Nintendo’s highly popular and personable Satoru Iwata (55 years old) has passed away due to a bile duct growth on 11 July 2015. This is the official statement from the Japanese company:
“Nintendo Co., Ltd. deeply regrets to announce that President Satoru Iwata passed away on July 11, 2015 due to a bile duct growth.”
He was beloved by Nintendo fans everywhere and joined the company in the 80’s. He is known to have worked on games like Kirby’s Adventure, Earthbound, Pokemon, Star Fox, Metroid and Mario. The first sign of trouble came last year when he was unable to attend E3 2014 due to health problems. He assured the fans and Nintendo fans that his health improving after successful surgery at that time.
Satoru Iwata began to assume directorship of Nintendo in 2000 after endorsement by Hiroshi Yamauchi, marking him as the first non-family related person to the Yamauchi clan ever to take the top position. During his time, he oversaw some of the most iconic Nintendo products such as Gamecube, DS, 3DS, The Wii and Wii U. He also initiated Nintendo Direct to keep a personal touch with the fans with his own brand of humour. The last title that he was supervising was Fire Emblem: Awakening (3DS).
Rest in peace, Satoru Iwata, we will remember the great childhood memories you gave us all.
Source: Nintendo
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