Smash Bros creator Sakurai wants AI to fix “unsustainable” game development

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Masahiro Sakurai, the director of Super Smash Bros, expresses his view that traditional game development methods are no longer viable in their current form, and he suggests that artificial intelligence capable of generating content could be the key to future developments.

In a recent conversation with Yahoo Japan, this renowned developer expressed concern about the current condition of game development, particularly in relation to the production of massive games, stating that keeping up with these methods is growing more and more challenging over time.

In his own words, Sakurai acknowledged that predicting what lies ahead is quite challenging. (Source Gaming’s Translation)

As an enthusiast, I’m finding myself pondering over the fact that the scale at which we’re currently developing games seems to be consuming an excessive amount of time, making it unsustainable in the long run.

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but resonate with Sakurai’s insights. It seems like the triple-A game development world is expanding its waistline, with budgets skyrocketing and teams swelling into massive entities. Yet, amidst this expansion, indie games, birthed by small creators, are experiencing a surge in popularity. Take Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, one of the biggest hits in 2025 – that game was crafted by a nimble team of around 30 developers.

Sakurai says game companies need to use AI to “survive”

As a devoted follower, I find myself echoing Sakurai’s sentiments about the need for change. The idea that artificial intelligence might hold the key to this transformation is an intriguing one.

The Smash creator expressed his concern that things need to change, and the best idea he has right now for addressing this issue is utilizing generative AI.

Sakurai didn’t go into detail about specific examples, but AI technology that generates content has proven useful across a variety of areas such as designing assets, animating characters, testing software, and writing dialogue scripts. Although it’s a topic of debate, these tools might help alleviate the workload for human developers, a necessity according to Sakurai for staying competitive.

It appears we’ve reached a point where it’s essential to modify our strategies, like adopting generative AI, to boost productivity. Only those businesses capable of adapting swiftly to such alterations are likely to thrive in the approaching future.

— Source Gaming (@AllSourceGaming) June 23, 2025

As a forward-thinking gamer, I’m realizing it’s high time for us to shift strategies. For instance, leveraging generative AI could be a game-changer, boosting productivity like never before. It appears that those who can swiftly adapt to these changes will thrive in the approaching gaming landscape.

In 2025, the eagerly awaited sequel to the renowned developer’s game, Kirby Air Rider, will be available on Nintendo Switch 2. Earlier, Sakurai announced his semi-retirement following the completion of the final downloadable content for Super Smash Ultimate.

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2025-06-23 19:19