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The "Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games" channel has wrapped up, and the channel's owner sat down for an interview with DenFamiNicoGamer to look back at the channel that he had run for around two years. One of the highlights of this interview covered Sakurai's decision not to have the channel monetized. [Thanks, DenFamiNicoGamer!]

In the special finale episode, Sakurai revealed that despite spending around 90 million yen (~$630,000) to produce the whole channel, he received no income at all since he did not monetize the channel. In the new interview, Sakurai noted his intention to share the know-how of game development and contribute to the gaming industry as a volunteer.

Sakurai made this decision because he noticed a stigma where people would see information-sharing channels with monetization in a different light. In addition, many game companies and illustrators would also apply more regulations when their game footage or illustrations were to be used in monetized videos.

The "Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games" channel is still available on YouTube in Japanese and English versions, although there are no more new episodes for the foreseeable future. The Japanese game creator is busy working on a new confidential game project, as he had announced in the special finale episode.

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During the final episode of the “Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games” YouTube channel, the game director revealed that he’s working on a new game. Sakurai couldn't offer any details about the project yet. However, he did also mention he spent 90 million yen making this video series for YouTube.

Masahiro Sakurai said that, if him and the team behind it are able to get the new game made, it will be announced at some point in the future. He said that he received the request to make a new proposal at the same time he was finishing up work on the Super Smash Bros Ultimate DLC. Specifically, it came up right before Kazuya from Tekken came out in June 2021 and at the same time Sora from Kingdom Hearts was in development.

The “Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games” YouTube channel launched in August 24, 2022, and it ended with the recent finale special video on October 22, 2024. While the main episodes for the channel were filmed in advance 2 years ago, the final video was filmed recently. Sakurai also revealed that the content for the channel had been planned from the start.

The decision to prepare and film the channel in advance was due to the incompatibilities of creating the aforementioned new game at the same time he produced content for the YouTube channel full-time. Sakurai also offered some insight into the production costs for the channel, revealing that it costed 90 million yen total, or approximately $630,000 at the time of producing the finale special video.

Most of the costs went into editing from company HIKE, with a large portion going to the English translation made by 8-4, Ltd, and a small portion going into other costs, such as licensing video or crossover episodes.

The post Masahiro Sakurai Announced New Game in Last YouTube Video appeared first on Siliconera.

Masahiro Sakurai announced the exact schedule for his YouTube channel's special finale episode. People will be able to watch the premiere of the very last episode for Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games on October 22, 2024, at 8pm JST/12pm BST/11am UTC/7am ET/4am PT.

Sakurai also noted in his latest announcement that the finale will run for over 40 minutes. It appears that the owner of Sora Ltd. and the game creator best known for the Kirby and Super Smash Bros series will have quite a number of topics to talk about in this episode.

Sakurai had announced earlier in January 2024 that the Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games video series would end within the year. He had also recorded the final episode in mid-June 2024. But while a final episode had already aired on October 15, 2024, that was for the regular scheduled episode. This special finale episode will mark the true ending to the channel.

Masahiro Sakurai made the announcement tweets in both Japanese and English on his own X :

The Special Finale Episode of Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games will premiere on YouTube in Japanese and English on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 8 PM JST / 11 AM UTC / 7 AM ET.

The post Masahiro Sakurai YouTube Finale Episode Will Last 40 Minutes appeared first on Siliconera.

Masahiro Sakurai has revealed on his X that he has finished recording the final episode for his YouTube channel "Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games." However, it will still take quite some time until this episode comes out, as Sakurai still has other regular episodes coming beforehand.

Sakurai's plan to end the video series has been known for quite a while. He first announced it in early January 2024. 2024 will thus be the final year for him to publish new episodes on the channel.

The original Japanese tweet is available to view right below:

And our translation of this tweet is as follows:

I have finished recording the final episode for the channel.
I think it will still take a while until it's published, so until then, please enjoy the regular episodes...

