President Iwata Passes Away..

[ChikoLad]

I kinda want Iwata to have prerecorded a message to us fans telling us to please understand that Nintendo will be fine without him. If he actually did that I would cry again.

I don't think I could handle that.

Also:

I wasn't expecting any of my tributes to be taken so well, let alone the Galaxy ending/Rosalina screenshot compilation.

 

[TaRtOoN-Hand94]

That moment when you realize in the wake of the president of one of the greatest video game companies of all time's passing, nobody has used the phrase "Game Over" yet.

This is very appropriate.

Because the game is Not over! The game will Never end!
We will all press Continue and keep playing these treasured games that this magnificent man has helped make possible, until it is Our turn to ascend to the next level and thank him in person!

 

[Deleted member]

​

His FR Wikipedia article also had this epitaph for a moment, which literally means :

He may not be there anymore. But if we take a look to the deepest of our hearts, somewhere, he's here. And he tends us bananas, smiling.

 

[ChikoLad]

BBC News had a segment about it:

 

[Sarki Soliloquy]

I have paid my respects. Perhaps there's a little more left I can give.

"I'm not going to highlight many of the same points myriads of others already have. I don't want to be that contrite this far after Satoru Iwata's death. Instead, I want to share with you what he meant to me. Perhaps I'll start with one of my most cherished video game memories.

Back when I was 6, there were many activities revolving around me as I tried to sort out my affinities. I remember being fascinated by birds. There were also tons of toys, cartoons and books I liked too. My brother and I were just dabbling into the magical world of video games at this point. Dad had brought us a PS1 home one day. Might've had a Gameboy Color too, since the Pokémon anime and merch was my craze.

I remember my brother and I would gather around the cable TV every Saturday morning to watch the FoxBox. For those of you who don't remember, the FoxBox was a block dedicated to cartoons, especially action-based ones, and dubs of popular Japanese anime. Most of the anime they showed were based off popular games; Pokémon, Yu-gi-Oh!, Sonic X, and Kirby: Right Back at Ya! I took a peculiar liking to Kirby out of all their shows (well, maybe behind Pokémon.) The first episode introducing me to the whimsy of Dreamland remains hazy, but it had Kine the Sunfish (yes, the Kirby's Dreamland helper) being infatuated with Tiff and the plot went around him trying to get her to fall for him or something. I bet a quick wiki search would describe it in more exact detail. Nonetheless, I thought the title character, Kirby, was the coolest thing - with how he could copy his foe's powers, his adorable charm, how he would always finish off King Dedede's ordered Monsters of the Week.

It must've been a few years ahead when I saw the advert for a Gameboy Advanced game featuring Kirby, uncannily in the show's exact artstyle, copying powers and beating some of Dedede's monsters.

The commercial was for "Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland." I must've begged my parents to get me it, most likely along with a Gameboy Advanced. My brother and I were hanging around in the den one night. My mother must've came back from something, because our grandma had came with two fresh Gameboy Advanced SPs. The first game I was given for it? You guessed it.

While Nightmare in Dreamland is considered to be somewhat of an unimportant title due to its remake status, I was blind to the fact that my very first adventure with Kirby, was a reflection of Kirby's Adventure. The game that stapled down Kirby's copy ability gameplay. If it weren't for Iwata doing much of Adventure's programming, I would've never grown such an attachment to Kirby, who remains to be my favorite character ever.

You oughta understand, I had actual obsessions with Pokémon and Kirby for most of my childhood that my folks or neighborhood friends would often tell me to shut up about them. As for Kirby, it was love at first sight. My elementary school days were devoid of classes until 4th grade, where I always opted to spend the day in the guidance counselor's office drawing entire packets worth of "Kirbies" as their own characters with tons of quirky designs (my Aspergers is showing!) I'd often enduce myself into daydreams of Kirby, the characters and sights of Dreamland, and even those Kirbies. To think that my first Kirby game was the reflection of the original work Iwata made happen.

I haven't forgotten about the countless other games he's helped designed that have made many childhoods - mine included - be graced with colorful memories. Iwata bug squashed Super Smash Bros. Melee in under three weeks so my brother and I could have it for Christmas. He also helped out with Animal Crossing, which was another Christmas gift that I got so invested in that I would occasionally haggle my dad to take us to GameStop to buy Memory Cards, just so I could have my own little network of towns. It was also through the NES emulator through special furniture in that game that I explored other retro Nintendo hits like Donkey Kong, Ice Climber, Punch-Out!!, Legend of Zelda, Wario's Woods, even Balloon Fight, which he singlehandedly designed and programmed.

