Since this right here ↑ is the headline, I'll just write it plain and simple:

I have begun work on the newest installment of Super Smash Bros. as both director and game designer.



So, for a short while starting now, I will write in this column about the sequence of events that led to my involvement in this project.



It was May of 2005 on the day before the opening of E3 (The Electronic Entertainment Exposition-the world's largest video game show).

It was near the location of this event at Nintendo's Show Preview where they announced their efforts for the coming year.

It was announced that Smash Bros. was being developed for Nintendo's new game system, (tentatively) called the Revolution.





The theater filled with applause.

But I thought "Huh?"



At the party afterwards many people spoke to me asking "So, you're gonna make a new Smash Bros.?" But I had heard nothing about it, and in fact at that point in time there was no Smash Bros. project in motion anywhere.



Now, I am the designer who gave birth to the Smash Bros. games, but I own no rights to the franchise. So if Nintendo says they will make Smash Bros., they absolutely can. So I saw nothing strange about it whatsoever, but...





Flashback to fall of 2003.

It's shortly after I've resigned from the company I had worked for: Hal Labs-the makers of Smash Bros.



I was in the office of Nintendo President Satoru Iwata, my former boss at Hal Labs, for some idle conversation.



During the conversation, the topic of whether or not there would be a sequel to Smash Bros. came up.



This is what Mr. Iwata said:

"Smash Bros. was a game that came about through your connections because you, Sakurai, gained the understanding of a variety of people, so I don't think we be able to have just anyone create the game.

It is a franchise of great importance for Nintendo, so I can't promise you that we won't create a new game, but if we do I would definitely run it by you. "



Because of these events, the announcement at E3 was a mystery.



Then one day during the E3 show...

I was called to the hotel where Mr. Iwata was staying, and I went to meet him in a room on the top floor.



The creation of a new Smash Bros. was for the most part decided.

I was called by Mr. Iwata and came here to meet him.

It didn't seem like grumbling would get things started...



"What would you like me to do?"

" I'd like you to be involved in the development of the new Smash Bros. in a position that is very close to a director-style position. "







