Masahiro Sakurai, creator of the popular Nintendo fighting game series Super Smash Bros., partially retired from game development back in December. Nonetheless, Sakurai has found ways to remain active in the gaming space.

One of those means is his YouTube channel, where Sakurai talks about topics like game development. Today, Sakurai uploaded a video about the development of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, where he discussed how the project came to fruition. At the end of the video, Sakurai talked about Smash Bros‘ future and his role in the franchise. As a key individual attached to the series, Sakurai’s opinion holds weight in the Super Smash Bros. discourse.

Sakurai explained how he produced Smash Bros. Brawl as a freelance director, working with a new team rather than the original development studio. He noted this was an “extremely rare occurrence” for an ongoing game series. To prevent potential reoccurrences for games after Smash Bros. Ultimate, Sakurai speculated one solution is the separation of the Smash Bros. series from the original creator entirely.

On this topic, Sakurai commented, “But for now, at least, I can’t really imagine a Smash Bros. title without me. You might think that’s a natural stance for someone in my role, but I say so speaking objectively.”

Sakurai elaborated by comparing his thoughts to the late Satoru Iwata’s concerns about Smash Bros. Brawl‘s development, as Sakurai imagined that Iwata “struggled to picture” who else could develop a brand-new Smash Bros. installment.

“I feel the same way President Iwata did when we formed the team for Smash Bros. Brawl. At present, we don’t have someone who can simply take the reins…” Sakurai said.

Sakurai’s passion for the Smash Bros. series has been highlighted by numerous individuals. From former Nintendo employees to fellow game developers, his approach to game development has received high praise. As such, the Smash Bros. community would consider his talent irreplaceable.

“Smash Bros. is a massive, important title for Nintendo, so it’s fair to assume there will be another one at some point, but it’s going to take some work to figure out exactly how to make that happen, ” Sakurai opined. “For my part, I’d like to keep working with Nintendo however I’m able.”

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is currently available for Nintendo Switch. There are no upcoming Smash Bros. installments confirmed at this time.