Gaming Industry Pays Tribute To Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata, Dead At 55

RTR3O8VV — Nintendo President and CEO Satoru Iwata died on July 11. Pictured: Iwata speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tokyo, May 8, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

The video game industry is reeling following Nintendo’s announcement that president and CEO Satoru Iwata passed away on Saturday at 55 due to a bile duct growth. Since the statement was released on Sunday Nintendo fans, gamers and industry executives have been posting across social media in tribute.

Iwata worked at Nintendo since the early 1980s and became president in 2002. He will be best remembered for the success of the Nintendo DS, Wii, 3DS and Amiibo figurines.

The hashtag #ThankYouIwata has blown up on Twitter, with Iwata trending in multiple countries across the world. Here is a sample of comments from the video game industry.

Nintendo America

The U.S. branch of the video game company is taking a day of silence across its social media profiles in remembrance of Iwata.

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

Nintendo HQ

The flags at Nintendo HQ are flying at half-mast.

任天堂本社前です。岩田社長が亡くなられたということで半旗が掲げられていました。マスコミの姿も無く、ひっそりとしています。改めてご冥福をお祈りいたします。 pic.twitter.com/mSP1Z93BCM
— NOCHI (@nochi0079) July 13, 2015

PlayStation

The rival gaming company paid tribute with a simple but powerful sentence.

Thank you for everything, Mr. Iwata.
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) July 13, 2015

Phil Spencer

The head of Microsoft’s Xbox division perfectly laid out why Iwata was much-beloved by the gaming industry as a whole.

Sad day for Iwata-san’s family, friends, and gamers everywhere. His passion, creativity & leadership elevated our industry.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) July 13, 2015

E3

The Electronic Entertainment Expo tweeted a quote of Iwata’s.

"Video games are meant to be just one thing. Fun. Fun for everyone!" - Satoru Iwata #ThankYouIwata pic.twitter.com/XfeR7iYowA
— E3 (@E3) July 13, 2015

Treyarch

The American video game developer is best known for the Call of Duty series and Tony Hawk’s "Pro Skater."

RIP Iwata-san, we owe you much – you will be missed.
— Treyarch Studios (@Treyarch) July 13, 2015

Min-Liang Tan

The CEO and founder of popular gaming hardware, software and systems company Razer tweeted twice on Sunday night.

There are CEOs who make a difference to the lives of the people - Satoru Iwata was one of the few who did. https://t.co/IcJKU9sNPj
— Min-Liang Tan (@minliangtan) July 13, 2015

Am truly shocked by the news of Satoru Iwata's passing. So much greatness just....gone.
— Min-Liang Tan (@minliangtan) July 13, 2015

Masahiro Sakurai

The creator of Smash Bros. and Kirby, Sakurai’s tweet says “This isn’t a regular day, and my mental state isn’t regular, either, but I’m going to work as usual, and like always, I’m throwing myself into (game) development. This was also the situation for Iwata-san. Doing what you need to do,” according to Kotaku.

ふつうではない日、ふつうではない心境ですが、ふつうに出社し、ふつうに開発に打ち込んでいます。それが岩田さんのためでもありますしね。なすべきことをします。
— 桜井政博 (@Sora_Sakurai) July 13, 2015

Aaron Greenberg

A member of Xbox's marketing team, Greenberg tweeted a simple image in remembrance.

pic.twitter.com/TDBrzS4b9M
— Aaron Greenberg (@aarongreenberg) July 13, 2015

Bungie

The developers of Destiny tweeted an Iwata quote.

"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

Zelda Williams

The actress and daughter of Robin Williams is huge in the video game industry.

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

Smosh

The popular gaming YouTube channel expressed their thanks for Iwata.

You know how some people work really hard, every day, just to make sure you're always having a good time? That was Mr. Iwata. #ThankYouIwata
— Smosh Games (@SmoshGames) July 13, 2015

Nintendo