Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games

For our portion of the Retro Game Master crossover, we take a tour through a curated selection of arcade games released between 1978 and 1987—"The Space Invaders Decade". We hope it provides a unique look at the history and evolution of video games!

The second installment of the Retro Game Master crossover is here! Join me as I play classic arcade games with legendary Let's Player Arino Kacho. In the four short years covered in this episode, games evolved rather dramatically!

Welcome to the final episode of the Retro Game Master crossover! I never imagined doing a crossover like this—I'm so glad we had a chance to play so many games! For more fun, watch us tackle other challenges on the GCCX 20th Channel! * In Japanese only

In Category A: Work Ethic, I talk about the ways we approach and prepare for our jobs. The topics in this category apply to all lines of work, not just game development.

In Category C: Planning & Game Design, I talk about topics to consider when coming up with game ideas and mechanics. These are good things to keep in mind when thinking of new game concepts.

In Category B: Game Essence, I define "game essence" as risk and reward, and explore how it impacts the push and pull at the heart of games.

In Category D: Design Specifics, I talk in-depth about systems and mechanics used in games. There's some occasional crossover with the Planning & Game Design category, but I tend to examine the topics here in greater detail.

In Category E: Team Management, I offer strategies for managing dev teams smoothly. As games are often a team effort, this information should prove useful.

In Category F: Graphics, I explain what goes into making art for games. Rather than sharing tool tutorials and the like, I offer practical points to consider when creating game visuals.

In Category G: Animation, I share some of the tricks we use to animate characters and other elements in video games.

In Category H: Effects, I discuss some of the myriad special effects used in games. These are the kinds of visuals whose true value can be seen when in motion.

In Category I: Audio, I go over topics regarding sound in games. This includes music, sound effects, voices—everything.

In Category J: User Interface ("UI" for short), I explain the menus, information, and other displays shown on-screen during a game.

In Category K: Programming & Tech, I cover topics involving game programming and data. I've done my best to keep things simple for general audiences.

In Category M: Grab Bag, you never know what you're going to get. Here, we delve into topics that don't quite fit neatly into the other categories—though the conversations still largely revolve around games. Check it out and see what you think!

In Category N: Game Concepts, I look back at how I came up with the ideas for each of the games I worked on, in release order. Rather than sharing anecdotes from development, I've chosen to focus on the inspirations and thought processes behind their creation.

In Category L: Marketing, I discuss strategies for getting the word out about your game. No matter how good your game is, it may as well not exist if people don't know about it.

In Category A: Work Ethic, I talk about the ways we approach and prepare for our jobs. The topics in this category apply to all lines of work, not just game development.

In Category B: Game Essence, I define "game essence" as risk and reward, and explore how it impacts the push and pull at the heart of games.

In Category C: Planning & Game Design, I talk about topics to consider when coming up with game ideas and mechanics. These are good things to keep in mind when thinking of new game concepts.

In Category D: Design Specifics, I talk in-depth about systems and mechanics used in games. There's some occasional crossover with the Planning & Game Design category, but I tend to examine the topics here in greater detail.

In Category E: Team Management, I offer strategies for managing dev teams smoothly. As games are often a team effort, this information should prove useful.

In Category F: Graphics, I explain what goes into making art for games. Rather than sharing tool tutorials and the like, I offer practical points to consider when creating game visuals.

In Category G: Animation, I share some of the tricks we use to animate characters and other elements in video games.

In Category H: Effects, I discuss some of the myriad special effects used in games. These are the kinds of visuals whose true value can be seen when in motion.

In Category I: Audio, I go over topics regarding sound in games. This includes music, sound effects, voices—everything.

In Category J: User Interface ("UI" for short), I explain the menus, information, and other displays shown on-screen during a game.

In Category K: Programming & Tech, I cover topics involving game programming and data. I've done my best to keep things simple for general audiences.

In Category M: Grab Bag, you never know what you're going to get. Here, we delve into topics that don't quite fit neatly into the other categories—though the conversations still largely revolve around games. Check it out and see what you think!

In Category N: Game Concepts, I look back at how I came up with the ideas for each of the games I worked on, in release order. Rather than sharing anecdotes from development, I've chosen to focus on the inspirations and thought processes behind their creation.

In Category B: Game Essence, I define "game essence" as risk and reward, and explore how it impacts the push and pull at the heart of games.

In Category A: Work Ethic, I talk about the ways we approach and prepare for our jobs. The topics in this category apply to all lines of work, not just game development.

In Category C: Planning & Game Design, I talk about topics to consider when coming up with game ideas and mechanics. These are good things to keep in mind when thinking of new game concepts.

In Category F: Graphics, I explain what goes into making art for games. Rather than sharing tool tutorials and the like, I offer practical points to consider when creating game visuals.

In Category L: Marketing, I discuss strategies for getting the word out about your game. No matter how good your game is, it may as well not exist if people don't know about it.

In Category M: Grab Bag, you never know what you're going to get. Here, we delve into topics that don't quite fit neatly into the other categories—though the conversations still largely revolve around games. Check it out and see what you think!

In Category N: Game Concepts, I look back at how I came up with the ideas for each of the games I worked on, in release order. Rather than sharing anecdotes from development, I've chosen to focus on the inspirations and thought processes behind their creation.

In Category B: Game Essence, I define "game essence" as risk and reward, and explore how it impacts the push and pull at the heart of games.

In Category C: Planning & Game Design, I talk about topics to consider when coming up with game ideas and mechanics. These are good things to keep in mind when thinking of new game concepts.

In Category M: Grab Bag, you never know what you're going to get. Here, we delve into topics that don't quite fit neatly into the other categories—though the conversations still largely revolve around games. Check it out and see what you think!

In Category M: Grab Bag, you never know what you're going to get. Here, we delve into topics that don't quite fit neatly into the other categories—though the conversations still largely revolve around games. Check it out and see what you think!

In Category M: Grab Bag, you never know what you're going to get. Here, we delve into topics that don't quite fit neatly into the other categories—though the conversations still largely revolve around games. Check it out and see what you think!