Thread by @PushDustIn

Translating some major points from Sakurai's latest interview about his YouTube channel.
Original Source:
news.denfaminicogamer.jp/interview/2212…

1. Sakurai is really happy with the positive response to his videos. His videos are averaging over 99% like/dislike ratio.

(This means almost everyone is leaving a like)
His ratio is just slightly higher outside of Japan.

2. He reads through all the comments and again is pleased to see it is generally positive.

3. It's important for Sakurai to speak from his own experience for his channel. He does consult with other companies (like Nintendo) but in the end, Sakurai has the final say.

4. For various reasons, Sakurai thinks it will be difficult for another developer to make a channel like his. There are many conditions unique to Sakurai's situation and experience, which made the channel possible.

5. Sakurai films by himself. He starts off by choosing a theme -> manuscript. Sometimes he will need Nintendo's approval for scripts, so he involves them at this step if needed. Then he films with a digital camera by himself (no film crew).

6. Of course Sakurai makes mistakes while filming, but his policy is to keep filming and keep trying until he has a good collection of takes. He removes the takes and sends it to an editor. He also records his own gameplay if it fits the topic.

7. Sakurai prepares various graphics, footage, and text for the program and hands it to Qbist, which will put together a storyboard. If additional games are needed for Qbist for the video, Sakurai will purchase the games for them.

8. In end, the actual gameplay recording is probably a 50/50 split between Sakurai and Qbist. The video production is supervised by Sakurai as he works on filming new videos. When the videos are nearly finished they are given to 8-4 for translation.

9. 8-4 will also make suggestions for the videos. For example, if a game is not well known outside of Japan, they may suggest an equivalent one. The thumbnails are often suggested by Qbist. In the end, Sora Ltd. posts the videos and prepares the social media texts.

10. For the production of the videos, the communication is all done via email. On average, each video will include 8-9 emails exchanged. Things don't always go so smoothly, and Sakurai wishes he could change some things in some of the videos he's already produced.

11. For example, he doesn't always have the proper games in mind when recording/editing, and sometimes they are selected afterward leading to a mismatch. However, he can't keep on polishing and adjusting things in videos forever. He has to move forward.

12. He does his recording often at night because the sound of traffic is too much during the day. Sometimes he will have to redo a section because of an ambulance or a car.

13. Sakurai thinks Cubist and 8-4 are enjoying themselves with the video production. They added the Among Us imposter and Karate Joe in the videos themselves.

14. Sakurai confirms that he is semi-retired. He is 52 after all. When Smash for 3DS / Wii U and Ultimate he spent 9 years in active development. Sakurai felt that if he is just continuously making games full time, his life will be over before he realizes it.

15. Sakurai thinks the work on Smash is very important as it uses so many different characters/ concepts from the game industry. He is very happy to have worked on it. But, since he has more time available, he figured he would make his YouTube channel while he had the chance.

16. Just like his column, there may be a point when his YouTube channel suddenly ends. However, he wants it to be an archive of his lessons. After finishing Smash Ultimate, Sakurai felt like he had to aim for the next milestone in his life.

17. Sakurai appeared in the videos for Smash Ultimate since there was no budget for production.The team decided it would be the most bang for their buck to have Sakurai appear in them. In addition, Sakurai could ensure that the information was presented the way he wanted it to be

18. If celebrities/voice actors were to be used for the Sakurai Presents videos, then it would cause difficulties when localizing them. Plus some characters don't have a voice actor...so it made sense for Sakurai to present the new characters in a fun way.

19. Sakurai confirms that he recently cleared Sonic Frontiers, Bayonetta 3, and God of War Ragnarök while riding his exercise bike.

20. At the time of the interview he was deciding if he should play Tactics Ogre or the new Pokemon title. He is also playing indie titles here and there.

It's not like he's been completely free since Ultimate finished development, so games with lots of content is difficult...

21. Time is more important, so games with a lot of impact are important to him. He also reads manga, has over 6000 volumes on his device

22. He reads manga before going to bed on an iPad that hangs over his bed. He recently finished The Seven Deadly Sins. He prefers the compilations over the weekly releases.

(Skipping a bit)

23. Sakurai feels that the current Internet isn't very positive. People are attacking each other too much and he is worried about the future.

(Also skipping a bit)

24. For this video

Sakurai felt that people outside of Japan missed his intention. He really wanted to emphasize that players have the choice of choosing for themselves (old games, indie games, AAA, etc).

25. There is no public email address for Sakurai, so he accepts requests based on acquaintances.

26. He still wants to go for a drive around Japan but is worried about leaving Fukura alone, even for a couple of days.

There's obviously a lot more to this interview, but this is all I can translate for now. I summarized things, and they shouldn't be taken as direct quotes. Thanks for reading!

Additional translations can be found in @gosokkyu's thread. They go into more details as well!

https://twitter.com/gosokkyu/status/1607591797265661953

Another point I forgot to include in the original thread: Sakurai is doing well health wise.

He is also taking it easy on his off days/weekends (just like during the production of the DLC for Smash Ultimate). Wants to make use of the time he has while he is healthy.