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Satoru Iwata Has Passed Away

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C

Calamari41

41 > 38
Splatoon did great in NPD this month. Glad Iwata got to see that a brand new IP and fresh concept made by a bunch of up and comers could still resonate worldwide.
 
E

efyu_lemonardo

May I have a cookie?
ShockingAlberto said:
A lot of these personal entries are illuminating a lot of Iwata's thought processes.

He saw Seaman as an example of library diversity, which is probably what inspired him going in so hard on Nintendogs and Brain Training. He was trying to make games more personal, because that's what he thought would break down the barrier between gamers and non-gamers.

He took a small, thrown around idea of "How do you approach someone whose name you don't know?" and turned it into Streetpass.

He may not have been a designer, but I think he still had the mind of one.
Click to expand...
He was always deeply concerned with the fundamental properties of the medium and what it could (and should) be, in order to benefit as many people as possible. This was also evident when he talked about the importance of having a controller you could use with just one hand: It needed to be simple and inviting and familiar to everyone. Similarly when he explained the philosophy behind WiiConnect24 and how the disc slot would light up festively when something new arrived. He always strived to distill the most pure properties of what we consider "a game" or "enjoyment" into the company's vision of what a video game should be. It was a vision as much in tune with the past as it was with the future. That's also a big reason behind his resistance to change, it's something that was part of the company long before he arrived, and it's something the company is interested in preserving, I imagine.

Muku said:
You know, I like that. What Would Iwata Do? Think it's something I'm going to try to keep in mind these days too.
Click to expand...
It's like what would Jesus do, and somehow that seems appropriate..

nubbe said:
Iwata is obviously a very caring, curious and intelligent person so he wants the fans to have more insight about what happens with their products

He seem to posses so many great traits

vPD5S87.gif
Click to expand...
I think the purpose of his approach was more than just to give insight and educate, in the intellectual sense. I think it was also very much part of his desire to send a message about the importance of empathy. He wanted us to realize that developers are people too, with personal lives and families and desires of their own, and that we should respect the effort they put into the games we play, on a human level. Just as we should respect any other human being. There's also an economic benefit to this approach, which is something I think Yamauchi was already aware of in his time. But Iwata took advantage of the greater ubiquity of the internet in order to widen the channels of communication between Nintendo's developers and their audience. In that sense the greater transparency, the Iwata Asks, the Directs and the many other things he did were very much there to help us "Please Understand".

Sub Boss said:
married, but he had no kids
Click to expand...
this makes me sad. He deserved to know the joys of fatherhood.
 
V

Vibranium

Banned
Ok, now that I'm back from a ban that I really regret, I'm paying my respects to Mr. Iwata in this thread as well. Like everyone else I was really shocked and upset for a couple of days. It's awesome how the entire gaming community has come together though with great memories and art.

I really will miss him and his great sense of kindness.
 
Muku

Muku

Member
Talked to one of my co-workers today. Hadn't seen him in a few days, but he knew I was a gamer and mentioned his passing to me today. I acknowledged that I already knew and it was a great loss. Was also nice to see him, despite being a PC gamers, say nice words about him and that the industry lost such a great soul. Think as gamers, everyone kind of knows the ripples he has made within the industry. He also said it left this emptiness inside. It's amazing the lives Iwata-san has touched. I hope he is somewhere smiling, knowing that the world misses him so.

The crazy thing is even on Facebook the other day, Stan Lee posted about Iwata-san's passing. And later about the rainbow over Nintendo in Kyoto. I've seen it pop up in places and from folks I'd never have expected. It warms my heart, but renews my sadness a bit.

These funeral images today are so difficult to see. I think I'm at acceptance, relunctantly. But, I never feel like that hole will be filled. One day, as someone said earlier, I'd like to think we'll all get to meet him.
 
B

Blunoise

Member
itoi-iwata.jpg


Just wanted to show this pic of Iwata and his wife at Itoi's house a while back. You can tell he was such a happy person in life and let nothing get him down
 
S

Silver_DNA

Member
Honestly, I'm surprised he didn't have children because he was such a dad. The cheesy jokes, the dad clothes, the general kindness and enthusiasm.
 
S

Salbug

Member
Blunoise said:
itoi-iwata.jpg


Just wanted to show this pic of Iwata and his wife at Itoi's house a while back. You can tell he was such a happy person in life and let nothing get him down
Click to expand...

