Topic: Sakurai Talks Smash Bros. Development, Roster Creation, More

[alexosborn]

According to the Smash Bros. director, only one developer was suitable for the project.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/39323/sakurai-talks-smash-bros-development-roster-creation-more

Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai recently shared a few new details regarding the development of Nintendo's popular fighting game for 3DS and Wii U.

In an interview with Nintendo Dream, Sakurai said that finding a developer to handle the latest entry in the series was a no brainer, as Bandai Namco was really the only team capable of handling such a project. "We thought it would be better to have one single company work for us, so we choose to work with Bandai Namco Games who produce Tekken and other games," he explained. "When thinking about a Japanese company that can make a large-scale fighting-game, there was only this one company. It would be quite difficult for other companies I think."

Additionally, Sakurai revealed that the game's final roster was nailed down all the way back in May of 2012, before the Pokémon Greninja's name had even been decided. "For example Greninja, even before his name was decided I received several illustrations. I took them home in the evening and around midnight I had already done all his actions, normal moves, special moves and pose-pictures and sent them around asking "What do you think?"."

The fourth installment in the Super Smash Bros. series launched last year for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. You can read our review of the 3DS version here and the Wii U version here.

[Enner]

When thinking about a Japanese company that can make a large-scale fighting-game, there was only this one company (Bandai Namco). It would be quite difficult for other companies I think.

Hmm, I wonder how much can be read in to that on the operational health and/or respect towards Sega Sammy (Viruta Fighter), Koei-Tecmo (Dead or Alive), and Capcom (Street Fighter). When I think about all the big Japanese companies that make fighting games, Bandai Namco does come out on top in terms of size, stability, and a working relationship with Nintendo.


Ah, thinking about this has me wondering of how a Smash Bros game by Arc System Works (Guilty Gear -Xrd- Sign) would be.

[ClexYoshi]

Way to throw Capcom and Arc System Works under the bus!

Still, Namco is probably the healthiest of these.

[Triforce Hermit]

Bandai Namco was the best choice. Koei Tecmo would have been a good second choice. Both are working on projects with Nintendo anyways so thats good (Hyrule Warriros, Pokemon Tekken).

Way to throw Capcom and Arc System Works under the bus!

Capcom deserves to be thrown under the bus

[the asylum]

Way to throw Capcom and Arc System Works under the bus!

Capcom deserves to be thrown under the bus

Ba-ZING!

[azeke]

Capcom hasn't developed a fighting game in almost a decade. They outsource them to DIMPS and Eighting.

It makes no sense to look for grunts in a company that itself recruits other companies to their heavy duty.

[Stogi]

I'd love to see Retro's take on a fight game. Their collaboration with Sakurai would be interesting regardless of the outcome.

[King of Twitch]

"For example Greninja, even before his name was decided I received several illustrations. I took them home in the evening and around midnight I had already done all his actions, normal moves, special moves and pose-pictures and sent them around asking "What do you think?"

Kinda makes you wonder why the game took so long

[ClexYoshi]

"For example Greninja, even before his name was decided I received several illustrations. I took them home in the evening and around midnight I had already done all his actions, normal moves, special moves and pose-pictures and sent them around asking "What do you think?"

Kinda makes you wonder why the game took so long

Two Words: Quality Assurance.

[Mop it up]

Way to insult every company ever.

I don't think it makes much sense either, as Smash isn't like other fighting games so I don't think it needs a fighting game team. In fact, I think it shouldn't have one.

[nickmitch]

I think it makes sense to have a fighting game team on Smash.  The main thing people complain about is balance, and any fightman game team worth its salt should know balance.

And I don't think Sakurai is throwing anyone under the bus.  Size and availability fit both matter to finding a team to work with.  I'm sure he didn't mean that others were less talented.  Although, I'm not sure they are.

[Mop it up]

Anyone who cares about balance can just go play a real fighting game. Smash Bros shouldn't be treated like a traditional fighter.