It isn't uncommon for video game directors and producers to join the many companies and developers they collaborate with on social media. This has benefitted fans greatly, allowing individual game directors and other authorities to interact with them, while opening a direct channel for fan feedback, posting neat tidbits about their game, and allowing them to build relationships with gamers.
However this is not without its drawbacks, as some Internet trolls can harass these individuals in a variety of ways. One common way fans interfere with the social media accounts of video game companies or professionals is creating parody accounts intended to trick others. Now, an infamous parody account based on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai has been shut down.
Sakurai has gained a significant following on Twitter while making daily tweets in a "pic of the day" style, showing off different captures from the work on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. However, a Sakurai parody account with a deceptively similar handle has trolled the Smash community for some time, garnering over 112,000 followers on the platform, constantly posting fake leaks and offensive content. Recently, fans noticed that the account is no longer visible.
This comes soon after the Smash director was officially verified on Twitter, something that was long overdue in the eyes of many fans. Upon being verified on the social media platform, Sakurai explained he hadn't reached out or applied to be verified, but was surprised and thankful to see the blue badge next to his name. As of right now, the director hasn't commented on the disappearance of the parody account, and it is not known whether he was even aware of the account in the first place.
The parody account was known for trolling fans by posing as Sakurai announcing outrageous characters for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, as well as posting inappropriate images of characters from the game. The parody account takedown has caused Smash fans everywhere to rejoice, though some have expressed wariness over the fact the takedown happened close to April Fools' Day.
It seems that at the moment, the original parody account owner has not spoken out about the takedown, but other Twitter accounts bearing similar handles have appeared on the platform, adding nearly unnoticeable changes to the handle like an extra underscore. For now, fans can rest assured that any news on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will likely come from Nintendo or Sakurai himself.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available now, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.