Super Smash Bros. Creator Masahiro Sakurai Cautions Against The Use Of Gen AI: 'We Can Come Up With Better Ideas'

Japanese game magazine Famitsu hosted its Famitsu 40th Anniversary Festival on November 7 in Akihabara, Tokyo, featuring panel discussions and lectures by key industry figures including Kirby and Super Smash Bros. series creator Masahiro Sakurai. AUTOMATON reported that the festival included a stage event commemorating the release of Masahiro Sakurai's Thoughts on Games: Final, a compilation of columns published on November 6. During the event, Sakurai touched on timely topics like the use of artificial intelligence in game development.

As a game designer whose main role is to create concepts, Sakurai stated that he has not been using generative AI at all, not even for brainstorming. According to AUTOMATON, Sakurai explained that when it comes to problem-solving, you cannot simply put everything into prompts without ending up with something sloppy. Sakurai stated, 'Right now, I don't really think it's reached that point, so I'm not using it for anything.' GoNintendo noted that Sakurai emphasized he is 'not using AI for anything,' adding that he does not use it for recent work like Kirby Air Riders. Eurogamer.net reported that Sakurai stated the technology 'has yet to gain my trust' regarding graphics, and warned that it must not be turned into a means of exploitation.

Despite his personal hesitation, Sakurai warned that completely ignoring the technology carries risks in the current industry climate. AUTOMATON reported that making games is 'far too demanding,' noting that Kirby Air Riders required ten times the workload compared to Kirby Air Ride, and many titles operate at a loss despite selling millions of copies. Sakurai stated that developers who use AI without hesitation may be able to create many more games, and that refusing to use it could cause developers to fall behind. GoNintendo reported Sakurai acknowledging that AI can act as a powerful accelerant for automating busywork, though he noted that job losses must be understood as a consequence.

Sakurai stated that the topic of where and how to properly use AI is complex, leaving him unable to make definitive statements about his future plans while taking a cautious approach. Meanwhile, virus.hr reported that Hideo Kojima also commented on the subject, stating that AI lacks what makes the creative process fun and that it is 'not a form of creation I find particularly interesting.'