Sakurai Announces End of Game Designers Award After 16 Years

Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai has announced that he will be discontinuing his Game Designers Award after 16 years. Citing an inability to find a suitable successor.

The award, which was presented at the Japan Game Awards since 2010, recognized innovative games and their creators. This year's winner, Word Game by Team9, took home the grand prize. However, Sakurai expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of interest in taking over the award.

Sakurai emphasized the importance of originality in games, stating that "an industry that loses its originality will simply die a slow death." He noted that while sales may not be directly impacted by originality, it is vital for the long-term survival of the industry.

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He cited examples such as Sony's Marvel's Wolverine. Which received criticism for feeling too homogenous, and Hideo Kojima's cancelled game Physint, due to budget issues. Despite these challenges, Sakurai believes that indie games will continue to push boundaries and maintain creativity.

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Sakurai's announcement has sparked a mix of reactions from the gaming community. Ex-Tekken boss, who compared Sakurai to Goku, praised his dedication to innovation in games. However, others have expressed disappointment at the loss of the award and its potential impact on the industry.

As Sakurai steps down, his legacy as a game designer and creator will be remembered for years to come. His contributions to Super Smash Bros. and other iconic games have inspired countless developers and fans alike.

The discontinuation of the Game Designers Award marks an end to an era in the gaming industry. As Sakurai looks to the future, it remains to be seen who will take on the responsibility of recognizing innovative games and their creators.