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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."

18 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 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!"

    4. 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
    5. 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.
    6. 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?
    7. 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.

    8. 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
    9. 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 Adriax · · Score: 5, Funny

      Waiting to have a shot at it.

      --
      I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!
    2. 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. 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. 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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  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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