You might remember Masahiro Sakurai as the creator of Nintendo character Kirby or more recently as the designer and director on Super Smash Bros. Brawl on Wii. It turns out that despite going freelance a few years ago, his affiliation with Nintendo has become permanent again. It was announced today that as of January 22nd, Mr. Sakurai together with Nintendo of Japan created a new Nintendo first party studio called Project Sora, at which Masahiro will be the director of 30 employees with more “talented individuals” being hired at this time.
Nintendo is the principal investor, owning up to 72% of Project Sora, hence the first party monniker. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata clarified that the new studio isn’t working on Super Smash Bros. Brawl 2. To quote: “It’s not Smash Bros. I asked for.” Mr. Sakurai added: “I can promise an experience that’s different from anything [you’ve played] up until now.”
It wasn’t clarified whether or not the currently in developed mystery game will appear on Wii, DS or both.
Translation from Japanese by Kotaku