Masahiro Sakurai

Masahiro Sakurai established the YouTube channel in late August 2022. He has since published new episodes simultaneously in Japanese and English. As of June 2024, the channel has a combined total of almost 1.18 million subscribers, with around 580,000 from the English channel and almost 600,000 from the Japanese channel.

The channel has also received acclaim from the gaming industry. In August 2023, Sakurai received two awards at the CEDEC Awards 2023 for running the YouTube channel. The awards in question were the Game Design award and the Visual Arts award.

The "Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games" YouTube channel is available in Japanese and English languages, and its final episode will appear sometime in 2024.

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Renowned game developer Masahiro Sakurai revealed how he landed the Famitsu column he's written for more than 18 years, and it involved Final Fantasy XI. In the latest video on his Youtube channel, he explained that he started writing it because of the game. He also shared his perspective on work ethic and some of his experiences balancing his day job while writing his column.

According to Masahiro Sakurai, he met a Famitsu editor in charge of the columns while playing the MMORPG Final Fantasy XI. Although not having met in person before, the editor invited him to write a new column for the Japanese gaming magazine. This would be the beginning of his interest in sharing his knowledge and perspectives on game development, leading up to his current YouTube channel.

You can check the whole video about his experiences writing his opinion column below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff7HadWHTJo&ab_channel=MasahiroSakuraionCreatingGames

He also explained how he managed to keep writing his column for so many years, sharing three main reasons based on performance, time, and attitude. In addition, he advised not to overthink and try to enjoy the job for anyone who has to work on a routine basis.

Sakurai's column in Famitsu has been widely acclaimed among game development enthusiasts and it has been published in book format on several occasions. As for his YouTube channel, there are more than 90 videos of him talking about different elements of video game development for beginners and sharing his opinions on topics such as COVID and the creation of Sora Ltd.

The post Masahiro Sakurai Famitsu Column Started Because of Final Fantasy XI appeared first on Siliconera.

Masahiro Sakurai talked about the effect the COVID pandemic had on the team behind the development of Super Smash Bros Ultimate DLC content. He shared this information through his YouTube channel, called “Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games,” through which he has been sharing his views and experience on video game development and design.

At the time workers had to start working from home in early 2020, the SSBU development team had successfully completed the first Fighters , and they were on the way to deliver a second volume. The second Fighters increased the number of characters from 5 to 6, 7 if you count Pyra and Mythra as two different fighters, and with it the workload for the team.

You can check out the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXudgEHF78M

Sakurai and the development team for Super Smash Bros Ultimate had to move their workspace to their own homes, which brought some benefits, but a significant number of issues as well. Some of these included workers not having the proper equipment, such as office chairs and desks, or lacking the appropriate internet quality to work. Likewise, Sakurai explained that he had to do fight tests for the game online, with the lag associated with it and not being able to test the conditions of the game in a local environment.

Sakurai estimated that the effect of the COVID pandemic resulted in the development team working about 30% slower than they normally would. The people at Sora Ltd. decided to respond to the workers needs by supplying them with the equipment they needed to work comfortably.

On a lighter note, if you are interested in hearing what Sakurai has to say about topics like accessibility in videogames, or even a video of him showing his cats, you can check out his YouTube channel.

The post Masahiro Sakurai Talks About the Effect of COVID on SSBU appeared first on Siliconera.

In addition to talking about tips for developing games, Masahiro Sakurai also uses his video series to explain his own design decisions. For example, the latest one talks about his own studio. Sakurai founded the game company Sora Ltd, which isn’t a typical sort of developer. Rather, he noted it is a means for him to work with other companies independently. Specifically, he referred to himself as a “wandering director.” It is all for contracting purposes.

Here’s Masahiro Sakurai’s full statement going over why he founded the company Sora to make games:

I employ almost no game production staff, and I’m not looking for any, either. Normally, when a creator goes independent, they form some kind of company and hire a handful of employees, then organize a team and start development on a game. But then, the creator often ended up bogged down in company management— necessary work to keep their employees paid—leaving no time to focus on what matters most: creating their game. I thought it would be fun to become a sort of wandering director instead, so that’s what I did.

