Game Development Revolution: Sakurai’s Bold Advice to Future Creators!

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The esteemed creator of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Masahiro Sakurai, has built a remarkable career in the video game industry spanning several decades. His contributions have made him synonymous with gaming among enthusiasts, and he has consistently endeavored to mentor future developers. He utilized his YouTube channel, named “Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games,” for this purpose. Recently, Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs honored Sakurai by bestowing upon him the Art Encouragement Prize. Post the award ceremony, Sakurai engaged in an interview with Japanese outlet Entax (translated by Automaton).

In the interview, Sakurai emphasized a philosophy that suggests creating games based on personal preferences, with the belief that those who share your taste will appreciate it. A significant aspect of his theory is that Japanese developers should focus on producing games that resonate with Japanese audiences, rather than chasing trends prevalent in other regions. Despite this seeming obvious, it’s crucial to acknowledge that some developers and publishers have spent extended periods following such trends after experiencing success outside Japan, which Sakurai described as “producing works with an Americanized flavor.

One noteworthy instance demonstrating this pattern is Capcom. In a conversation with IGN, various developers at the company shared their unsuccessful endeavors aimed at satisfying what they believed were the preferences of the international gaming market. However, they eventually recognized that these strategies fell short, leading them to concentrate on creating quality games that would resonate with people globally, as stated by Devil May Cry director Hideaki Itsuno.

In simpler terms, Sakurai suggests that Japanese creators should continue developing projects that resonate with their own preferences in the video game industry. The diversity within this field is evident, as demonstrated by the remarkable success of many director’s games throughout the years. If we cast our minds back to 26 years ago, it would have been hard to imagine a fighting game starring Nintendo characters. However, today, the Super Smash Bros. series has become a consistent best-seller for Nintendo, and one of its most significant triumphs.

Sakurai has taken great satisfaction in sharing his expertise with upcoming developers, an activity that has consumed much of his recent years. However, he is now channeling his energy towards a new gaming venture, details of which are yet to be disclosed. While there’s speculation about a sequel to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch 2, no official announcements have been made as of now. With a Nintendo Direct event scheduled for April 2nd, we may get some insights into Sakurai’s future plans on that day.

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2025-03-19 19:11