Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai confirms he’s ‘still creating games’
The Smash Bros. creator claimed he was “semi-retired” in 2021
Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai has commented on his future in the video game industry.
In the most recent episode of YouTube show Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games, Sakurai addressed whether he’s still actively working in the games industry and if that is his interest in the future.
“As for me, I’m still creating games for the time being, but I’m also making this YouTube channel,” Saukrai said.
“I’d never done anything like this before starting, so in a way, you could say I haven’t exactly stayed put either.”
Later in the video, Sakurai spoke about fellow veteran developers that have begun to leave the industry.
“Aside from those who reach retirement age, there are quite a few people who disappear from the game industry part way through their careers,” he said. “Of course, for some, it’s simply unclear where they ended up. This isn’t limited to the game industry, but if a creator you know does suddenly vanish without a trace please don’t write them of as ‘washed up’ or ‘finished’.”
Last year, Sakurai said he can’t imagine a new Super Smash Bros. game exceeding the scope of Ultimate.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was released in December 2018 and was supported with a robust DLC offering that included the release of 13 new characters over a three-year period, bringing the final roster to 89 fighters. Since then, Sakurai has even claimed that he’s “semi-retired” from development.
In November 2021, Sakurai reportedly said he couldn’t envisage the series continuing without his involvement, even if that was something he’d like to happen.
“Smash Bros. is a massive, important title for Nintendo, so it’s fair to assume there will be another one at some point, but it’s going to take some work to figure out exactly how to make that happen,” he also said in July. “For my part, I’d like to keep working with Nintendo however I’m able.”
