Ask Iwata: Words of Wisdom from Satoru Iwata, Nintendo's Legendary CEO

Satoru Iwata

Apr 2021 · Sold by VIZ Media LLC

About this ebook

Satoru Iwata was the global president and CEO of Nintendo and a gifted programmer who played a key role in the creation of many of the world’s best-known games. He led the production of innovative platforms such as the Nintendo DS and the Wii, and laid the groundwork for the development of the wildly successful Pokémon Go game and the Nintendo Switch. Known for his analytical and imaginative mind, but even more for his humility and people-first approach to leadership, Satoru Iwata was beloved by game fans and developers worldwide.

In this motivational collection, Satoru Iwata addresses diverse subjects such as locating bottlenecks, how success breeds resistance to change, and why programmers should never say no. Drawn from the “Iwata Asks” series of interviews with key contributors to Nintendo games and hardware, and featuring conversations with renowned Mario franchise creator Shigeru Miyamoto and creator of EarthBound Shigesato Itoi, Ask Iwata offers game fans and business leaders an insight into the leadership, development, and design philosophies of one of the most beloved figures in gaming history.

-- VIZ Media

Ratings and reviews

Ask Iwata is a very good book for me, having a background in computer science and learning to make it in an office setting, but it also has great wisdom about life, work, relationships, and just agreeable philosophy. It is clear that Satoru Iwata was a respected and talented individual. The book takes a, for the most part, chronological approach to Satoru Iwata through life, starting with his experiences in his early years, continuing to his days as the president of Nintendo, and ending with his work acquaintances friends Shigesato Itoi and Shigeru Miyamoto describing his personality, telling stories leading up to his passing. There is something of substance here for many audiences, young, old, businessmen, managers, associates, but also for Nintendo fans and gamers alike. Plenty of trivia here about the production of time-honored, revolutionary classics in the video game industry and the ideology that inspired them and made them possible. I found myself quoting the book non-stop to my friends and colleagues, and they all generally agree with the sentiments. Don't let not being a Nintendo fan, or understanding Japanese culture, turn you away from this book. There is something valuable for everyone here. It is a purchase I certainly don't regret.

A must read, Iwata will always be one of the greats in the video game industry.

R.I.P Mr Iwata. I miss him so much. 😥