Gather my entire Nintendo library, dump it in a pot, jostle it around. If you were to draw one game, the probability that Iwata helped create or produced it is highly likely. From Gameboy to Wii U, Iwata's hard work, mentorship, and fun-loving spirit played a huge role in bringing every Nintendo game up to their impeccable standards of creativity and quality.

That's all Iwata sought to do; make us smile. He ensured that every Nintendo game has something fun for just about anyone. He espoused his company's philosophy to a T: all the Nintendo Directs and memes, the innovations he oversaw in how we play games on Wii & DS, maintaining Nintendo's colorful, surreal touch in adversity of the push for realism the industry was and continues to push for, his sacrifice and dedication to make sure every game would launch to a polished standard.

Even then, Iwata was susceptible to the shortcomings we all face. He's brought a lot of blame for not addressing the continued underpowerment of hardware and barely improving 3rd party relations or launches. It took him years and continued losses to shift Nintendo to new horizons. Yet, he got the ball rolling through his willingness to accept criticism, just as he promised when many fans felt empty from this year's E3 showing.

Yes, I know he's far from perfect. Yes, I know he's created a malleable shell for ridicule with the persona he cultivated. Yes, I know he's given credit for the effort attributed to the nameless specialists behind our games. If you want to honor the man Iwata was, carry on his wisdom and apply it to your passions. He's proof that we're all capable of reaching our fantastical successes. There will never be another CEO to emulate the personal touch he's done on our hearts. But from what he left behind, we'll carry on your legacy for perpetuity.

I dunno what awaits me when I die. But whatever it is, I might just stop by your destination. Arigato gozaimasu, Iwata-san."

 

[ChikoLad]

I'm considering making comics in tribute to him, one themed around Mario and Sonic, another around Captain Toad, and another around Rosalina & Luma. I have my ideas fleshed out, it's just a matter of motivating myself to draw them.

 

[Warlock*G]

Iwata the Game God

So what happens to Nintendo now?

Iwata's Balloon Fight Challenge

 

[ChikoLad]

This kinda hit home.

 

[Bananija]

More Iwata hommage.

 

[BluePikmin11]

Thanks for all of the contributions everyone!

 

[BluePikmin11]

http://gonintendo.com/stories/238744-genyo-takeda-s-full-statement-from-iwata-s-memorial-released
As we gather here today for a joint funeral with Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Mr. Iwata's family, I would like to share my heartfelt condolences. President Iwata, allow me to call you Iwata-san, just as I always used to.


Iwata-san, you left us far too soon. Having just chaired our shareholders' meeting the other day on June 26, the news of your sudden death has left all the employees overcome with a deep sorrow. The late Yamauchi-san passed the baton to you in naming you the president of Nintendo in 2002, and the two Senior Managing Directors of the company, Shigeru Miyamoto and I, have been assisting and working alongside you. Being rather short-tempered myself, the thing that I am most deeply struck by is that you were a true leader in every sense of the word, overflowing with compassion for people. You always maintained a two-way dialogue, even with the next generation of employees, or with much younger members of the development and marketing teams, or with employees outside of Japan whose different customs and cultures can make communication challenging — sometimes even admitting your own mistakes to them. You demonstrated this through your belief that people could eventually come to understand one another, and your strong conviction that the best way for us to grow is through patient communication, even if it took several times, a dozen times or even seemingly endless discussion.

You succeeded in planting the seed in employees' hearts that, in order to solve an issue, there is a fundamental cycle whereby you make a hypothesis, execute the plan, see the result and then make adjustments, and by which you have caringly nurtured these seeds to sprout and mature into plants.

Until now, our successors and the younger generation would take a few first steps and then look back at you for guidance because they could not tell if they had chosen the right path. Today they cannot ask for your guidance anymore.

However, I am sure that they have already made the firm determination that they will continue on their own, making the hypothesis, executing the plan, seeing the results and reflecting on the results to improve and adjust by themselves.

In the face of your unbelievable passing it will surely take some time before we can emerge from this deep sorrow. Please know, however, that the seeds you have planted, and the plants that have sprouted will put forth small flowers as they bring smiles to the faces of people around the world, blossom into a grand flower bigger than even you, our leader, Iwata-san. Together with Miyamoto and others of our generation, we swear in our hearts that we will continue our efforts so that, someday, we can report and present to you the blossoming of these flowers. May you continuously watch over and guide us managers, our employees and your family.

