“This Is My Role” – Sakurai’s Famitsu Column, Vol. 598

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This Is My Role – Vol. 598

This is late due to publication date circumstances and such, but we’ve revealed that 6 new DLC fighters are being added to Smash Bros Ultimate! These, of course, will come in a set with stages and music.

The party continues! Firstly, the contents of these 6 DLC sets has already been decided. Secondly, there are no plans to make more beyond this. In other words, after we finish putting all our effort into these, work on Smash Bros Ultimate will finally be finished.

This will be similar to what I wrote about when making the first DLC fighters, but that was over a year ago and I would like to state it again.

Which characters are going to join the battle is a subject of interest all around the world. But — that’s not something I decide. First, Nintendo makes a proposal and I accept that request. Of course, they ask what I think and we have discussions, so I can turn something down if I’m not satisfied, but I’ve never turned down an idea due to lack of gameplay ideas.

To me, additional fighters means the goal of finishing Ultimate is moving further away again.

It goes with saying, but working on the same title for a long period of time requires perseverance. This isn’t limited to Smash Bros. though. In a sense, it’s true for being involved in the operation of any project. But continuously working on the same project doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get stuck in a rut. Rather, you can discover new experiences and things to enjoy.

One example is how when I was thinking about the progression of the Dragon Quest content, I was also thinking of the most effective way to present SNK’s works! There’s no other job like this one. It’s a job that requires expertise in the history of video game’s and sometimes it requires that I investigate which makes it very well suited for me. This also goes without saying but it’s a great honor.

While working on this game I’m not able to pick up any other projects. In other words, the time for me to direct and release new titles is steadily going away. But that’s alright with me.

That’s because I don’t really make moves based on personal desires to make new games or direct titles. My intention is basically to do work that other people will enjoy. If that wasn’t the case, I wouldn’t have made Kirby, a game aimed at beginners, despite being well versed in games myself. Plus, when a new character is added to Smash Bros., it has a reaction and ripple effect that goes beyond the game itself.

There are people with various roles in the world. Even in the small world of making games, there are tons of roles. Within these roles, I was given the duty of bringing together various titles and raising excitement for each one. Since that’s the case, all I can do is press onward!

I can’t say definitively that Smash Bros. won’t continue on. It’s already lasted this long after all. However, neither myself nor those in charge at Nintendo are thinking about what comes next at all. If you’re thinking about the overall future [of the series], adding heaps of content to the Ultimate isn’t a great plan. But, Ultimate will last longer by adding a little bit here and there.

For that reason, these 6 DLC releases are like extravagant additions. Even if a new Smash Bros. is released in the future, It probably won’t have the number of characters Smash Bros. Ultimate has so please enjoy it as a special one-time offering.

When combined with the development of Smash Bros for 3DS/ Wii U, it’s been around 8 years. That’s not an insignificant chunk of time. But this is my role, so I’m going to do the best I possibly can!

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MasterofBear

MasterOfBear helps with translations at Source Gaming and also runs Game in Japanese. Feel free to reach out on Twitter if something related to either of those things is on your mind.