Masahiro Sakurai Launches YouTube Channel About Game Development

Super Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai has launched a new YouTube channel to talk about game development (as spotted by our friends at Nintendo Life).

The veteran developer, speaking on the first video on the channel, told viewers, "Don't expect me to stream games or anything like that. I'll instead be talking about topics like game development and what makes games fun." He plans to cover a "variety of topics" and has already uploaded an additional two videos in both English and Japanese.

The first of these is a montage of his creative works, which includes references to Kirby's Dream Land, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and Kirby Air Ride, as well as lesser known projects like Meteos and the LCD game Sodatete! Kouchuu Ouja Mushiking.

The goal of the channel is to help people see "what game dev is all about" and is meant to act as an alternative way to educate, as opposed to classroom talks and large conferences like GDC and CEDC, which he says "aren't always the best forums for discussing game design theory".

The second upload on the channel is perhaps more indicative of what we can expect to see in the future. This video covers the topic of "Hit Stop", which is a brief stop in the action that occurs, for instance, when hitting an opponent in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It's usually used for emphasis and to give weight to a movement.

Something interesting about the channel is that he's not looking to profit from it and won't be placing additional ads or trying to game the YouTube Algorithm by making longer videos. He instead wants to keep things short and sweet. It's a noble gesture and one we can certainly get behind!

Will you be subscribing to Masahiro Sakurai? What do you make of the videos he uploaded already? Let us know!