President Iwata Passes Away..

[Strider_Bond00J]

I'll just repeat a part in a letter that I'll be sending off to Nintendo tomorrow in response to Iwata's passing, with a drawing of Ness, Lucas, Kirby and the Inklings.
"I just want to say thank you for giving me and so many gamers like me a childhood to remember, and it could have only been made possible thanks to the beloved Executive Producer I always saw on the credits - Satoru Iwata."

It's so heart wrenching to see him pass so suddenly, and at the age of 55. It's unbelievable to have the man that played such a pivotal role in the gaming community pass on to the next life.

The amount of thanks we owe Mr. Iwata is incomparable - he's changed the face of gaming as it is, and was such a great man. ;_;

[Edit: Since Photo Library isn't working on the Mac, here's that drawing and letter combo I'll be sending tomorrow after school.]

 

[LousyTactician]

Oh, Iwata also seemed genuinely willing to communicate with employees and talk about video games beyond basic, 'Make this game' and 'Here are our projected earnings' CEO fluff thanks to his many Iwata Ask interviews. And when Nintendo's earnings did stumble due to the Wii U (I'd argue people blamed Iwata far too much for this), he willingly took a cut from his salary. So yeah, I'd say he was a pretty ideal CEO.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

We knew he was ill and what the illness was, so they weren't keeping us in the dark completely. It's not a positive thought to think of with Nintendo, so it was probably for the best.

There is something we have to remember in Iwata's farewell though.

There was a photo taken today of a rainbow over Nintendo's HQ. He's kind of guy who wants us to be happy, even in his departure.

 

[Staarih]

Hearing the news of his passing was the first thing I saw this morning, and I was actually quite surprised how shocked, sad and emotional I was. I never really thought of Iwata being anything super important to me personally, but maybe his importance to Nintendo is the key thing - Nintendo being something I've always loved, and seeing a key part of it go away, is pretty heartbreaking. Especially since it came really suddenly and unexpectedly to me and most of us. May he rest in peace, my heart goes to his family and close ones. Hopefully his spirit will remain at Nintendo, who hopefully will keep on growing and expanding and creating more innovative content.

 

[LucarioDude]

Shigesato Itoi (creator of Earthbound) posted his thoughts on Satoru Iwata's passing. Very touching. ;~;

“No matter the farewell, I think the most appropriate thing to say is “we”ll meet again.” We are friends so we”ll see each other again. There is nothing strange about saying it. Yeah. We’ll meet again.

Even if you didn’t have the chance to put into words how sudden it was going to be, how far you’d be traveling, or how you went much earlier than expected, I know you went wearing your best.

You always put yourself second to others no matter what, helping anyone who needed it whenever they needed it. You were that kind of friend. Although you may have been a little selfish for the first time ever by taking this journey.

The truth is though that I still don’t believe any of it. I feel like I am going to receive a message from you inviting me out to eat at any moment. I wouldn’t mind if you were to ask me like always if I had some free time. Even still, I’d ask you as well.

Still, “we’ll meet again.” It would be great to hear from you whenever and wherever; I’ll being calling to you too. I’ll call if I have something to discuss or I want to tell you a great new idea I’ve had.

We’ll meet again.

Then again, you’re here with me now.”

Source: http://kamedani.tumblr.com/post/123972769941/shigesato-itois-farewell-to-satoru-iwata

 

[POKEMANSPIKA]

God, I'm gonna tear up during the next direct when Iwata isn't there. I'm also going to miss completing a Nintendo game and seeing Iwata's name as Executive Producer.

 

[Deathlightning21]

"I always admired his personal, easy to understand commentary on games in development in his Nintendo Direct. He was an inspiration as a leader of one of the most influential companies in the game industry, who used to make games himself and has always been a gamer. I had a couple of times I had conversations with him at some international industry events, he was always friendly and nice to talk with. I was dreaming someday to have an open exchange of Tweets or to be on a same panel session with him to talk about industry and games we play. I even tweeted when I was leaving for E3 this year with #iwatter as I saw he started tweeting Nintendo E3 news with the hashtag. I have always respected Nintendo's games, how they are super accessible and polished for everyone to play and enjoy, and I understand Iwata-san was one of the key individuals to have kept that high quality standard across all Nintendo titles. I just wish he will rest in peace. Thank you for all your work for the better game industry."

