pexium While some may not really agree with that statement, one cannot deny the fervor that Iwata had in pursuing the words that he spoke. He lived what he said, which can't be said for many people of his position.
Pretty sure that adriak guy is a egotistical hater who cant accept anyone elses success, seeking to find minor faults to blow out of proportion the critique.
***** You are a sad little pathetic human being rotten in envy, that has nothing better to do wit his time that trying to spread dirt in the achievement of a better man, and let it be known, even if you where born with a bigger and better "silver spoon" that him, you would probably be here, on youtube, drowning in self pity, trying to make a sick sense of why people respect a man like him but not one like you.
Wonderful write up George. I think a lot of people didn't want to jump on the bandwagon and give a memorial piece for Iwata but that ironically meant almost no one did it. I'm glad one of the best took the time.
TheSaskOtaku Look at the upcoming Nintendo games. Devil's Third is supposed to be trash, Star Fox Zero is supposed to be meh at best, Metroid Federation Force exists...Nintendo only has Xenoblade X and Zelda U right now.
LawrenceHill2010 So what do you call the tons of great exclusives Nintendo's been making? Are those not Nintendo games? What do you consider a "Nintendo game"?
Legendofderp26 They got Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, Zelda Triforce Heroes, they are also publishing Fatal Frame V, Super Mario Maker, and Yoshi's Woolly World, Yokai Watch and Little Battlers Experience! Those are all games coming out soon.
This tribute (?) is the only one which provided me a greater understanding of why he did the things he did in terms of gaming: he had the technical know-how to get things done in the background, and he had the heart of someone who wanted to share his creations and love for games to those who didn't have it. His history at HAL also sheds some light into the reasoning behind his 50% pay cut: he was never really a typical executive type; he was a code wizard who was in an executive position. That personal perspective (and his experiences helping out with last-minute miracles with Earthbound and Pokemon) allowed him to take one for the team rather than throw the rest of the employees under the bus. As always, another insightful video essay that also respects the subject at hand. I hope you get the same respect at your passing.
I know this comment is now coming from the far future, but what a damn legend Iwata is. The Pokémon assembly compression is some John Carmack tier wizardry
***** Satoru Iwata did great things for Nintendo. He was not worshiping him at all really. He was just saying that his accomplishments helped Nintendo out greatly. He said nothing about treating him as a god or anything.He was not worshiping him blindly because he did good things for Nintendo.
I remember Jim Sterling talked about how for Microsoft Sony and other game producers, how they talk about "how their games are EPIC, AMAZING, A CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE" and all those fancy words while Iwata and Nintendo as a whole DARED to use words like "fun" and "pleasure" to refer to their games and it's something you managed to explain in your video : you never talk about Iwata like he's a businessman running a company, you're talking about a man with a passion with video game that, thanks to it, led him to be the president of one of the most prestigious video game company in the history of video games. And that's what Iwata was : just a man that worked for his love of games, earning trustful allies and friends through his journey. Iwata might have left us but we will all share his legacy, something that will never leave our hearts because, like Iwata, that's what we are inside : gamers.
Chips Light Jim's video on Saturo Iwata honestly made me tear up a bit. Just when you think someone couldn't be more cynical he goes out and shows his respects in the most heartfelt way i have seen literally any react. Thank god for him.
As Jim said, while Satoru Iwata was not always perfect and definitely made his fair share of mistakes, Iwata was not afraid to goof around like holding bananas in his hand and staring at them intensely. He also taught us to "Please understand".
I wonder how many other heroes like Iwata are out there going unappreciated right now, who we'll first get to know through their eulogies once they're gone. It incredibly sad if you think about it.
Tartar The idea of talented folks working at their hobby day and night just for the sake thereof doesn't make me sad, it makes me happy. Everyone has to go at some point, but people who do the things they love so that others can better enjoy their own lives lived well. There's no sadness in that for me.
Bradley Bradley Well, I think he was arguing the part about some of those people not getting the recognition they deserve. Just making things in a vacuum doesn't feel very good, especially when they're made to be enjoyed by other people. Feedback for artists and creators means the world.
Kuro Onehalf I understand that, but at the same time, these people are doing the things they love already. Fame is just the cherry on top of the cake. It's why Iwata said that he's a gamer at heart, because that's what mattered to him most, not his position of power in Nintendo.
That picture of Iwata shaking hands with the DeNA guy made me swallow a lump. You can see how unhealthy and skinny he looks compared to just a year prior to that. I remember the first picture we saw of him since it was announced he had the bile duct growth, which was after his first chemo, I was like O_O because he looked completely different. RIP Iwata, and fuck cancer.
I don't know if what he underwent was chemo or radiotherapy or whatever it is. My dad passed from cancer too 10 years ago, and his hair would just start to fall off bit by bit, so he'd shave it. Dunno, it could be a wig he'd simply gotten that skinny from the cancer itself. Losing weight is a known symptom.
