Miyamoto teases "new franchise" for 2014

Famed game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario and Zelda, has teased a "new franchise" for 2014.

"We'll have Mario Kart 8 out next spring, and at that point we'll have the whole lineup in place, so I think it's about time we brought out a new franchise," Miyamoto said in the latest issue of Famitsu (as translated by Polygon). "I can't give out details, but that's the title that's been keeping me pretty busy lately."

A new and original game from Miyamoto was first revealed in January 2012, when the Associated Press reported that the designer was at work on an "undisclosed original title."

Miyamoto's most recently released title was March's Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon for the 3DS. He is currently working on Wii U game Pikmin 3, due to launch August 4.

The designer turns 61 this year, and said in March that it would be "strange" not to be thinking about retirement, though he has no immediate plans to step down from his post.