Miyamoto Nominated for Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of the Year

Kamalot · 04-23-2007, 09:53 AM

Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of the Year nominees have been announced. The nominees span politics, business, the arts, science and more. Also appearing on the list is one Shigeru Miyamoto.

Quote:

AGE: 54
OCCUPATION: Game Designer for Nintendo game systems
NUMBER OF TIME COVERS: 0
PREVIOUS APPEARANCES ON THE TIME 100: 0

PRO: Most successful game designer, creator of Super Mario, Donkey Kong and The Legend of Zelda, whose new platform, the Wii, is currently the top-selling game console.

CON: His perfectionist tendencies often result in games being significantly delayed and, despite the Wii's gameplay innovation, its graphics are far behind the competition.

Does Shigeru Miyamoto deserve to be recognized one of the most influential people of the year?

Mash · 04-23-2007, 09:57 AM

Year, how about the last two decades?

Gorvi · 04-23-2007, 09:57 AM

I'd give him a lifetime achievement award, definately, but Most Influential for this year? I don't know if I'd say that. What Miyamoto headed game is even coming out this year (for sure)?

Kamalot · 04-23-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gorvi

I'd give him a lifetime achievement award, definately, but Most Influential for this year? I don't know if I'd say that. What Miyamoto headed game is even coming out this year (for sure)?

I think it was for things people have already done, not games that are in the pipeline.

Shigeru Miyamoto was key in development of Wii Sports. I'd say that was fairly influential in the past 12 months, but I could be wrong.

Lizard Dude · 04-23-2007, 10:02 AM

Super Mario Galaxy will probably make it before Christmas. *crosses fingers*

But yeah, he hasn't really done anything exceptionally outstanding to raise this year above others. I think they're just trying to put a face on the Wii craze.

AzN.Homeboy · 04-23-2007, 10:13 AM

They talk like Miyamoto made the Wii.

phantomhitman · 04-23-2007, 10:13 AM

no, and hell no.

Valkyrist · 04-23-2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzN.Homeboy

They talk like Miyamoto made the Wii.

Yeah I was just gonna ask: wtf Miyamoto actually had to do with the making/designing of the Wii?

I mean, I know he did a lot of talking and interviews, but from what I could tell he was just nintendo's PR boy.

Just the same, he should get some kinda nod for his last 20+ years of work. But as for this year, I havn't seen anything that stands out in my mind.

Goronmon · 04-23-2007, 10:28 AM

Miyamoto is just a name and face to paste on the juggernaut that is Nintendo right now. I mean, the Wii and DS are changing how people view video games and entertainment, IMO.

Valkyrist · 04-23-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goronmon

Miyamoto is just a name and face to paste on the juggernaut that is Nintendo right now. I mean, the Wii and DS are changing how people view video games and entertainment, IMO.

That's all very true. But the question remains: Does he deserve this kind of recognition? If they had said Nintendo, or even their CEO/president was one of the most influential ppl of the year, then definitely yes. But Miyamoto? I dunno bout that one...

Goronmon · 04-23-2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valkyrist

But Miyamoto? I dunno bout that one...

Considering his influence on gaming over the past couple decades, I don't really mind the nomination.

boratika · 04-23-2007, 10:43 AM

While it wasn't exactly a solo effort, I understand he was pretty instrumental in the design of this. That's gotta count for something. I'll try to find some links about it later, but right now, bed.

{quick edit: Just to throw in my 2c, I think Iwata and Reggie were both pretty significant in waking the sleeping dragon at Nintendo, but hey, Time's got a limited number for that list.

Majster Wichajster · 04-23-2007, 10:45 AM

I'm pretty sure that Miyamoto has some influence in how Nintendo operates and he definitely had a hand in how the Wii came about.

Manzy · 04-23-2007, 11:10 AM

I'm pretty sure Reggie saved Nintendo's ass.

Xenkylm · 04-23-2007, 11:14 AM

I have trouble imagining the Wii doing as well without WiiSports and Zelda at launch. Imagine the launch lineup without them! