Tributes pour in for Nintendo's Satoru Iwata

Publish date: 2022-12-03

Below, games developers and executives pay tribute to the late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who has passed away aged 55.

Satoru Iwata 1959-2015

Nintendo announced the news early this morning UK time.

Iwata's contemporaries and competitors quickly began expressing their reactions to the news on social media.

Former colleagues and fellow industry leaders alike have posted their thoughts. A selection lies below.

Iwata's name is currently trending on Twitter worldwide.

Nintendo's flag is of course at half-mast today pic.twitter.com/QpIJPK7bwB

— Dylan (@dylancuthbert) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

An incredibly sad start to the week. RIP Satoru Iwata. You had the respect of a world of gamers, including all of us at Rare. #ThankYouIwata

— Rare Ltd. (@RareLtd) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

Sad day for Iwata-san’s family, friends, and gamers everywhere. His passion, creativity & leadership elevated our industry.

— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

Thank you for everything, Mr. Iwata.

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

pic.twitter.com/TDBrzS4b9M

— Aaron Greenberg 🙅🏼‍♂️💚U (@aarongreenberg) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

Please, I don't understand. #ThankYouIwata

— Notch (@notch) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

"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." - Iwata-san

— Bungie (@Bungie) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

Really sad to hear about Iwata-san's passing today. As a fan of Nintendo since the NES, my heart goes out to his family, friends, & fans.

— ᴀᴅᴀᴍ ʙᴏʏᴇs (@amboyes) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

RIP Iwata-san. You will be missed

— John Smedley (@j_smedley) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

R.I.P. Iwata-san. I never met him. My all time favorite video game is "balloon fight". Thanks.… https://t.co/I5hKWu3DyC

— Hidetaka SWERY SueHERO (@Swery65) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

In my heart forever.http://t.co/w4cYNscXFy

— 神谷英樹 Hideki Kamiya (@PG_kamiya) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

ゲーム業界の発展に多大な貢献をされた岩田さんのご冥福をお祈りします。

— Shuhei Yoshida (@yosp) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

Whenever Mr. Iwata was in the office, he'd change his 3DS StreetPass message to "Hello NOA!" Was a company president that cared.

— Andrew Kelly (@AndrewNK) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

First time I met Mr. Iwata, I was on a visit to NCL, he was this crazy excited young guy who ran HAL. Super nice, and a great dev. I'm sad:(

— Ken Lobb (@RealKLobb) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

Sad day. Satoru Iwata has passed. I was lucky enough to be interviewed by him. He knew way more about dev than me. https://t.co/E9YRqPjfXe

— Warren Spector (@Warren_Spector) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

Very sad to hear of the passing of Mr Iwata. Sympathies to his family, friends and Nintendo colleagues #RIPIwata

— Phil Harrison (@MrPhilHarrison) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

Loved Mr. Iwata's quote. President as title, game dev's mind, gamers heart. Where's the tissue, I need it. Honestly.

— Ken Lobb (@RealKLobb) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

In remembrance of Mr. Satoru Iwata, Nintendo will not be posting on our social media channels today. pic.twitter.com/N2kR0OKEXh

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 13, 2015 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings

Will you support Eurogamer?

We want to make Eurogamer better, and that means better for our readers - not for algorithms. You can help! Become a supporter of Eurogamer and you can view the site completely ad-free, as well as gaining exclusive access to articles, podcasts and conversations that will bring you closer to the team, the stories, and the games we all love. Subscriptions start at £3.99 / $4.99 per month.

Support us View supporter archive

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7psHRqJ6apZWne6%2Bx02irq6GSqsGmv4yppq6qXZ67brLOq2SnoZ6psq%2BwzqxkrJmkpL%2B2eciwmK2Z