Theory on the Future of Smash Bros and Sakurai

[RODO]

I think this is Sakurai's last game. It just sort of hit me today thinking about it all. I think they are teaming up with Bandai Namco because they are going to basically hand future development over to them, and Sakurai is giving them the training they need to understand Smash development. Given their experience with fighting games and Nintendo's recent statement about letting third parties take over more of their IP's to get more games out at a faster rate, I think this makes sense.

 

[Sabrewulf238]

Yeah I guess that makes sense.

As much as I like Sakurai it'll be interesting to have somebody else making the final decision for newcomers in the future.

A fresh outlook could be a great thing.

 

[Empyrean]

It indeed is possible. Not to mention that Sakurai's condition is only getting worse as the days go by. The man needs a break from development, and more importantly, a break from all the pressure and stress of making a solid Smash title.

For future titles, Namco/whoever else is in charge could always contact Sakurai for some advice.

 

[Wanderer from Roseyard]

Maybe Sakurai is leaving the reins to Yoshíto Higuchi, his SSB4 co-director, after this.

 

[aBBYS]

I think this is Sakurai's last game. It just sort of hit me today thinking about it all. I think they are teaming up with Bandai Namco because they are going to basically hand future development over to them, and Sakurai is giving them the training they need to understand Smash development. Given their experience with fighting games and Nintendo's recent statement about letting third parties take over more of their IP's to get more games out at a faster rate, I think this makes sense.

I seriously doubt that. NamBan have lots of developers, they have experience with making fighting games in HD and they're good at online in Tekken. Those are the reasons I think Nintendo and NamBan agreed on this, plus the fact that Nintendo actually owns 2 % of the shares in Namco Bandai.

Letting third parties take over more of their IPs, I think that's a question of third parties doing the "heavy" work, like programming and modelling and texture work. Nintendo will always have a producer to oversee things.

 

[ChikoLad]

I seriously doubt that. NamBan have lots of developers, they have experience with making fighting games in HD and they're good at online in Tekken. Those are the reasons I think Nintendo and NamBan agreed on this, plus the fact that Nintendo actually owns 2 % of the shares in Namco Bandai.

Letting third parties take over more of their IPs, I think that's a question of third parties doing the "heavy" work, like programming and modelling and texture work. Nintendo will always have a producer to oversee things.

Sakurai isn't actually a Nintendo producer though, but he does oversee development of Smash.

I think Sakurai should take a break from game development period. We won't need a new Smash title for a few years after Smash Wii U/3DS. And if a new Kid Icarus is required, he could hand the reins over to someone else.

 

[CrossoverMan]

Sakurai is just showing them how to make a Smash bros game the right way, and improving their creative thinking. I can't imagine anyone but Sakurai imagining characters like Mister Game & Watch, Wii Fit Trainer, and most of the Assist Trophies, but Sakurai obviously trusts most of these people to make a good Smash Bros.

 

[aBBYS]

Sakurai isn't actually a Nintendo producer though, but he does oversee development of Smash.

I think Sakurai should take a break from game development period. We won't need a new Smash title for a few years after Smash Wii U/3DS. And if a new Kid Icarus is required, he could hand the reins over to someone else.

No, but Sakurai is a special case. No one knows Smash Bros. like he does, and I seriously doubt SSB4 would be any good if this whole team worked on it WITHOUT his direction. Nintendo is basically hiring Sora (his tiny company) to direct this title, because they know he does it the best.

Who knows? Sakurai could start developing for smart devices or for Ps4 if he wanted to.

 

[Boomuki]

I actually read a sakurai interview like 2 month ago on a german website in which he stated that he is not sure how long he will continue to develop games and i think he said that this could be his last smash game

edit: http://www.gamona.de/games/nintendo...-sakurai-koennte-schon-bald:news,2379777.html
that is the source. it's in german btw

edit2: http://nintendo-online.de/news/15550/sakurai-ich-bin-einer-der-aeltesten-smash-bros-entwickler
another source, also in german but you can read his english statement there. he didn't say anything about smash at all, but spoke about being the oldest in the dev team and doesn't know how long he keeps making games.

