Former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata had a big impact on gaming. The executive had the rare combination of technical knowledge and business knowledge. He also looked like a good guy.
Unfortunately, Iwata he died on July 11, 2015, at the age of 55. In the recently published English translation of Iwata asked, which is a collection of his philosophy and ideas, two important colleagues, Shigeru Miyamoto and Shigesato Itoi, reminiscent of man.
“You wonder if Iwata has ever been angry? Actually, no, ”Miyamoto said. “At least he never raised his voice or anything like that.” He could disagree without being unpleasant and, when necessary, be strict as he ran a massive company.
According to Miyamoto, no matter how much they disagreed, Iwata never got irritated. “Sometimes, though, he had no words,” Miyamoto said. “I would talk forever, really, and suddenly shut up.” It was at this point, he said, that the former Nintendo president was thinking and formulating his own argument. “After a while, I finally said,‘ About that … ’And I would say,‘ Oh, you were thinking all the time! “That’s what made Iwata so interesting,” Miyamoto said.
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“He [Iwata] he never stood out, nor did he act angry just to show off, ”said Itoi, who worked with Iwata on Terrestrial and remained in close contact over the years. “He really was a decent guy, you know?” He was nice and talkative. Itoi recalled that whenever they took the Shinkansen together, they talked and talked to the point that Itoi nodded. “When that happened, I would honestly say,‘ I’m sorry, man, I’m going to sleep. ’Then Iwata would start working on his laptop the rest of the trip.
The three men went far back, with the youngest Iwata, a software that came from Hal’s lab to run Nintendo. During this time, Miyamoto said his friend’s personality never changed, not even a little. Itoi recalled how Iwata, even as president of Nintendo, would travel from Kyoto to his Tokyo office alone, with no additional staff or assistants and carrying his travel suitcase himself. This, Itoi noted, could be considered unusual for a business executive. Again, Iwata was not your typical corporate executive.
“When it all comes down to it, Iwata was my friend,” Miyamoto said. “He never addressed me, nor did he get angry with me or fight with me.” This is unique, especially in Japan, given his age and tenure in the company. Miyamoto was older. He had more lord. Still, the place was for a younger employee. “In any other company,” he continued, “you could expect some tension when a younger person with less experience goes ahead and becomes president, but in our case there was nothing like that.” Once Iwata started working at the Kyoto headquarters, Miyamoto realized that his friend was better suited to be president. “I’m glad things went that way.”
Miyamoto recalled how Iwata was respected and loved as a father, as well as other memories, including the time the busy executive put a tape in the president’s office so he could jog. “I have all these different memories and they come back to me at random times.”
Miyamoto and Iwata seem like similar spirits, in some respects they were similar, but in others they could not be more alike. “One of the main ways we differentiate ourselves is that whenever he was on the Shinkansen or on a plane, he loved to make effective use of his free time,” Miyamoto said. “In the meantime, it would be loosening.”
Iwata was driven and worked hard, but never took himself too seriously. “I myself have said so many things to Iwata, and I want to say this in the best sense of the word, but it was a little ridiculous,” Itoi said. “But believe me, that was a strength for him.” Around the office, Iwata was called “Kirby.” According to Miyamoto, “If you’re stuck in a long meeting and there’s a lot of candy, it’s easy to eat a ton, right? Well, doing so earned him the nickname “Kirby” and we made sure there was always a bunch of candy on hand. “
One thing that made Iwata such a great leader is that he helped support his team. That, according to Itoi, is what made his Monday lunches with Miyamoto so important. “They were a combination of all the things he did [Iwata] dear, “Itoi said.” An opportunity for him to say, ‘I think I have it,’ and work on an idea that would make his acquaintances and clients smile. “
Miyamoto believes Iwata’s ideas have become part of Nintendo’s corporate fabric and the company remains strong. The future looks bright thanks to the young generation of staff. But he certainly misses his friend. “What makes me sad is that if I have a crazy idea over the weekend, there’s no one who can explain it on Monday morning,” Miyamoto said. “When I say, he’s not there to say, ‘I think I’ve discovered your problem, which sometimes gets me stuck. I miss him.’
Iwata asked is published today. For more information, see official site.