Smash Bros.' Sakurai discusses the 'pain' of modern game development

Masahiro Sakurai completed the project design document for Super Smash Bros. Brawl on July 7, 2005. Full development began in October 2005, and the final game was released in Japan on January 31, 2008. That's nearly three years of work for a huge number of people, and the sheer amount of time and work involved seems to even take Sakurai aback a little.

[Sam Fisher]

Well stop getting used to 10 yr old tech and get with the program, the world is going to keep evolving, especially tech. Simply put either upgrade or somebody else will, no more half ass developing, if you cant do it right people wont buy your crap.

[ChickeyCantor]

It also makes the industry cruel.
More hours go into assets and more time goes into programming bigger scopes of ideas. The developers work overtime because managers only care about money. Deadlines need to be checked. And before someone say "they are lazy". This industry is a tyrant as it is.

[paul-p1988]

If you haven't seen it already, watch "Indie Game: The Movie", it shows just how horrible an industry it can be to work in. Yes the payoff is good at the end (the games they follow are some of the highest rated/best selling indie games this gen), but the actual process looks horrible!

The sacrifice these people make for our hobbies is unbelievable!

[gamer42]

When did sakurai ever make a half assed game?

[Jagsrock]

@samfisher

what are you even talking about? Try reading the article next time.