Here’s just a few tweets and comments from the industry on the passing of Mr. Iwata. Feel free to share more in the comments section. I’m sure there’s a ton I missed.
“Mr. Iwata is gone, but it will be years before his impact on both Nintendo and the full video game industry will be fully appreciated. He was a strong leader for our company, and his attributes were clear to most everyone: Intelligence, creativity, curiosity and sense of humor. But for those of us fortunate enough to work closely with him, what will be remembered most were his mentorship and, especially, his friendship. He was a wonderful man. He always challenged us to push forward…to try the new…to upset paradigms—and most of all, to engage, excite and endear our fans. That work will continue uninterrupted.”
Mr. Miayamoto’s statement:
I am truly surprised and saddened by this unexpected news.
The entire development team at Nintendo will remain committed to our development policy which Mr. Iwata and we have been constructing together and to yield the development results which Mr. Iwata would appreciate.
Satoru Iwata was a great leader, mentor and friend whom I will miss dearly. May we forever remember his smile and the smiles he gave us.
— Bill Trinen (@trintran) July 14, 2015
任天堂岩田社長が逝去されました。私にとって前の会社からの上司であり、立場を変え、場所を変えても一番の理解者でいてくださいました。努力家で、人徳者で、いつもバランスがよいまとめと提案を素早く導き出していました。考えられる限り最高のリーダーだったと思います。ご冥福をお祈りします。
— 桜井 政博 (@Sora_Sakurai) July 13, 2015
任天堂岩田社長が逝去されました。私にとって前の会社からの上司であり、立場を変え、場所を変えても一番の理解者でいてくださいました。努力家で、人徳者で、いつもバランスがよいまとめと提案を素早く導き出していました。考えられる限り最高のリーダーだったと思います。ご冥福をお祈りします。
— 桜井 政博 (@Sora_Sakurai) July 13, 2015
English translation of Sakurai statement below.
“The president of Nintendo, Satoru Iwata has passed away. He was my former employer, but even when my situation and location changed, he was always the most understanding [of me and my work]. A hard worker and a virtuous man, he always supplied me with quick, fair guidance. I believe that he was the greatest leader I could have imagined. May you rest in peace.”
-Masahiro Sakurai o
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
I am saddened and shocked by the news of Mr. Iwata’s passing. A wonderful human being who will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.
— Jools Watsham (@JoolsWatsham) July 13, 2015
#RIPIwata pic.twitter.com/32QyvHHHoH
— NVIDIA (@nvidia) July 13, 2015
Satoru Iwata was a great leader, mentor and friend whom I will miss dearly. May we forever remember his smile and the smiles he gave us.
— Bill Trinen (@trintran) July 14, 2015
“In my heart, I am a gamer”. Thanks for all the amazing memories. #RIPIwata
— Xbox UK (@xboxuk) July 13, 2015
Statement from PETA
We at PETA are deeply saddened by the death of Nintendo’s Satoru Iwata. Many of us grew up with Nintendo—we’ve celebrated games such as Nintendogs, which PETA Europe named Best Animal-Friendly Video Game, and our love for these games powered the parodies we’ve made, such as the Super Mario Bros.–spoofing Super Chick Sisters, in which players try to save Princess Pamela Anderson from the evil Colonel Sanders, and Pokémon Black & Blue: Gotta Free ‘Em All, in which players battle to free Pokémon from human enslavement. Our thoughts are with Mr. Iwata’s family and everyone at Nintendo today.
Sad day for Iwata-san’s family, friends, and gamers everywhere. His passion, creativity & leadership elevated our industry.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) July 13, 2015
RIP, Mr. Iwata. Thanks for all the incredible fun and inspiration.
— Neil Druckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) July 13, 2015
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
— Aaron Greenberg (@aarongreenberg) July 13, 2015
Today we honor a true visionary. Iwata-san, thank you for your passion for games. You will continue to inspire many generations.
— WB Games (@WB_Games) July 13, 2015
Rest in peace, Iwata-san, gone much too soon. A legend of gaming … (1 of 2)
— Electronic Arts (@EA) July 13, 2015
#ThankYouIwata http://t.co/oWfvyXgZ3u pic.twitter.com/yImMymnTyt
— GameStop (@GameStop) July 13, 2015
#ThankYouIwata pic.twitter.com/UDa3sjp7g1
— Skype (@Skype) July 13, 2015
… Iwata-san was a visionary who has helped bring joy to millions. Our thoughts are with the entire Nintendo family. (2 of 2)
— Electronic Arts (@EA) July 13, 2015
What a terribly sad day. Iwata-San was such a gentleman. Huge loss for the industry. http://t.co/kkNvoU6Mlt
— Peter Moore (@petermooreEA) July 13, 2015
Our deepest condolences to the Iwata & Nintendo family. He will be missed.
— Bethesda Softworks (@Bethblog) July 13, 2015
Thank you Mr Iwata. You will be greatly missed! #RIPIwata pic.twitter.com/UOkjdyUa0d
— KONAMI Europe (@konamieu) July 13, 2015
Endless thanks and respect to Iwata-san. His talent and humor made the world a better place.
— Capcom-Unity (@Capcom_Unity) July 13, 2015
So sorry to hear about Mr. Iwata's passing. He was an unbelievable mind and talent, a passionate creative force. May he rest in peace.
— Zelda Williams (@zeldawilliams) July 13, 2015
“On my business card, I am a president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a gamer.” #RIPIwata pic.twitter.com/cqejnpKeHy
— Playtonic (@PlaytonicGames) July 13, 2015
RIP Iwata-san, we owe you much – you will be missed.
— Treyarch Studios (@Treyarch) July 13, 2015
"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
In my heart forever.
http://t.co/w4cYNscXFy
— 神谷英樹 Hideki Kamiya (@PG_kamiya) July 13, 2015
#ThankYouIwata for everything you gave to gamers pic.twitter.com/nE6Qe1vLEr
— Deep Silver UK (@DeepSilverUK) July 13, 2015
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