Is Super Smash Bros. Wii U the last in the franchise?
Director Masahiro Sakurai considers Super Smash Bros. Wii U his exit from the franchise, though he's open to the possibility new installments of the game will continue without him.
In an interview with Game Informer, Sakurai confirms he didn't pull any punches in the development of Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS, which turned out great for a game that's arguably better than its predecessors, but bad for the future of the franchise.
Sakurai says giving it all on the current installment of Super Smash Bros. puts a chokehold on the future of the franchise, without new content to offer core and new gamers (gamespot.com).
"Our intention [for the Wii U version] was to provide extra merits to the game which go far beyond the sale price. In terms of scope, and in terms of sheer number of characters, we went beyond our limits long ago. And yet, if we cut the number of fighters or modes in a future game, I'm sure there would be complaints."
Sakurai confesses developing Super Smash Bros. took its toll on his physical and mental health, hinting developing games can be stressful and can wreck someone's social life. He's confident fans of the series won't ever feel shortchanged with the current fare of Super Smash Bros. characters and content, though.
The series is in a dilemma, but Sakurai hopes "people don't think that Smash Bros. has come to its natural conclusion as a matter of course. That's my personal plea."
"That may seem like it contradicts my personal desire to keep giving gamers as much as I can, but I don't see any easy answer for it. And yet, despite that, I also have trouble picturing someone else taking my place and providing all this value-added content without me."
