Satoru Iwata

Description: (Former President & CEO of Nintendo)

Satoru Iwata was a renowned Japanese video game programmer and businessman who is best known as the fourth president of the Japanese video game company, Nintendo. He later took additional responsibility as the CEO of Nintendo of America. Prior to joining Nintendo, he served as a programmer for HAL Laboratory, Inc., which he joined during his university days. While still at HAL, he collaborated with Nintendo on a number of video games and came close to Hiroshi Yamauchi, the then-president of the company. He trained himself in marketing and helped both HAL and Nintendo in increasing their profit margins. He is also known for his revolutionary ideas, and had a great role in developing the touch-enabled dual screen Nintendo DS, the motion controlled Wii, and in conceptualizing the Amiibo figurines. He became the public face of the company in later years and hosted the interview series titled ‘Iwata Asks’ and showed his sense of humor on ‘Nintendo Direct’, a series of online press conferences. A proficient programmer, who is also a self-proclaimed gamer, he was highly respected by programmers and gamers alike.

Overview

Birthday December 6, 1959 (Sagittarius)
Alternative names Iwata Satoru
Died on July 11, 2015
Spouse/Ex- Kayoko Iwata (m. ?–2015)
Parents Hiroshi Iwata

Did you know

What impact did Satoru Iwata have on the video game industry? Satoru Iwata was known for his innovative approach and played a crucial role in the success of Nintendo, overseeing the development of popular consoles like the Wii and DS.
How did Satoru Iwata start his career in the gaming industry? Satoru Iwata began his career as a programmer at HAL Laboratory, where he worked on games like EarthBound and Kirby. He later joined Nintendo and rose through the ranks to become the company's president.
What were some of Satoru Iwata's notable contributions to Nintendo? Satoru Iwata was known for his hands-on approach and involvement in game development. He helped bring about the Nintendo DS and Wii consoles, which were highly successful and innovative for their time.
How did Satoru Iwata handle challenges during his time as Nintendo's president? Satoru Iwata was praised for his leadership during challenging times, such as the underperformance of the Wii U console. He implemented cost-cutting measures and focused on creating new products to turn the company around.
What legacy has Satoru Iwata left behind in the gaming world? Satoru Iwata is remembered as a visionary leader who prioritized fun and creativity in gaming. His legacy includes the success of the Nintendo Switch and the company's continued focus on innovation and quality game development.
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