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Miyamoto 'Banned' From Talking About Hobbies

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the they-might-learn-our-secrets dept.

walshy007 writes "After Shigeru Miyamoto developed a love of puzzles, the "brain-training" software that has proved to be an international "killer application" on the Nintendo DS console was born. He became interested in taking more exercise, and Wii Fit was created. He took up music lessons, and Wii Music was the result. Now, according to sources at Nintendo, the games designer has been banned by the company from speaking publicly about his hobbies."

47 of 256 comments (clear)

  1. Well then... by pak9rabid · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ..guess we'll just see how long Nintendo manages to keep him around with ridiculous policies like this in place..

    1. Re:Well then... by El_Muerte_TDS · · Score: 5, Funny

      Depends on if they are working on a Wii BDSM game.

    2. Re:Well then... by ByOhTek · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Heh, really.

      Given the fairly common nature of these hobbies, it strikes me not the hobbies themselves that make the game popular, but rather his twist on putting them into a game.

      Seriously, how many people, honestly, could make games as popular as his, on these subject matters. The key factor is the creator, not the theme, I suspect.

      --
      Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
    3. Re:Well then... by gsslay · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It's amazing what people will put up with if they're paid enough. I image that Mr Miyamoto is very well paid by Nintendo, so much in fact that the outrageous imposition of not being able to discuss his hobbies with people is bearable.

    4. Re:Well then... by pak9rabid · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It's amazing what people will put up with if they're paid enough. I image that Mr Miyamoto is very well paid by Nintendo, so much in fact that the outrageous imposition of not being able to discuss his hobbies with people is bearable.

      From the sound of it, it sounds like he's been with Nintendo for awhile. Long enough to have accumulated enough money to where he very likely doesn't need the income from Nintendo anymore. There's a point in which after a person accumulates enough money, the promise of more money to throw on top of the heap really stops becoming a motivating factor and one starts looking at the other niceties of life instead. Niceties such as discussing interesting subject matters (aka hobbies) to others....not to mention I'm sure he wouldn't have a problem finding a job that pays well and gives him this freedom elsewhere.

    5. Re:Well then... by caramelcarrot · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This smells of a PR stunt to say "look how awesome Miyamoto is! we have to stop him talking about trivial things or he'd give everything away! ha ha!"

    6. Re:Well then... by AvitarX · · Score: 5, Insightful

      But you don't want the imitators coming out before you.

      A crappy "We Like to Get Fit" Game coming out before Wii Fit could damage sales.

      --
      Wow, sent an e-mail as suggested when clicking on "use classic" banner, and got a fast response that addressed my msg
    7. Re:Well then... by Dancindan84 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      But you don't want the imitators coming out before you.

      Exactly. If you correctly read the summary let alone the article, it says they've banned him from talking about his hobbies. He's still being encouraged to develop ideas for the company, they just don't want other companies cashing in on his ideas before they do.

      --
      "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde
    8. Re:Well then... by Anonymous+Cowpat · · Score: 3, Insightful

      or having access to most of the resources of Nintendo and a free hand to turn whatever his interest of the moment is into a game to force onto the rest of us as the next 'in thing'.

      --
      FGD 135
    9. Re:Well then... by JoeMerchant · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I suspect this all centers on delaying competition from co-launching similar products.

      It's common in all industries, the element of uniqueness adds value, and often that value is the difference between go / no-go for development.

      So, I imagine he can talk about his hobbies all he wants, as long as he doesn't mind killing any associated projects. It would be the same at any other (established, successful, ossified bureaucratic) company. He could try going to a small, inexperienced independent who would let him blab all he wants about things that aren't going to be available for 5 years, but I bet he's better off where he is.

    10. Re:Well then... by kusanagi374 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Now THAT would be interesting, to say at least...

      "Move your wiimote to control a virtual whip, and punish that nasty slave refusing to comply with your orders. Online supported!"

    11. Re:Well then... by jellomizer · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Nintendo is not an American company. Mr. Miyamato is not an American. Why do you expect him to follow the values of American Culture. The Japanese tend to have more of a good of the company/community/family mind set while Americans have the what is good for me mind set. I am not saying one or the other is better or worse. In paradox to this article and thread the American Culture tends to be more creative and come up with new ideas (as they are trying to position themselves for promotion or noticed for the next big thing) while the Japanese are good at perfecting (for the good of the company product need to be perfect).
      YES THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS! when talking about a culture there are always exceptions as we group a group of millions of people into a box. However a cultural norm tend to strongly influence people thoughts and feelings.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    12. Re:Well then... by bloodninja · · Score: 5, Funny

      It's amazing what people will put up with if they're paid enough. I image that Mr Miyamoto is very well paid by Nintendo, so much in fact that the outrageous imposition of not being able to discuss his hobbies with people is bearable.