SuperHns Yes and no. Chemotherapy can be achieved with different agents, and while most have the undesired side effect of hair loss (due to targeting rapidly replicating cells in the body, like cancer cells, and also other good healthy cells like hair cells), the process is not necessarily instantaneous. The agent used and the dose can affect how quickly hair loss is developed, but in some cases, only hair thinning, or no hair loss at all occurs. I suppose that as more research is done, agents can be better targeted at only the cancerous cells and avoid affecting healthy rapidly replicating cells, so less side effects occur.
I can't agree. Simple as that. The thing is, it doesn't always work. Some cancers are simply immune or largely unnafected by chemo while the body is always sure to be damaged (at least short term) whether it's the immune system or other things. My dad couldn't had peed in pink after his first chemoes, and afterwards he'd have an entire week were he couldn't urinate at all. I'm not saying chemo is the killer. I'm just saying, it's not the perfect cure that some people seem to think it is.
how japan companies handle a no-profit year. squenix : rebuilt FFXIV , go mobile SEGA : twiddle its thumb, make a Sonic game nobody ask for capcom : on disk DLC Namcobandai : layoff; make Ace Combat Infinity MMO konami : fire its best director/producer and liquidate his studio *cough*kojima*cough* nintendo : president took 50% paycut
akiraguy How's FromSoftware? Didn't check the Console Exclusive.. Man, I feel like i've picked up the wrong hobby sometimes... It seems like developers are bullies, and we can only accept.
Stronglime Spore fromsoftware is not in financial distress and so far and hasnt done anything too anti-consumer, its worst failures are the Dark Souls PC port (wich was the first game they ever developes for PC and they only did it because fans BEGGED them to do so) and the somewhat lacking Dakr Souls 2( a fine game but a little underwhalming given their excelent credentials) If you meant to say that they handle loss with console exclusives... that would be wrong, they have made playstation exclusives games for YEARS, waaay before Dark Souls one
son of a politician and he worked as a part-time dishwasher to buy his own calculator you might never see a kid like that in this generation quite a character he is
***** spoon fed iwata worked at the dishwasher to buy his very first computer? Or that he worked in a local department store? Or that he studied his ass off and worked in a small computer company instead of taking the easy way and riding the success of his parent? spoon fed
Man, I still can't believe he's passed away. Iwata has accomplished so much throughout his time for both Nintendo and the gaming industry, and to look back at his incredible achievements here is honestly breathtaking in retrospect. RIP to such an amazing leader.
Hey, thanks for this amazing video. The loss of Mr. Iwata has hit me pretty hard, but I'm glad to see so many industrypeople recognize his achievements. Let's never forget.
man this made me kind of emotional. It didn't dwell on his passing, just highlighted some of the accomplishments in his life. I guess, I just got emotional because I'm gonna miss Iwata on the Nintendo Directs. That man's passion and love for his work was so visible, it's almost disgusting to think he passed away.
Great video George although they were two omissions: 1. Like them or not Amiibos were Iwata's idea. Maybe should've included a little about them. 2. Iwata's last year was profitable, but people just love bringing those two years they didn't profit to condemn the man.
hello from 2024, I hope the years have been alright. Also it was 8 years since you wrote this comment and it;s been 20 years since the nintendo DS. Have a nice day.
It's definetely sad to see such an iconic man go away this soon. Yet I can't really be sad myself about it. Not that I wanted him to go away, but to me it seems like he led a good life and leaves behind a lasting legacy, which is what life is about, isn't it?
That is still the one thing Nintendo, as well as a small number of development companies, does best; make games that are fun. It honestly feels like most of the triple a industry makes products but not games. the games made by EA, Activision, Square Enix, Ubisoft, and a number of other companies aren't games, they are soulless products meant to appease the shareholders.
TheSaskOtaku Well I agree with you but you shouldn't forget that having fun is subjective. For me it is fun to kick a ball, for others it isn't. Doesn't mean the ball is a product, or a fun object.
SuperHns He means they were engineered to be fun for the consumer. With other big companies it seems to just be "stick with what sells." The ones he listed in particular have a trend of releasing a reskin of their previous year's big game, with few changes to the formula. However, I haven't really ever experienced that with Nintendo games; they always feel genuinely fun-- like I don't have to do anything besides play them to enjoy them.
TheSaskOtaku Trying to define what a game is is a little pretentious and subjective. I love Nintendo but I also love games from those "other" companies. I like pick up and play games that are just plain fun, but I also like games that are make me think, give an intriguing story or even just mind blowing graphics. A game can just be fun but it can also have those other things too and still be fun.
***** perhaps I am being pretentious or maybe it's just cause most of triple a industry pisses me off. Like Call of Duty has become a product, much Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk before it. Assassin's Creed has become a product. and there are many more I could think of, but the point is that while they can provide some fun to certain people they did sort of lose that spark of life that made them unique.
Still can't believe he is gone. The man was responsible for so many of my childhood memories. The fact he was able to debug Smash Bros. Melee to get it out on time, and fit both Kanto and Johto onto one cart. The man was a technical wizard. RIP Iwata.
Excellent! You really did a wonderful job on Mr Iwata's life in this video. I didn't know his dad was a politician. It's funny how we feel we know someone like Mr Iwata, but there are always a million little things that really make up a persons life. I'm hoping someone will take the time and write a biography on him and his amazing life. Thank you for this awesome piece on him!