On behalf of all of us, I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences and sincerest prayer. May you rest in peace, Iwata-san.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Worth the double post, Blue.

 

[ChikoLad]

Artsy Omni of "Smashified"/Rayman leak fame, is partnering with Etika from the EtikaWorldNetwork to bring a charity campaign in honour of Satoru Iwata:

 

[POKEMANSPIKA]

Artsy Omni of "Smashified"/Rayman leak fame, is partnering with Etika from the EtikaWorldNetwork to bring a charity campaign in honour of Satoru Iwata:

What if I want one after the event. Dang it, I want dem Iwata shirts.

Also why don't they donate to Bile Duct Cancer research. Its what caused Iwata's death.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Also why don't they donate to Bile Duct Cancer research. Its what caused Iwata's death.

Here's a brilliant idea you should check, @HextupleyooDOT

 

[ChikoLad]

What if I want one after the event. Dang it, I want dem Iwata shirts.

Also why don't they donate to Bile Duct Cancer research. Its what caused Iwata's death.

They weren't sure exactly what charity to donate to, they want people to leave suggestions. You should leave that suggestion in the comments of the video (assuming that's a good, reliable organisation, and you're not just referring to "donate to this kind of cancer" - in which case, I'd have to tell you that cancer is cancer, where it was in the body has little relevance in terms of researching for a cure or better treatment).

As for the campaign, I'd love to donate, and would do it in a heartbeat if I had a job and was regularly earning money. While I technically have the money to, I don't want to overspend my grant money that I just got, especially since I just bought the Smash DLC, some Amiibos, and took out some money to give to people I owe it to. And the international shipping prices for the shirt are kinda ridiculous, half of the money I pay would be for the shipping and not the charity.

 

[POKEMANSPIKA]

They weren't sure exactly what charity to donate to, they want people to leave suggestions. You should leave that suggestion in the comments of the video (assuming that's a good, reliable organisation, and you're not just referring to "donate to this kind of cancer"

I actually have no idea if there is a Bile Duct cancer research organization. Might look it up later to find one.

 

[ChikoLad]

I actually have no idea if there is a Bile Duct cancer research organization. Might look it up later to find one.

Yeah, that's what I thought.

Like I said, cancer is cancer. It doesn't matter where in the body it is. Cancer is just a tumour (an unnatural clump of cells, I guess you could say) that grows in one part of the body, and starts spreading to other parts of the body.

Not all tumours are cancerous. Getting rid of tumours is not the part current technology/doctors struggles with. That's why benign tumours are not as big a deal - benign tumours are not cancerous, meaning they don't spread to other parts of the body, so they can be cured by simply removing them, and the person is completely healthy soon after. Removing them is a delicate process, though.

The part we struggle with is stopping a cancerous tumour from spreading - we currently don't have away of stopping it. We can slow it down with various kinds of treatment, but that's only prolonging the inevitable if there is no cure. Without a cure, the person will eventually die, maybe even suddenly depending on how fast the cancer spreads. That's what's so cruel about it. You know it's there (or you don't, and the person dies suddenly...), you know what leaving it there means, but you can't do anything to fix it - you can only prolong an inevitable death.

 

[Purin a.k.a. José]

Genyo Takeda's memorial to Iwata:

As we gather here today for a joint funeral with Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Mr. Iwata's family, I would like to share my heartfelt condolences. President Iwata, allow me to call you Iwata-san, just as I always used to.

Iwata-san, you left us far too soon. Having just chaired our shareholders' meeting the other day on June 26, the news of your sudden death has left all the employees overcome with a deep sorrow. The late Yamauchi-san passed the baton to you in naming you the president of Nintendo in 2002, and the two Senior Managing Directors of the company, Shigeru Miyamoto and I, have been assisting and working alongside you. Being rather short-tempered myself, the thing that I am most deeply struck by is that you were a true leader in every sense of the word, overflowing with compassion for people. You always maintained a two-way dialogue, even with the next generation of employees, or with much younger members of the development and marketing teams, or with employees outside of Japan whose different customs and cultures can make communication challenging — sometimes even admitting your own mistakes to them. You demonstrated this through your belief that people could eventually come to understand one another, and your strong conviction that the best way for us to grow is through patient communication, even if it took several times, a dozen times or even seemingly endless discussion.

