Topic: Masahiro Sakurai leaves Nintendo!

[Mario]

http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nanko/news.cgi?id=2003080603

Masahiro Sakurai, creator of Kirby and director of the Super Smash Bros series, has left HAL / Nintendo.

Translated: (yes i speak japanese too....

Quote
- I have quit HAL (the resignation is already submitted)
- I haven't really decided what I'll do next
- This wasn't coerced by someone else, but is of my own free will
- I felt it was impossible to keep on making games under the current structure
- I felt attracted to the freedom to join up with all sorts of different creators if I went outside
- I have no intention right now of becoming a member or developer at some company or group
- I'm thinking about simply taking light freelance work for the time being
- I want people to understand that I make games from the power I receive from other people, and I make them for users, not for developers or companies
- There's already some interesting work opportunities coming
- Kirby will continue on in HAL. I don't know about Smash Bros.
- I'm very excited right now!

The future of Smash Bros is uncertain!    

This is pretty bad news, Masahiro Sakurai was the guy who made SSBM what it was. He worked his ass off to ensure the game turned out how it did. In fact, they had to FORCE him to stop developing it and finally release it because he wouldnt stop adding new stuff to the game. There were a bunch of modes and features that he had to cut out unwilling, so Nintendo could get the game out by it's release date.  

[Bill Aurion]

It's sad to see such an important guy leave the folds of Ninty.  Here's for a successful future, Sakurai.  

[ThePerm]

its funny how it says quiter at the bottom......but thats just a cooincidence. Best of luck to anyone who worked on awesome Nintendo games.  

[Michael8983]

I don't think his comment in any way suggests there won't be another Smash Bros.
Nintendo can certainly make more sequels to the game without him and we have every reason to believe it will.
I think he made the comment either because there are more Kirby games in development at Hal already but development for another Smash Bros title hasn't become or maybe because a different Nintendo developer is handling an already planned sequel.
Smash Bros Melee still holds the crown as best selling Gamecube title so I wouldn't be at all surprised if one of Nintendo's internal development studios decided to take over the series.

As for Masahiro leaving. It sounds like he just got tired of working with the same people at the same place and decided it was time to change. It's completely understandable. Hopefully whatever games he ends up working on will appear on the Gamecube and maybe he'll even return to Nintendo at some point (similar to what happened with a certain creator of a very fast hedgehog).  

[Termin8Anakin]

i will be pissed if he goes to Sony or Microsoft.
We've had enough Nintendo people swapping beds.

[VoodooMerlin]

The guy just got tired and needed a change. Same with Rare. No big deal. I can't blame someone for wanting to work with others after years in the same place. No different than you or I. I left the gaming industry after nearly 4 years because of burn out. It's a very hard industry to work in. Over 70 hours a week with a controller in your hand. It saps your energy quickly.

As long as Miyamoto remains healthy....then I'll be a happy gamer!!!!

[joshnickerson]

How sad. But understandable.  

[mouse_clicker]

"The guy just got tired and needed a change. Same with Rare."


Unlike Rare, Mr. Sakurai was getting sales for Nintendo, and a LOT of them. There will most definitely be another Super Smash Bros.- Nintendo would be stupid not to continue one of their most popular franchises.

[joeamis]

Quote
Originally posted by: Termin8Anakin
i will be pissed if he goes to Sony or Microsoft.
We've had enough Nintendo people swapping beds.

he said- I have no intention right now of becoming a member or developer at some company or group

- I'm thinking about simply taking light freelance work for the time being

So he aint going to Sony or Microsoft

[kennyb27]

Well, he could work on his own games then get them published on PS2 or Xbox.  
Very disappointing news; however, all the luck in the world to him.

[joeamis]

ofcourse he can.  I'm responding to the comment that:
Originally posted by: Termin8Anakin
i will be pissed if he GOES to Sony or Microsoft.
We've had enough Nintendo people swapping beds.

[ThePerm]

oh no! no more smash bros  brawl!

[Crimm]

...well aren't we in fine form today

[Pale]

ALRIGHT LOOK!

I let this crap go with Vudu as a one time joke.  If one more user bumps like 15 threads, I don't care how long you've been here, I'll be banning you!