Oh wow. It seems rare to see pictures like these now a days. It's always so nice to see someone you're used to seeing in a suit, and in an office, dressed all casual, and just enjoying their everyday lives, and all around off work hours kind of thing.
 
clem84

clem84

Gold Member
I really like this picture.

Goodbye Mr. Iwata. I will miss your simplicity and your genuineness.

God... The thought of never seeing a new Nintendo direct with him is a little depressing.

5fc06f5d4c8143fefeb6e0ac8df49295.jpg
 
L

Lunar15

Member
Blunoise said:
itoi-iwata.jpg


Just wanted to show this pic of Iwata and his wife at Itoi's house a while back. You can tell he was such a happy person in life and let nothing get him down
Click to expand...

Hoo shit, this gets me. Seeing him in a more candid and casual setting brings it closer to home.

Yoot Saito talking about seeing Iwata dressed up in a suit and finding that weird I think tells a bit about the dude's personality.
 
R

ramoisdead

Member
Nice of the folks of Animation Domination HD (ADHD) to pay their respects to Iwata during the weekly "That Was Everything That Happened" segment.
 
H

HeelPower

Member
Blunoise said:
itoi-iwata.jpg


Just wanted to show this pic of Iwata and his wife at Itoi's house a while back. You can tell he was such a happy person in life and let nothing get him down
Click to expand...

He had such an air of pleasantness about him.

You'd never guess this is a CEO of multi-billion $ corporation whose latest hardware release has been struggling in the market.
 
E

El Odio

Banned
Blunoise said:
itoi-iwata.jpg


Just wanted to show this pic of Iwata and his wife at Itoi's house a while back. You can tell he was such a happy person in life and let nothing get him down
Click to expand...
It pains me that it took his death for me to really understand how human he really was in all aspects of his work. It really does. I understand now Iwata, now I do.
 
@

@MUWANdo

Banned
CheesecakeRecipe said:
I thought it worth mentioning that there were some Nintendo-related products, which makes even more sense now that we know how much Iwata was involved with the company behind-the-scenes. He wasn't just a friend to Itoi, he was a dedicated part of what he did every day while still being the head of Nintendo. I thought it was touching and wanted to share a particular piece that this friendship and partnership had borne. Didn't mean to derail or anything!
Click to expand...

Just to add to this, Itoi/Hobonichi made a digital health planner in collaboration with a famous Japanese physician, which Nintendo distributed for free via DSiWare. I can't remember if it's still available or if it was a limited-time thing,
 
T

TangorFopper

Member
NoE recent tweets:

Thank you everyone for the amazing support this week. Reading all your memories of Mr Iwata has been truly humbling during this tough time.
https://twitter.com/NintendoEurope/status/621952303092899840

Mr Iwata will be dearly missed by all of us but we will strive to build upon the amazing legacy he leaves behind.
https://twitter.com/NintendoEurope/status/621952611097444353

And finally:

Please understand that you are the best fans in the world.
CKGewrqWEAAHo9a.png

https://twitter.com/NintendoEurope/status/621952783005163520

P.S. I don't know if it is possible to embed tweets and how to do it.
 
O

OricWindstar

Member
JoeM86 said:
https://twitter.com/dylancuthbert/status/621906684307345408

Over 3,000 people attended the funeral today.
Click to expand...
Perhaps "glad" is the wrong word, but I'm glad to see such a turnout. Especially now knowing he didn't have any kids, I can imagine his wife will need any support she can get; hopefully seeing this many people moved by his passing can help her in some way.

TangorFopper said:
And finally:

Please understand that you are the best fans in the world.
CKGewrqWEAAHo9a.png

https://twitter.com/NintendoEurope/status/621952783005163520
Click to expand...
Unfortunate that it takes something like this to remind me of how close a fanbase can be, but there really is something special about Nintendo fans. Anytime I go to a con, Nintendo fans are the ones I'm most excited to mingle with. Largely in part because of the optimism people like Miyamoto and Iwata instill in the company.
 
D

Dimitri LH

Member
Sigh....I played Smash for the first time today since ive heard about the news, was too depressed and sad to play it. But was fun to play with friends today. I dont do this often but ill send him a good prayer before going to bed. May you forever Rest in Peace Iwata san....thank you for everything.
 