      So for now on, he will post as AC?

      --
      Lock the wife and the dog in the boot of the car.
      Return one hour later.
      Who's happy to see you?
    13. Re:Well then... by LordKronos · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Actually, he is paid (at his own insistence) a salary no higher than other developers. I've read it in numerous places over the years, but don't have a link handy.

    14. Re:Well then... by ByOhTek · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I never suggested he wasn't allowed to continue with his efforts. I simply suggested that other companies are highly unlikely to be able to beat him to the punch with a sufficient quality work, such that it would warrant that restriction on him.

      --
      Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
    15. Re:Well then... by twistedsymphony · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I highly doubt that Miyamoto minds... I'm sure he understands that the ban is for the benefit of the company.

      I work for a Japanese owned company.. it's quite different from an American company. You don't just leave because of some stupid politics, the company wants you to respect your co-workers like an extension of your family. It's a long term relationship. The company doesn't treat you like a disposable commodity (lay offs and firings are extremely rare) and in return most of the employees respect the wishes of their employer and do things "for the good of the company" rather than just walking away for greener pastures.

      This is very much true of my own company which while in the US the Japanese corporate mentality is a big part of everything we do. Even though we're in aerospace manufacturing, with the horrible economy and every other company in our industrial park laying people off and going under, my company hasn't laid off or fired a single employee in my entire career here. the company is saving money buy dropping 3rd shift and moving those employees to 1st and 2nd, we're on a hiring freeze, we had a shut down (week of mandatory vacation), and hourly employees must reduce their over time.

      Yes some of that stuff sucks, but in the good times the company does us right so in the bad times people are willing to make some personal sacrifices knowing that it will help the company overall.

      While not a good times/bad time scenario Miyamoto is a very big part of the Nintendo family, he's not just some super star that is only interested in money... I wouldn't be half surprised if he was in agreement with the "no hobby discussion" rule or if it was even partly his idea.

      --
      Collector's Edition
    16. Re:Well then... by 2nd+Post! · · Score: 4, Interesting

      It doesn't have to be sufficient quality work; if someone releases the Next Big Thing before Nintendo can, but it happens to be spectacularly crappy, then Nintendo is cheated out of a market where people don't believe in the product any more.

      Imagine if, a month before the announcement of the iPhone, an almost as good but not quite was released? People go crazy, buy it, are locked into a contract, and disappointed. Will they buy the iPhone? Nope, spent the cash, didn't think it was worth it, and don't want to risk it again.

      --

      GPL Deconstructed
    17. Re:Well then... by sam0737 · · Score: 3, Funny

      The size of Wiimote, and the fact that it does vibrate, is a pretty good adhoc vibrator...Except that it's not water proof.

    18. Re:Well then... by gsslay · · Score: 4, Insightful

      There's a point in which after a person accumulates enough money, the promise of more money to throw on top of the heap really stops becoming a motivating factor and one starts looking at the other niceties of life instead.

      Very true. And I'd be willing to bet that if asked, Mr Miyamoto's would say his #1 hobby is "working for Nintendo". If he no longer needs the money then why is he there?

    19. Re:Well then... by Tawnos · · Score: 3, Informative

      That did happen, and it didn't lead to the iPhone failing:

      http://www.htc.com/www/product.aspx?id=356

      Released a couple months prior to the iPhone.

    20. Re:Well then... by Belial6 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Exactly. WiiFit is not a new or innovative idea. It is an idea that was executed better than any previous version. In fact, if I was the suspicious type, I could call WiiFit a total ripoff. The XBox had Yourself!Fitness. Only the most hard core of fanboys are going to be able to claim that WiiFit isn't the same kind of game as Yourself!Fitness. And the WiiFit controller is just a supped up version of the Amiga JoyBoard. It was well reported that the JoyBoard had a meditation game, which is not far off from Yoga, and the skiing game IS Mogul Maniac. Puzzle games are just not something new. I haven't tried we music, so I cannot comment on it, but it seems clear that there these cames are not innovative. They are just very well implemented.

    21. Re:Well then... by NotBornYesterday · · Score: 4, Funny

      If they had any damn sense, they would ask him to engage in misdirecting the competition. He could claim to be taking up knitting, or needlepoint, or horticulture. Maybe stamp collecting. Fine hobbies to those who are interested, but I wonder what the excitement factor would be to the game version. Let some crappy knock-off company sink their R&D into that!

      --
      I prefer rogues to imbeciles because they sometimes take a rest.
    22. Re:Well then... by palegray.net · · Score: 3, Funny

      Nintendo would have to market specially designed tentacle controllers for this concept to be effectively implemented.

      --
      512 MB RAM, 20 GB disk, 200 GB transfer, five datacenters. $19.95/month.
    23. Re:Well then... by ozphx · · Score: 5, Funny

      CONDOME.

      Two cocks enter, one cock leaves.

      --
      3laws: No freebies, no backsies, GTFO.
  2. Latest game by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I guess wii Bukakke didn't quite catch on as well as the other Japanese classics did.

    1. Re:Latest game by oldspewey · · Score: 4, Funny

      Give it time ... the audience is out there.

      --
      If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
    2. Re:Latest game by Adriax · · Score: 5, Funny

      Waiting to have a shot at it.

      --
      I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!
    3. Re:Latest game by oldspewey · · Score: 5, Funny

      I just want to take this opportunity to point out that the Wikipedia article on Bukkake explicitly states that it "may require cleanup" to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.

      That is all.

      --
      If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
  3. Other hobbies by diskofish · · Score: 4, Funny

    What most people don't know is that he has a strange fetish for women dressed up in furry animal costumes. I wonder what the next game would be like?

    1. Re:Other hobbies by pushing-robot · · Score: 5, Funny

      Actually, we already had Star Fox.

      --
      How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
  4. So... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    So the next game will be about somebody who has been banned from talking by his corporate overlords.

  5. Me too by Telecommando · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm barred from talking about my hobbies by my employer as well.

    Might have something to do with all the razor blades and dismembered animal parts.

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  6. WTF kind of article is this? by iamhigh · · Score: 5, Interesting

    218 words. 6 paragraphs, 3 of which are in TFS. No source. No links. Few details.

    I do agree, that is an interesting tidbit there, but it's an idle story at best. Fark material IMO.

    --
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  7. Bizarre by AKAImBatman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If knowing Miyamoto's hobbies is enough to scoop Nintendo, then why can't competitors even touch his track record?

    I think Nintendo is confusing ideas with implementations. Having ideas is great. Anyone can have ideas. In fact, they're a dime in quantities of tens of thousands. The problem is getting those ideas implemented. And without Miyamoto-san's insight into the implementation, I sincerely doubt competitors are going to be able to get ahead of Nintendo.

    This seems like a case where Miyamoto should ignore his employer and just do his own thing. Unfortunately, I think he's too nice to take a stand on this. He will probably go along with his employer's request. Thankfully, however, I imagine that this requirement will loosen and fall off with time.

    Which can only be good for fans. I can't speak for anyone else, but I have found the stories behind the development of Miis and Wii Fit to be fascinating. (And hilarious. "You guys are useless!" :-P)

    --
    Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
    1. Re:Bizarre by Speare · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I think Nintendo is confusing ideas with implementations. Having ideas is great. Anyone can have ideas. In fact, they're a dime in quantities of tens of thousands. The problem is getting those ideas implemented. And without Miyamoto-san's insight into the implementation, I sincerely doubt competitors are going to be able to get ahead of Nintendo.

      While I agree with you to a point, I would have to say that there are a lot of dollars at stake in being the trendsetter or the follower. Ideas are shopped around and cloned so blatantly in motion pictures, usually with much worse (cheaper) script and production values. Pixar: Finding Nemo / Dreamworks: Shark Tales. WarnerBros: Happy Feet / Sony: SurfsUp.

      I think there was a Miyamoto interview recently where he jokingly mentioned what he was dabbling with some new hobby, after specifically being asked about this trend of his. If Nintendo came out with game idea first, it might be interesting primarily through its novelty. If some other house copies the idea faster and cheaper, they will probably get the most money from it, even if Nintendo's longer production leads to a hell of a lot better game. If they appear to be a "me too" on one title, then it's not just that title that suffers, but people might associate Nintendo with "me too" and assume it will be a poor knockoff of someone else's idea, instead of the reverse.