Shuhei Yoshida - President of Sony

 

[Marigi174]

RIP Iwata. You will be sorely missed
[img[http://i.imgur.com/rDITrXk.jpg[/img]

Also, this is appropriate:

 

[BandanaWaddleDee]

"When does a man die? When he is hit by a bullet? No! When he suffers a disease? No! When he ate a soup made out of a poisonous mushroom? No! A man dies when he is forgotten!"
-Dr. Hililuk (One Piece)

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

"When does a man die? When he is hit by a bullet? No! When he suffers a disease? No! When he ate a soup made out of a poisonous mushroom? No! A man dies when he is forgotten!"
-Dr. Hililuk (One Piece)

That part actually made me smile.

 

[LousyTactician]

Apparently Iwata insisted on having this intro be in Kirby's Adventure so kids would know how to draw Kirby. I'm going to think of him every time I see that intro now.

 

[Champ Gold]

God, I'm gonna tear up during the next direct when Iwata isn't there. I'm also going to miss completing a Nintendo game and seeing Iwata's name as Executive Producer.

It's gonna be worst during those Nintendo Directs especially. The charm Iwata had showed us that. I'm happy to see that the last Direct he did for us was a blast and made Crashboards happen

 

[SirJuicius]

I don't have any emotional investment in Iwata, but it is a little disheartening to read of his passing. He had such an impact on our lives. He had a hand in games such as Kirby's Adventure, Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal and Mario Kart Double Dash. It's going to be a strange few months at Nintendo. I'm not too sure which direction they will go in, especially with the company getting ready to produce NX.

 

[ChikoLad]

“Don’t cry, he’s still here - right there, up with the stars!”

http://super-mario-rpg.tumblr.com/post/123965749540/dont-cry-hes-still-here-right-there-up-with

 

[Mr. Johan]

And now I'm broken.

 

[ChikoLad]

Seriously though, I've been holding back tears for so long, so many times that almost completely broke me. I didn't go to bed until 5AM, and only slept for a few hours.

I have multiple ideas for tributes to the man, beyond the little things I have done so far. I have some responsibilities I'm trying to take care of first though. I just don't think my family would really understand how I feel right now.

Here's a song I find good in times of grieving, though:

 

[BluePikmin11]

Personally, I would recommend to support Balloon Fighter for the ballot to pay tribute to Iwata.
http://smashboards.com/threads/balloon-fighter-for-dlc-another-old-school-rep.397401/#post-19639942

 

[TheDarkKnightNoivern]

I can't think of a better song for a time like this

Who knows where the Pokemon series and nintendo in general would be without him

And here's something a little more uplifting so we can all remember the good times

 

[ChikoLad]

Personally, I would recommend to support Balloon Fighter for the ballot to pay tribute to Iwata.
http://smashboards.com/threads/balloon-fighter-for-dlc-another-old-school-rep.397401/#post-19639942

I don't think he would necessarily want that.

Iwata himself was the one who introduced us to the the Smash Ballot. He said that we should vote for the characters we've always wanted in the game.

I wouldn't encourage people flock to and arbitrarily vote for one character just because Iwata made the game the character is from. That wasn't Iwata's intention when he proposed the Ballot to Sakurai (he made it sound like he gave Sakurai the idea). So I only intend to vote for characters I wanted to see regardless of his passing. That's what he asked me to do, and I intend to honour that. No pity voting. He doesn't warrant pity, because he was a great man who achieved so much.

 

[BluePikmin11]

Good point, it was never my intention to vote for the sake of it. I do want him honestly after this death, because it feels like the right notable way to pay tribute to him.

 

[ChikoLad]

Balloon Fight is pretty well represented anyway in Smash. Villager's Up B is based on it, and the 3DS version has a Balloon FIght stage.

I honestly would not be surprised if Sakurai makes some small little tribute to Iwata in Smash anyway. It would be amazing if he made an in-game trophy for him, in his honour.

 

[Bananija]

In my opinion, the only character that I would vote for in honour of this great man will be Iwata himself.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

I honestly would not be surprised if Sakurai makes some small little tribute to Iwata in Smash anyway. It would be amazing if he made an in-game trophy for him, in his honour.

That would be an incredible touch.

Gunpei Yokoi better have a trophy too if it happens.

 

[Oracle_Summon]

Edit: Made it bigger.

