Masahiro Sakurai Discusses Generative AI and the Future of Large-Scale Game Development

In an era where the video game industry is defined by blockbuster titles and increasing production ambitions, Super Smash Bros.

director Masahiro Sakurai has voiced his concerns about the sustainability of large-scale game development.

Speaking recently in an in-depth interview with Japanese outlet ITmedia, Sakurai reflected on the intensifying demands facing both top-tier studios and a burgeoning indie scene, and offered his perspective on how generative AI might factor into the industry's next steps. Sakurai, a veteran developer best known for shaping Nintendo’s iconic Super Smash Bros.

series, has long been recognized for his commentary on game design and industry trends.

During the ITmedia interview, he candidly described the current state of major game production as "increasingly time-consuming and unsustainable," highlighting the mounting complexity and resources required to develop large-scale titles for platforms such as the Nintendo Switch and the wider eShop ecosystem. Elaborating further, Sakurai stated that while the future of game development is difficult to predict, it is clear that traditional approaches can no longer keep pace with rising expectations.

"We’ve reached a point where creating large-scale games in the current way is not sustainable," he remarked.

"The growth of development demands exceeds the number of available developers, especially as the talent pool in Japan continues to shrink, and it is not simple to offset this by recruiting overseas due to linguistic and cultural challenges." When asked about possible solutions, Sakurai identified the potential of generative AI as a tool to enhance workflow efficiency and reduce the manpower needed for routine or time-intensive tasks.

He clarified that this is not a blanket endorsement of AI, nor a definitive direction for his own projects.

Rather, Sakurai indicates that "embracing generative AI to optimize efficiency may become necessary," and that only studios able to adapt to these technological shifts are likely to thrive as industry realities change. Sakurai’s perspective adds nuance to an ongoing conversation within Nintendo and the broader gaming landscape.

In previous comments, legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto expressed skepticism about incorporating AI too deeply into game creation, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human artistry.

Likewise, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser confirmed that Nintendo’s development philosophy will always retain a human touch, even as new tools and technologies emerge. The debate around generative AI and sustainable development practices is poised to shape the next chapter of the gaming industry.

As games continue to reach new heights in ambition and scope, the insights of leaders like Masahiro Sakurai—championing efficiency without sacrificing creativity—underscore the importance of innovation balanced with tradition.

Super Smash Bros Masahiro Sakurai Smash Bros AI Sakurai game development Super Smash Bros. Nintendo ITmedia Shigeru Miyamoto Doug Bowser