Masahiro Sakurai talks about Sora’s inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Game director Masahiro Sakurai recently shared insights about the planning process for downloadable content (DLC) in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and shed light on how Sora, the protagonist from the Kingdom Hearts series, made it into the game. In his column for Famitsu magazine, Sakurai discussed the development process and the challenges faced by the team.
The importance of the fan ballot
Sakurai mentioned that the fan ballot played a significant role in determining which characters and franchises would be considered for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s DLC. By analyzing the results, the development team could gauge the popularity of various characters and make informed decisions about potential additions to the game.
The challenge of licensing
Sakurai highlighted the complexities surrounding licensing agreements when it comes to selecting DLC fighters. Negotiations with different companies are often necessary, and they ultimately determine which characters can be included in the game. These discussions can be intricate and time-consuming, requiring careful collaboration between all parties involved.
The inclusion of Sora
Sakurai explained that adding Sora to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate proved to be a unique case due to the negotiations with Disney and Square Enix, who jointly own the character’s rights. The collaboration required the approval and involvement of both companies, which made it a prolonged and intricate process.
During the negotiation phase, Sakurai faced various challenges, including navigating the rights involved with Disney’s ownership of the character. However, he was ultimately able to secure the necessary permissions and bring Sora to the game.
Sakurai expressed his satisfaction with Sora’s inclusion, particularly due to the immense popularity of the Kingdom Hearts series. The addition of Sora in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate not only fulfills fan requests but also introduces a unique and highly demanded character to the game’s diverse roster.
In conclusion, Sakurai’s column in Famitsu provides valuable insights into the DLC planning process and sheds light on the challenges faced when selecting characters for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. By understanding the importance of fan input and the complexities of licensing agreements, players gain a better understanding of how their favorite characters make it into the game.