Shigeru Miyamoto to Become First Gaming Industry Figure to Receive Japan’s Order of Culture

[u/Traveler-of-Stars]

https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/interview/261023n

[u/Traveler-of-Stars]

In the Award Q&A, Miyamoto discusses what the Order of Culture award means to him:

"I feel quite embarrassed, to be honest, but I am truly honored to have been chosen for such a prestigious award.

As I often say, I do not create games all by myself. This award is the result of the work I have done alongside many others, and I accept it as a representative of that entire team.

Lately, in particular, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with people from fields beyond just video games—such as on 'Super Nintendo World' at Universal Studios Japan and various film-related projects. I would like to share the joy of this award with all of them.

Recently, there have been several milestones, such as the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, and I myself have often mentioned that it has been 45 years since I began making games. However, when I really think about it—having joined Nintendo in 1977 and immediately becoming involved in game development—it has actually been 50 years. Since '50 years' is a nice, round number, I’ll use that figure today.

Fifty years ago, I began working in a medium called 'games'—a medium whose very nature was, at the time, not even clearly defined. I have been able to continue this work ever since. I believe I am receiving this recognition precisely because I was there from the very dawn of the industry, and I feel that I have led a very lucky life." (Machine translated)

[u/SuperUranus → u/Traveler-of-Stars]

What a humble response.

[u/NoNefariousness2144 → u/Traveler-of-Stars]

Fifty years ago, I began working in a medium called 'games'—a medium whose very nature was, at the time, not even clearly defined.

Wow that really puts it into perspective just how much of an influence Miyamato is. Not every decision he makes is perfect, but Nintendo having someone with literal decades with experience is part of what makes the Nintendo ‘magic’ feel so real. Similar to Sakurai working on games for 37 years and Eiji Aonuma for 38 (with 28 of those working on Zelda!)

[u/Pwnigiri → u/Traveler-of-Stars]

I've been playing a lot of Nintendoland on the WiiU recently and it struck me how this game is a Nintendo theme park released at probably their lowest moment as a company, and years later they have rebounded to the point of being able to open a REAL theme park (Super Nintendo World). Long may their success continue.

[u/DistrictDry2852]

Wikipedia says it comes with a lifetime annuity and is awarded by the emperor himself in person. So safe to say it’s a very prestigious award.

[u/Shakzor → u/DistrictDry2852]

That does indeed sound like one of, if not the highest award a game dev could possibly get

Lowkey surprised he didn't get it already, with how INCREDIBLY influental his work was to not just the game industry, but even the fricking country itself.

Like you could likely ask even someones grandparents and chances are, they atleast know what Mario looks like, even if they can't remember/know what his name is

[u/Objective_Carrot3456]

Fair enough. I don't think that anyone can imagine how the industry would be today without this guy involvement back there.

[u/Nerf_Now]

I don't give 1 year for Miyamoto to retire now.

He peaked, only thing left now is to exit the stage as a legend.

[u/Traveler-of-Stars → u/Nerf_Now]

Funny you say that, 'cause in this same Q&A Miyamoto said that at his age, he doesn't know when he might not be able to work anymore, but that he's still involved in several projects and he's going to continue enjoying what he does.

My interpretation of that is he'll continue on until he physically can't anymore.

[u/Ekgladiator → u/Nerf_Now]

Idk, he seems like the type of person who enjoys what he does and will probably continue to enjoy doing it until he physically can't anymore

[u/PickledPlumPlot]

Yeah, this is the Japanese equivalent of like knighthood for an actor or something. It’s a big fucking deal, especially for a medium that often doesn’t go recognized in those circles.

[u/bigpig1054]

Nintendo fans need to appreciate how rare it is for someone like Shiggy to have remained there for his whole career. It's very common for big names at game studios to leave, start their own companies, etc.

Kojima, Sakaguchi, Mikami, Inafune, Suzuki, and more all created amazing franchises and eventually left. Miyamoto has stayed and shepherded a whole new generation of Nintendo developers, ensuring the level of quality the company has been known for will remain for at least a generation after he is gone

[u/dukemetoo → u/bigpig1054]

It is was more common in Japan than it is in the US. Even then, Nintendo seems to have better retention than the rest of the gaming Market. Ounuma, Tezuka, and Koizumi are the other big ones that jump to mind that have spent their entire careers at Nintendo. Even Sakurai (who was at HAL, not Nintendo), opened his own studio to then contract with Nintendo almost exclusivly.

It might be crunch levels, or creative freedom, or good management. I'm not sure, but Nintendo really retains their talent.

[u/MutFox]

The industry was built on the shoulders of giants and he is definitely one of them.

Folks might not like Nintendo games, but no one should ignore or forget what Miyamoto and his peers brought to the industry.

[u/Fenor → u/MutFox]

the thing is that people who shit on nintendo usually whine that it's not cutting edge or didn't embrace something that others did, but nintendo in their slow acceptance of new stuff have always delivered fun games.

go to a party with games and they will most likely be indie or nintendo

[u/Commercial-Ad-5905 → u/MutFox]

Folks might not like Nintendo games?

They are some of the most critically acclaimed games ever no? People love Nintendo games moreso than any other publisher. I dont think thats controversial

[u/PhirebirdSunSon → u/MutFox]

Folks might not like Nintendo games

Lol what fucking dweebs would not like some of the most critically acclaimed and influential games of all time? Hell I'm pretty sure Zelda games just litter the top 50 games on metacritic.

[u/deedee2148 → u/MutFox]

People who have an irrational hatred of Nintendo to me is like people who have a irrational hatred of animals. 

It's a huge red flag to them as a person. 

[u/Nerf_Now]

Sometimes I wonder how odd is to be working at Nintendo and Miyamoto just pass by, maybe exchange some words or give you some task.

It's Shigeru Fucking Miyamoto and he is just there, at the same time he is just another colleague, a human of bone and flesh, but by another side, he created some of the most influential games of the genre.

[u/ShortChapter5246]

I don't play nintendo games much anymore, but as Mario defined my childhood, it is safe to safe to say that he had immense impact on my life by sparking my initial interest in Japan, which eventually led me to emigrate there. I feel an immense respect to him

[u/jagaaaaaaaaaaaan]

That's pretty cool. I don't know when this award ceremony started, but Miyamoto is the most fitting #1 gaming industry figure to receive it.

Hironobu Sakaguchi should be next imo, but I wouldn't be surprised if it went to Kojima.

edit: Yuji Horii should definitely be next.

[u/RyouBestGirl → u/jagaaaaaaaaaaaan]

Yuji Horii

Dude literally made JRPG mainstream in Japan.

[u/HGWeegee → u/jagaaaaaaaaaaaan]

I could also see Yoko Shimomura, as her music was also used in the Olympics in Tokyo and is one of the pillars of music in japanese games

[u/Lazitos1234]

I don't think Miyamoto is missing any japanese award after this... (love his tie!)

[u/Significant_Walk_664]

Kind overdue imo. How many people across creative media have done so much for so long for their medium and their company?