When Nintendo president Satoru Iwata passed away in 2015, it came as a massive shock not just to Nintendo fans, but to the industry as a whole. Iwata had guided the company through one of its most successful periods, and - had his life not been tragically cut short - would no doubt have overseen many other highs.
Iwata began his career as a programmer, and this is something that gave him an unique outlook on work, according to Shigeru Miyamoto. Interviewed by Eurogamer and New Yorker scribe Simon Parkin recently, Miyamoto had this to say about his departed colleague:
He had this unique ability to rally people around a vision. Similarly, to then put them into a structure that could make that vision a reality. I always remember his ability to take something, give it shape and and then to motivate people. That always impressed me about him.
He was a technologist - a programmer originally. And typically, you go to a programmer and tell them what you, as a designer, want to do. They then tell you all the reasons why they can't do what you want. [Laughs]
Mr Iwata was different. Instead, he would say he was going to figure out how to make it work. He'd always be positive, always try to make the impossible happen. I still remember that to this day.
Super Mario Run has just launched on iOS, the first major title to come out of Nintendo's move into mobile - a move which was instigated by Iwata himself. He may be gone, but his influence can still be felt today.
[source twitter.com, via vimeo.com]
Comments 16
He was awesome such an inspiration to gamers he made being a Nintendo fan special .
A true legend of the industry
How many Christmases of mine were spent basking in the glow of something Iwata helped shape? I'll never forget him.
Merry Christmas (and Happy Holidays in case of a separation of denominational differences) to all, and remember to have some fun!
Salute to Mr. Iwata !
😔😔
Glad to see Iwata's legacy continues.
He will always be with us.
He's a true embodiment of what Nintendo is all about: smiles, fun, and positivity. Rest In Peace.
Great businessman! Creative and not afraid to take risks. Very similar to me! Will be missed!
sigh Iwata-san... The world is too cruel if it'll take someone like you away so easily...
Increasingly, I've started to avoid articles about how great Iwata was... because it reminds me of who we lost and depresses me to think about the finite nature of existence (especially for those who make that existence better for all of us).
That's a very nice statement. It makes me think of all those examples of him saving games mid-development cycle and there was probably a load more we never even heard about.How he was positive even in the face of the GC or WiiU numbers, or even the 3DS rocky start never blamed "the market" or the rise of mobile gaming and instead took responsibility. His confidence in presenting the DS and Wii despite the risks and trusting Nintendo to experiment with even their biggest sellers.
I'm sure the Nintendo Switch will be something special and it's feel a bit sad that he won't be able to present it in January.
I read "Shigeru Miyamoto" and "Late" and almost had a heart attack.
Top man and person absolutely legend of gaming.
A true legend..........
He passed away too soon.......
The late-and-extremely-great Satoru Iwata.
I hope he is resting in peace.
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