You succeeded in planting the seed in employees' hearts that, in order to solve an issue, there is a fundamental cycle whereby you make a hypothesis, execute the plan, see the result and then make adjustments, and by which you have caringly nurtured these seeds to sprout and mature into plants.

Until now, our successors and the younger generation would take a few first steps and then look back at you for guidance because they could not tell if they had chosen the right path. Today they cannot ask for your guidance anymore.

However, I am sure that they have already made the firm determination that they will continue on their own, making the hypothesis, executing the plan, seeing the results and reflecting on the results to improve and adjust by themselves.

In the face of your unbelievable passing it will surely take some time before we can emerge from this deep sorrow. Please know, however, that the seeds you have planted, and the plants that have sprouted will put forth small flowers as they bring smiles to the faces of people around the world, blossom into a grand flower bigger than even you, our leader, Iwata-san. Together with Miyamoto and others of our generation, we swear in our hearts that we will continue our efforts so that, someday, we can report and present to you the blossoming of these flowers. May you continuously watch over and guide us managers, our employees and your family.

On behalf of all of us, I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences and sincerest prayer. May you rest in peace, Iwata-san.

Edit: Sorry, @ BluePikmin11 ! I did not see your post.

 

[BravadoMan_13]

Apparently this is the last picture of Iwata taken on June 23, 2015. Definitely his health condition took a big toll on him

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Genyo Takeda's memorial to Iwata:

I have no words....

 

[POKEMANSPIKA]

I've found out what Genyo Takeda has done. He created the Punch Out!! and StarTropics series.

 

[Rie Sonomura]

It's been a whole week now...wow.

I was thinking about something; is there an organization for bile duct cancer research that exists? If not, I guess Nintendo could establish their own charitable organization dedicated to researching it and of course name it after Iwata himself? I mean if I'm not mistaken most charitable causes are named after a person who died in a way related to that cause (disease, etc)

And a portion of game/system/DLC/other licensed merchandise sales could go to helping the organization to find better ways to treat and prevent the disease.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

It's been a whole week now...wow.

I was thinking about something; is there an organization for bile duct cancer research that exists? If not, I guess Nintendo could establish their own charitable organization dedicated to researching it and of course name it after Iwata himself? I mean if I'm not mistaken most charitable causes are named after a person who died in a way related to that cause (disease, etc)

And a portion of game/system/DLC/other licensed merchandise sales could go to helping the organization to find better ways to treat and prevent the disease.

Did anyone ever told you that you're a genius?

Someone call Nintendo!

 

[Bananija]

More hommage :

 

[ChikoLad]

It's been a whole week now...wow.

I was thinking about something; is there an organization for bile duct cancer research that exists? If not, I guess Nintendo could establish their own charitable organization dedicated to researching it and of course name it after Iwata himself? I mean if I'm not mistaken most charitable causes are named after a person who died in a way related to that cause (disease, etc)

And a portion of game/system/DLC/other licensed merchandise sales could go to helping the organization to find better ways to treat and prevent the disease.

As I discussed earlier in the topic, cancer is cancer. For the most part, it doesn't really matter where it is in the body. Cancer is just a tumour that keeps growing and spreading from one part of the body, to other parts of it, so there isn't really any research needed for specific parts. The reason cancer research exists is for finding out how to stop cancerous growths in ANY part of the body.

The rest of my cancer talk involves some slightly icky talk and stuff people might be uncomfortable with, including use of words we normally can't mention, so I'll spoiler it for those who are uncomfortable with that kind of thing. I still wanted to discuss it though, because I feel cancer awareness in general is really important, and it's relevant here considering it's what took Iwata's life:

Spoiler

The only exceptions to my knowledge are breast cancer and genital cancer (I know those words are normally forbidden on the site and make some people super uncomfortable, but cut me some slack, I'm trying to educate on one of the most deadly diseases in the world here). I'm not a medical expert by any means, but if I had to think of a reason that I reckon makes sense, the reason those two specific cancer types have research and treatment done specifically for them, is because they involve parts of the body that are exclusive to one sex or the other, not to mention they carry some vital functions for reproduction, so opening those parts of the body up is an especially delicate process, and messing up could cause serious, irreparable damage. That second point basically goes for other parts of the body too to some extent, but as far as I'm aware, those two parts of the body are rarely opened up, if ever, by doctors. With breasts, the only other circumstance I can think of where a regular medical doctor or surgeon (i.e. not a plastic surgeon) might open them up is if a woman needed something done with their heart, such as a heart replacement. Even then, I'm not too sure. So essentially, even the best doctors and surgeons may not have experience tampering with those parts of the body, but it will likely become necessary for them to do so when we figure out how to kill cancer, and people have it in those parts of the body.

