Masahiro Sakurai says originality in video games doesn’t always lead to sales but an industry without originality will die a slow death. “I am going to say something pretty harsh, but originality doesn’t really have much of an impact on sales. I actually think it ranks pretty low on the priority list. Everyone likely feels the same way, right? For example, with convenience store drinks, there probably aren't many people who go out and try every single new drink that comes out. The more accustomed people become to something, the closer it gets towards being a standard, or rather, I think people tend to want a taste that matches their preferences and meets their expectations. However, an industry that loses its originality will ultimately just die a slow death. I believe the industry exists today because of the people who pioneered new inventions and created new forms of enjoyment. The Game Designers Award” will come to an end, but I hope you will continue to look out for novelty, originality, and the unique qualities that set a game apart. Thank you very much for everything.”