Miyamoto: Humble Game Designer Behind Nintendo’s Success

Shigeru Miyamoto, a legendary figure at Nintendo, is known for his groundbreaking creativity and numerous hit games. However, Miyamoto himself doesn’t see himself as a genius. In a recent earnings briefing, he pushed back against the idea that he’s been consistently successful due to extraordinary talent.

Miyamoto’s Perspective on Success

“You referred to me as a ‘genius,’ but I consider myself quite ordinary,” Miyamoto stated. He shared that he gives a yearly speech to Nintendo’s new hires, and their feedback consistently portrays him as “surprisingly ordinary.”

Miyamoto’s approach to game development focuses on efficiency and impact. He explained, “I often think it would be fun if I didn’t have to work, so I’m always thinking about things like, well, if I have to work, how can I do it more efficiently. And if I am going to do the same work, how can I make it more of a hit, because when a project is a hit it makes future work easier.”

Encouraging New Hires

Miyamoto advises new hires to think beyond simply creating “upgraded versions” of existing games. He encourages them to observe the world and translate those observations into engaging gameplay.

“[Game design] is about observing the world around us and figuring out how to assemble those elements into an engaging video game,” he said. “I explain that game design is about planning. That is, it is about assessing what hardware and development environment to use to create the game, whether the desired game can be realized with its available processing power, and engaging in trial and error to bring it to life.”

A Legacy of Innovation

Miyamoto’s impact on the gaming world is undeniable. He started at Nintendo in 1977 and has been instrumental in creating beloved franchises like Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., and The Legend of Zelda. Beyond his game design, he’s also involved in film productions like the “Super Mario Bros.” movie and the upcoming “Legend of Zelda” live-action film. He’s also a key figure in the development of Nintendo theme parks.

While Miyamoto has no plans to retire, he