Thousands paid their respect when Nintendo company president Satoru Iwata passed away in July, facing the brunt of typhoon at his service in Kyoto or leaving notes and letters at The Nintendo World Store in New York and the Nintendo headquarters in Redmond, Washington.
The ripples of Iwata’s death are still spreading throughout the gaming community. Metal Gear Solid series composer Norihiko Hibino and pianist Ayaki covered the song “Onett” from EarthBoundin tribute on the duo’s single Prescription for Peace: A Tribute to the Departed earlier this month. It also includes the track “Sincerely Yours” to honor late musical mentor Eiki Oshimi.
Norman Caruso is also chronicling Iwata’s career in his latest Gaming Historian 30-minute episode, “The Life of Satoru Iwata.”
Iwata saw the start of his gaming career at HAL Laboratory, developing known classics likeEarthbound and the Kirby franchise. As CEO of Nintendo, he pioneered many gaming innovations such as the Nintendo DS and introducing motion control to games with the Nintendo Wii. He often served as the face of Nintendo Direct, which were short online press conferences that showed off upcoming Nintendo titles. Many Nintendo Directs placed Iwata in quirky and humorous situations such as an intense mock battle with Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime back at E3 2014.
[Via Otakomu]
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