He also explained that while he is independent, this means that when he does work for another studio or publisher, it is “as though I were actually employed there.”

The video also went into how payment works. Masahiro Sakurai noted that he isn’t paid while games are being developed. It is only once it is released that he starts making money. His pay from a game is based on its sales. He did note,”If the project falls through, I earn nothing, of course.”

Here’s the full “Sora. Ltd [Grab Bag]” video. At both the 38 second and 2:46 marks, it points out that the Sora game company is not hiring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVhGCtCNGHg&ab_channel=MasahiroSakuraionCreatingGames

One of Sakurai's last more personal entries in the series starred his cat Fukurashi.

The post Masahiro Sakurai Explains Why He Founded Sora Ltd appeared first on Siliconera.

Masahiro Sakurai, best known as a key creator behind Kirby and Super Smash Bros., has a new way to reach his audience. After posting his last regular screenshot from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate yesterday, he revealed his next step: YouTube. Sakurai calls his new channel "Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games", and plans to use it to post educational content about game development.

Check out his video introducing the Masahiro Sakurai Youtube channel. It features English subtitles and a format quite similar to his Super Smash Bros. Ultimate video appearances. You can see the Japanese edition of the channel at this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M-DnOIeasA&

According to the intro, Sakurai intends to use the channel to talk about topics related to game design and game development. He mentioned that he's often asked to give lectures, and speak at conferences. However, he feels like he could do more by speaking to a wider audience, one that doesn't have as much technical experience or formal education in game development. He wants to show footage from various games, but wants to "focus on the classics" to keep things simple. He's also received clearance from Nintendo to show off footage from development builds and design notes for Super Smash Bros. 

Sakurai was quick to stress that the YouTube channel is not related to Nintendo. It's a personal project, one that he does not intend to profit off of via video monetization or subscriptions. He said that he considers the project "an investment" in the future of the game industry.

Currently three videos are on the channel, including the introduction. One is a short roundup of games he's worked on, and another is the first lecture, a brief explanation of "hit stop" effects. Hit stops are the brief pauses in animation or motion that accompany powerful attacks or defeats to emphasize their impact.

The Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games channel is now open on YouTube.

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The latest issue of Famitsu has extensive coverage related to Masahiro Sakurai, the creator of the Super Smash Bros. and Kirby series. Other than featuring the game creator on the magazine's cover, Famitsu also interviewed Sakurai on the future of Super Smash Bros. after Ultimate. [Thanks, Ryokutya!]

When Famitsu asked Sakurai whether he can create a new sequel to Smash, he immediately said "Impossible!" multiple times. However, he later elaborated that neither he nor Nintendo have finalized plans for such a sequel.

Here are some of the highlights from Famitsu's interview with Masahiro Sakurai:

• "I am not thinking of a sequel. I am not thinking of it every time. However, I can't say with certainty that this would be the end of Smash."
• "I need to think whether I must release a Smash game or not, even if I have to do something that would disappoint s."
• "I currently don't see a path where Smash can be produced without myself."
• "Honestly, we did actually try leaving it to someone else, but it didn't go well."
• "If the series were to continue, I have to talk with Nintendo and have a debate on whether it will succeed or not. I must think about this topic seriously."

Masahiro Sakurai is also known for publishing his column bi-weekly in Famitsu. However, this week's issue marks the final publication of his column.

In his final column, Sakurai wrote that he wanted to conceal himself for a while. He also stated that he is still not at liberty to say what he will do or create soon. He continued by saying it may be even better if people end up forgetting about him, but he will be careful not to make himself fade out as it is.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is immediately available on Nintendo Switch. Content additions for the title concluded with the inclusion of Kingdom Hearts' Sora.

The post Masahiro Sakurai Was Asked About the Future of Smash appeared first on Siliconera.

