Nintendo President Satoru Iwata dies at age 55

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata dies at age 55, according to an announcement on the company’s web site.

The announcement says: “Nintendo Co., Ltd. deeply regrets to announce that President Satoru Iwata passed away on July 11, 2015 due to a bile duct growth.”

Because of health problems, he missed E3 2014.

Iwata gained lots of fans with his involvement as Nintendo president and in recent years because of his appearance in Nintendo Direct videos.

He wasn’t just a corporate president, he was truly a gamer for all of us fans.

“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,” said Iwata during a keynote at GDC 2005.

People in the gaming community are expressing their sadness for the passing of Iwata-san.

Thanks for all the fun you’ve given us gamers, Iwata-san.

Very sad news 😢 RIP Mr. Iwata pic.twitter.com/LBEaYXbWId

— Grant Kirkhope ☮️ (@grantkirkhope) July 13, 2015

Thank you for everything, Mr. Iwata.

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) July 13, 2015

https://twitter.com/zeldawilliams/status/620423322166136832

https://twitter.com/SmashBros_Nin/status/620419796358823937

We have lost a legend in the gaming world today… RIP Satoru Iwata you will be missed… #RIPIwata #ktfamily pic.twitter.com/ODRirzLDs9

— KOEI TECMO AMERICA (@KoeiTecmoUS) July 13, 2015

I had the chance to meet Iwata-san at E3 one year, and he was such a gentleman as I fan boyed out. Today the industry lost a huge force. 😞

— Larry Hryb 🎮⌨️🖱☁️ 🇺🇦 (@majornelson) July 13, 2015

Mr. Iwata’s contributions to the industry were immeasurable. Thank you for inspiring us all.

— Activision (@Activision) July 13, 2015

I first met Satoru Iwata at TGS in 2005 when I interviewed him for G4. He spoke in Japanese and showed off the Nintendo Wii controller.

— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) July 13, 2015

Rest in Peace Iwata-san – Our thoughts are with Nintendo and the gaming community. @NintendoAUNZ pic.twitter.com/zOMxyMgh93

— Bandai Namco AU (@BandaiNamcoAU) July 13, 2015

I am beyond heartbroken to hear about the passing of my friend Satoru Iwata. He was a gamer, a developer and a champion for our medium. RIP

— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) July 13, 2015

https://twitter.com/fourzerotwo/status/620384719155281920

[Source]: Nintendo: Notification of Death and Personnel Change of a Representative Director (President).