      --
      [ .sig file not found ]
  8. Animal Crossing by tepples · · Score: 4, Funny

    Actually, we already had Star Fox.

    And Animal Crossing.

  9. The people of Middle-Earth don't mind by guruevi · · Score: 4, Funny

    I don't think a game based on Hobbits would do that well.

    --
    Custom electronics and digital signage for your business: www.evcircuits.com
  10. Future Ideas are at Stake by Hoi+Polloi · · Score: 3, Funny

    Clearly Nintendo is looking to base their future games on his personal interests:

    "Super Eating Out Mario Bros"
    "Wacky Workout"
    "The Chronicles of Shopping"
    "Watching Reruns on TV Fiesta"
    "World of Internet Porn Surfing"

    --
    It is by the juice of the coffee bean that thoughts acquire speed, the teeth acquire stains. The stains become a warning
  11. Re:Maybe not that silly by hey! · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Well, one thing that business has taught me is how little value ideas really have.

    I know it's heretical to say this, but ideas just aren't that valuable. Discernment, discipline, patience, timing, creativity, craftsmanship, relationships with vendors and customers, and of course money have to be added before an idea generates a single penny of profit.

    Take the idea of a car racing game with cute characters driving. Miyamoto's gone to that well multiple times, but nobody else has scored big with it, even though it isn't a copyrightable or patentable thing. He's got a team that gets the details right.

    --
    Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
  12. Re:lets just hope by Hoi+Polloi · · Score: 5, Funny

    What if his hobbies are running around Tokyo carjacking, beating up ho's, and shooting wildly?

    --
    It is by the juice of the coffee bean that thoughts acquire speed, the teeth acquire stains. The stains become a warning
  13. Puzzle Games by Enderandrew · · Score: 4, Informative

    No one ever thought of doing puzzle games before.

    And no ever thought of doing work-out games before (we actually own the XBox virtual personal trainer game that my wife used to work out with).

    And no one ever did music games before.

    And since when was Wii Music a big hit? I thought it hadn't even been released yet, and all the hype has been about Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour.

    --
    http://blindscribblings.com - Tasty pop-culture in conceptual fashion.
  14. Re:That's because new hobby = Surfing Pron by Enderandrew · · Score: 4, Interesting

    There was a DS homebrew contest and I remember reading about a girl who won the contest by developing a game in which you stroked the fluffy parts of a bunny with your stylus just right to make the bunny happy, and then it exploded into a bunch of butterflies. The developer flat out said the game was a simulation of getting a girl off. I'm sure a similar homebrew game for the Wiimote will eventually come out.

    --
    http://blindscribblings.com - Tasty pop-culture in conceptual fashion.
  15. Really? by denzacar · · Score: 5, Funny

    And here I thought that it is the next logical evolutionary step for the Wii.
    http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=227

    --
    Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens
  16. Dogs and Gardening by vitaflo · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Don't forget playing with his dogs (Nintendogs) and gardening (actually where his idea for Pikmin came from).

    A lot of people know he does this, so many journalists like ask him what he's doing in his free time and then try to parse his words to figure out what future new games he may be working on. If they really are quelling that, I'm not very surprised, given how secretive the company likes to be.

  17. Strategy by CopaceticOpus · · Score: 3, Funny

    The next step is that Nintendo allows Miyamoto's hobbies to "accidentally" get leaked in order to get Microsoft and Sony to waste all their time.

    Word on the street is that he's taken up knitting, and he's started a rock garden. Run with that, Xbox dev team!

  18. How sensationalized has this been? by argent · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Manager: "Please don't talk about your hobbies publicly."
    Miyamoto: "OK"

    Co-worker: "What was that about?"
    Miyamoto: "They don't want me talking about my hobbies."

    Co-worker: "They won't let Miyamoto talk about his hobbies."

    [several layers of 'the telephone game' later]

    "Miyamoto banned from talking about hobbies."

  19. Miyamoto barely ever touches Mario anymore by LKM · · Score: 3, Interesting

    You still can't deny almost every single game [Miyamoto] comes up with stars Mario in some form or another.

    Au contraire. The Nintendo fanboys are constantly complaining that Miyamoto has abandoned them because he has abandoned his old franchises such as Mario and Zelda. Miyamoto was only a producer on Galaxy, and he was barely involved in the development of New Super Mario Bros; I don't think he's made a Mario title in a decade or so.