Nintendo has just issued a short statement announcing that president Satoru Iwata has passed away at the age of 55.
The statement reads:
Nintendo Co., Ltd. deeply regrets to announce that President Satoru Iwata passed away on July 11, 2015 due to a bile duct growth.
Iwata was forced to skip last year?s E3 due to his poor health, and shortly afterwards underwent surgery to remove the bile duct growth.
Iwata first joined Nintendo in the 1980s, where he worked on games like Balloon Fight and EarthBound. He became a Director of the company in 2000, and in 2002 was appointed as only the fourth President of Nintendo when he succeeded Hiroshi Yamauchi.
In his time as President, Iwata oversaw some of the strongest (Wii, DS) and weakest (GameCube, Wii U) periods in Nintendo?s history as a video game company.
An immensely popular figure both within the industry and with Nintendo fans, he will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace, Mr. Iwata.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Spotty Len on July 13, 2015, 12:18:07 AM
Welp.
That is shocking news.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Suikama on July 13, 2015, 12:19:18 AM
;_;7
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: OverlordChirei on July 13, 2015, 12:20:32 AM
It is regrettable that good people die for no good reason sometimes.
May Kirby watch over his soul up there amongst the stars.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Tamashii Kanjou on July 13, 2015, 12:27:49 AM
1am, about to go to sleep, and this pings up on my twitter... Completely wrecked by this one. Heck, ZUN's tweeting about it like crazy on his twitter too; anyone who wants to do quick translates would be welcome to do so~
He was always such an amazing individual, no matter what he was doing. A joy to watch, an entertainer all the time, and he'll certainly stay DIRECTLY in our hearts for years to come. He'll be missed... age 55... damn it~ =(
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Lishy1 on July 13, 2015, 12:44:57 AM
This man inspired the hearts and minds of so many childhoods and aspirations, both past and present. He certainly will be remembered by gamers worldwide.
For pete sake, the man brought us Earthbound!
May he be among the brightest stars in the sky.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Garlyle on July 13, 2015, 12:47:32 AM
Even going past the titles that he produced once he became CEO of Nintendo, he's also heavily responsible for the creation of the early Kirby titles, he was also involved in a lot of Pokemon's early years; including famously being responsible for the code enabling them to compress Kanto to the point it could be included in the GSC era titles.
But yeah I just
tearful salutes
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Savory on July 13, 2015, 12:49:21 AM
I still can't believe it. I mean I knew the man was sick but...man....
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: trancehime on July 13, 2015, 01:44:51 AM
Rest in peace, Iwata.
While we knew he was sick, I don't think any of us expected this... It's quite unreal. And very sad.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: MewMewHeart on July 13, 2015, 01:57:28 AM
His video game consoles inspired me to love video games thank you Mr. Iwata, you live on in our hearts. T~T
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Zengar Zombolt on July 13, 2015, 02:03:20 AM
One of the only CEOs remaining that has actually worked on games and surely also among the most charismatic ones. It doesn't matter if you're a nintendo, sony or microsoft fan, today gaming has lost a great man. Thanks for your hard work, and rest well, Iwata. You've earned it.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Maiden Synnae ミ☆ on July 13, 2015, 02:23:37 AM
This is horrible... it happened so suddenly...
You'll be very missed, Mr. Satoru Iwata. Thank you very much for everything you did.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Edible on July 13, 2015, 02:26:34 AM
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: MatsuriSakuragi on July 13, 2015, 02:29:09 AM
I had no idea he was sick!
Short of Shigesato Itoi, Iwata was my favorite person in the gaming industry and he was behind some of my all time favorite games and series.
A part of my childhood has died today. Rest in peace, Mr. Iwata. The world of video games would not be what it is today without you, and it will never be the same again. Thank you for everything.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Trickster-kun on July 13, 2015, 03:39:16 AM
Absolutely crippled by these news. The man helped shaped gaming as a whole, so the legacy he left behind is utterly undeniable.
May he rest in peace...
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: NekoNekoRex on July 13, 2015, 04:25:24 AM
Holy hell, that's heartbreaking news. That's one of the greatest figures in videogame history, gone forever.
I can't say I'm currently still a huge Nintendo fan, since I haven't done much console gaming in recent years, but I've still always supported Nintendo since I got my first Gameboy. He's probably the most likeable CEO of a company I know of, and it's truly a crushing blow to gamers worldwide.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Helepolis on July 13, 2015, 07:12:47 AM
Age of 55 isn't even old according to many people. . .
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Third Eye Lem on July 13, 2015, 07:49:35 AM
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: yap1996 on July 13, 2015, 08:10:38 AM
Rest in peace, bringer of childhood and entertainment. 55 is definitely too young to move on by Japanese standards.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Bio on July 13, 2015, 08:29:16 AM
I understand.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Thaws on July 13, 2015, 08:38:39 AM
rip...
Like many people, I grew up with nintendo games and this news is just shocking and sad...
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: WHMZakeri on July 13, 2015, 09:14:53 AM
I hope he's proud of the huge blowout the entire internet has in the respect and awe of his actions.
And I mean that sincerely. I think he's earned every bit of it in his lifetime.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: NekoNekoRex on July 13, 2015, 09:47:40 AM
4chan /v/ is using this song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwHZwvTdnPI) as a tribute to him, and I have to say it's the most fitting thing I've heard. Especially near the end of the song, it says, "I miss you". The first time I heard that, I just felt suddenly really depressed.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Dorakyura on July 13, 2015, 10:11:19 AM
4chan /v/ is using this song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwHZwvTdnPI) as a tribute to him, and I have to say it's the most fitting thing I've heard. Especially near the end of the song, it says, "I miss you". The first time I heard that, I just felt suddenly really depressed.
Trust me, 4chan isn't the only ones using Smiles and Tears as a tribute song. It's just too perfect all-around.
In fact, thank you for reminding me to embed that video in the OP.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: MatsuriSakuragi on July 13, 2015, 11:50:56 PM
I listened to Kirby and Earthbound music all day at work today in memory of Iwata.
As sad as I am right now, it's nice to reflect on my memories of what he made possible for us to enjoy and the world of video games in general. They are among some of the most heartfelt, well-made works of love and all-around quality enjoyment that have ever graced my television screen and shelf in my room ever since I was a small child. And it's better to think back on those and smile that I had the opportunity to have them in my life than to keep wiping tears from my eyes knowing he'll never excitedly show us directly what is in store for the future again. We've lost someone who brought light and color into our lives and to an industry that grows ever more monotonous and dusty gray. His philosophy on what a game should be and his integrity as a person in general are things I've found inspirational for a long time. Seriously, you know you have good character when even your competitors mourn your passing (https://twitter.com/PlayStation/status/620412765849546752) and thank you for all you've done (https://twitter.com/XboxP3/status/620448674972196864).
"Smiles and Tears", indeed.
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: MewMewHeart on July 14, 2015, 02:22:42 AM
Seems like even PETA is sadden by his death. (http://www.businessinsider.com/peta-statement-on-nintendo-presidents-death-2015-7)
Title: Re: President of Nintendo, Iwata, passed away. (RIP)
Post by: Dorakyura on July 14, 2015, 09:57:48 AM