Sakurai remembers Satoru Iwata
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 20 Comments
Masahiro Sakurai published a new column in the latest issue of Famitsu. His piece is entirely about Satoru Iwata, who just recently passed away.
Sakurai started out by stating the following when he heard the news: “My mind went white and even now the reality hasn’t sunk in.”
He then remembers the early days, and recalled how Iwata had been one of the interviewers when Sakurai applied for a job at HAL Laboratory Inc. “Our positions and locations changed throughout our long association,” he said. “He was the best superior I ever had and a man who understood me better than anyone.”
Later in his piece, Sakurai described Iwata in the following five ways:
He was a man of virtue. Where a normal person would get annoyed or angry, he would never show such emotions and would instead analyze, organize, and offer ideas. He was someone who could bow his head and apologize for things that weren’t his fault. I often worried about his stress levels, but he always talked with a smile.
He had a brilliant mind. Even when people would talk at length or without focus he was able to quickly say, “so, what you’re trying to say is…” and quickly summarize their point. He was able to see to the heart of people and things and was a master of simplifying them so that anyone could understand their point. He could immediately make a call on changes to improve. I have no doubt that many people were saved by this quality.
He was a man of effort. Even though he didn’t start out in the managing field, he read numerous management books, he would ask for advice from the necessary people that he would take to heart, and managed to become the president of Nintendo. What he gained from his years as a programmer allowed him to take many long-term projects to successful fruition.
More: Famitsu, Masahiro Sakurai, Satoru Iwata, top
Nyannyan Neko Mario Time episode 42
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Videos | 0 comments
The latest episode of Nintendo’s Japanese show Nyannyan Neko Mario Time has now gone live. We’ve included it below.
More: Japan, Nyannyan Neko Mario Time
Video: Developer chat with Aya Kyogoku and Risa Tabata
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Videos | 3 Comments
Nintendo has posted a new developer chat video with Aya Kyogoku and Risa Tabata. The two talked about getting involved with gaming, what it’s like being a female developer at Nintendo, and what they’re most excited about among their current projects. They also shared a message for females who are interested in working in the industry. Watch the full discussion below.
More: Aya Kyogoku, interview, Risa Tabata
Two more pieces of merchandise revealed for the Fire Emblem 25th anniversary concert
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Another two items have been revealed for the Fire Emblem 25th anniversary concert in Japan.
First up, fans can get their hands on the 36-page A4 booklet known as the “Event Official Booklet” This will cost 2,500 yen, and features a discussion between Yuka Tsujiyoko and IIkuro Fujiwara, celebratory messages from those related to the event, and various important plannings.
Another item planned for the concert is an Azura illustration sheet signed by Renka, which cannot be purchased under normal circumstances. Attendees who pick up the Event Official Booklet and Renka’s single “if~ Hitori Omou” will be entered into a raffle for it.
More: Fire Emblem, Japan
Dark Pit amiibo not a Best Buy exclusive in Canada
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 1 Comment
Originally, the Dark Pit amiibo was thought to be a Best Buy exclusive in Canada. There’s been talk since then that this wouldn’t be the case, but it wasn’t until today that we received concrete information.
Walmart is now listing the Dark Pit amiibo on its Canadian website. While the listing isn’t live yet, this means that Best Buy won’t be the only retailer in the country to be selling the figure. That’s good news for amiibo fans in Canada!
Fire Emblem 0 (Cipher) series 2 coming to Japan in September
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Fire Emblem 0 (Cipher) received its first wave of cards on June 25. Fans can expect the next wave to hit on September 17.
The second series of Fire Emblem 0 (Cipher) cards is set to arrive in Japan in the form of booster packs (10 cards each, 350 yen) and starter decks (50 cards each, 1,300 yen). These will be based on Fire Emblem Fates, which recently came out in Japan.
Also worth noting is that the starter decks come with a 3DS theme based on Fire Emblem’s 25th anniversary. Players will be able to obtain the male heroes version from Birthright’s starter deck, and the female heroes version from Conquest’s starter deck. Both will feature classically-drawn images and a theme composed by Yuka Tsujiyoko.
More: Fire Emblem
Virtual Boy turns 20 years old today
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 5 Comments
It’s another birthday in the Nintendo scene today, as one of the company’s systems is celebrating a big milestone. That’s right: the Virtual Boy is now 20 years old!
The Virtual Boy is one of the few Nintendo platforms that I never had the opportunity of playing. There weren’t a ton of games for it, but the system is still an important part of the Big N’s history!
More: Virtual Boy
Animal Crossing amiibo card packs only come with 3 cards in Europe
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 5 Comments
Nintendo will be including six cards with the Animal Crossing amiibo card packs when they launch in North America. It’s being handled differently in Japan, as there will only be three random cards in each pack. We now also know what the situation will be like in Europe.
Nintendo’s website from Norway confirms that there will only be three cards in each of the Animal Crossing amiibo booster packs in Europe, much like Japan. One of these includes a “special card”.
Nintendo and DigiPen launch DigiPen Game Studios
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, General Nintendo, News | 53 Comments
Nintendo and digital media university DigiPen – in conjunction with Media Development Authority – today launched the DigiPen Game Studios. This new group will be looking to discover and publish titles from Singapore.
DigiPen Game Studios will be scouting potential projects to support during a conference that will be held later in the year. Proposals that are chosen will be developed and eventually distributed for sale on the 3DS eShop, though other gaming systems could eventually follow. DigiPen International chief operating officer Jason Chu has said that the company hopes to select ten games from Singapore by next year.
Developers that are chosen for this new initiative will receive mentorship and assistance from DigiPen. Additionally, Nintendo intends to fully market the different games.
Thanks to Tenku_no_Miko for the tip.
More: DigiPen Game Studios, top
[Just a Chat] Satoru Iwata
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Just a Chat, Videos | 1 Comment
Jon and I discussed the tragedy surrounding the passing of Nintendo president Satoru Iwata in this week’s episode of Just a Chat. It was rather tough to get through, but we managed to record this somehow!
Stuff:
