Blew my 12 year old mind at the time. What a beast.
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What are your favourite memories of Satoru Iwata?
- Thread starter Mysterious
- Start date
Blew my 12 year old mind at the time. What a beast.
You're not alone. It feels my tears just start drying when I start back up again. This is gonna be a really rough week.
You want a Revolution?
Well, we've got one.
Awesome
So many. Nintendo Directs, E3, funny while getting us excited about all of Nintendo's good looking stuff.
Yes. I agree completely. He had an authenticity as someone who knew every aspect of making and playing games. He didn't come from a shoe company or something.
thisisvlad
Member
The man always wore his iconic 3-piece suit. Classy wear in respect for his honored position. He will be missed.
My favorite memory was the revealing of the 3DS. I was riding high on the DS hype at the time and just couldn't wait for the next phase of that little console that could do no wrong in my mind.
Just seeing him hold up that little thing and all the game announcements that followed and preceded got me so so excited. Still probably my favorite Nintendo E3.
Just seeing him hold up that little thing and all the game announcements that followed and preceded got me so so excited. Still probably my favorite Nintendo E3.
He really had his finger on the pulse of the problem of games in the 2000s. Calling out the insoluble technical arms race of traditional platforms and the race to the bottom. People gave him shit for that, but guess what? Those really are problems in development now.
He was a man who cared about games, so for him to call it out wasn't just some old out of touch man with an irrelevant company. He knew this would shake up development and make it a very problematic ecosystem, and it is. How many big studios lay off staff weeks after launch? How can one be creative and happy knowing they're literally involved in permanent do-or-die scenarios?
NoFaceNico
Member
paragonpro
Banned
For me it was getting to the end of pokemon silver, and realizing I still had a whole region to explore, and for talking directly to me, like I was more than consumer, but a fellow gamer. I thank Mr. Iwata for that, and for helping to shape some of the greatest games of all time.
foxuzamaki
Doesn't read OPs, especially not his own
Im sorry, this video completely broke me, I just cant anymore, im crying as if he was a close relative. He meant so much to my life, I knew it would suck when my idols at nintendo would some day die but I didnt think it would hit me this hard.
foxuzamaki
Doesn't read OPs, especially not his own
it was defacto one of my most memorable and favorite gaming memories thats for sure.
And then you fight red, FUCKING RED
BlueDogAnchorite
Member
There were lot of moments, but to me it was that Nintendo E3 Digital Event where he showed up as a Muppet that was my favorite memory of him.
I put more hours into Gold than any other game.
I miss you Iwata.Thank you for all you've done
foxuzamaki
Doesn't read OPs, especially not his own
Hearing how positive a work environment nintendo as a company is was one of the reasons I wanted to work there growing up.
oh okay I'm crying again.
evilromero
Member
Love this. One of my favorite moments but also sadly the last.
Interceptor
Banned
That´s why i am so in shock. I would have left gaming for a ling time if it wasn´t for Nintendo. I like them being different. I like them to be a happy place that follows their own ideas.
Iwata was this Nintendo. He was the best that could happen to this industry. Honestly i can´t see anyone stepping up to this man. Someone has to do it though. If anyone can keep the spirit alive it has to be Miyamoto.
There is no other choice. But today is not the day to discuss that.
the androgyne
Member
I didn't make the original photoshop, but i did make the It Prints Money gif way back in 2006.
I never seriously thought (pretty much anyone at Nintendo) would be the kind of person to be swimming around in a pit of money, much less Iwata.
The only reason something like this gets created is because i'm here, because of them, because i'm grateful for the enjoyment they bought and continue to bring. When you realise that their reach extends far beyond the actual games themselves, you understand what kind of an impact they have on the lives of people
I'm sure he would have seen it and hope it bought a smile to his face, knowing it stood for how much we're all indebted to his and Nintendo's efforts. A great man who will be missed by all, rest in peace.
I never seriously thought (pretty much anyone at Nintendo) would be the kind of person to be swimming around in a pit of money, much less Iwata.
The only reason something like this gets created is because i'm here, because of them, because i'm grateful for the enjoyment they bought and continue to bring. When you realise that their reach extends far beyond the actual games themselves, you understand what kind of an impact they have on the lives of people
I'm sure he would have seen it and hope it bought a smile to his face, knowing it stood for how much we're all indebted to his and Nintendo's efforts. A great man who will be missed by all, rest in peace.
abercrombie
Member
LOL this pic from so many years ago, I think this must be my first memory of Iwata.
