Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai concluded his comprehensive game development YouTube series with a finale video offering insights into the channel’s creation and hinting at a new game project.
Sakurai revealed he received and had approved a game proposal, aiming for an April 2022 production start. This placed the project roughly seven months after the release of Sora, the final Super Smash Bros. Ultimate character. He stated, “I’m sorry I can’t share more about this project, but assuming we’re able to get it made, it should be announced sooner or later.”
This new game was already in production when the YouTube channel launched in 2022. This suggests the project has either been in development for approximately two years or has since been canceled. Based on Sakurai’s comments, it appears to have been in its early stages.
The finale video also explored the process behind creating the YouTube series, explaining Sakurai’s motivation for the project. While the seven-month break provided an opportunity, his primary goal was knowledge sharing. He explained, “How can I pass on the knowledge I’ve learned over the years to as many people as possible? I thought about that for a long time. In the end, I decided to make this channel — a lasting archive of information for people to access whenever they like.”
The series comprises approximately 260 videos in both Japanese and English (totaling around 520). Sakurai wrote all the scripts himself within a month, categorized them by topic, and scheduled their release. Most footage was filmed two and a half years prior. After creating pilot episodes and receiving Nintendo’s approval and support for asset and footage usage, he collaborated with Hike Inc. for video editing and production starting in 2022.
Sakurai, formerly of HAL Laboratory before leaving in the early 2000s, revealed the channel’s production cost around $600,000 (90 million yen), primarily attributed to editing and translation. This exceeded his initial expectations, though he acknowledged it could have been higher without his personal involvement in writing and filming. The channel generates no income.
He remarked, “Even I think that’s kind of silly. However — and I truly mean this — I consider this an investment toward a brighter future for games.”
This substantial investment underscores Sakurai’s dedication to educating aspiring game developers and fostering the industry’s growth. While the future of his hinted-at game project remains uncertain, his commitment to sharing his extensive knowledge and experience through the YouTube series leaves a lasting legacy.
