The famous director is taking it slow these days (pic: YouTube)
Masahiro Sakurai confirmed he is semi-retired during an interview about his newly launched YouTube channel.
The future of the Super Smash Bros. series has been uncertain for quite some time with director Masahiro Sakurai seemingly unable to rule out the possibility of a sequel.
He had previously suggested that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate would be the last game in the series, which would make sense, as it’s impossible to imagine how it could ever be topped.
Not too long ago, Sakurai launched his own YouTube channel where he makes videos about everything that goes into game design and production, also talking about his own experiences.
In a recent interview about his new project, he talked about the behind-the-scenes of making these videos, which he revealed he shoots and edits mostly by himself.
At some point the director was asked whether he has semi-retired, given that he seems to enjoy his newly found free time.
Sakurai confirmed that by comparing his YouTube channel to ‘end-of-life’ planning. Usually, this expression is used when a person gets their affairs in order before passing away, though in Sakurai’s case he’s simply referring to the end of his game directing career.
‘After all,… I’m 52 years old,’ Sakurai told Denfamico Gamer, also referencing his age.
He further explained that when working on the last two Super Smash Bros. titles, he spent nine years in active development.
That made him worry that if he just continuously kept making games full-time his life ‘would be over’ before he realised.
Sakurai went to extraordinary lengths to get Super Mario Bros. Ultimate finished, revealing he hooked himself to an IV drip to carry on working.
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The director also said that just like his column at Famitsu there might be a point where his YouTube channel suddenly ends – though he wants it to be kept as an archive of his lessons.
Sakurai’s statements put an even bigger question mark on whether Super Smash Bros. 6 will ever become a reality.
Replacing him won’t be an easy feat for Nintendo either, as he has previously claimed that he tried to ‘leave it to someone else’ but it didn’t work out.
If that ends up happening it would be the start of a new era for the series, though some fans hope he still takes up a consulting role, or focus on smaller games.
Others also recognised Sakurai’s hard work through the years and expressed their relief he’s taking a step back to enjoy life.
Well damn. If Smash 6 is in the works, then he’s not directing it. I suppose that’d emphasize it being the start of a new era even more.
I also suppose he could be playing a consulting role still if he’s only “semi” retired…
— Delzethin (@Delzethin) December 27, 2022
I hope this is only true insofar as he won’t be working on ultra-important high-stakes projects like Smash. I’d still like to see him work on games with smaller stakes and hopefully less stress.
— Cryptic_TX55 (@Cryptic_TX55) December 27, 2022
I am very glad Masahiro Sakurai is taking a backseat a bit to enjoy life at some point we all need to do that
— Scarlet solsitce (@RudyBlackman1) December 27, 2022
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Masahiro Sakurai confirmed he is semi-retired during an interview about his newly launched YouTube channel.
