Masahiro Sakurai, director of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, is currently not using generative AI in game development at all, but he does not advocate for permanently rejecting the technology. He is concerned that developers who consistently refuse to adopt generative AI may gradually fall behind in the future.
During the Famitsu 40th Anniversary event, Masahiro Sakurai stated that generative AI has not yet earned sufficient trust, and the practical challenges of game development cannot be solved simply by inputting commands. Whether a project is feasible depends not only on creativity but also on factors such as fixed deadlines, the team's ability to deliver on time, and cost-effectiveness. If these constraints cannot be fully communicated to the system, the final result may appear rough.
He also emphasized that AI should not become a means of exploiting others. However, the current unreliability of the technology does not mean the industry should permanently refuse to use it. Developers willing to adopt AI may produce more games than those relying on traditional workflows, potentially creating an efficiency gap. Consequently, "doing nothing" could become a disadvantageous choice.
Regarding generative AI, Masahiro Sakurai is currently taking a slower approach, continuing to research where and how it should be properly utilized. He neither advocates for immediate, full-scale adoption nor outright rejects the technology, instead maintaining an observational stance on its future development.