Masahiro Sakurai is overseeing the development of Kirby Air Riders for the Switch 2. It’s interesting to note that Sakurai is once again working with Bandai Namco, one of the major developers for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, to develop this game.
Back in April, Sakurai participated in an interview with ITMedia. During the conversation, Sakurai mentioned that he sometimes has to make compromises during development.
“The Super Smash Bros. series, which began back in 1999, feels like it’s been immensely polished ever since the very first game, but were you doing compromises there as well?” asked Taro Kawashima of ITMedia.
“These types of compromises always end up turning into regret.” — Masahiro Sakurai
“That’s right, there were quite a few compromises. The models, animations, sounds, effects, a lot of different areas ended up having to face compromises,” responded Sakurai.
“For example the time investment versus the schedule we had to work with led to us not having enough time, or situations where the adjustments just weren’t producing the results we were hoping, there have been a lot of different reasons.”
Not be able to perfectly develop a game the way it was originally envisioned can be disappointing for project directors. Of course, Sakurai is the type of developer that remembers the things that didn’t get completed by the time the next game begins development.
“These types of compromises always end up turning into regret,” continued Sakurai. “However, those regrets turn into nourishment for your next project so I think that’s an important process as well.”
“However, those regrets turn into nourishment for your next project so I think that’s an important process as well.” — Masahiro Sakurai
Previously, we reported on how Sakurai is never completely satisfied with the final products that he produces. He stunned his entire team into silence when he revealed to them Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s “Everyone Is Here” theme, but it seems like there still might be aspects of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate that Sakurai isn’t quite satisfied with.
“I don’t think I’ve ever made something that I’m totally satisfied with,” he said back then. “That feeling of doubt, or wanting to do more, is my engine to move forward and make the next iteration.”
It’s crazy to think that Sakurai might even have regrets about some of the compromises he made to finish Super Smash Bros. Ultimate by its deadline. Assuming the Super Smash Bros. series continues, we may be able to determine what those regrets were based on the content of the next iteration.
Sakurai was then asked by ITMedia about the situations in which he has to decide on making compromises during game development.
“I think I might give up easier in areas which are far from my own expertise.” — Masahiro Sakurai
“You said that there are a lot of compromises during development. Where do you put your foot down and say ‘we can’t do more than this’?” asked Kawashima.
“I don’t have any particular line in the sand or anything like that. It depends on the situation,” responded Sakurai.
“If it seems like it’ll go well I’ll push for revisions, if it seems difficult to accomplish I’ll give up. I think I might give up easier in areas which are far from my own expertise.”
Of course, Sakurai emphasizes that these sort of decisions can change depending on where the team is in terms of development in relation to the deadline.
“If it’s towards the end of development, then you have to prioritize the deadline.” — Masahiro Sakurai
“Also, it differs on when in the development process it is,” continued Sakurai. “If it’s towards the end of development, then you have to prioritize the deadline.”
Throughout the series, there’s been a number of characters that have been cut during development. These sort of decisions can be particularly harsh for Sakurai to make since he describes the process of roster selection as being stressful almost to the brink of death.
Needless to say, it will certainly be interesting to see where the series goes next. We suspect that Sakurai will likely begin development on a new Super Smash Bros. for the Switch 2 after development on Kirby Air Riders wraps up.
A special thanks goes out to Nicholas “MajinTenshinhan” Taylor for the translations featured in this article.