A

AdanVC

Member
Wow that "Please understand" tweet from Nintendo Europe. My heartttt <3

Blunoise said:
itoi-iwata.jpg


Just wanted to show this pic of Iwata and his wife at Itoi's house a while back. You can tell he was such a happy person in life and let nothing get him down
Click to expand...

This is the first time I see Iwata dressed all casual. Such an awesome pic. Wish we can go back in time to that moment when he was healthy and tell him he is the coolest CEO ever. All while chilling and drinking tea while listening music (looks like they were hearing music at that moment, judging from the CD cases on the table). Thanks for sharing this great pic <3
 
F

fabprems

Member
"...Please understand..."

After a full week a reading this thread and trying to process this awful news... Great loss of a good man for humanity, a unique voice for the gaming industry, and of a brilliant leader for this funny and weird little company named Nintendo.
RIP Iwata-san

Now, I was watching a video of Florent Gorges (the man behind the "The History of Nintendo" books) yesterday, and he said that Iwata worked until the very end, and he has contacts saying that there was a last Iwata Asks recorded 2 weeks ago. I don't know anything more about this, and I don't know if Nintendo will choose to publish it (I certainly hope !), but I'm sure some of you wanted to know this information.

Take care,
 
A

AdanVC

Member
fabprems said:
"...Please understand..."

After a full week a reading this thread and trying to process this awful news... Great loss of a good man for humanity, a unique voice for the gaming industry, and of a brilliant leader for this funny and weird little company named Nintendo.
RIP Iwata-san

Now, I was watching a video of Florent Gorges (the man behind the "The History of Nintendo" books) yesterday, and he said that Iwata worked until the very end, and he has contacts saying that there was a last Iwata Asks recorded 2 weeks ago. I don't know anything more about this, and I don't know if Nintendo will choose to publish it (I certainly hope !), but I'm sure some of you wanted to know this information.

Take care,
Click to expand...

Oh my god... What if that last Iwata Asks was about Super Mario Maker? That is going to be the most special but also most heartbreaking Iwata Asks ever if true. Truly an admirable man, working literally until the very last minute.
 
@

@MUWANdo

Banned
For those who want to learn the history of "Iwata the IT manager":

Itoi Some of our new staffs may not know, but Mr.Iwata was one of the start-up members of Hobonichi.

Iwata I was the IT manager of Hobonichi. (laugh)
Is it still valid?

Itoi Of course, yes. I don't remember firing you. (laugh)

All (laugh)

Iwata For those who don't know, Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun started on June 6th, 1998. About one month before that, I met Mr.Itoi. He took me to Nezumiana (where the office of Tokyo Itoi Shigesato Office was located at the time), and he said "I want to start up a web site here". I was knocked off of my feet. This was only one month before the start up!

All (laugh)

Itoi I didn't know what I was saying. (laugh)
I don't have much knowledge now, but at that time, I had close to zero.

Iwata I think it was because that you had such small knowledge that you were able to say you were going to start up a web site in a month.
From then I arranged computers and Internet providers, put together a LAN, and said "I think you can start now."

Itoi Pretty bad, huh? (laugh)

All (laugh)

Iwata No, I had fun. I've been the IT manager of Hobobnichi ever since.

Itoi If you ask Mogi sitting there, Mr.Iwata's still the "guy that knows about computers", rather than the top of Nintendo.

Mogi Yes.

All (laugh)

Iwata If I heard that there's not enough memory on the computers, I would open up the machines adding more RAM.

Itoi I was like "Are you supposed to pull that out like that?" and he was like "Yes... (bang!)"

All (laugh)

Iwata Mr.Itoi thought that it would work out somehow, although he sensed that it would be a tough job. A leader should be that way. People try to figure out a way, because the project lies on the premise that "it should work out somehow". I do this sometimes. When we were developing Wii, I told my staff that I want the body to be the size of 3 DVD cases stacked together. I knew it was an extremely difficult demand, but I said it like I didn't know that.

Itoi I understand this very well. It's not that you aren't aware of the difficulties.

Iwata Of course not. However, it's also very important to strike a proper balance. Organizations fall apart if the people in charge only demand the impossible.

Itoi Sometimes, you've got to ask for the impossible though.

Iwata Yes, and when I said it, it was that kind of situation.
The fact that you chose June 6th 1998 to establish Hobonichi seems divine to me. Of course, it was synchronized with the opening date of the World Cup, but still, there's no other date than that day. I can swear that Hobonichi wouldn't have been what it is now if you have started half a year earlier, or half a year later. That timing was great, you started late enough where you were able to avoid the predecessors' mistakes, and it was early enough so that it could grow to a scale it is now. You were able to seize the moment. The timing you started up Hobonichi makes it what it is today. I was just amazed at your decision, and I wanted to make it happen, to make it work. That's why I devoted in being the IT manager.