The official website for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has been updated with new screenshots and the official trailer for Min Min, the latest playable character. As a reminder, she'll on June 29, 2020.

The new screenshots look at Min Min's abilities and personality. An official art piece has also been released via the ARMS Twitter showing her eating ramen together with other Nintendo characters:

Check out the rest of the screenshots below:
[gallery ids="840923,840924,840925,840926,840927,840928"]

Nintendo has also posted a screenshot that shows off Kirby's transformation if he inhales and copies her ability:

The official website provided a look at her eight color variations:

[gallery columns="4" ids="840930,840931,840932,840933,840934,840935,840936,840937"]

Finally, here is the official for her reveal trailer:

Min Min has an unconventional playstyle, with both her normal and regular special moves controlling her left and right arms respectively. She can also swap her right arm weapon to one of three different variations, each with different properties. Her reach is top-class, and her Up Smash Attack can also reflect projectiles just like in her home game.

This fighter comes with Spring Stadium, a new stage based on Spring Man's home stage. Two bounce pads on either side can be used to jump up high and, if items are on, you can grab them by attacking the Item Robot that will occasionally appear.

The official mural has been updated too.

参戦ファイターはこれで総勢81種類！
残り5体もお楽しみに！#スマブラSP pic.twitter.com/xA91KRkkX9

— 大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズ【スマブラ公式】 (@SmashBrosJP) June 22, 2020

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available on Nintendo Switch.

The post Check Out More Screenshots of Min Min in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate appeared first on Siliconera.

Near the end of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate presentation that revealed Min Min as the next playable fighter releasing next week, a new set of Mii Fighter costumes were also shown off, including ones from ARMS, Tekken, Splatoon, and surprisingly, the Fallout series.

Here is a look at all of the DLC costumes as part of Wave 6 below:

With Ninjara being one of the potential choices for the ARMS playable fighter, he takes the consolation prize as a Mii Fighter costume from the ARMS series. Heihachi from Tekken is being represented via a Mii Fighter costume, making a return from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U where his costume was released around the launch of DLC fighter Ryu. Additionally, Squid Sisters Callie and Marie from Splatoon can now kick and chop their way to victory. All the above costumes are for Mii Fighter except for Marie, who is a Mii Gunner.

Sakurai gave special attention to Vault Boy from Fallout, the mascot character of the series. The character has been modeled so that he looks more like someone wearing a mascot costume.

All the Mii Fighter costumes will release on June 29 as separate purchases for $0.75 each. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available for Nintendo Switch.

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With Min Min being announced as the first fighter of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighter 2, director Masahiro Sakurai also discussed how Min Min will play, considering the different genre of fighting game ARMS is. It turns out Min Min will bring a lot of her home game's gameplay into Smash Bros. as well.

While the A button will perform a basic attack, it's a bit different for Min Min, as holding A will extend her left arm instead. Her side Smash Attack will extend the arms even further. Meanwhile, short-pressing A will make her use kicks instead. But what about her special moves? It turns out that her normal and side specials will instead shoot out her right arm instead. Both of Min Min's arms can slightly bend like they could in ARMS.

Min Min's Down Special can be used to change her right arm's ARM between the dragon, the Ram Ram, and Megawatt. The Ram Ram is low damage but goes in a wide arc, while the Megawatt is slow but can defeat enemies easily. The Dragon is rather standard, but can shoot lasers from its mouths.

Finally, Min Min's up special has her jump up really high with some invincibility to escape enemy attacks. When used in the air, Min Min sends out her arm to grab the ledge like how Byleth extends the Sword of the Creator.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available for Nintendo Switch. Min Min releases on June 29, 2020.

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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai's latest Famitsu column talks about how the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic will affect game development, including possibly the six new fighters coming as part of Fighter 2. [Thanks, Ryokutya2089!]

Here are the highlights:

On the topic of continuous cancellation of events, theme park temporary closures, etc.

• "My plans to present new fighter proposal(s) to publisher(s) have been delayed indefinitely as I haven't been able to meet up with those involved [in these circumstances]."