I wish a lot more publishers and developers would would take some notes from what Iwata taught. It's not about visual fidelity, it's about gameplay and having fun. All triple A companies have forgotten what the definition of the word GAME meant.
I don't think the he took the 50% pay cut to prevent lay-offs, he did it as a form of apology. He couldn't be really making enough money to make that much of a difference, so saying that he did it to prevent lay-offs seems wrong. Can anyone confirm or deny this?
The one thing that will forever cement my respect for the man is what he did for Pokemon Gold/Silver. It was something that I ever knew about my favorite game of all time.
I really do believe that Iwata's philosophy and work addresses the single biggest problem games have today, a culture of elitism. I am sick of nothing more than gamer entitlement and exclusionary behaviour. Real games are for real gamers and real gamers are hardcore grrr. We don't have to do it this way and Iwata knew this. It wasn't even just a good business move to expand potential markets but also a compassionate and sincere, true act of kindness. Games aren't just for anxty edgey teenage boys, they are for everyone, and better for it. Here's hoping we can carry Iwata's outlook on forever and make games the best they can be. Thanks for making this George, a humbling and cathartic tribute that made me think. Wish more game coverage and discussion was like this. RIP Satoru Iwata.
Yet again proves that a high executive with passion and related skills are so much better than the boring business schoolers running most of the high positions in the industry nowadays.
A prodigious hero of the gaming industry, Iwata shall remain in our hearts forever. As rightly said by the host, the best way to give this man tribute is by playing and having fun. Rest In Peace, Iwata.
Fast forward three years later and the "NX" now Switch is making nintendo obscenes amounts of money while also making people who've never picked up a video game interested in them. Thanks Iwata. RIP
Watching this towards the end of 2019 when the Switch is dominating the market here in Japan is an absolute joy. It was rumoured that during Switch development the team would end meetings with "For Iwata" and I can only imagine how happy he'd be that Nintendo is still making fun, polished and accessible games
In my opinion, George is a giant in esoteric and refined game discourse, which I didn't think was possible before I stumbled upon his channel. His knowledge and eloquence on games in relation to culture, politics, history, etc., I think, will be remembered as a one person golden age of game discourse in the future. Thank you George...for existing.
I read the title of the video as "Satoru Iwata's Wife". What I got was that warm fuzzy feeling I feel whenever I remember that games matter. Thanks, Mr. Bunnyhop.
I've never met the man but his death felt like I had lost an old friend. Nintendo has been a big part of my life for, well, all of it. I have grown up with the man vicariously through his work and the medium is poorer for his loss. In fact, the world is. There aren't many CEO's out there that would cut their pay-twice-for the good of their work and business. Let alone such an unique personality who cared so much for his employees, products and fans. I think I'll go gather my friends up and boot up Smash Bros. and have some fun for Iwata-san. Rest well.
Juan Cruz Nicolas Maciel People just say things differently. Let's not lose sight of the message at hand, which is that this giant of a man has changed our lives in breathtaking ways. The world would never be the same without him, and though his legacy lives on, we will all miss him terribly.
I tried to click on a video about sonic but for some reason it took me to this and I kept waiting for you to talk about sonic and it got rlly confusing but I’m glad I saw it all the way through
I am a programmer and Kirby is one of my favorites, but i never knew who this was until he died. So great vid and i forgive you for saying "nishhhhhhhh"
We don't appreciate what we have. Sadly, it took this man passing away out of time for the gaming community to truly understand his genius. Even one Iwata wasn't enough, we need thousands like him.
I really liked this video. I think it portrays Iwata a little better as a man rather than the legend. I am not against recognizing his brilliance (which he definitely proved) but I do think that he was more than just his programming feats. A great guy and a great loss to Nintendo and the game industry.
Maybe I'm just being idealistic, but hot damn the Japanese do capitalism way better than the west. Better than America at least. Like, I'm no weeaboo or anything. Don't care much for anime or samurais or whatever. It's just striking to me that I can say "Iwata, son of a politician, worked part time as a dishwasher to pay for his own calculator" or "Iwata, president of Nintendo, cut his own pay by 50% twice to help the company". Let's be real here, that shit would never ever happen in the states. Remember when those companies were getting government bailouts, and most of the cash was going to executive bonuses? These companies see losses and think "aw gee, who can we lay off?" and do whatever they can to avoid seeing any of the effects of their own mistakes, but I never hear about that shit from Japanese companies. All I hear is stories about people sleeping under their desks for a week because they had to finish a project, or nearly suffocating on a packed train because they needed to be at work on time. It's a bit of a slavish devotion, yeah, but it's a hell of a lot less selfish, you know? Am I just hearing all the right stories or something? I want to think this is just a fluke but fuck, the Japanese are really cool people it seems.
