Could This Be the End for Super Smash Brothers?
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a culmination of nearly two decades of characters and franchise mashups, has reached its conclusion. The final update, adding Sora from Kingdom Hearts, marks the end of the game’s content update cycle. While nostalgia may yearn for the simpler, yet beloved, Smash Melee, the sheer volume of effort and care poured into Ultimate is undeniable. The December 1st update prompts a crucial question: what’s next for the iconic fighting game series?
Masahiro Sakurai: The Infamous Workaholic
The success of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is inextricably linked to Masahiro Sakurai’s dedication. He’s a figure synonymous with the series’ development, having overseen every major title. Sakurai’s work ethic is legendary, often pushing himself to the limit during game development. This rigorous commitment isn’t without its personal toll. Examples of this tireless effort include his reported use of IV drips to push through illness during the development of Smash Ultimate.
Beyond the physical strain, Sakurai’s dedication extends to ensuring the team’s well-being. His strong emphasis on timely completion of tasks during development, and for his team’s share of the work load has been highlighted by his staff. He has shown unwavering commitment to every aspect of the project, which has resulted in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Ultimately, the game is a testament to his unwavering devotion.
The Next Smash Title: Don’t Count On It
Despite the overwhelming success of Ultimate, Masahiro Sakurai is emphatic about the future of the series. He’s made it very clear that there are no current plans to create a new Super Smash Bros. game. This decision, he explains, stems from feeling that they’ve essentially reached a creative and logistical limit with the current iteration. Ultimate, with its expansive roster of characters, represents a culmination of the series’ vision, leaving little room for significant expansion or improvement.
Beyond the scope of the game’s design, Sakurai also feels that the developers have likely reached a limit in terms of the volume of content that they can offer to players. The character roster of Smash Ultimate is one of the largest that any Smash game to date has had and likely represents the most significant volume of characters to be used in the series. Considering these factors, the developers have reached the peak in terms of quantity. The developers have reached the limit and no longer have any more content to add to the game.
A Silver Lining, Sort Of
While a direct sequel might not be on the horizon, a glimmer of hope remains. Sakurai acknowledges the possibility of future iterations, but with important caveats. Maintaining such a massive roster, including all the DLC characters in the next game might prove to be exceptionally challenging, posing a significant burden on the development budget.
Beyond the technical hurdles, Sakurai’s own future in game development remains uncertain. He’s open to exploring new avenues beyond Super Smash Bros., suggesting that the possibility of leaving the industry altogether is not outside the realm of possibility. Whether or not this means that Sakurai will pursue a career outside of the video game industry, it’s unknown and up in the air. In any event, the fate of the Super Smash Bros. franchise hangs in the balance.
Leave a Reply