Satoru Iwata
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Iwata wanted everyone at Nintendo to play Animal Crossing: New Leaf months before launch to understand unique value
Former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata insisted that all employees play Animal Crossing: New Leaf months before its launch to fully grasp its unique value. This directive aimed to ensure a deep understanding of the game's appeal across the company.
"Every single employee at Nintendo Europe" was tasked with playing Animal Crossing: New Leaf daily, months before launch, by former boss Satoru Iwata, says ex PR
Former Nintendo PR manager Ashley Day revealed that late Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata mandated all Nintendo Europe employees play Animal Crossing: New Leaf daily for months before its launch. This unusual strategy aimed to ensure staff understood the game's charm and habitual gameplay loop, contributing to its eventual success.
Nintendo designed the DS and Wii to normalize "being a gamer" says Shigeru Miyamoto: "We don't say…
Nintendo executive Shigeru Miyamoto explained that the Nintendo DS and Wii were designed to normalize "being a gamer" and attract a wider audience, contrasting with the GameCube's perception as a console solely for dedicated players. He discussed how the company analyzed sales data and concluded that unique, accessible hardware interfaces were key to expanding the market beyond traditional gamers.
Tsunku shares emotional story behind Rhythm Heaven Groove and why he stayed loyal to Nintendo
Musician Tsunku shared an emotional account of his loyalty to Nintendo, declining offers from other companies for over a decade to wait for the Rhythm Heaven series' return. He also detailed how Nintendo's continued development of Rhythm Heaven Megamix during his battle with laryngeal cancer provided him with hope and courage, acknowledging the similar struggles faced by Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata at the time.
Sony Ends Discs in 2028. Why Nintendo Won't Follow.
Sony plans to cease production of physical discs for PlayStation in January 2028, shifting entirely to digital distribution. This move contrasts with Nintendo's continued support for physical media and retail partnerships. The article analyzes the historical and business reasons behind these divergent strategies, suggesting Sony's decision prioritizes efficiency and margin over retail relationships, while Nintendo's approach aims to maintain long-term market presence and cultural relevance by keeping its intellectual property circulating through physical touchpoints.
"You'll never get another World of Warcraft or Morrowind in the current climate," id Software producer says as constant layoffs batter the industry
id Software producer Andrew Willis criticizes the current state of the video game industry, citing widespread layoffs and mismanagement by executives who lack understanding of game development. He argues that this focus on short-term gains and profit extraction prevents the creation of long-term, impactful franchises like World of Warcraft or Morrowind. Willis suggests that the industry's volatility for employees, despite increasing consumer spending, points to a failure in executive leadership.
Satoru Iwata admitted that “employees who fear that they may be laid off” never produce the same results
Late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata stated in 2013 that employees who fear layoffs do not produce optimal results, a sentiment relevant to today's volatile games industry marked by high costs and mass layoffs. He made these comments when the Nintendo 3DS initially underperformed.
Layoffs might offer "better short-term financial results," late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata admitted in 2013, but "employees who fear that they may be laid off" will never produce the same results
Late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata believed that while layoffs might offer short-term financial gains, they negatively impact employee morale and the ability to create impactful games. He famously took a 50% salary cut in 2011 and avoided layoffs during financial lows, emphasizing long-term business strength through employee contributions and efficiency rather than workforce reduction.
In 2009, late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said it'll take "20 years or so" for game purchases to…
Former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata predicted in 2009 that it would take approximately 20 years for digital game purchases to become the majority. With Sony phasing out physical PS5 games by 2028 and Rockstar Games opting for digital or code-in-box releases for Grand Theft Auto 6, his prediction appears to be nearly accurate. While Xbox has not yet announced similar plans, the trend towards digital distribution is evident across the industry.
Metal Gear Solid Composer's Studio Ghibli Jazz Album Announced
Scarlet Moon Records announced Prescription for Sleep: Ghibli, a new jazz arrangement album featuring music from Studio Ghibli films. The album, performed by Norihiko Hibino and AYAKI as GENTLE LOVE, will be released on July 20, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Spirited Away. Three tracks are currently available for pre-order on Bandcamp.
What to do about Game Engines with Rez Graham
This article discusses the implications of game engine choices, particularly focusing on Unity's controversial per-install fee policy change in late 2023. It explores the downsides of relying on third-party engines and the importance of valuing human assets within game development companies, referencing Nintendo's past leadership under Satoru Iwata as an example of prioritizing employees.
Feature: 10 N64 Games We Played In A Wondrous Alternate Timeline
This article explores a hypothetical alternate timeline where the Nintendo 64 achieved greater market success, imagining 10 games that could have been released. It speculates on potential N64 entries for series like Fire Emblem, Tekken, Metroid, and Final Fantasy, and discusses what might have been if sequels to GoldenEye 007 and Super Mario 64 were prioritized.
Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Star Fox remakes are fine, but former Nintendo staff say it needs "more than nostalgia…
Former Nintendo marketing leads Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang argue that while remakes of games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Star Fox 64 can be financially successful due to nostalgia, Nintendo needs to prioritize innovation to attract new audiences. They recall a past era where Nintendo was known for its creativity and risk-taking, contrasting it with the current reliance on legacy content.
How Mixtape became the biggest video game controversy of 2026
The indie game Mixtape has become the subject of a significant online controversy, with accusations of bribery and a general backlash against its narrative-focused, low-interactivity design. This backlash echoes past industry issues like Gamergate, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding diverse game design and representation in the industry.
Reggie-Fils Aime discusses what went wrong with Wii U
Former Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime discussed the Wii U's commercial failure, citing issues with product release timelines and a lack of compelling software compared to competitors. He also revealed that the Nintendo Switch's launch planning began during a meeting with the late Satoru Iwata, who had learned his cancer had returned.
Satoru Iwata wanted to tell Reggie face to face that his cancer had sadly returned
Former Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aime shared that the late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata personally informed him of his cancer's return during a meeting. Following this personal discussion, Iwata and Fils-Aime then collaborated on the successful launch planning for the Nintendo Switch.
Reggie Says Miyamoto gave him a “death stare” when he suggested Wii Sports as a pack-in
Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime recounted a meeting with Satoru Iwata and Shigeru Miyamoto where he proposed including Wii Sports as a pack-in title for the Wii. Miyamoto initially resisted, stating "we don't give away content for free," but Fils-Aime successfully argued that bundling games had been a strategic business move in the past, referencing Super Mario with the SNES.
Talking Point: Is Legend Of Zelda's Link Left Or Right-Handed? Let's Look At The Evidence
The dominant hand of Link, the hero of The Legend of Zelda series, has been a subject of debate among fans for decades. While Link was predominantly left-handed in early titles, including the original The Legend of Zelda and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, later games like Twilight Princess (Wii version), Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom have featured him as right-handed. This shift is often attributed to design choices related to motion controls and controller layouts, though the character's ambidexterity remains a point of discussion.
Nintendo’s original Star Fox puppets confirmed to have been destroyed
Nintendo's original Star Fox puppets, used for promotional materials and the first game's boxart, have been confirmed as destroyed. The Japanese FX company Shirogumi stated the puppets, made of natural rubber and covered in fur and feathers, deteriorated due to exposure to air. These puppets were created for characters like Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, Peppy Hare, and Slippy Toad.
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen devs found that "the programming sucks" in the original RPGs, but needed Nintendo's help on the remakes because they "hadn't gotten any better at programming since then"
Developers from Game Freak admitted that the programming in the original Pokemon Red and Blue was poor, making the remakes Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen difficult to develop. They required assistance from Nintendo, particularly for implementing the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter, as the team felt their programming skills had not improved since the original titles.