realevilcorgi It's a kind of a double edged sword, while the Japanese work ethic is good, it's pretty self destructive. It's sadly common to hear about the salaryman that doesn't see their family much, or how suicide rates are high. The culture of work is kind of scary in Japan, obligations are nearly life and death duty, and sometimes it does go that far. Even the function of hanging out with business partners has business purposes, and those obligations have to be met. You have to be fun and enjoyable, put on a face, be obedient, drink yourself to death if you have to. Japanese culture is all about sacrifice, face is very important. Japanese companies don't really layoff people, that kind of thing sounds good in press, and on a monetary standpoint, not having to pay severance is another benefit. On top of that, there are certain labor laws that prevent layoffs unless according to certain circumstances. However, there's no law against quitting, the way they get about getting rid of employees is commonly a kind of solitary confinement. The "boredom room", or the "getting-rid-of room" is typically a small, dark room, quiet, where employees that aren't wanted are given copious amounts of very tedious, menial tasks, and are sectioned off from the rest of the company staff or pretty much human contact in general. The idea is to make them fed up with the company to the point that they quit. Supposedly, other company's rooms employ a superior to chew out employees in this small room regularly, either yelling and/or shaming them until they can't take it. It's even probable that friendly Nintendo does this too, but most likely, they might keep it out of earshot of the higherups like Iwata, that is considering if Iwata doesn't condone the practice himself.
+realevilcorgi You are being idealistic. Iwata is one man and Nintendo is one company. You want some other Japanese companies to consider, try Capcom, Square Enix, Konami, Sony, SEGA, Namco, and so many more. It has nothing to do with Japanese doing capitalism way better than the west and everything to do with Iwata simply being a good person.
My old boss did that to avoid laying us off a few times. This kind of thing does happen in the states, it's just that there isn't as much fanfare for it. Don't sell us short.
First time I've been brought to tears by a company's CEO that is for fucking sure. Honestly this man was a hero. I hope that if I was the CEO of a big company that wasn't doing so well I'd have the guts to say "Fuck it, take half my salary and divide it among the employees while I figure out a way to get this shit rolling again."
Shortly after Iwata's passing, I picked up the new Nintendo 3DS (the first Nintendo system that I have owned since the GameBoy Colour) along with Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. The amount of joy and (dare I say it) *fun* that I experienced from a few hours of that game almost left my past week of "hard core" gaming with GTA V and Batman Arkham Knight dwarfed by comparison. Say what you want about Iwata and Nintendo, but damn, did he know how to have fun.
“Above all, video games are meant to just be one thing: Fun for everyone.”
-Satoru Iwata
Rest in peace, Iwata.
pexium While some may not really agree with that statement, one cannot deny the fervor that Iwata had in pursuing the words that he spoke. He lived what he said, which can't be said for many people of his position.
Satoru Iwata currently debuging and reprogramming heaven
Redem10 or hell.
***** One. Hideo Kojima, as of now.
Pretty sure that adriak guy is a egotistical hater who cant accept anyone elses success, seeking to find minor faults to blow out of proportion the critique.
***** You are a sad little pathetic human being rotten in envy, that has nothing better to do wit his time that trying to spread dirt in the achievement of a better man, and let it be known, even if you where born with a bigger and better "silver spoon" that him, you would probably be here, on youtube, drowning in self pity, trying to make a sick sense of why people respect a man like him but not one like you.
***** lmao don't cut yourself on that edge
Wonderful write up George. I think a lot of people didn't want to jump on the bandwagon and give a memorial piece for Iwata but that ironically meant almost no one did it. I'm glad one of the best took the time.
LawrenceHill2010 so the last few years of great games from Nintendo weren't Nintendo games? you, sir, need to go sit in the corner.
TheSaskOtaku Look at the upcoming Nintendo games. Devil's Third is supposed to be trash, Star Fox Zero is supposed to be meh at best, Metroid Federation Force exists...Nintendo only has Xenoblade X and Zelda U right now.
LawrenceHill2010 So what do you call the tons of great exclusives Nintendo's been making? Are those not Nintendo games? What do you consider a "Nintendo game"?
Legendofderp26
They got Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, Zelda Triforce Heroes, they are also publishing Fatal Frame V, Super Mario Maker, and Yoshi's Woolly World, Yokai Watch and Little Battlers Experience! Those are all games coming out soon.
***** I don't think anyone is jumping on a bandwagon. People are just informing Lawrence that he's full of shit.
This tribute (?) is the only one which provided me a greater understanding of why he did the things he did in terms of gaming: he had the technical know-how to get things done in the background, and he had the heart of someone who wanted to share his creations and love for games to those who didn't have it.
His history at HAL also sheds some light into the reasoning behind his 50% pay cut: he was never really a typical executive type; he was a code wizard who was in an executive position. That personal perspective (and his experiences helping out with last-minute miracles with Earthbound and Pokemon) allowed him to take one for the team rather than throw the rest of the employees under the bus.
As always, another insightful video essay that also respects the subject at hand. I hope you get the same respect at your passing.
I know this comment is now coming from the far future, but what a damn legend Iwata is. The Pokémon assembly compression is some John Carmack tier wizardry
This is the niftiest collection of Iwata's accomplishments as a programmer and head of Nintendo that I've seen. I very much needed this.
***** Satoru Iwata did great things for Nintendo. He was not worshiping him at all really. He was just saying that his accomplishments helped Nintendo out greatly. He said nothing about treating him as a god or anything.He was not worshiping him blindly because he did good things for Nintendo.
