As highlighted by Source Gaming, Bandai Namco has announced the creation of Studio 2/Studio S. This studio apparently exists solely for the purpose of contract game development for Nintendo.
It would appear that Studio 2/Studio S already has quite a bit of experience under their belt as they consist of a team that were involved with the development of games like Mario Kart 8, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Mario Kart Tour, Mario Sports Superstars, and ARMS. Perhaps even more noteworthy, however, is that they were also the developers behind Super Smash Bros. for the 3DS, Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Most curiously, it’s been reported that the website for this special studio is currently looking to hire for new positions. In particular, they’re looking to fill positions with those experienced in action games, some of which are of the “side-view” variety.
According to the website, there are currently 152 members already employed at the studio. It’s certainly interesting how Bandai Namco wishes to expand the team further with more members with this very specific experience.
Back during the development of Super Smash Bros. 4 in 2013, Masahiro Sakurai, cocreator of the Super Smash Bros. series, sat down for an interview with Gamespot. It was during that interview where Sakurai noted how he tends to think of the Super Smash Bros. series falling into the “four-player battle royal action” category, rather than the fighting game genre.
“When planning the development of a new game, I always take a lot of care to discuss the concept and try to define it as best I can,” said Sakurai back then. “For example, I like to think of Smash as a four-player battle royal action game. You’ll notice that’s a lot longer than saying it’s a fighting game, because ‘fighting game’ is a completely different label.”
The Super Smash Bros. series has always been a 2.5D platform brawler that can fit into the categories of an “action game” that is played with a “side-view.” Needless to say, there’s a good possibility that Bandai Namco are potentially revving up to begin development on the next project within the Super Smash Bros. series.
Internet sleuthers out there might also notice that they are looking for new hires experienced in action games, some of which are in he ‘side-view’ variety
— Source Gaming (@AllSourceGaming) November 13, 2023
On multiple occasions, Masahiro Sakurai has talked about how Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s theme of “Everyone Is Here” was only possible because of the involvement of Bandai Namco during the development for Super Smash Bros. 4 which carried over into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. As such, this resulted in a much more seamless transition between the development of the two titles.
Sakurai has also mentioned many times that he doesn’t feel as though the “Everyone Is Here” theme can be repeated in a future entry. Furthermore, even he’s unsure of where the series can go at this point, though he notes that he’ll probably need to be involved with development when the time comes again.
With rumors about the Nintendo Switch follow up, many have already considered the possibility of a “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Deluxe” for the new console. Coincidentally, Studio 2/Studio S was involved with the development of Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Switch.
It’s also worth noting that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate are the first and third best-selling titles on the Switch with 57.01 million and 32.44 million units sold respectively. Needless to say, Studio 2/Studio S already has an outstanding track record when it comes to developing games for Nintendo, so it’d certainly make sense for Nintendo to use them again when the time comes to begin development for the next Super Smash Bros. entry.
