We have always known that Super Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai is an example of someone who works ridiculously hard and pushes himself both mentally and physically to a point that most people wouldn’t be able to cope with. This is further evidenced in a recent interview with the man himself in Japanese publication Nintendo Dream. In the interview Mr. Sakurai reveals that he uses an IV drip at at work when he’s feeling ill to carry on working on his projects. It is alarming and just goes to show how dedicated the man is to his passion which is video games.

Sakurai: Well, actually… I still had a lot of stomach problems.

You did? (laughs)

Sakurai: Yeah, a ton.

So what do you do when that sort of thing happens? I actually had a case of acute gastroenteritis recently.

Sakurai: That sounds rough. When you’ve got symptoms like food poisoning, you definitely have to go to the hospital, right? I’ve had that situation once or twice before during development. It was like I got food poisoning from some oysters that I didn’t eat.

Even though you hadn’t eaten any. (laughs)

Sakurai: It was like my food had come into contact with them or something. But I cook my food thoroughly… Why did I get sick?

Uh, so… Do you take some time off when that happens?

Sakurai: No, I don’t. I just get an IV drip and go to work like normal.

Are you serious?!

Sakurai: I guess I’m a hard worker? (wry laughter) I’m a freelancer, so I don’t have any strict rules on my time. As long as I can complete the game, I could show up to the office once per week and I think it’d be within the realm of forgiveness. But instead I make sure I come to work every day and write proper daily reports and such. I’m always working, but there’s a lot of things that keep me in good spirits!

