Masahiro Sakurai gives insight on what’s impacted him in 2021

Japanese video game website 4Gamers hosts an end-of-year compilation for game creators. This year, the 2021 edition was joined by none other than Masahiro Sakurai, the well-known video game director and designer for the Super Smash Bros. series and Kirby.

What’s been impactful for Masahiro Sakurai in 2021?

Initially having declined to join the commentators in previous years, Sakurai accepted the offer for 2021 to give his thoughts. For 4Gamers creator comment compilation, different creators are generally asked about three topics that have influenced them throughout the year: an impactful video game,  a non-game, and someone who has been notably impressionable on them.

For a game that has been impactful on him, Sakurai gave credit to Inscryption, a horror deck-building game where the player has to beat demonic forces in a card game. Sakurai noted the game’s creator, Daniel Mullins, included features that exceeded classic game limitations.

As for his choice in non-game, the game director chose the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Seeing as the franchise has released many action-packed multiple movies and television shows this year, it’s no surprise the director of the Super Smash Bros. fighting game is a fan.

Sakurai praised FromSoftware’s director Hidetaka Miyazaki for being influential on him in 2021 for the final question. Praising the director for his influence in the gaming industry, Sakurai commended him for having “top-class balance”. Miyazaki is well-known for his directorial work on the Souls series and the upcoming RPG Elden Ring.

Will we see Sakurai’s new projects anytime soon?

After the final character add-ons to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Sakurai doesn’t have to stress about character leaks slipping through the cracks anymore. Keeping on the down-low with his other projects, Sakurai has generally kept out of the spotlight these past few months. Although other game creators often mention their own games or give teasers towards what’s to come, Sakurai continued to choose not to announce anything.

While Sakurai wasn’t sure whether he’ll join the 4Gamer’s commentary again, noting he found it difficult to decide the best games, we’re happy to have his thoughts this year. Whether he’ll come back into the public eye to tell us about his future projects anytime soon or not, it seems unlikely. All we can do right now is wait; and keep playing Smash, of course.

Via, Silconera.