 

[Rocket Raccoon]

RIP Kirby, Kid Icarus, & Smash Bros.

 

[ChikoLad]

RIP Kirby, Kid Icarus, & Smash Bros.

Sakurai actually stopped having any hand in the Kirby games after Kirby & The Amazing Mirror. The last Kirby game he actually took the helm in was Kirby's Air Ride. He was a Special Adviser for Amazing Mirror, but has since had absolutely no involvement in the franchise.

So likewise, Kid Icarus and Smash Bros could live on without him at the helm (though he would be dearly missed).

 

[soviet prince]

if ridley and rool don't make it, I be glad for a new director because it be apparent that as long as he is in they wont be

 

[Dr. James Rustles]

if ridley and roll don't make it, I be glad for a new director because it be apparent that as long as he is in they wont be

Don't ever change, Soviet Prince.

 

[mimgrim]

I honestly wouldn't be upset if this is Sakurai's last Smash game. He's on his way to making 5 games total in the smash series, so we've had him for a while.

I am interested in what someone new can do and how they would do it and what choices they would make. If it ends up being Namco I can only see good things come from that.

 

[UltimateWario]

I think this is Sakurai's last game.

One can only hope. I think Sakurai may be one of the most overrated directors in the history of gaming.

 

[Pazzo.]

One can only hope. I think Sakurai may be one of the most overrated directors in the history of gaming.

I agree. His games are masterpieces, but many don't appreciate them for what they were.

I really blame this generation of gamers.

 

[UltimateWario]

I agree. His games are masterpieces, but many don't appreciate them for what they were.

I really blame this generation of gamers.

...I don't think you're really grasping what I'm saying.

 

[Pazzo.]

...I don't think you're really grasping what I'm saying.

What are you saying then?

EDIT: Ok, I got it! I read 'Underrated' not 'Overrated'.

HOW CAN YOU THINK THAT?!?!? (Just joking)

 

[Brickbuild101]

RIP Kirby, Kid Icarus, & Smash Bros.

That would be a terribly sad day...

 

[Z25]

If he goes in and puts all the big guns in as his final act of honor to the series then that's fine by me. I'll miss him if he leaves but Namco could do well in making future titles, especially since they are working on smash 6 supposedly.

 

[CrossoverMan]

I have another theory...

Perhaps, after Smash 4 and 5, the people who helped to work on Smash Bros will use their skills and make the ULTIMATE CROSSOVER GAME!

Think about it. If Namco's in charge, we may not be bound by the 'only Nintendo console characters' rule! Namco are a little more... loose when it comes to crossovers. Soul Calibur has had crossover characters from films, games, comics and more. Just think of the possibilities if those people made a Smash Bros game/clone....

 

[Z25]

I have another theory...

Perhaps, after Smash 4 and 5, the people who helped to work on Smash Bros will use their skills and make the ULTIMATE CROSSOVER GAME!

Think about it. If Namco's in charge, we may not be bound by the 'only Nintendo console characters' rule! Namco are a little more... loose when it comes to crossovers. Soul Calibur has had crossover characters from films, games, comics and more. Just think of the possibilities if those people made a Smash Bros game/clone....

That could be interesting...

 

[ChikoLad]

I have another theory...

Perhaps, after Smash 4 and 5, the people who helped to work on Smash Bros will use their skills and make the ULTIMATE CROSSOVER GAME!

Think about it. If Namco's in charge, we may not be bound by the 'only Nintendo console characters' rule! Namco are a little more... loose when it comes to crossovers. Soul Calibur has had crossover characters from films, games, comics and more. Just think of the possibilities if those people made a Smash Bros game/clone....

...I don't think this would happen. At all.

Soul Caliber just has a guest character or two in the each of the main series games. Usually to promote something. The game isn't a crossover game as such, they just get a guest character each game based on something popular and relevant to get the game extra publicity (publicity it needs). Smash doesn't need that, the third party characters are just Nintendo throwing the fans and their historical partners a bone.

 

[UltimateWario]

RIP Kirby, Kid Icarus, & Smash Bros.

Pretty sure he doesn't make Kirby games anymore, and Kid Icarus was apparently a one time thing, anyway.

