Throughout the course of development for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS series creator Masahiro Sakurai highlighted the demands of producing the titles. With ever-increasing modes and a growing roster, Sakurai-san often used his Famitsu Weekly article to emphasize the impact of development on his personal life, discussing long hours and medical issues resulting from his work.
In his most recent article for the magazine Sakurai-san has re-emphasized - perhaps in the most forthright terms yet - that he may step away from the franchise, and also game development as a whole. Below are the translated quotes in response to a reader question (via Kotaku):
Reader: Hello, Mr. Sakurai. It sounds like development of Smash Bros. was really, really hard. Reading your column sent shivers up my spine. I've never seen you so worn out. It made me appreciate the new Smash Bros. more than ever.
Sakurai-san: It was very tough this time around... I doubt I'll be able to go on making games if it continues like this. But, I consider myself lucky that so many people seem to enjoy [Smash Bros.]
Read more at NintendoLife
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Considering the amount of times he's spoken out about how Smash has affected his health, this may be a very real possibility. Would be shame if true, as I'm not sure who else would take the lead should he retire. Hopefully he recovers though, and makes the decision he feels is best for his own well-being and happiness.
If this does happen though, any ideas what Nintendo might do with the series?