Edit 2: Credit to Terminal 8 from Know Your Meme for the image.

 

[Z25]

Wow. The idea that Iwata might have saw this coming somehow makes me even sadder. Well, at least it didn't blindside him like it did us. That's a happy thought, I guess.


I think this will make me enjoy Mario Maker even more. Iwata's last gift to us, and what a gift it is...

It is, but still, he gave his all to make these last few months and games,, amazing for fans.

 

[Sir Gengar de Èctoplasma]

I honestly would not be surprised if Sakurai makes some small little tribute to Iwata in Smash anyway. It would be amazing if he made an in-game trophy for him, in his honour.

That would be an incredible touch.

Gunpei Yokoi better have a trophy too if it happens.

Hiroshi Yamauchi should also get one.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Hiroshi Yamauchi should also get one.

Let's just make a trophy of the entire Nintendo staff, both alive and dead

 

[Marigi174]

This man was one of the few people in the gaming industry that made video games fun. To die at 55 is a really sad tragedy... From games to were made for pure enjoyment, to others that told memorable stories, Iwata made games for a reason and one reason only: Fun. Something that a majority of gamers seem to forget nowadays. Sometimes they think that a game has to have realistic visuals in order to be "fun." But there's more to a game than just the graphics, much more: it's the gameplay (and the story, depending on the genre.) Admittingly, he made mistakes. Like how many people were disappointed at E3 2015. However, nobody in this world is perfect, we all make mistakes. And what's even sadder, is that he left saying that he apologizef for what happened at E3. He wanted to listen to his fans after that day. And he left us with Super Mario Maker, so that we could make our own games, and dreams. Heck, even Sony acknowledged him! And they're business rivals! I'm buying that game just so I can have a little mometo from him. And if you're like me, you would probably do the same.

 

[Bananija]

Let's just make a trophy of the entire Nintendo staff, both alive and dead

After all, Smash is suppose to celebrate Nintendo history.

 

[ChikoLad]

I particularly suggested Iwata get a trophy because Smash literally would not exist without him, he is close friends with Sakurai (he was literally the guy who pulled Sakurai in for Brawl and Smash 4), and he has always been particularly popular in the Smash community.

I certainly wouldn't mind other Nintendo employees of the past getting trophies, but if there is one man who makes sense for Sakurai to add, it's Satoru Iwata.

 

[Tree Gelbman]

I'm sure Sakurai and Iwata's history goes back before Smash.

Probably right back to Kirby.

 

[Thelimomon]

I always loved when the name "Satoru Iwata" showed up at the end of the credits, no matter which game.
It makes me sad to know that his name will suddenly stop appearing.

I hope Nintendo will honor him with something special.
May it be something in Smash or simply a note in the credits of one of the games that are currently in development, I wouldn't care, as long as it's something.

 

[ChikoLad]

I'm sure Sakurai and Iwata's history goes back before Smash.

Probably right back to Kirby.

You're not wrong. I don't have it on me, but there was an old interview for Kirby's Dreamland or HAL Laboratories or something, where Iwata, Sakurai, and Miyamoto were featured, and were all asked to draw Kirby in their signatures, and they all did.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

I'm sure Sakurai and Iwata's history goes back before Smash.

Probably right back to Kirby.

Iwata and Sakurai DID work for HAL before Melee

 

[Thelimomon]

You're not wrong. I don't have it on me, but there was an old interview for Kirby's Dreamland or HAL Laboratories or something, where Iwata, Sakurai, and Miyamoto were featured, and were all asked to draw Kirby in their signatures, and they all did.

 

[König Nickerchen]

R.I.P. Mr. Iwata I will never forget you. Thank You so much for your Nintendo presents. =(You will always be in My Heart =(

 

[ChikoLad]

Thanks, Aaron Webber.

 

[BravadoMan_13]

Sometimes we all take life for granted. Cherish the people you love in your lives. You will never know when they are gone from this world.

 

[TheBrainJem]

Farewell, Iwata. We will catch the train to you one day. ;_;

 

[ChikoLad]

https://twitter.com/brawndwarf/status/620633568570658816?s=09

If you are near the Nintendo World Store in New York City, there is a memorial service happening where you can pay your respects.

I have a friend who lives near enough to it. If he is heading there, I'll get him to write something for me on my behalf.