A tribute to Satoru Iwata, the CEO with the heart of a gamer

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"On my business card, I am a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a gamer."

With this impactful phrase, Satoru Iwata opened his keynote at the 2005 Game Developers Conference (GDC).

I was already a fan of Iwata, but after watching this speech, I fell in love with his vision. By the way, the full and public version of the keynote is available at this link, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has ever remotely considered working in the gaming industry.

Satoru Iwata left a legacy that will undoubtedly transcend generations and borders. He passed away on July 11, 2015, at the age of 55, but Iwata-san was a pioneer whose life and professional philosophy transformed the video game industry. His life should serve as invaluable inspiration for developers and executives around the world.

Born on December 6, 1959, in Sapporo, Japan, Iwata developed a passion for technology and games early on. He studied computer science at the Tokyo Institute of Technology and began his career at HAL Laboratory, where he helped create classics like Kirby and EarthBound. In 2000, Iwata joined Nintendo, where his genius would fully blossom.

The phrase that opens this editorial—about being a president, developer, but above all a gamer—is the foundation of a tripartite vision that always guided his decisions, allowing him to connect with both the development team and players, resulting in products that prioritized fun and innovation.

Iwata's gamer side shone through in his unwavering belief that games should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or experience. The best example of this was that under his leadership, Nintendo launched the Nintendo DS and the Wii, two consoles that redefined the industry. Both opened up new possibilities for interaction, attracting both casual and hardcore gamers. This approach led millions of people who had never played a video game before to become dedicated fans.

On the developer side, he always advocated for an open and collaborative development culture, often getting directly involved in solving technical problems. He was also an excellent programmer, respected from a young age for his incredible skill. A notable example was his work on data compression for "PokÊmon Gold and Silver," which allowed the inclusion of the Kanto region in the game. Not to mention the first "beta" version of the classic Smash Bros., programmed by Iwata on the Nintendo 64 in partnership with the brilliant game designer Masahiro Sakurai.

Iwata was so passionate about the game development process that he maintained his "Iwata Asks" series for a long time, where he discussed the game development process with his team. This transparent and educational format inspired many in the industry to value communication and mutual understanding within development teams.

Finally, as a CEO, he was a genuinely caring leader who valued not just numbers but the human aspects of the company. The most emblematic case was his decision to cut his own salary in half during Nintendo's tough financial times, instead of laying off employees. This gesture demonstrated his dedication to the company and his empathy for the employees, further strengthening his reputation as a compassionate and respected leader.

Whatever your position in the gaming industry, it is well worth delving deeper into Iwata's story and drawing inspiration from his passion, innovation, and commitment to accessibility. He was not just an executive: he was a true visionary who understood the essence of video games—the joy of playing and bringing that joy to our players.

A big hug, and see you next week!

P.S.(1) – We are now Amazon affiliates at IDJ, so if you want to learn more about Iwata’s story and support our project, here’s a link to the excellent book “Ask Iwata,” which compiles his interviews and thoughts. It’s available in both Kindle and hardcover formats at this link.

P.S.(2) – I had already selected this article for publication this week when I received the news of the passing of the great Marcos "Raoi" Cavalcante, a game developer and Godot enthusiast. I would like to dedicate this article to his memory—rest in peace, my friend.