Science & Tech · AI · 1 hr ago
Masahiro Sakurai Says He Is Cautious About Using Generative AI in Games
Game designer Masahiro Sakurai has not used generative AI in his current projects.
The creator of Super Smash Bros.
and several Kirby games says he doubts the technology can produce better ideas than people can.
He also says it must not exploit anyone if used to create graphics.
Sakurai does not trust the technology yet, and is taking a cautious approach.
But making games has become more demanding, and some games fail to make a profit even after selling millions of copies.
He says studios may need AI to control costs as the technology improves, and warns that refusing to consider it could leave developers behind.
For now, Sakurai is not ruling out AI, but says decisions about where and how to use it remain difficult.
Masahiro Sakurai said generative AI has not earned his trust and that he is not using it for his current game projects.
The Super Smash Bros. and Kirby designer said people can currently produce better ideas by thinking for themselves.
He cautioned against ruling out generative AI, noting that game development is increasingly demanding and some games fail to make a profit despite selling millions of copies.
Sakurai said he is taking a slow-paced approach while considering where and how the technology might be used.
- Who
- Masahiro Sakurai, the game designer behind Super Smash Bros. and several Kirby titles.
- What
- He said he does not currently use generative AI in game development and remains cautious about its capabilities, while not rejecting its future use.
- When
- At an event celebrating the release of a book compiling his writings for Famitsu. The articles were published on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- He said the technology has not gained his trust and that people can currently generate better ideas themselves. He also noted that financial and production pressures may make AI useful in the future.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sakurai wrote a column for Famitsu discussing games development and his experience in the industry.
Articles reported Sakurai’s remarks about generative AI at an event celebrating the release of a book compiling his Famitsu writings.
- Current use
- Sakurai said he has not used generative AI for his current projects.
- Current view
- He said people can come up with better ideas by thinking for themselves.
- Game development pressure
- Sakurai said work on Kirby Air Riders was ten times more demanding than work on the GameCube original.
- Profitability
- He noted that some games fail to turn a profit even after selling millions of copies.
- Approach
- Sakurai said he is taking a slow-paced approach to generative AI.
2 sources
What people are saying
It has yet to gain my trust
Doing nothing is probably not the right approach
we can come up with better ideas by thinking about them for ourselves.
If you remain stuck on the idea of not using AI because it’s not trustworthy enough as a technology, there’s a risk that you may fall further and further behind