Smash Bros. would likely get a new developer. Hopefully one with better priorities.

 

[Dr. James Rustles]

Guys, I am pretty sure that Namco Bandai's biggest contribution to this game was developing the tools that Sakurai's team used to create these games. Sure, it could be his last game, but he's on board as the creative director so he's pretty far removed from programming the game itself. You have to consider he's been at Nintendo for over two decades now so when he's speaking about moving on in the near future, it's probably in relative as spearheaded at least 14 games. I can see him doing one more.

http://kotaku.com/smash-bros-directors-job-would-kill-me-1473110526

 

[ChikoLad]

Sakurai isn't actually with Nintendo any more, officially. It's just a "mere coincidence" that he tends to develop games on their consoles. Before setting up Sora for Brawl, he was completely freelance.

If Sakurai were to do any more games after Smash 4, I actually wouldn't mind seeing him do a PS4 game or something.

 

[Z25]

Sakurai isn't actually with Nintendo any more, officially. It's just a "mere coincidence" that he tends to develop games on their consoles. Before setting up Sora for Brawl, he was completely freelance.

If Sakurai were to do any more games after Smash 4, I actually wouldn't mind seeing him do a PS4 game or something.

No, he must never work for anyone but Nintendo! We need his epicness!

 

[Dr. James Rustles]

Sakurai isn't actually with Nintendo any more, officially. It's just a "mere coincidence" that he tends to develop games on their consoles. Before setting up Sora for Brawl, he was completely freelance.

If Sakurai were to do any more games after Smash 4, I actually wouldn't mind seeing him do a PS4 game or something.

I always forget about his freelance work. His private business has been dissolved for about two years now and even then Nintendo had its hands deep in the company stock, making it practically the same as any other Nintendo R&D branch.

 

[aldelaro5]

No, he must never work for anyone but Nintendo! We need his epicness!

For a guy who quit HAL after realizing how he is limited and tired of the sequelisation, I don't even think he will accept to work when his "epicness" is limited.

 

[Z25]

For a guy who quit HAL after realizing how he is limited and tired of the sequelisation, I don't even think he will accept to work when his "epicness" is limited.

I guess, I don't see him leaving Nintendo unless they really did something to anger him.

 

[Eternal phoenix Fire]

if ridley and rool don't make it, I be glad for a new director because it be apparent that as long as he is in they wont be

dude are you always whining? your favorite smash characters might not be in--whatever; deal with it and move on with your life.

Also, Sakurai needs to take a break from making games. Honestly it won't matter if this is the last one because gaming is slowly becoming unappealing outside of smash. If anything I always have Melee.

 

[Renji64]

a fresh out look could be great i feel like this is his last game I loved all his work expect btawl. I'm still thankful.

 

[Deleted member]

Wouldn't be too surprised to be honest. With Sakurai's deteriorating health and this game looking a lot like the game Sakurai (and to an extent, us) envisioned, it's time that he leaves Smash behind to pursue new avenues. The man deserves a long vacation after this game.

if ridley and rool don't make it, I be glad for a new director because it be apparent that as long as he is in they wont be

Not that excluding both would be a good move on Sakurai's part, but that's a really bad reason to boot Sakurai. Aside from fixing nearly every issue with Brawl (except maybe a few character additions), this man is the reason why the franchise continued beyond Melee 2.0. No director is perfect and Sakurai is undoubtedly the best for the job.

 

[DraginHikari]

if ridley and rool don't make it, I be glad for a new director because it be apparent that as long as he is in they wont be

The problem is a new director doesn't guranatee that either of them would appear in the next game. It's merely this idea that Sakurai has some kind of personal issue with both character and that's why he doesn't include them. Though I may not agree with all of Sakurai's opinions I don't believe anything is quite that simplistic.

 

[Flarame]

IMO all these hours put into this game is mainly due because the vision of Smash by Sakurai is the game we want Smash to be. Even the Brawl roster in the end is more than fine. Sure we don't have popular guys like Ridley and Isaac, but hey I love ROB which I thought at first was the worst addition ever. Maybe the next Smash will be somehow similar, but will lack the magic Sakurai put into this perfect gem that is Super Smash, his own baby.

