Video Game Community Pays Homage to Nintendo President Satoru Iwata

This morning, a bright rainbow shined over Nintendo HQ as its outside flags were left at half-mast to mourn the recent loss of Nintendo President Satoru Iwata (courtesy of Kotaku). In statements made to IGN, legendary game developer and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto had some heartfelt things to say about his longtime friend and colleague, as did Nintendo of Europe President Satoru Shibata.

"I am surprised at this sudden news and overcome with sadness," Miyamoto said. "The entire development team at Nintendo will remain committed to our development policy which Mr. Iwata and we have been constructing together and to yield the development results which Mr. Iwata would appreciate."

Iwata died yesterday due to complications of an ongoing bile duct growth, which likely played a role in the Nintendo President not attending the past two E3 events. Nintendo Research Division General Manager Genyo Takeda is acting as the company's interim Representative Director in the meantime, but no successor to Iwata's position has been announced yet. Miyamoto and Takeda are likely candidates as they both will be running the company after Iwata's death.

"It is difficult to put into words the sadness we feel at this time. Mr. Iwata was a strong leader, a unique figure in the gaming industry and an important part of  Nintendo's history," Shibata said. "He was a visionary in every sense of the word and we will miss him dearly."

Meanwhile, the video game community has been lamenting Iwata's passing, as fans, gamers, colleagues, developers, industry figureheads and even rival companies are paying their respects to Nintendo's leader:

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