpg|"Donnie Darko" SamusPearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). "LOL. Donnie Darko Samus! an old personal sketch..." 28 Apr 2013 1:33 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/328547432378015745
File:Kynan_Pearson_Super_Metroid_Miiverse_drawings.jpg|Miiverse posts by Pearson in the Super Metroid community.Pearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). "Super Metroid Fun on WiiU! ;) #metroid #wiiu #miiverse #lol" 9 Jul 2013 5:52 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/354704513732583426
File:Kynan_Pearson_JP_MP2_cover.jpg|Pearson's Japanese copy of Echoes.
File:Kynan_Pearson_Samus_amiibo.jpg|Pearson's Super Smash Bros. Samus amiibo.Pearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). "Samus #amiibo" 22 Nov 2014 6:20 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/536283123990814721
File:Kynan_Pearson_MPT_Title_Screen.jpg|Metroid Prime Trilogy Title ScreenPearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). "Let the memories begin! #metroidprime time!" 6 Feb 2015 10:20 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/563885045614526464
File:Kynan_Pearson_Retro_autographed_MP2_cover.jpg|Echoes cover, autographed by Retro Studios employees.Pearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). "Memories!" 24 Nov 2015 2:58 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/669228537522421760 This was given to all staff after development finished.
File:Kynan_Pearson_Retro_autographed_MP3_cover.jpg|
File:Kynan Pearson with Chelsea Mills as Samus.jpg|Pearson with Samus Aran cosplayer Chelsea Mills at PAX West 2017.Pearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). "Easily the best Samus armor I've seen yet. Retro Studios needs to buy that and display it in the office. #PAXWest2017 #Metroid" 4 Sep 2017 3:18 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/904770717924843520
File:Kynan Pearson copy of Metroid Samus Returns.jpg|Pearson's copy of Metroid: Samus Returns.Pearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). "Thank you so much @mercurysteam and Sakamoto-san for making another amazing Metroid. I hope this relationship continues on the Switch. :)" 16 Sep 2017 9:40 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/909215529201688577
File:Kynan Pearson whiteboard drawing Samus and Ridley ver. 1.jpg|Whiteboard sketch of Samus and Ridley drawn on February 25, 2018.Pearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). "I do Miss working on Metroid. A little Sunday Samus and Ridley whiteboard sketch I did today for fun. Made up a new suit. #Metroid #conceptart #gamedevelopment" 25 Feb 2018 7:50 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/967909645842112513
File:Kynan Pearson whiteboard drawing Samus and Ridley ver. 2.jpg|Pearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). "Samus and Ridley continued from previous tweet... Whiteboard remix #Metroid #gamedev #videogames #gameart" 25 February 2018 11:12 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/967960449546321920"
File:Kynan Pearson whiteboard drawing Samus.jpg|Pearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). "Doing another whiteboard Samus suit redesign sketch in anticipation of Prime 4. Trying to see how far I could push it and have it still be recognizable. Not gonna finish this one though. ERASE TIME! #Metroid #conceptart" 11 March 2018 10:45 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/973012067908308993"
File:Universal Bounty Hunters T-shirt Kynan Pearson.jpg|Pearson wearing the Universal Bounty Hunters T-shirt.
Kynan Pearson playing Super Metroid.jpg|Pearson playing Super Metroid via Nintendo Switch Online.Pearson, Kynan (KynanPearson). "Some mornings you just gotta put on something warm and play through Super Metroid." 29 Dec 2019 10:40 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/KynanPearson/status/973012067908308993"
==External links==
*Shinesparkers interview
*Shinesparkers Episode 20
*Kiwi Talkz interview
*Talk Nintendo episode 269
*Convincing Creatives episode 47
*Pearson on LinkedIn
*Pearson on MobyGames
*Pearson on Twitter
*Pearson on Blogspot
*Interview with The Game Design Roundtable
==References==
Category:Retro Studios employees
Category:Artists and Designers