This morning, gamers around the world woke to the sad news that Nintendo’s CEO, Satoru Iwata, has died of bile duct cancer aged 55.
Despite reports of good health after he was unable to attend last year’s E3 conference, it seems Mr Iwata unfortunately could not go on.
Iwata started off at the company as a programmer for HAL Laboratory, before joining Nintendo in 2000. Since then, he rose through the rakes to become one of the most powerful and recognizable members of Nintendo’s staff.
Credited as the creator for such classic titles as NES’ Balloon Fight, JRPG masterpiece EarthBound and the Pokemon Stadium games, Iwata also helped steer Nintendo into another golden age after the disappointing return of the Gamecube, with both the Nintendo DS handheld and the Wii.
Both industry and community members alike have been paying their respects to Mr Iwata all morning, as Nintendo fans morn the lost of a true gaming legend.
“On my business card I’m a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a gamer”. – Satoru Iwata