***** Nice Bait
Welp. I guess this is what happens when your on the internet just respecting a mans legacy.
How was it spoon fed?
?
I remember Jim Sterling talked about how for Microsoft Sony and other game producers, how they talk about "how their games are EPIC, AMAZING, A CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE" and all those fancy words while Iwata and Nintendo as a whole DARED to use words like "fun" and "pleasure" to refer to their games and it's something you managed to explain in your video : you never talk about Iwata like he's a businessman running a company, you're talking about a man with a passion with video game that, thanks to it, led him to be the president of one of the most prestigious video game company in the history of video games. And that's what Iwata was : just a man that worked for his love of games, earning trustful allies and friends through his journey.
Iwata might have left us but we will all share his legacy, something that will never leave our hearts because, like Iwata, that's what we are inside : gamers.
Chips Light -_-
Chips Light Jim's video on Saturo Iwata honestly made me tear up a bit. Just when you think someone couldn't be more cynical he goes out and shows his respects in the most heartfelt way i have seen literally any react. Thank god for him.
As Jim said, while Satoru Iwata was not always perfect and definitely made his fair share of mistakes, Iwata was not afraid to goof around like holding bananas in his hand and staring at them intensely. He also taught us to "Please understand".
Now this is journalism as I've come to expect from you George. Great tribute!
I wonder how many other heroes like Iwata are out there going unappreciated right now, who we'll first get to know through their eulogies once they're gone.
It incredibly sad if you think about it.
Tartar The idea of talented folks working at their hobby day and night just for the sake thereof doesn't make me sad, it makes me happy.
Everyone has to go at some point, but people who do the things they love so that others can better enjoy their own lives lived well. There's no sadness in that for me.
Bradley Bradley Well, I think he was arguing the part about some of those people not getting the recognition they deserve. Just making things in a vacuum doesn't feel very good, especially when they're made to be enjoyed by other people. Feedback for artists and creators means the world.
Tartar There are many people like Iwata out there... too bad that many of such industry legends get dragged into controversies and petty bickering.
Kuro Onehalf I understand that, but at the same time, these people are doing the things they love already.
Fame is just the cherry on top of the cake. It's why Iwata said that he's a gamer at heart, because that's what mattered to him most, not his position of power in Nintendo.
Well he was born in 1959 but, his age was like between 60 and 70. He could be still alive.
That picture of Iwata shaking hands with the DeNA guy made me swallow a lump. You can see how unhealthy and skinny he looks compared to just a year prior to that.
I remember the first picture we saw of him since it was announced he had the bile duct growth, which was after his first chemo, I was like O_O because he looked completely different.
RIP Iwata, and fuck cancer.
Linkenski Ehm he look skinny there yes, but Chemo would also mean he has no hairs left ... or was that a wig?
I don't know if what he underwent was chemo or radiotherapy or whatever it is. My dad passed from cancer too 10 years ago, and his hair would just start to fall off bit by bit, so he'd shave it.
Dunno, it could be a wig he'd simply gotten that skinny from the cancer itself. Losing weight is a known symptom.
SuperHns Yes and no. Chemotherapy can be achieved with different agents, and while most have the undesired side effect of hair loss (due to targeting rapidly replicating cells in the body, like cancer cells, and also other good healthy cells like hair cells), the process is not necessarily instantaneous. The agent used and the dose can affect how quickly hair loss is developed, but in some cases, only hair thinning, or no hair loss at all occurs. I suppose that as more research is done, agents can be better targeted at only the cancerous cells and avoid affecting healthy rapidly replicating cells, so less side effects occur.
Linkenski Fuck cancer indeed, it killed my dad a week ago. Literally the day after Iwata's passing.
I can't agree. Simple as that. The thing is, it doesn't always work. Some cancers are simply immune or largely unnafected by chemo while the body is always sure to be damaged (at least short term) whether it's the immune system or other things.
My dad couldn't had peed in pink after his first chemoes, and afterwards he'd have an entire week were he couldn't urinate at all.
I'm not saying chemo is the killer. I'm just saying, it's not the perfect cure that some people seem to think it is.
Thank you for not being sappy and pretentious over Iwata.
how japan companies handle a no-profit year.
squenix : rebuilt FFXIV , go mobile
SEGA : twiddle its thumb, make a Sonic game nobody ask for
capcom : on disk DLC
Namcobandai : layoff; make Ace Combat Infinity MMO
konami : fire its best director/producer and liquidate his studio *cough*kojima*cough*
nintendo : president took 50% paycut
akiraguy How's FromSoftware? Didn't check the Console Exclusive..
Man, I feel like i've picked up the wrong hobby sometimes... It seems like developers are bullies, and we can only accept.
we can vote with our wallet, for one. they release a broken game and want to charge us 60 bucks? fuck that shit.
Stronglime Spore fromsoftware is not in financial distress and so far and hasnt done anything too anti-consumer, its worst failures are the Dark Souls PC port (wich was the first game they ever developes for PC and they only did it because fans BEGGED them to do so) and the somewhat lacking Dakr Souls 2( a fine game but a little underwhalming given their excelent credentials) If you meant to say that they handle loss with console exclusives... that would be wrong, they have made playstation exclusives games for YEARS, waaay before Dark Souls one
One Winged Thanatos It was just an honest question. He pretty much talked about every japan developer..
