Masahiro Sakurai Warns of Unsustainable Game Development, Sees Generative AI as Key to Industry's Future

Masahiro Sakurai Warns of Unsustainable Game Development, Sees Generative AI as Key to Industry’s Future

Masahiro Sakurai highlights unsustainable game development and suggests generative AI could improve efficiency and reshape the industry.

gameinfinitus.com

TL;DR: Super Smash Bros. and Kirby mastermind Masahiro Sakurai warns that modern AAA game development has become too big, complex, and time-heavy to sustain—unless studios start overhauling their workflows with tools like generative AI. He’s worried the industry’s hyper-specialization is drying up versatile directors, making it harder for creators to gain broad experience, and he sees AI as perhaps the only way to boost efficiency and survival.

Sakurai also praises the indie scene’s creativity but notes it’s brutally crowded (10,000+ yearly releases), so standing out still demands quality, luck, and distinction. Despite the challenges, he’s optimistic new talent will carve unique paths—much like Hayao Miyazaki did in animation—while he prepares a Kirby Air Ride sequel and celebrates Kirby’s 50 million and Smash’s 72 million+ global sales.