Masahiro Sakurai's YouTube Journey Ends, But His Next Game Begins

Masahiro Sakurai, the renowned game designer behind the Super Smash Bros. and Kirby franchises, has concluded his two-and-a-half-year YouTube series, "Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games." While the series finale marks the end of an era, it also reveals that Sakurai has been quietly working on a new, unannounced game since 2022.

Unveiling the Next Chapter: Sakurai's Ambitious New Project

Balancing YouTube and Game Development

Contrary to popular belief, Sakurai's YouTube journey was not a leisurely endeavor. In addition to producing two to three videos per week on game development, the renowned designer has been working full-time on a new game at his company, Sora Ltd. After completing his work on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, including the release of the final DLC character, Sora, in October 2021, Sakurai began developing a new game proposal. However, the actual game development didn't commence until April 2022, when he was able to assemble a team of developers.During the six-month downtime, Sakurai used the opportunity to prepare for his YouTube channel, writing hundreds of scripts and recording a pilot episode. Over the next two years, as his videos were translated, animated, and uploaded, Sakurai was often working from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., managing game development during regular working hours and overseeing the video production for his "Creating Games" channel after hours. Sakurai's legendary work ethic is well-known in the industry, and this latest endeavor is no exception.

Hinting at the Future: Sakurai's Cryptic Remarks

While Sakurai didn't provide any specific details about his new game, he did offer a few tantalizing clues. "Assuming we're able to get it made, it should be announced sooner or later," the designer said, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the reveal of his latest creation.One potential project that Sakurai could be working on is the next installment in the Super Smash Bros. franchise for the Nintendo Switch 2. In the past, Sakurai has discussed the possibility of a follow-up to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, acknowledging that it would likely be a sequel of smaller scope. The designer has also expressed concerns about the series' dependence on his personal vision, stating that "the current Super Smash Bros. has too much of my personality poured into it." Sakurai believes that for the long-term success of the series, it needs to move beyond the reliance on a single person's vision.Another intriguing possibility is the potential for a port or remaster of Sakurai's 2012 action-adventure game, Kid Icarus: Uprising, to new platforms. In one of his recent YouTube videos, Sakurai teased, "It sure would be nice to play Kid Icarus: Uprising on a home console. I wonder if someone out there will ever port it?"

Considering Retirement: Sakurai's Reflections on the Future

As Sakurai nears the completion of his next game, he has also hinted at the possibility of retirement. In his final "Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games" video, the designer acknowledged that he is "getting old enough to consider retirement at some point." Given the extensive development time required for a game like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which took around six years from initial planning to final DLC release, Sakurai may be ready to step back and enjoy a well-deserved rest after his upcoming project is finished.However, Sakurai's fans and the gaming community at large will undoubtedly be eager to see what the legendary designer has in store for them next. His ability to create genre-defining experiences and his unwavering dedication to his craft have earned him a revered status within the industry. As Sakurai embarks on this new chapter, the anticipation for his next game is palpable, and his loyal followers eagerly await the unveiling of his latest masterpiece.