Devs should sometimes make games others need instead of what they want to make, Sakurai says

Super Smash Bros director Masahiro Sakurai says developers shouldn’t always focus on making the games they want to make, and should sometimes consider what types of games are needed instead.

In an interview with Nikkei X Trend, Sakurai was asked if it’s difficult to strike a balance between making a game that the developer wants to create, that keeps players happy and makes the company money at the same time.

Sakurai replied that while it’s important for developers to make the games they want to make, they should also sometimes consider that it may be in the best interests of the industry to make something that’s needed, even if it doesn’t directly appeal to them.

“In the games industry, most people are motivated by a desire to make games, and I think it’s good that they have this attitude of making what they want to make,” Sakurai explained (via machine translation).

“After all, the easiest way to understand the appeal of making something is if you make something you love.

“But when you think about it – the people who make toys for children, for example, are almost always adults. Of course, they may be specialists in that particular field, but they’re not necessarily the same demographic as the actual users.

“Among the various products and services available, then, it’s necessary to target areas in the industry that you feel are lacking. This role is necessary.”

Sakurai went on to cite his first game, Kirby’s Dreamland, as an example of this, explaining that while it wasn’t the type of game that appealed to him directly as an experienced player, he felt it was important to make a game for younger players.

“The first game I made, Kirby’s Dream Land, is a game for beginnersm” he explained. “I am a ‘heavy’ gamer, but I created this game because it was necessary to broaden the player base of gaming.

“I think it’s important that it fulfils a role that was necessary at the time, not simply because I like it, and I think that’s a good side to it.

“Some people make games that they like, using their own ideas. Others deftly understand what is needed and make games based on that. I think it’s good to be able to look at the industry and the company as a whole, and find a good balance.”