Itoi I've heard him talk about this "timing" so many times, but I still don't understand the value of it. There are always people who say the opposite, that it's "too late" or "too early". You always have to listen to both.

Iwata I know.

Itoi I remember people saying "What, are you starting up now?" as if it was too late. I had lots of people telling me that they would help, but it was like out of pity. I talked with all of them, but gained nothing from them. I wonder what they are doing now.

Iwata I'm sure tons of people said "You have such a career in the advertisement field. Why toss that and start something like this?"

Itoi Tons.

Iwata I remember you saying that "Since 'It's Popular Now' has become the most effective advertisement phrase, I can find any meaning in advertisement anymore". I understood why you started up Hobonichi. People who didn't see what you were thinking must have thought "Why the Internet, Itoi? "
The same happened when Nintendo announced we're making a portable game machine with dual-screen and touch panel.

Itoi Interesting.

Iwata A lot of people thought Nintendo had gone nuts when they heard this. For us, our future was not in a continuous line of what we were doing then. The decision came from that point of view, but to people out there, what we said seemed offbeat.

Itoi I didn't see things as clearly as you did, but I sensed that the world of Internet would grow, not that it would be a risky field. Although people tried to teach me many things, what I felt was that one day, normal people would just come to "know" about the Internet.

Iwata It came true.

Itoi Maybe I was calm at that time, come to think of it. The history of the Internet virtually starts around 1995, right? When people who didn't know anything about communication came up to me and started preaching about the Internet, it didn't persuade me at all. After all, all they knew was only a couple of years more than what I knew.
Plus, at that time, I thought you as someone who knew everything. I thought, "And we do have Mr.Iwata..." (laugh)

Iwata Ha ha ha.

Itoi He can even add RAM to our computers! (laugh)

All (laugh)

Itoi Well, you don't have to check our computers anymore, but please drop by our office every now and then. You're still our IT manager.

Iwata Sure. (laugh)
Click to expand...
 
Garou

Garou

Member
fabprems said:
"...Please understand..."

After a full week a reading this thread and trying to process this awful news... Great loss of a good man for humanity, a unique voice for the gaming industry, and of a brilliant leader for this funny and weird little company named Nintendo.
RIP Iwata-san

Now, I was watching a video of Florent Gorges (the man behind the "The History of Nintendo" books) yesterday, and he said that Iwata worked until the very end, and he has contacts saying that there was a last Iwata Asks recorded 2 weeks ago. I don't know anything more about this, and I don't know if Nintendo will choose to publish it (I certainly hope !), but I'm sure some of you wanted to know this information.

Take care,
Click to expand...

The only game worth a Iwata asks in the coming weeks is Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer. They have high hopes for the title, so it would make sense.
 
J

JoeM86

Member
fabprems said:
"...Please understand..."

After a full week a reading this thread and trying to process this awful news... Great loss of a good man for humanity, a unique voice for the gaming industry, and of a brilliant leader for this funny and weird little company named Nintendo.
RIP Iwata-san

Now, I was watching a video of Florent Gorges (the man behind the "The History of Nintendo" books) yesterday, and he said that Iwata worked until the very end, and he has contacts saying that there was a last Iwata Asks recorded 2 weeks ago. I don't know anything more about this, and I don't know if Nintendo will choose to publish it (I certainly hope !), but I'm sure some of you wanted to know this information.

Take care,
Click to expand...
Yeah, he even met with Junichi Masuda two weeks ago too, for what reason we don't know. I've got a fear that there may have been a Pokémon Direct recorded (as evidence is pointing to a reveal soon), but I hope not as that'd be a horrific combination of emotions for me
 
M

Mpl90

Two copies sold? That's not a bomb guys, stop trolling!!!
JoeM86 said:
Yeah, he even met with Junichi Masuda two weeks ago too, for what reason we don't know. I've got a fear that there may have been a Pokémon Direct recorded (as evidence is pointing to a reveal soon), but I hope not as that'd be a horrific combination of emotions for me
Click to expand...

What evidence? Sorry if I ask.
 
J

JoeM86

Member
Mpl90 said:
What evidence? Sorry if I ask.
Click to expand...