I think I heard his first ever "please understand" live or close to it. It seemed like such a humble but powerful request at the time; I didn't I wouldn't have thought it was be a meme but I am glad it exists.
The holding up of the hands to the side of the face and then saying "direct to you" as he moves his hands towards the camera is one of those things I hope to use in the future; like when sharing an idea with someone.
Air Zombie Meat
Member
The directs, the iwata laughs and all the fantastic games he had a hand in. Going to miss him.
DXLelouch153
Banned
exactly
he came off as a buddy you could have a drink with
not one of those fucking businessman type characters
ohyouagain
Member
I remember the first Iwata asks for a third party game. But I don't remember which game it was.
He was also a funny guy, in the right sense. His personality and humour suited the company he worked for.
There's something madly respectful about the fact that he didn't tell anyone about his condition.
He was also a funny guy, in the right sense. His personality and humour suited the company he worked for.
There's something madly respectful about the fact that he didn't tell anyone about his condition.
Vampirolol
Member
I wrote an article about his genius programming some months ago and read many things about his life. I think that my favorite moment is when he told Itoi that Earthbound needed a reset during development, he spoke in a badass/realistic way that demonstrated he had the rights to be a president.
DXB-KNIGHT
Member
Cutting his own salary and refusing to layoff anyone
This.
His sense of humor and fun were so great and heart warming in comparison to his other fellow businessmen. Who else would have all those silly moments in their videos or do something like create a puppet version of themselves? He was just a sweet fun loving person and it really showed.
dehydratedbabies
Member
giant_frying_pan
Member
Iwata Asks and a gaming revolution.
If I had ever met him, I intended on asking for a print compendium of his Iwata Asks articles.
If I had ever met him, I intended on asking for a print compendium of his Iwata Asks articles.
Gurgelhals
Member
Iwata: (laughs), of course.
His (laughs) were infectious even after the n-th time. And I think it kinda sums up who he was.
His (laughs) were infectious even after the n-th time. And I think it kinda sums up who he was.
ShockingAlberto
Member
Sometimes I think about "What would I get this developer to sign if I ever met them?"
I always figured with Iwata I'd ask him to sign Pokemon Stadium because I feel like that's just my favorite Iwata story. Coding the battle system for Pokemon with absolutely no reference documents...I'm not even a programmer (I dinked around with Unity for an hour before throwing my hands in the air) and even I recognize how crazy that is.
Earthpainting
Member
If I had to home into one, I'd say it would be the Iwata Asks interviews. At its core, the concept is pretty much PR fluff. Basically interviewing yourself, and having total control over your message to make yourself look good. The first time I heard about them, I figured they'd be horribly masturbatory and pointless, but I was glad to be proven wrong. These Iwata Asks pieces were honest, insightful in their creation process, talked about what was and what could have been. A collection of very human game-related interviews full of trivia and anecdotes that frankly do not make for interesting promo material. It was initially strange to see this type of thing done by a company that historically always held its cards so closely to its chest. Can't say any of them ever sold me on a game, nor did it ever change my opinion of one, but I read all of them religiously.
I hope the tradition continues, and that the laughs may continue as well.
I hope the tradition continues, and that the laughs may continue as well.
giant_frying_pan
Member
It's rare these days for someone so passionate and dedicated to his or her craft to be installed at the very top of its corporate structure. Iwata was a rare champion of gaming in the upper reaches of the business.
I hope so too. I hope they keep the name Iwata Asks also.
While I don't think this counts as a specific Iwata memory, in another thread, I shared my love of the Kirby series if that counts 
.
. Been listening to various Kirby soundtracks for the past half hour, I'm so happy Iwata had such a strong role in the series creation :').
So many games in the Kirby series were part of my childhood.
I remember playing Nightmare in Dreamland on my GBA when I was little (my first Kirby game) and loved it
But, when my grandmother got me another DS to replace that one, a few months latter I got Canvas Curse and....wow, I fell in love with that game :'). I love the touch-screen controls and how they were so smartly infused with the core Kirby gameplay. The visuals and music were amazing as well; still remember the final boss them to this day
I also remember playing through Super Star on my Wii and enjoying that
The most recent Kirby game I played was the 3DS game, Triple Deluxe and man, did I have fun with that
And to think, none of that would have happened if Iwata and Hal-Lab's never made the iconic pink puff ball :'). Nintendo icon and it was a honor playing through the series throughout my life
I'd say my most memorable moments were many of the kooky things iwata would do in the company's various social media pictures as well as directs that the Internet would turn into memes. I think the Google streetview camera attached to his back and photoshopped into various pictures was my favorite.
