(Image credit: Nintendo)
Shigeru Miyamoto, an icon of Nintendo and a mastermind behind some of the most legendary video game franchises, consistently brings a unique touch to game development. Takaya Imamura, another celebrated figure in the world of Nintendo, believes he has insights into what sets Miyamoto apart.
Imamura, known for his critical role in the F-Zero, Star Fox, and Legend of Zelda series, recently shared his thoughts on Twitter. Reflecting on Miyamoto’s game design philosophy, Imamura revealed that Miyamoto’s perspective was shaped by his academic background. In a tweet written in Japanese, translated by Automaton, he noted:
“Mr. Miyamoto studied industrial design at an art university, and he views games as ‘products,’ not ‘works of art.'” According to Imamura, this approach ensures that game development resonates more closely with the users.
Miyamoto completed his industrial design degree from the Kanazawa College of Art in the early ’70s before joining Nintendo in 1977 as a part of its planning team. Reflecting on what Imamura shared, it’s clear that this approach translates into games that are not just about creators’ visions but are keenly attuned to players’ preferences.
It’s unlikely that Imamura intended to weigh in on the ‘games as art’ debate. Instead, his words suggest that Miyamoto’s development strategy prioritizes what he perceives players desire over personal creative inclinations—a true champion for gamers.
Miyamoto himself is forthcoming about his game creation philosophy. He’s recently emphasized the importance of pursuing innovation, advising developers to “try to do something that nobody’s done before,” as following trends can be “stressful.” Weekly digests and stories from the communities add depth to this philosophy.
In pursuit of broadening its reach, Nintendo aims to “expand the number of people” who can experience its beloved franchises. This ambition extends to “various” projects beyond the Legend of Zelda movie, illustrating Nintendo’s dedication to bringing its enchanting worlds to more people.