Masahiro Sakurai, the veteran game designer best known as creator of Kirby and the producer-director behind the Super Smash Bros. series, will close out his long-running weekly column in Japan’s Famitsu magazine with the publication’s November 18 issue.
The same issue reportedly places Sakurai on the cover and devotes a 22-page special to his work on downloadable content for Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate on Nintendo Switch.
Background and context
Sakurai has been a prominent voice in Japanese game coverage for years, contributing commentary on game design and development to Famitsu in a recurring column.
He is the founder of Sora Ltd., the independent studio that has collaborated with Nintendo on Smash titles.
Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate launched for Nintendo Switch on December 7, 2018, and has since received multiple DLC fighters and content updates distributed through Fighters Pass offerings on the Nintendo eShop.
What the November issue contains
According to Famitsu’s cover reveal, the November 18 issue will include Sakurai’s final weekly column for the magazine.
The issue also contains a 22-page special feature in which Sakurai discusses the development process for Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate’s downloadable content.
Famitsu’s presentation places the producer front and center for this retrospective and developer-focused coverage.
Rewritten statement for clarity
Famitsu confirmed that the November 18 issue will publish Sakurai’s concluding weekly column and a multi-page feature in which the producer outlines aspects of the ongoing development work behind Smash Ultimate’s DLC.
Why this matters to players and developers
Sakurai’s columns have offered a rare developer perspective on design choices and technical challenges.
For Smash Ultimate players on Nintendo Switch, the feature promises firsthand commentary from the series’ producer about DLC creation and post-launch support.
For developers and industry observers, the piece provides an opportunity to review Sakurai’s methodology and reflections on a major, ongoing live-service style release for a flagship Nintendo platform.
Verified facts included in this report: Sakurai’s authorship of a Famitsu column, Famitsu’s November 18 issue featuring Sakurai, the 22-page special on Smash Ultimate DLC, Sakurai’s role as creator of Kirby and founder of Sora Ltd., and Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate’s Nintendo Switch release date of December 7, 2018.
The same issue reportedly places Sakurai on the cover and devotes a 22-page special to his work on downloadable content for Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate on Nintendo Switch.
Background and context
Sakurai has been a prominent voice in Japanese game coverage for years, contributing commentary on game design and development to Famitsu in a recurring column.
He is the founder of Sora Ltd., the independent studio that has collaborated with Nintendo on Smash titles.
Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate launched for Nintendo Switch on December 7, 2018, and has since received multiple DLC fighters and content updates distributed through Fighters Pass offerings on the Nintendo eShop.
What the November issue contains
According to Famitsu’s cover reveal, the November 18 issue will include Sakurai’s final weekly column for the magazine.
The issue also contains a 22-page special feature in which Sakurai discusses the development process for Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate’s downloadable content.
Famitsu’s presentation places the producer front and center for this retrospective and developer-focused coverage.
Rewritten statement for clarity
Famitsu confirmed that the November 18 issue will publish Sakurai’s concluding weekly column and a multi-page feature in which the producer outlines aspects of the ongoing development work behind Smash Ultimate’s DLC.
Why this matters to players and developers
Sakurai’s columns have offered a rare developer perspective on design choices and technical challenges.
For Smash Ultimate players on Nintendo Switch, the feature promises firsthand commentary from the series’ producer about DLC creation and post-launch support.
For developers and industry observers, the piece provides an opportunity to review Sakurai’s methodology and reflections on a major, ongoing live-service style release for a flagship Nintendo platform.
Verified facts included in this report: Sakurai’s authorship of a Famitsu column, Famitsu’s November 18 issue featuring Sakurai, the 22-page special on Smash Ultimate DLC, Sakurai’s role as creator of Kirby and founder of Sora Ltd., and Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate’s Nintendo Switch release date of December 7, 2018.
