In a January 2015 column in Weekly Famitsu, Sakurai alluded to the possibility of retirement, expressing doubt that he would be able to continue making games if his career continued to be as stressful as it was.[9] In December 2015, Sakurai once again stated that he was not sure if there would be another game in the Smash Bros. series,[10] prior to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate being released in 2018 with Sakurai once again as director.[11]