There have been a lot of interesting Nintendo tidbits revealed by former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime in a recent NYU Game Centre Lecture Series. Reggie shared that the legendary Nintendo president, Satoru Iwata, asked to personally meet with Reggie Fils-Aime face to face to inform his that sadly his cancer had unfortunately returned. While it was a sad event, Reggie recalls that once that had been said they then discussed the all-important launch planning for the Nintendo Switch which inevitably proved to be a big success, as we all know how it turned out.
“I’m called to Japan for a meeting and I argued with Mr. Iwata because I had lined up activities for my birthday and he was adamant on the days he wanted me in Kyoto. I celebrated my birthday in Kyoto. In the end there were two reasons for this meeting. The first is, that’s when he told me his cancer was back. We all believe he had beaten his cancer, but he wanted to tell me face to face his cancer was back. We talked about that for an hour and then he flipped the switch, now we need to talk about the future. It was in that meeting we did the launch planning for the Switch. The software that would come out, the pricing and how we would launch it.”
Rest in peace KING
Rest In peace.
Rest in peace Legend.
Rest In peace. Long live the king. I hate to admit this, cancer related disease always finds it way back. It always does.
To anyone that is suffering or knows anyone with cancer. Ignore this utterly insensitive comment.
Whatever.
What’s wrong with sonicgalaxy’s comment?
It’s sad how during those times poor Iwata had to deal with hatred coming from media (that dork pachter), gamers and shareholders and at the same time is inspiring how always held his head up.
Good night sweet prince.
Cancer is always the hatred since the beginning. Iwata was the main reason to shape up the companies console sales and improvement.
(suggestion: this Biblical verse: “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” – Ephesians 4:29, New Living Translation version)
Iwata was Nintendo. No one can even reach his dedication of how to lead this company.
Rest in peace, Mr. Iwata.
He was a true leader and was Nintendo’s north star.
Mr Iwata..I think of you everytime a new Nintendo Direct starts and wish it was you that popped up.
Nothing against the current workers, I personally really like Miyamoto and Koizumi, but there was just something so special about Iwata.
This is the relationship that I liked about Nintendo back then. I don’t think we’ll ever have someone like Reggie and Iwata again.
you can tell iwata had a hand in switch 1 launch year cause the switch 2…..lol RIP iwata
Yamauchi’s death was widely significant for what he started. Iwata’s death was significant for the many things that would never be the same in his absence. I think many people feel that way, even though the business continues to roll on and bigger than ever. But it’s not the same somehow and financial success doesn’t make up for that extra bit of soul the company had under iwata
I Miss him badly everytime I hear the name Iwata.