Super Stardust
Member
WooHooAlex
Member
The reveals of the Wii and 3DS. And also,
He oozed absolute confidence in everything he presented, but those reveals in particular were special. I even went back and rewatched them leading up to E3 this year.
RIP Mr. Iwata
bananas
RIP Mr. Iwata
Jelly Rajah
Banned
He really was enormously talented. It's hard to believe we might not have Earthbound if it weren't for his input.
Hours Left
Member
He always had a very warm and friendly demeanour/presence. I can hear his voice distinctly in my head even now.
Shadow Ranger
Member
The Directs were appealing because he presented them (Shibata too). It was actually somewhat disheartening to see him lose so much mass a few months ago after his sick leave.
Will be sad to see the next Direct without him (if not part filmed already).
Hell be missed, basically. Don't think I've had such an appeal for a President of a company ever.
Will be sad to see the next Direct without him (if not part filmed already).
Hell be missed, basically. Don't think I've had such an appeal for a President of a company ever.
GustyGardner
Member
I have no one memory but just his presence in the Nintendo Directs and the personality he gave to them. Directs just aren't going to be the same any more
Notor!ousG
Member
Reading this makes me so sad.
I really feel like we're on the last page of an era.
I'm really worried for Nintendo.
Feels like that magic warm feeling they have is soon going to fade out with him being gone...
jacob armitage
Banned
This is a wonderful sentiment.
Well, all the Directs where he acted quirky, E3 presentations, videos in general, 3DS reveal for sure.
But, probably above all, the Iwata Asks interviews: there, it's where we could see him (and developers inside Nintendo) quite more intimately than usual. Great interviews, so many *laughs*, and so much...humanity. Yeah, Iwata was quite human compared to way too many CEOs of other companies. Did he got many things right? Indeed. Did he got many things wrong? Indeed again. But surely (as more and more stories coming up in the past few hours are showing), he was a gamer. And he was human.
So many memories, and now he's gone
And yes, I really hope Nintendo sells printed Iwata Asks volumes with all profit going to cancer research. It would be a great way to honour him with a great purpose.
But, probably above all, the Iwata Asks interviews: there, it's where we could see him (and developers inside Nintendo) quite more intimately than usual. Great interviews, so many *laughs*, and so much...humanity. Yeah, Iwata was quite human compared to way too many CEOs of other companies. Did he got many things right? Indeed. Did he got many things wrong? Indeed again. But surely (as more and more stories coming up in the past few hours are showing), he was a gamer. And he was human.
So many memories, and now he's gone
And yes, I really hope Nintendo sells printed Iwata Asks volumes with all profit going to cancer research. It would be a great way to honour him with a great purpose.
To me, the single most impressive thing he did was to defend the developers during the times of bad financial result a few years ago. He fought against the shareholders, saying that no developer should be fired from Nintendo to save costs.
"It is true that our business has its ups and downs every few years, and of course, our ideal situation is to make a profit even in the low periods, return these profits to investors and maintain a high share price. I believe we should continue working toward this ideal. If we reduce the number of employees for better short-term financial results, however, employee morale will decrease, and I sincerely doubt employees who fear that they may be laid off will be able to develop software titles that could impress people around the world.
I believe we can become profitable with the current business structure in consideration of exchange rate trends and popularization of our platforms in the future. We should of course cut unnecessary costs and pursue efficient business operations. I also know that some employers publicize their restructuring plan to improve their financial performance by letting a number of their employees go, but at Nintendo, employees make valuable contributions in their respective fields, so I believe that laying off a group of employees will not help to strengthen Nintendo's business in the long run. Our current policy is to achieve favorable results by continuously cutting unnecessary expenses and increasing business efficiency."
"It is true that our business has its ups and downs every few years, and of course, our ideal situation is to make a profit even in the low periods, return these profits to investors and maintain a high share price. I believe we should continue working toward this ideal. If we reduce the number of employees for better short-term financial results, however, employee morale will decrease, and I sincerely doubt employees who fear that they may be laid off will be able to develop software titles that could impress people around the world.
I believe we can become profitable with the current business structure in consideration of exchange rate trends and popularization of our platforms in the future. We should of course cut unnecessary costs and pursue efficient business operations. I also know that some employers publicize their restructuring plan to improve their financial performance by letting a number of their employees go, but at Nintendo, employees make valuable contributions in their respective fields, so I believe that laying off a group of employees will not help to strengthen Nintendo's business in the long run. Our current policy is to achieve favorable results by continuously cutting unnecessary expenses and increasing business efficiency."