 

[Tristan_win]

I find it amazing how much people are praising Sakurai in this thread. Have we forgotten how he spit at competitive play, how he purposely took steps to make a sequel to Melee less competitive? 64 was a amazing game and I thank Sakurai for making it, Melee though... Sakurai did play a part in making Melee but he didn't realize the greatness he was making. He accidentally made one of the greatest fighters in history and proceed to nerf it.

I'm glad that this next smash is showing signs in development of being more competitive then Brawl but the competitive smash community should never forget what Sakurai help do, stop praising the man until it is demonstrated that Smash 4 is better then Brawl.

 

[MAGMIS]

If this really is the last smash does that mean I can stop buying ninteno console's and just stick with the handheld. It would make my life a lot easier choosing between sony and Nintendo. lol for console side.

IMO all these hours put into this game is mainly due because the vision of Smash by Sakurai is the game we want Smash to be. Even the Brawl roster in the end is more than fine. Sure we don't have popular guys like Ridley and Isaac, but hey I love ROB which I thought at first was the worst addition ever. Maybe the next Smash will be somehow similar, but will lack the magic Sakurai put into this perfect gem that is Super Smash, his own baby.

IMO the Brawl roster sukd, and the reason I bought that game cuz of subspace emissary and "FINAL SMASH" being in the game.

 

[S_B]

We'll see how Smash4 turns out.

If it's the best SSB to date, then I can safely say I'll be happy if Sakurai leaves it forever.

I find it amazing how much people are praising Sakurai in this thread. Have we forgotten how he spit at competitive play, how he purposely took steps to make a sequel to Melee less competitive? 64 was a amazing game and I thank Sakurai for making it, Melee though... Sakurai did play a part in making Melee but he didn't realize the greatness he was making. He accidentally made one of the greatest fighters in history and proceed to nerf it.

I'm glad that this next smash is showing signs in development of being more competitive then Brawl but the competitive smash community should never forget what Sakurai help do, stop praising the man until it is demonstrated that Smash 4 is better then Brawl.

Agreed in full, except that, if SSB4 is better than Brawl (and I have faith that it will be), it'll be because Namco was the real developer.

 

[Flarame]

I find it amazing how much people are praising Sakurai in this thread. Have we forgotten how he spit at competitive play, how he purposely took steps to make a sequel to Melee less competitive? 64 was a amazing game and I thank Sakurai for making it, Melee though... Sakurai did play a part in making Melee but he didn't realize the greatness he was making. He accidentally made one of the greatest fighters in history and proceed to nerf it.

I'm glad that this next smash is showing signs in development of being more competitive then Brawl but the competitive smash community should never forget what Sakurai help do, stop praising the man until it is demonstrated that Smash 4 is better then Brawl.

I'll get a lot of hate for saying this but whatever, Sakurai can make the game even more casual for all I care since I have no intention of going to tournament to play Smash Bros. I mainly play with friends, or I should say I only play Smash when I'm with friends. So Sakurai spitting on the Hardcore community requesting a more " fast and deeper gameplay " is not really something I would call a big deal from my point of view, but I do understand how that could really sucks as a competitive Blazblue Player.

All I ask from my good buddy Saku-chan is more characters, more stages, and more items. Hell, me and my friends have a good laugh when we are the victims of the tripping system... Maybe we are the only peeps in the world that do have a laugh at this lol.

 

[S_B]

I'll get a lot of hate for saying this but whatever, Sakurai can make the game even more casual for all I care since I have no intention of going to tournament to play Smash Bros. I mainly play with friends, or I should say I only play Smash when I'm with friends. So Sakurai spitting on the Hardcore community requesting a more " fast and deeper gameplay " is not really something I would call a big deal from my point of view, but I do understand how that could really sucks as a competitive Blazblue Player.

All I ask from my good buddy Saku-chan is more characters, more stages, and more items. Hell, me and my friends have a good laugh when we are the victims of the tripping system... Maybe we are the only peeps in the world that do have a laugh at this lol.

SSB can be both, though.

All we need is for Sakurai to stop spitting on the competitive side of it, and judging by how we'll have a 1v1 online no items FD only mode, either he did or Namco MADE him stop.