Topic: Where Does Nintendo Go From Here?

With Iwata's passing we need to discuss the elephant in the room: what happens to Nintendo now that he's dead? Now it's a pretty safe bet that there won't be a lot of major changes, Nintendo is already in the process of transition with the DeNA merger and entrance in the mobile market, a unified account system on the way, and the NX on the way. But there are still some question marks about Nintendo's future. Who will be Iwata's successor? Will Nintendo see a change in direction?

I think people should spend a week mourning Mr. Iwata's loss before talking about this stuff. I think it's too soon.

I also think its too soon but I will say that I'm hesitant about Shigeru Miyamoto becoming the boss.

I Strongly believe Shigeru Miyamoto - san will take his place.

Considering Iwata's health issues weren't unknown within the top brass of Nintendo, I'm sure they have plans already. They probably have a solid idea of the canditates they think would fit, as well as other important stuff people who don't work on company boards wouldn't really know or understand...

I'd like to point out that there is going to be a great deal of time in which the members of the company simply carry out his plans without him. As CEO, his job was to strategize for the company in the short term as well as the mid-to long term. Therefore, it's going to be some time before we are faced with major changes, and like @TylerTheCreator said, we may take a little bit of time for sensitivity and reflect on the man before discussing the changes.

Companies also usually have a contingency plan in case someone leaves

@TylerTheCreator: Yes, let`s do that.
I will play some Hal Laboratory games in his honour.

While I respect your insistance on reflecting on his life and legacy, as we all should, a week is not needed. Things will go back to normal quickly for Nintendo since they are a business, and we, as fans, should be talking about stuff like this.

As for the topic at hand, I don't think we're going to see some major shift. Iwata had plans to lead the company for a while, so unless the new CEO decides that he doesn't want to and uses his power to completely change the direction of the company, I still suspect most if not all of their plans for the next few years are in motion. And I doubt Nintendo will choose anyone radically different. Whoever is next, I suspect will be someone more in line with Iwata's thoughts and actions.

Well maybe it's just me, I'm not someone who spends a lot of time mourning because I always look towards the future. A week seems like a long time to me. Maybe a day is a bit early to be talking about this, but it's something that weighs heavily on my mind now.

Anyway, I don't think Miyamoto will take over considering that he was set to retire soon.

I hope so, Nintendo's philosophy is one the industry needs and it would be heartbreaking to see that philosophy die with Iwata. At the same time though, I do hope they pick someone with modern sensibilities who can face the problems of the modern game industry.

This is only the beginning of the doom and gloom threads.
If you feel hurt and have any honor for this person you'll stop running around whining fanboy's and go play a darn game in respect of the good man.

Can we just wait a little before discussing this?

@Operative: I'll let Nintendo worry about that. For me, I don't have to think about it, so I won't. I'd rather play some Kirby today.

Then you should go do that, then.

Yeah I agree. I'm not too worried, though

I'm personally going to wait at least until tomorrow. I'd love to join the discussion on this thread tomorrow.

I wonder whether Nintendo's philosophy on gaming should really be kept. While I admire it, I find that their approach and ideals tends to give them a bad image. Nintendo believed in games being Fun above all else, but now the word Fun is almost a forbidden word to some gamers. During this time, gamers want serious, realistic, complicated, and deep games, and they tend to drift away from games that don't fit those desires. Now, Nintendo is seen more as a childish company who lacks depth and survives on nostalgia because of their philosophy, and it makes me wonder whether or not it will benefit them to keep it.

Iwata will be missed, but life goes on.

It won't be the end of Nintendo or anything like that.

Besides being too soon, I don't think we the fans have any input or general idea of what goes on within the inner workings of Nintendo, so....what's the point in worrying about it? Maybe if we see signs of a radical shift, but it's been 2 days...there's not much we can do other worry ourselves sick over wild speculation...that doesn't sound very fun to me. :/

Big companies with shareholders don't really follow the wishes of just one person, so I don't think the shift to another CEO will be all that large. I think a lot of the planning has already been done for a big focus on mobile gaming and the NX.