Kirby creator might be returning to Nintendo

[Great Rumbler]

President Satoru Iwata and former HAL Labs producer Masahiro Sakurai have reportedly held a number of reconciliation meetings in the past few weeks. The creator of Kirby, as well as the Super Smash Brothers series, decided to leave HAL earlier this summer due to conflicts over the development of Kirby Air Ride. As a result of the talks between the two Japanese gaming tycoons, Sakurai is now willing to work with Nintendo at some point in the future, although he will not be returning to his job at HAL Labs. Sakurai confirmed this report in an interview with the Japanese publication 'Nintendo Dream', and also stated that Iwata was compassionate and understanding about the decision to leave HAL.

Also, HAL Labs is now undergoing major internal changes and restructuring efforts, as a result.

Hopefully, he'll decide to come back to Nintendo.

It'll be interesting to see what changes are made at Hal and how this will affect their development of games.

N-Philes

[OB1]

Yay!

[Great Rumbler]

I dedicate this post to you, the master of one-word posts, hopefully it will inspire you to greatness.

[EdenMaster]

*crosses fingers and parys to lazyfatbum that we'll see another Smash Bros.*

More Smash goodness is all I ask!

[OB1]

Yeah!

[Great Rumbler]

There'll probably be another Smash Brothers game wether he comes back or not. But, enough people have left Nintendo already we don't want to see anyone else go!

[OB1]

Right.

[A Black Falcon]

Good news.

[Great Rumbler]

I also heard that there some kind of friction between Saturo Iwata and Hal, nobody really knows why exactly or the extent, but hopefully they can patch up whatever problems they are having.

[OB1]

That seems to be false, accoring to Nintendojo:

Since there seems to be a sort of confusion floating about the world wide web, Nintendojo is here to clarify the situation with Nintendo's in house developer, Hal Laboratories.

First off, in light of reports that suggest their base of operations went mysteriously "empty" -- along with the company -- we can assure you HAL is alive and kicking, simply opting for a change of scenery as the company itself restructures (following Masahiro Sakurai's resignation).

Secondly, Kirby's creator Masahiro Sakurai did not leave on sour terms, open to the option of working with Nintendo in the future -- even going as far as to keep optimistic. Now, however, he has more freedom over (the creative reigns of) his own projects.

Hopefully, with these clarifications, everyone can rest easy. (wj)

[The Former DMiller]

What seems to be false? That's just about the same thing that was said in the first news story.HAL is just moving to a new location, and Sakurai may choose in the future to work for Nintendo.

[OB1]

I was referring to GR's comment on Sakurai leaving on bad terms.

[The Former DMiller]

I see. Carry on.

[Great Rumbler]

That's good news.

[OB1]

Yes.