Can you remember which website that you read it from?
I haven't found it yet but I did find this which isn't on the main page of the OP and I certainly haven't read it but it is about starting from scratch with all the veterans mechanics/physics!
http://www.nowgamer.com/features/2034386/super_smash_bros_sakurai_speaks.html
"While the games E3 unveiling was light on mechanics information, with the focus instead put on the character reveals of Wii Fit Trainer, the Animal Crossing Villager and Capcoms Mega Man, Sakurai explains that the rules for each character are being subtly rewritten for this entry. "So as far as movement speed and falling speed, we start over, we wipe the slate clean. However, thats just for us internally probably from the fan side, they are not going to notice the changes we make, its going to feel pretty familiar."
"if you look at Melee, at the game speed and game spec, it skewed more to the maniac players the real hardcore players, and that was for those guys. You like Smash fighting games? This is for you. Its fast and furious. But Brawl was more accessible to people who were maybe playing Wii Fit or Wii Play it was an entry level game. What were focused on now is that middle ground between Melee and Brawl for this title."
Shit, I can't believe I missed this. These are great and hopeful bits
The second quote about how Brawl was aimed torwards the casual market, reminds me of an interview from a band explaining why they went more mainstream with a a particular album for accessibility purposes and IMO, it is an extremely good sign for Sm4sh, that he admits that and is wanting to specifically target both audiences.
Oh shit, did he totally name drop an unrevealed stage right here back in August?:
"The 3DS stages are versions of stages youve seen on handheld devices, and the Wii U stages that appear are going to be based [on those seen on] home consoles. And, for one thing, theres a small screen on the 3DS of course
the shrine stage is a big stage. You put that on the 3DS, and those characters in proportion become small, so its obviously not a good fit, so again, we want to choose stages for the 3DS that fit that screen size."
I cannot think of any Shrine stages for Wii U, unless it is Palutena's temple. Oohpe, I guess that is it. Palutena's Shrine as a large stage confirmed!
Okay, in regards to the Kojima AMA question about Snake's inclusion I thought it was interesting that Sakurai used this example about cohesive art styles:
"Of course, one thing I have to do is, I have the last look at everything. I have graphic supervision over all the assets, so Im the one who, when everyones done, they pass it over and I look at it. Lets be truthful: Snake and Mario on the same screen is gonna be odd but what we have to look at is textures and environments and how they fit in the world, their colours, their size ratios, how they move and how they jump, and all these sorts of things and really make sure, to the best of our abilities, as you said, they look comfortable together."