Tribute to Satoru Iwata (Passed at age 55)

It appears that Iwata took the Rainbow Road...

 

I found this picture online. Every time I see it or think of it, my eyes water.

 

Thank You Iwata-san for all your contribution to Nintendo

 

What a shame. This news came completely out of left field. He will definitely be missed as he was a CEO unlike any other. Nintendo won't be the same without him.

 

Wow you can see the cancer taking it's toll on him in this picture. Looking very thin and frail...such a shame.

RIP to one of Nintendo's greatest.

 

When I got the news I was on a Skype call and none of us believed it at first, but damn it was very upsetting, to say the least. I've been reading all the posts regarding his passing and it's astounding all the people that have come forward to give their condolences and support.

All that aside, may he rest in peace. He was one of the most influential people in the gaming industry, and his legacy will be apparent for many years to come.

 

I'm devastated.
Such a great man, with so much to offer....

His family and friends must be devastated too. If he could make such a deep connection with thousands of strangers through the years; then he must definitely have been a very beloved guy by those who knew him.



Sad days indeed...

 

Translation of Yoot Saito's blog post on Iwata:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=171887888&postcount=10837

If you're at work prepare to pretend you just had a sneeze attack or got something caught in your eye... gah.

 

The cancer doesn't make people look ill, in fact it never does. It's the treatments that make you look and feel like shit. My father is going through this cycle. Radiation drains all energy out of you, a chemo does that along with ruining your mobility, tastebuds and all other basic senses.
Once the diagnosis is given, you're a ticking timebomb.

From what Iwata did during the time of his treatment, I'd say he was so dedicated and a very strong man. I'll always remember him by this.

 

If you have high level cancer, the chemo will kill you faster than the cancer. Chemo has miserable success rates in late cancer.

 

It's different for everyone, if you're strong enough high level chemo can have great benefits but it's just the cycle that really knocks you down.
Some forms of cancer reacts to chemo and some don't. Not sure what Iwata's treatments are, but most likely radiation considering he didn't lose his hair from what we last saw him. Seems no cancer treatments help, even surgery, once the cancer is in your blood you're pretty much finished really. The pass rate is so damn low.

 

man am i ever late to post this.

Rest in peace Iwata.
Such a shame to see a legend of this caliber go.

 

Rest in peace, what a guy. Here's a photo of him chilling with Itoi's dog:

 

"Video games are meant to be just one thing. Fun. Fun for everyone!" - Satoru Iwata

 

Here's a fantastic animated tribute from this year's GDC event:



I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried watching this - the part near the end where Iwata floats up with one of his balloons is symbolism of the best possible kind, and even though I've always been more of a self-confessed Sega fan, how can you deny his importance to the industry? To borrow a quote from Soul Calibur, the legend will never die!