Nintendo's legacy in the video game industry continues to be shaped by the philosophies of Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary developer behind many of the company's most iconic titles.
Each year, Miyamoto delivers a talk to new employees, sharing wisdom on Nintendo’s core values and what it means to build world-class games.
At this month’s Nintendo Financial Results Briefing, Miyamoto was prompted by an investor to elaborate on the content and purpose of these annual sessions, offering the public a rare glimpse into the creative foundations that drive Nintendo’s enduring success. Miyamoto began by humbly addressing perceptions about his status, saying he sees himself as an ordinary person, despite his reputation.
He explained he speaks annually to around 100 to 200 new graduates and mid-career hires at Nintendo.
Many are surprised by his approachable demeanor, reflecting the culture of openness that has become part of Nintendo's identity. During his two-hour talk, Miyamoto divides his presentation into three key sections: 1.
**Nintendo’s History and Evolution:** He provides an overview of Nintendo’s long journey, from its origins making hanafuda playing cards, through a wide array of toys, to its emergence as a global force in interactive entertainment.
This contextualizes the company’s forward-thinking culture while honoring its rich heritage. 2.
**Nintendo’s Values in Game Creation:** Miyamoto discusses the core principles and strengths that define Nintendo’s approach to game development.
Using the evolution of Nintendo’s controllers—from arcade hardware to the innovative features of the Nintendo Switch—he illustrates how hardware has shaped the gaming experience. 3.
**Game Design Fundamentals:** Contrary to the expectations of many aspiring developers, Miyamoto emphasizes that successful game design is not about simply improving upon past games.
Instead, he encourages newcomers to observe the world broadly, identifying how to translate real-life experiences and ideas into unique, engaging video games.
According to Miyamoto, effective planning, careful hardware selection, and a process of trial and error are essential to bringing creative visions to life. This approach to creative mentorship helps new developers reframe their understanding of what it means to design games at a company like Nintendo.
Miyamoto noted that many participants find these insights refreshing, often realizing that Nintendo’s philosophy differs greatly from more conventional approaches seen elsewhere in the video game industry. To further reinforce these principles after his brief but impactful annual talk, Miyamoto suggested that new employees visit the Nintendo Museum.
He believes that exploring the company’s history of innovation and past challenges will help solidify their understanding of Nintendo’s unique design legacy. Nintendo senior executive Takahashi added that producers across the company leverage their own strengths to create innovative products.
Drawing inspiration from Miyamoto’s philosophy, Nintendo’s teams work closely with him and with each other to ensure that each new game reflects not only individual creativity but also the collective wisdom shared throughout the company’s development teams. With a catalog of groundbreaking releases and a continued presence on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo eShop, Nintendo remains a driving force in the gaming industry.
The company’s internal culture of mentorship and creative exchange, as highlighted by Miyamoto’s annual talks, ensures that its future is shaped by experienced insight and fresh talent alike.
Each year, Miyamoto delivers a talk to new employees, sharing wisdom on Nintendo’s core values and what it means to build world-class games.
At this month’s Nintendo Financial Results Briefing, Miyamoto was prompted by an investor to elaborate on the content and purpose of these annual sessions, offering the public a rare glimpse into the creative foundations that drive Nintendo’s enduring success. Miyamoto began by humbly addressing perceptions about his status, saying he sees himself as an ordinary person, despite his reputation.
He explained he speaks annually to around 100 to 200 new graduates and mid-career hires at Nintendo.
Many are surprised by his approachable demeanor, reflecting the culture of openness that has become part of Nintendo's identity. During his two-hour talk, Miyamoto divides his presentation into three key sections: 1.
**Nintendo’s History and Evolution:** He provides an overview of Nintendo’s long journey, from its origins making hanafuda playing cards, through a wide array of toys, to its emergence as a global force in interactive entertainment.
This contextualizes the company’s forward-thinking culture while honoring its rich heritage. 2.
**Nintendo’s Values in Game Creation:** Miyamoto discusses the core principles and strengths that define Nintendo’s approach to game development.
Using the evolution of Nintendo’s controllers—from arcade hardware to the innovative features of the Nintendo Switch—he illustrates how hardware has shaped the gaming experience. 3.
**Game Design Fundamentals:** Contrary to the expectations of many aspiring developers, Miyamoto emphasizes that successful game design is not about simply improving upon past games.
Instead, he encourages newcomers to observe the world broadly, identifying how to translate real-life experiences and ideas into unique, engaging video games.
According to Miyamoto, effective planning, careful hardware selection, and a process of trial and error are essential to bringing creative visions to life. This approach to creative mentorship helps new developers reframe their understanding of what it means to design games at a company like Nintendo.
Miyamoto noted that many participants find these insights refreshing, often realizing that Nintendo’s philosophy differs greatly from more conventional approaches seen elsewhere in the video game industry. To further reinforce these principles after his brief but impactful annual talk, Miyamoto suggested that new employees visit the Nintendo Museum.
He believes that exploring the company’s history of innovation and past challenges will help solidify their understanding of Nintendo’s unique design legacy. Nintendo senior executive Takahashi added that producers across the company leverage their own strengths to create innovative products.
Drawing inspiration from Miyamoto’s philosophy, Nintendo’s teams work closely with him and with each other to ensure that each new game reflects not only individual creativity but also the collective wisdom shared throughout the company’s development teams. With a catalog of groundbreaking releases and a continued presence on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo eShop, Nintendo remains a driving force in the gaming industry.
The company’s internal culture of mentorship and creative exchange, as highlighted by Miyamoto’s annual talks, ensures that its future is shaped by experienced insight and fresh talent alike.