Stronglime Spore japan AAA companies that i know of. i'm no fan of dark souls, soo...
An executive takes responsibility by cutting his own pay? Holy shit I thought that was only in fairy tales.
son of a politician
and he worked as a part-time dishwasher to buy his own calculator
you might never see a kid like that in this generation
quite a character he is
***** Yeah. Exactly that.
No. Its japanese culture. Nothing to do with generation
***** spoon fed iwata worked at the dishwasher to buy his very first computer? Or that he worked in a local
department store? Or that he studied his ass off and worked in a small
computer company instead of taking the easy way and riding the success
of his parent?
spoon fed
To clarify, Iwata's father didn't become influential until AFTER he was already working at HAL.
But still, he was amazing.
I applied as a dishwasher to buy a Wii U but they said I lacked the qualifications for it.
We'll see you in another life space cowboy. Rest in peace.
Man, I still can't believe he's passed away. Iwata has accomplished so much throughout his time for both Nintendo and the gaming industry, and to look back at his incredible achievements here is honestly breathtaking in retrospect.
RIP to such an amazing leader.
Couldn't had done better myself. Fantastic little tribute, George.
Hey, thanks for this amazing video. The loss of Mr. Iwata has hit me pretty hard, but I'm glad to see so many industrypeople recognize his achievements. Let's never forget.
I still remember falling in love with the Wii and DS when it first came out, you’ve made so many memories that will never fade away Iwata.
Really good work, a fitting look at Iwata's career and accomplishments.
I'm not crying, you're crying. More seriously, a great video, lots of stuff I didn't know. Very very inspiring as well thanks!
RIP to a legend that who made smiles for everyone.
man this made me kind of emotional. It didn't dwell on his passing, just highlighted some of the accomplishments in his life. I guess, I just got emotional because I'm gonna miss Iwata on the Nintendo Directs. That man's passion and love for his work was so visible, it's almost disgusting to think he passed away.
Mr. Iwata would be proud of this excellent tribute. You did a fine job on this!
Absolutely brilliant and well researched video. Seriously well done on this one.
I just bought a Nintendo Wii U last week. A toast in memory of Satoru Iwata, may he rest in peace.
A great loss to gaming
Great video George although they were two omissions:
1. Like them or not Amiibos were Iwata's idea. Maybe should've included a little about them.
2. Iwata's last year was profitable, but people just love bringing those two years they didn't profit to condemn the man.
Honestly man, the quality of work that you do on your videos are some of the best on youtube hands down.
It's incredibly surreal to think of the DS as a piece of gaming history now. Then I remember it was released like, ten years ago.
hello from 2024, I hope the years have been alright. Also it was 8 years since you wrote this comment and it;s been 20 years since the nintendo DS. Have a nice day.
Impresive as always, George.
RIP Iwata-san.
This was really nice, I like that you didn't look at him like he was some kind of golden God but instead like he was an actual person
It's definetely sad to see such an iconic man go away this soon. Yet I can't really be sad myself about it. Not that I wanted him to go away, but to me it seems like he led a good life and leaves behind a lasting legacy, which is what life is about, isn't it?
This was wonderfully made
That is still the one thing Nintendo, as well as a small number of development companies, does best; make games that are fun. It honestly feels like most of the triple a industry makes products but not games. the games made by EA, Activision, Square Enix, Ubisoft, and a number of other companies aren't games, they are soulless products meant to appease the shareholders.
TheSaskOtaku Well I agree with you but you shouldn't forget that having fun is subjective. For me it is fun to kick a ball, for others it isn't. Doesn't mean the ball is a product, or a fun object.
SuperHns He means they were engineered to be fun for the consumer. With other big companies it seems to just be "stick with what sells." The ones he listed in particular have a trend of releasing a reskin of their previous year's big game, with few changes to the formula. However, I haven't really ever experienced that with Nintendo games; they always feel genuinely fun-- like I don't have to do anything besides play them to enjoy them.
TheSaskOtaku Trying to define what a game is is a little pretentious and subjective. I love Nintendo but I also love games from those "other" companies. I like pick up and play games that are just plain fun, but I also like games that are make me think, give an intriguing story or even just mind blowing graphics. A game can just be fun but it can also have those other things too and still be fun.
*****
perhaps I am being pretentious or maybe it's just cause most of triple a industry pisses me off. Like Call of Duty has become a product, much Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk before it. Assassin's Creed has become a product. and there are many more I could think of, but the point is that while they can provide some fun to certain people they did sort of lose that spark of life that made them unique.
Still can't believe he is gone. The man was responsible for so many of my childhood memories. The fact he was able to debug Smash Bros. Melee to get it out on time, and fit both Kanto and Johto onto one cart. The man was a technical wizard.
RIP Iwata.
Excellent! You really did a wonderful job on Mr Iwata's life in this video. I didn't know his dad was a politician. It's funny how we feel we know someone like Mr Iwata, but there are always a million little things that really make up a persons life. I'm hoping someone will take the time and write a biography on him and his amazing life. Thank you for this awesome piece on him!