There's a tease of a new form/Pokémon at the end of the movie that comes out tomorrow
and it's not Volcanion or Eternal Flower Floette
. Typically, they don't leave these things hanging for long. My original thought was for a World Championships reveal, but with Masuda tweeting when he travels, and saying he was at The Pokémon Company on July 3rd and then on July 13th when news broke, he said he met with Iwata the other day, it gives me a bad feeling.

Though discussion of the Pokémon stuff is for another topic (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1078619&highlight=)
 
M

Mpl90

Two copies sold? That's not a bomb guys, stop trolling!!!
JoeM86 said:
There's a tease of a new form/Pokémon at the end of the movie that comes out tomorrow
and it's not Volcanion or Eternal Flower Floette
. Typically, they don't leave these things hanging for long. My original thought was for a World Championships reveal, but with Masuda tweeting when he travels, and saying he was at The Pokémon Company on July 3rd and then on July 13th when news broke, he said he met with Iwata the other day, it gives me a bad feeling.

Though discussion of the Pokémon stuff is for another topic (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1078619&highlight=)
Click to expand...

Mmmh, I get it.
Yeah, this increases the chances of Pokemon Z being released on February. Thanks.
 
F

Foffy

Banned
El Odio said:
It pains me that it took his death for me to really understand how human he really was in all aspects of his work. It really does. I understand now Iwata, now I do.
Click to expand...

We tend to assume corporate faces are there for profit margins. In many ways, sadly, they are: the process of making money above all often requires one to forgo any sense of humanity. If one as a CEO does more than look the part of a human being, it really is a rare feat in our world today.

Iwata was one of the few people who seemed to get where he did in life because of his humanity, his sincerity and passion. I would imagine that humanity may be reason he's considered a unique CEO, and will probably go down as one of the most renowned in history. There's a very clear reason why so many people feel so sad from his death.
 
Q

Qurupeke

Member
JoeM86 said:
Yeah, he even met with Junichi Masuda two weeks ago too, for what reason we don't know. I've got a fear that there may have been a Pokémon Direct recorded (as evidence is pointing to a reveal soon), but I hope not as that'd be a horrific combination of emotions for me
Click to expand...

That would be really awkward at this point. :/
 
S

Storm Kyleis

Member
wild wild rice said:
Bill comes off as another stuffed suit, similar to Reggie. No way can I see a "Bill Asks" coming off as genuine.
Click to expand...
Reggie comes from the business world. Trinen is a translator, he's required to beat the games before working on them, and he genuinely enjoys getting to try them in advance. He's also been at Nintendo for almost 20 years.

I don't see him making a "Bill Asks", but he's definitely a gamer.

Blunoise said:
itoi-iwata.jpg


Just wanted to show this pic of Iwata and his wife at Itoi's house a while back. You can tell he was such a happy person in life and let nothing get him down
Click to expand...
That's a great picture.
 
B

BGBW

Maturity, bitches.
Just days before the sad news hit (08/07) I finished a Wario Ware DIY game (been playing it again since it's a Mario Paint spiritual successor like Mario Maker) about Iwata. As a robotic head (called The Megaton 3000) you drop bombs on the audience.

CKHEOumWUAA9EC1.jpg:large
Click to expand...

It's not a direct tribute since it was made before, but it combines Nintendo, programming and Iwata's favourite past time of dropping bombs so I thought I'd share it, especially since the death of the NWFC servers means it'll be stuck on only my cartridge forever.
 
K

KingBroly

Banned
JoeM86 said:
Yeah, he even met with Junichi Masuda two weeks ago too, for what reason we don't know. I've got a fear that there may have been a Pokémon Direct recorded (as evidence is pointing to a reveal soon), but I hope not as that'd be a horrific combination of emotions for me
Click to expand...

I hope if that's true, they don't release it.
 
jufonuk

jufonuk

not tag worthy
http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2015/07/17/fans-remember-nintendo-president-iwata-at-funeral/


this bit got me
Delivering a eulogy Friday, Mr. Takeda said that he and Mr. Miyamoto would strive to complete the work that Mr. Iwata started. Mr. Takeda said the seeds that Mr. Iwata planted would one day grow into flowers &#8220;that will make people around the world smile.&#8221;
Click to expand...

another Article on Iwata

http://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2015/07/satoru-iwata-innovator-and-true-gamer
 
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