Masahiro Sakurai
Image: Nintendo

This year, like every other convention, the Tokyo Game Show was transformed into an online-only event. Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai appeared during one segment and gave out an award to the indie title Baba is You, while briefly showcasing it.

When he wasn't busy helping out with the show, like everyone else, he was watching the streams, and well...he wasn't particularly impressed with the comments in the live chat. In fact, he "couldn't stand it" so he decided to close the comments bar. Here's exactly what he had to say in his latest Famitsu column, courtesy of Ryokutya2089 (via Siliconera):

“I felt like the comments tend to get rough. I had the impression that people instantly started to mount and self-assert. I couldn’t stand it, so I did things like closing the comment bar. Unfortunately, there are practically no solutions to this.”

Sakurai hasn't always had the best relationship with online commenters himself over the years. Back in 2018, he was harassed on Twitter for snubbing Waluigi - with several followers bombarding him with angry messages and questionable content, resulting in him blocking a number of accounts.

He's also been forced to defend certain characters that have joined the Smash Bros. roster. Just earlier this year, he was attacked online for adding too many Fire Emblem and sword fighter reps to the game before informing the fanbase it was Nintendo's decision, not his own.

What did you think of the quality of the live stream chats during this year's TGS? Did you switch them off like Sakurai or participate till the very end? Do you participate in live stream chats in general? Tell us down below.

[source siliconera.com, via gonintendo.com]