Satoru Iwata
Photo credit: Nintendo of America
Today is a very sad day for video game industry and all gamers around the world…
I was just arrived at my office this morning when in my Twitter feed I saw news of 岩田聡 (Satoru Iwata), the current President of Nintendo has passed away. At first I thought it was a joke. I mean, even though he was hospitalized and absent from the last two E3, he is only 55 years old, right? Then I saw the official press release from Nintendo and tears started to rolling down my eyes. I used to think it was silly shedding tears for a celebrity or someone who we did not know personally, but now I know that feeling. This is the first time I was really shocked and saddened of a death of someone I have never met :'(
I have massive respects for this person because he was one of the legends in the game industry along with late 山内溥 (Hiroshi Yamauchi) and his team at Nintendo, such as 宮本茂 (Shigeru Miyamoto) and 桜井政博 (Masahiro Sakurai). Unlike many CEO out there who are just a businessman without a proper background related to the industry, his career was started from the bottom as programmer at HAL研究所 (HAL Kenkyuujo, HAL Laboratory) making 星のカービィ (Hoshi no Kirby, Kirby’s Dream Land), MOTHER (Earthbound Beginnings), and バルーンファイト (Balloon Fight). Also without him, ポケットモンスター (Pocket Monster, Pokemon) and 大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズ (Dairantou Smash Brothers, Super Smash Bros.) series would not exist at all. For those of you who want to know more about his idea on gaming industry, IGN has an article of his keynote transcript at GDC 2005. It is a long read but very interesting.
In my eyes, Iwata-san is a very nice and humble person. Every time he showed up in a conference or Nintendo Direct or in his interview site Iwata Asks, he always speaks in very polite language. And remember last year when he cut his salary in half because he refuse to lay-off his employees from the result of the Wii U dismal sales? That was amazing and not many people can do that.
Then today, all gamers together with the video game industry are taking a moment to show our condolences and appreciation for Iwata-san. All the console wars and gaming trash talk has stopped temporarily to honored him.
Below are some response in Twitter from video game industry:
Thank you for everything, Mr. Iwata.
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) July 13, 2015
Sad day for Iwata-san’s family, friends, and gamers everywhere. His passion, creativity & leadership elevated our industry.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) July 13, 2015
I had the chance to meet Iwata-san at E3 one year, and he was such a gentleman as I fan boyed out. Today the industry lost a huge force. 😞
— Larry Hryb (@majornelson) July 13, 2015
ふつうではない日、ふつうではない心境ですが、ふつうに出社し、ふつうに開発に打ち込んでいます。それが岩田さんのためでもありますしね。なすべきことをします。
— 桜井 政博 (@Sora_Sakurai) July 13, 2015
灯を消してくれなんて言ったのは、まぶしすぎた土曜日のことです。いまは、「暗くしていないで、せいいっぱいの今日をたのしんでください」と、岩田さんは言うと思います。もちろん、ぼくはそうします。
— 糸井 重里 (@itoi_shigesato) July 13, 2015
An incredibly sad start to the week. RIP Satoru Iwata. You had the respect of a world of gamers, including all of us at Rare. #ThankYouIwata
— Rare Ltd. (@RareLtd) July 13, 2015
Mr. Iwata’s contributions to the industry were immeasurable. Thank you for inspiring us all.
— Activision (@Activision) July 13, 2015
Endless thanks and respect to Iwata-san. His talent and humor made the world a better place.
— Capcom-Unity (@Capcom_Unity) July 13, 2015
In my heart forever.
http://t.co/w4cYNscXFy
— 神谷英樹 Hideki Kamiya (@PG_kamiya) July 13, 2015
We are sincerely saddened to hear of the passing of Iwata-san. Our best to his family in their time of loss.
— Obsidian (@Obsidian) July 13, 2015
Today we honor a true visionary. Iwata-san, thank you for your passion for games. You will continue to inspire many generations.
— WB Games (@WB_Games) July 13, 2015
RIP Iwata-san, we owe you much – you will be missed.