• "If any employees are found infected with the virus, the entire building is locked down, and game development will be completely halted."

• "Even if we are able to announce a new fighter, there is the possibility we are not able to work on development as scheduled."

• "The coronavirus has cast a large shadow over the game development industry. As time goes on, there may be announcements of game delays and cancellations, but there's nothing you can do about it. There's no way that the work meant to be put into the games will follow its original schedule."

The post Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Extra Fighters Might Get Delayed Due to the Coronavirus appeared first on Siliconera.

Last year, when Super Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai went to receive the five awards for the game at Japan's Game Awards, he mentioned that making the game was the final mission given to him by late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata. In a recently-published interview with Shigesato Itoi's company Hobonichi, who published a book on Iwata that will be published in various languages, Sakurai talks more about what he meant, and if he knows what's next in of 'his next mission'.

Here are the highlights below:

Do you how you processed his ing?

Masahiro Sakurai, director: "Before I took the phone call, I felt sluggish for some reason. Like my body felt heavy...

When my grandfather and grandmother ed, I had the same feeling. Like 'I feel sluggish today', and then finding out they ed away. Something like that happened, and for some reason, a similar thing occurred. Although I'm not one to talk about spiritual things. I wonder if I had a feeling...

But I decided that either way, I'd finish the Smash Bros. project. That was the best way I could make it up to Iwata-san, I felt."

Ahh, I see.

Sakurai: "So Super Smash Bros. Ultimate released, right? In fact, that was the final mission given to me by Iwata-san. That game sold that much not just in Japan but overseas as well, and became the highest-selling title in 2018 in Japan. People all around enjoyed the game, and it brought around the best results, and I feel thankful for this."

So you were talking with Iwata-san up to the Switch version of Smash Bros., I see.

Sakurai: "When I was making Super Smash Bros. for, the topic of making a Switch version of Smash Bros. naturally came up. We'd bring along the same development team, and create a definitive Smash Bros. game that took the best points of the handheld and console titles."

And so, for your mission after this, will you be deciding that for yourself, Sakurai-san?

Sakurai: "Only god knows. (laughs) The current DLC we're developing right now already falls outside the mission."

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available on Nintendo Switch.

The post Masahiro Sakurai on Iwata’s Last Mission and If He Knows What’s Next appeared first on Siliconera.

Like them or hate them, Byleth from Fire Emblem: Three Houses is now available in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as the final fighter from Fighter 1. Being a teacher, it's not surprising that they're quite honest in of their capabilities; but like their mercenary roots, they excel in heated battles full of chaos.

While director Masahiro Sakurai explained to us players in detail about how powerful Byleth can be, it's hard to demonstrate in a video what it's really like. Byleth wields the Sword of the Creator and the Hero Relics from the three house captains, and these weapons feel appropriately strong. In fact, it felt like I was playing a weapon-toting version of Ganondorf with the additional reach that provides.

However, this comes with the downsides you might expect from a character comparable to Ganondorf--the long windups and pauses after attacks often mean accurate predictions of enemy actions are critical. This applies especially to Byleth's Specials, including the fully-charged Failnaught (that will fail quite a bit if you aren't careful, actually) and Aymr. In single online versus, this means that Byleth is tested by quicker fighters that are able to get in and attack, then dart out before Byleth can retaliate with slower counterattacks.

Online doubles or plain-old free-for-alls are another matter entirely. With one to three other targets to focus on, Byleth isn't as worried about someone else interrupting their attacks, especially something like a strike from Aymr while dropping down from a platform. It makes for chaotic warfare that, when played correctly, tips the scales in Byleth's favor.

While it's still early to say how good Byleth will end up being, it doesn't change the fact that he or she brings an interesting moveset that is straightforward and fun to play. Being straightforward comes with its drawbacks, but Byleth's powerful attacks make every connected strike satisfying, especially when you hit multiple enemies at once.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available on the Nintendo Switch.

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