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Shigeru Miyamoto is one of the most iconic faces in the video game industry. So, when news of his retirement hit the Internet last night, it caused quite a spectacular ripple effect. While giving an interview for an upcoming issue of Wired, Miyamoto made several statements that seemed to indicate that he would be stepping down from his current position as head of development at Nintendo and assuming a slightly different role. “I’m not saying that I’m going to retire from game development altogether. What I mean by retiring is, retiring from my current position,” he said. “What I really want to do is be in the forefront of game development once again myself. Probably working on a smaller project with even younger developers. Or I might be interested in making something that I can make myself, by myself. Something really small.” However, as soon as the story started taking off, Nintendo was quick to deny its accuracy. “This is absolutely not true,” said a Nintendo spokesperson. “There seems to have been a misunderstanding. He has said all along that he wants to train the younger generation. He has no intention of stepping down. Please do not be concerned.” 
In a recent interview, Dan Sloan, author of Playing to Wiin: Nintendo and the Video Game Industry’s Greatest Comeback, commented on Miyamoto’s role in the industry: “He is a rock star in video game and console development,” Sloan said. “Whether the report is true or not, speculation has been growing that Nintendo needs a next generation to take the mantle held by Miyamoto and Iwata over the past decade.” By Josh Engen |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III key art.