— Treyarch Studios (@Treyarch) July 13, 2015
"On my business card, I am a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a gamer." - Iwata-san
— Bungie (@Bungie) July 13, 2015
Mr. Iwata, thank you for you contributions to video games
岩田さん今まで数々のゲームに対する貢献まことにありがとうございます https://t.co/nBZz4JokDt
— Nicalis, Inc. (@nicalis) July 13, 2015
Our condolences go to Mr. Iwata. He has been an inspiration, heading the Wii and DS launches. From KnapNok Games, RIP pic.twitter.com/ccfUKAIlf4
— KnapNok Games (@KnapNokGames) July 13, 2015
"Video games are meant to be just one thing. Fun. Fun for everyone!" - Satoru Iwata #ThankYouIwata pic.twitter.com/XfeR7iYowA
— E3 (@E3) July 13, 2015
Below are some amazing tribute in Twitter from gamers. Wow, reading these is making me extremely sad but happy at the same time:
#ThankYouIwata for all the hours of joy. pic.twitter.com/FYv12NVgYp
— Marcus Johansson (@MadXadz) July 13, 2015
— R.I.P. Iwata (@MosqitoLux) July 13, 2015
It wasn't my first game, but Kirby 64 was the first game that touched me deeply. Goodbye Mr Iwata. Thank you so much. pic.twitter.com/U0LjcAF3mg
— Juby ✩(-'-'-)✩ (@CutTimeComic) July 13, 2015
Here's the QR code of Mr. Iwata's Mii so he can not only live in our hearts but live in our Nintendo consoles as well pic.twitter.com/Hb1p9iT4m1
— A Mage in Black (@lmaradiaga86) July 13, 2015
現在のスプラトゥーン
岩田社長へのメッセージで溢れてる
感動😭 pic.twitter.com/U4w3D4wDMF
— 厳選！注目のベストツイート！！ (@MargeWede) July 13, 2015
やるべきことを放置して少しだけ冥福を。岩田社長お疲れ様でした。 pic.twitter.com/LT7GpiwIWp
— 神江 (@jinkou_ovo) July 13, 2015
本日のカプチーノ、『岩田社長』。 pic.twitter.com/7n3QYnxXjq
— じょーじ (@george_10g) July 13, 2015
Today is a really sad day for all the gamers...
R.I.P. Mr. Iwata pic.twitter.com/kCljyErYGo
— SmashBros-Miiverse (@SmashMiiverse) July 13, 2015
WIP. Hats off, thank you Iwata pic.twitter.com/EPdmoZQPZF
— Moxie (@moxie2D) July 13, 2015
Yamauchi y Yokoi reciben a Satoru Iwata, te llevamos en el corazón! cc @nachoortiz @Nintendo @RevistaCN #SatoruIwata pic.twitter.com/EYJfXG6onz
— tebin (@tebin) July 13, 2015
…小さい頃から任天堂のゲームたくさん遊ばせていただきました。こんなにも沢山の人に愛されている社長は岩田さんくらいかと思います。…岩田社長、本当に楽しいゲームの数々ありがとうございました… …お疲れ様です
#ThankYouIwata pic.twitter.com/HtTTrHsab5
— ゆりゅ@3日目東4 ラ-40b (@yuyuryu1) July 13, 2015
Thanks for everything, Mr. Iwata #ThankYouIwata pic.twitter.com/qB5ePySaGz
— ♡Bun Goddess♡ (@cheshirette) July 13, 2015
#ThankYouIwata for your amazing programming skill! Thanks to you, in PKMN GSC Johto and Kanto were in the same game! pic.twitter.com/w40IWxvihI
— Untramen (@Untramen_Taro) July 13, 2015
任天堂がいたから、いわっちがいたから、
今の自分があるのだと思ってます。
ありがとう、さようなら、むこうでも笑顔でいてください。
#ThankYouIwata pic.twitter.com/WZ4focy1hz
— エイテン@就活中 (@eiten_1104) July 13, 2015
Thank you for everything Mr. Satoru Iwata, leave luck to heaven :') #ThankYouIwata pic.twitter.com/1F1YPEwTRB
— Seiラゴン@Eorzeaなう (@seiryuuden) July 13, 2015
Today is already such a sad day. Thank you, Mr Iwata. You gave us so much. #RIPIwata pic.twitter.com/Voy9dCnmGx
— Emma Blackery (@emmablackery) July 13, 2015
#ThankYouIwata for all your hard work! pic.twitter.com/oN0b66YPt8
— ☆REENeenee! (@megumegane) July 13, 2015
As for me, there are no words that can express my thanks to Iwata-san. He is not only made my childhood, but also made what I am today. :')
岩田社長、ありがとうございます。ご冥福をお祈りします。
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