I wasn't previously aware of how lethal biliary cancer was. When he was ill, went into surgery and seemingly recovered, I thought that was that. The hardest-hitting aspect of Iwata's death, to me, was how sudden it was. I was greatly saddened by Terry Pratchett's death earlier this year, but it was balmed with the knowledge that we knew it was coming for years. Considering Iwata was present for the shareholder's meeting just two weeks ago, his illness surely took a sudden turn.
I feel as though I'm over the hardest part of the mourning process now. I'm looking forward to hearing more memorials over the week, too. It's easy to forget how other executives, such as Reggie and most-certainly Miyamoto, must be feeling right now. They were all obviously very close in a way that goes beyond business associations, considering all the gags and skits they all did together.
In the future, I hope Nintendo doesn't lose its sense of playfulness with Iwata. I hope we can still laugh during Nintendo Directs even though his influence over them has ceased.