Also breast cancer and genital cancer require specific awareness campaigns because, quite frankly, people are silly and are either too embarrassed to have those parts of the body examined even when they notice a clear symptom (such as swelling of the testicles), or don't take it seriously enough because "LOL BEWBS AND BAWLS AND FANNY", which can cause bullying, especially for teenage girls. For an entertainment piece that I feel demonstrates the struggle women go through with breast cancer in particular, I recommend watching the South Park episode "Breast Cancer Show Ever". While it's quite tongue-in-cheek, I think it does a good job of demonstrating the kind of crap women have to deal with regarding breast cancer, and there is a part near the end of the episode with a particularly poignant message.

Again, I'm not a medical expert and don't study medical science. I have picked up a few bits of knowledge over the years due to having family and friends who have both had surgery done or are working in the medical field. I also did Biology in school, and have dissected a cow's heart twice as part of that (and I was one of the only people in the class who was enthusiastic and fearless about it - despite going to an all-boys secondary school with a lot of jocks and messers who acted hard all of the time, most of them were complete prissy little sissy nuggets when it came to stuff like this :V). So while I'm no expert, I do have some knowledge on this kind of thing.

As for Nintendo getting involved in funding cancer research though, I think they should make an Iwata Amiibo or something like that, and all of the revenue from it goes to the top cancer research organisations. At the very least, they could do something like take some of the revenue from the Ness Amiibo and do that, or put some iconic Iwata games like Earthbound and Balloon Fight up for sale, and money made during the sale goes to the top cancer research organisations.

 

[BluePikmin11]

http://www.gonintendo.com/stories/239141-dragon-quest-creator-shares-some-word-on-iwata-s-passing

There was a problem fetching the tweet

There was a problem fetching the tweet

 

[ChikoLad]

I'm surprised nobody posted this here yet. I held off on posting it because I didn't want to double post, or lump it in with my last post.

Sakurai's latest Famitsu article was dedicated to remembering Iwata:

http://kotaku.com/smash-bros-creator-remembers-satoru-iwata-1719451777

This quote in particular is significant, as Sakurai describes his very last meet up with Iwata:

“It was this past January. I had dinner with Mr. Iwata at a Tokyo hotel and then drove him to Narita International Airport for a business trip to Seattle. He was still very healthy after his surgery and happily said, ‘I’ve recovered enough that I can eat this much meat!’ During the drive, we talked and laughed about many things.”

 

[Heroine of Winds]

You know, as much as how terrible E3 2008 was, at least it didn't take a person's life. Pretty sad that this year's E3 was Iwata's last. What a bad way to end a great person's legacy.

 

[Rie Sonomura]

This is the first I've heard of another surgery Iwata had prior to E3. I wonder, how many surgeries did he have and how long did he have that condition...? I imagine the multiple surgeries took quite a toll on him as well. If I'm mistaken on this please correct me.

I know he seldom spoke of his family aside from his wife. I wonder, does he have any children or extended family...? If he does we just haven't heard about it.

 

[SegaNintendoUbisoft]

 

[ChikoLad]

This is the first I've heard of another surgery Iwata had prior to E3. I wonder, how many surgeries did he have and how long did he have that condition...? I imagine the multiple surgeries took quite a toll on him as well. If I'm mistaken on this please correct me.

I know he seldom spoke of his family aside from his wife. I wonder, does he have any children or extended family...? If he does we just haven't heard about it.

He does have children, actually. Two, if I'm not mistaken.

He just never talks about them as they have no relevance to his business duties, and I'm sure there is a degree of wanting to separate family and work life. It would be hard on the children to be putting them in the spotlight.

 

[BluePikmin11]

https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAACAAADVHkSaYuM-g

This stage is so awesome! If you want to contribute to Iwata, you should download the stage he has.

 

[kylexv]

SGDQ is going on now, and one of the many games being played this week is Earthbound. They are taking donations toward naming their file certain names, and one of them is "Iwata". So, if any of you want to donate any money in memory of him, this is your chance.

 

[ChikoLad]

https://twitter.com/girlactor/status/620841630640181248

Mercedes Rose, the original voice actress for Rosalina (in the Galaxy games and MKWii), did actually make a Twitter post in his memory back on the day.

Spoiler

Ignore the use of the word "Princess".