Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Extra Fighters Might Get Delayed Due to the Coronavirus

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai’s latest Famitsu column talks about how the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic will affect game development, including possibly the six new fighters coming as part of Fighter Pass 2. [Thanks, Ryokutya2089!]

Here are the highlights:

On the topic of continuous cancellation of events, theme park temporary closures, etc.

• “My plans to present new fighter proposal(s) to publisher(s) have been delayed indefinitely as I haven’t been able to meet up with those involved [in these circumstances].”

• “If any employees are found infected with the virus, the entire building is locked down, and game development will be completely halted.”

• “Even if we are able to announce a new fighter, there is the possibility we are not able to work on development as scheduled.”

• “The coronavirus has cast a large shadow over the game development industry. As time goes on, there may be announcements of game delays and cancellations, but there’s nothing you can do about it. There’s no way that the work meant to be put into the games will follow its original schedule.”