I wish a lot more publishers and developers would would take some notes from what Iwata taught. It's not about visual fidelity, it's about gameplay and having fun.
All triple A companies have forgotten what the definition of the word GAME meant.
Iwata was just such an interesting person who achieved alot and was a huge innovator in the gaming industry, it's just so sad :'(
A great man indeed; and your video is by far the best one I've seen about him so far, so please keep making these awesome videos!!
I don't think the he took the 50% pay cut to prevent lay-offs, he did it as a form of apology. He couldn't be really making enough money to make that much of a difference, so saying that he did it to prevent lay-offs seems wrong. Can anyone confirm or deny this?
The one thing that will forever cement my respect for the man is what he did for Pokemon Gold/Silver.
It was something that I ever knew about my favorite game of all time.
I really do believe that Iwata's philosophy and work addresses the single biggest problem games have today, a culture of elitism. I am sick of nothing more than gamer entitlement and exclusionary behaviour. Real games are for real gamers and real gamers are hardcore grrr.
We don't have to do it this way and Iwata knew this. It wasn't even just a good business move to expand potential markets but also a compassionate and sincere, true act of kindness. Games aren't just for anxty edgey teenage boys, they are for everyone, and better for it. Here's hoping we can carry Iwata's outlook on forever and make games the best they can be.
Thanks for making this George, a humbling and cathartic tribute that made me think. Wish more game coverage and discussion was like this. RIP Satoru Iwata.
Thank you for making this.
Thankyou George
Wow, how are you not on TV? Your videos are soo well made, keep making videos like this and the 2 Kojima videos and I'll keep watching.
RIP Iwata, I will never forget your legacy.
Yet again proves that a high executive with passion and related skills are so much better than the boring business schoolers running most of the high positions in the industry nowadays.
one of your best so far. well done!
A prodigious hero of the gaming industry, Iwata shall remain in our hearts forever. As rightly said by the host, the best way to give this man tribute is by playing and having fun. Rest In Peace, Iwata.
He accomplished so much, he will be missed);
Fast forward three years later and the "NX" now Switch is making nintendo obscenes amounts of money while also making people who've never picked up a video game interested in them. Thanks Iwata. RIP
This is amazing. Thank you for this, Super Bunnyhop. RIP Iwata-san.
I knew nothing about this man i just heard he died. Now i know he was the creator of my childhood..
Watching this towards the end of 2019 when the Switch is dominating the market here in Japan is an absolute joy. It was rumoured that during Switch development the team would end meetings with "For Iwata" and I can only imagine how happy he'd be that Nintendo is still making fun, polished and accessible games
In my opinion, George is a giant in esoteric and refined game discourse, which I didn't think was possible before I stumbled upon his channel. His knowledge and eloquence on games in relation to culture, politics, history, etc., I think, will be remembered as a one person golden age of game discourse in the future. Thank you George...for existing.
Woah. He was such an inspiring person. I hope we can all try to be as genuine as he was.
RIP Satora Iwata, we will always remember you as a gamer
I love episodes like this thanks Bunny hop :)
I read the title of the video as "Satoru Iwata's Wife". What I got was that warm fuzzy feeling I feel whenever I remember that games matter. Thanks, Mr. Bunnyhop.
Gaht damn you Been killin it, good work!!!
I've never met the man but his death felt like I had lost an old friend. Nintendo has been a big part of my life for, well, all of it. I have grown up with the man vicariously through his work and the medium is poorer for his loss. In fact, the world is. There aren't many CEO's out there that would cut their pay-twice-for the good of their work and business. Let alone such an unique personality who cared so much for his employees, products and fans. I think I'll go gather my friends up and boot up Smash Bros. and have some fun for Iwata-san. Rest well.
this channel deserves more subs!
Once again, a fantastic video !
Jesus, the guy sounds like a mixture of Samus Aran and Father Elijah, blasting in solving problems :L Very impressive man
These guys brought me great fun and fond memories over my life. I will never forget them!
*RIP*
Thank you good sir, Iwata was a great man.
Awesome vid.
Thank you, Superbunnyhop.
Man, George! you are so good at closing sentences!!!!
Christ, I never realised how influential he was until it was all laid out sequentially. His programming sounds legendary
Great work as usual.
Fantastic stuff. Thanks.
This almost brought me to tears. Iwata's death was all too soon and is still surreal to me.
Sooo...he changed his name to Aye-wata when he joined Nintendo?
Juan Cruz Nicolas Maciel I think you can blame that on the speaker's dialect: he's from the South.
Juan Cruz Nicolas Maciel don't point it out to him, he will get mad like when we made fun of him because he says comparishon
Juan Cruz Nicolas Maciel People just say things differently. Let's not lose sight of the message at hand, which is that this giant of a man has changed our lives in breathtaking ways. The world would never be the same without him, and though his legacy lives on, we will all miss him terribly.
And now the Switch is kicking ass just like the Wii. The Wii U was just an awkward stepping stone
I tried to click on a video about sonic but for some reason it took me to this and I kept waiting for you to talk about sonic and it got rlly confusing but I’m glad I saw it all the way through
Such an accurate video about a Legendary Man!
great video as always
Thank you!!
Love your stuff Bunny.
Great run down of Iwata and what he meant to gaming and his true messages to us all
RIP Iwata 1959 - 2015 We Will All Miss You Iwata
Very touching video, well done:)
Well done, George.
I am a programmer and Kirby is one of my favorites, but i never knew who this was until he died. So great vid and i forgive you for saying "nishhhhhhhh"
i love this channel
Iwata is the only CEO I've ever liked. He was a wonderful man with a strong passion that I think we can all relate to in some form.
We don't appreciate what we have.
Sadly, it took this man passing away out of time for the gaming community to truly understand his genius.
Even one Iwata wasn't enough, we need thousands like him.
I really liked this video. I think it portrays Iwata a little better as a man rather than the legend. I am not against recognizing his brilliance (which he definitely proved) but I do think that he was more than just his programming feats.
A great guy and a great loss to Nintendo and the game industry.
In this week's super bunnyhop without hyperbole or overstatement in the least prepare to feel all the feels about Iwata's passing. Damn it George.
Nice one man!
Great vid. Very useful
Maybe I'm just being idealistic, but hot damn the Japanese do capitalism way better than the west. Better than America at least.
Like, I'm no weeaboo or anything. Don't care much for anime or samurais or whatever. It's just striking to me that I can say "Iwata, son of a politician, worked part time as a dishwasher to pay for his own calculator" or "Iwata, president of Nintendo, cut his own pay by 50% twice to help the company". Let's be real here, that shit would never ever happen in the states. Remember when those companies were getting government bailouts, and most of the cash was going to executive bonuses? These companies see losses and think "aw gee, who can we lay off?" and do whatever they can to avoid seeing any of the effects of their own mistakes, but I never hear about that shit from Japanese companies. All I hear is stories about people sleeping under their desks for a week because they had to finish a project, or nearly suffocating on a packed train because they needed to be at work on time. It's a bit of a slavish devotion, yeah, but it's a hell of a lot less selfish, you know?
Am I just hearing all the right stories or something? I want to think this is just a fluke but fuck, the Japanese are really cool people it seems.
realevilcorgi Hmmm, can't really say the same for Konami though.
realevilcorgi It's a kind of a double edged sword, while the Japanese work ethic is good, it's pretty self destructive. It's sadly common to hear about the salaryman that doesn't see their family much, or how suicide rates are high. The culture of work is kind of scary in Japan, obligations are nearly life and death duty, and sometimes it does go that far. Even the function of hanging out with business partners has business purposes, and those obligations have to be met. You have to be fun and enjoyable, put on a face, be obedient, drink yourself to death if you have to.
Japanese culture is all about sacrifice, face is very important. Japanese companies don't really layoff people, that kind of thing sounds good in press, and on a monetary standpoint, not having to pay severance is another benefit. On top of that, there are certain labor laws that prevent layoffs unless according to certain circumstances. However, there's no law against quitting, the way they get about getting rid of employees is commonly a kind of solitary confinement. The "boredom room", or the "getting-rid-of room" is typically a small, dark room, quiet, where employees that aren't wanted are given copious amounts of very tedious, menial tasks, and are sectioned off from the rest of the company staff or pretty much human contact in general. The idea is to make them fed up with the company to the point that they quit. Supposedly, other company's rooms employ a superior to chew out employees in this small room regularly, either yelling and/or shaming them until they can't take it.
It's even probable that friendly Nintendo does this too, but most likely, they might keep it out of earshot of the higherups like Iwata, that is considering if Iwata doesn't condone the practice himself.
+realevilcorgi You are being idealistic. Iwata is one man and Nintendo is one company. You want some other Japanese companies to consider, try Capcom, Square Enix, Konami, Sony, SEGA, Namco, and so many more.
It has nothing to do with Japanese doing capitalism way better than the west and everything to do with Iwata simply being a good person.
My old boss did that to avoid laying us off a few times. This kind of thing does happen in the states, it's just that there isn't as much fanfare for it. Don't sell us short.
First time I've been brought to tears by a company's CEO that is for fucking sure. Honestly this man was a hero. I hope that if I was the CEO of a big company that wasn't doing so well I'd have the guts to say "Fuck it, take half my salary and divide it among the employees while I figure out a way to get this shit rolling again."
This helped me with a project that I am doing for school
I'd sure love to see more people with Iwata's passion in charge of the big gaming companies.
It's just too bad he left on a low note for the company. Iawata defined my childhood, and will be missed.
A well-researched and presented eulogy among the droves of ass-kissing fanservice stories that have been plaguing the gaming media. Well done.
Shortly after Iwata's passing, I picked up the new Nintendo 3DS (the first Nintendo system that I have owned since the GameBoy Colour) along with Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. The amount of joy and (dare I say it) *fun* that I experienced from a few hours of that game almost left my past week of "hard core" gaming with GTA V and Batman Arkham Knight dwarfed by comparison. Say what you want about Iwata and Nintendo, but damn, did he know how to have fun.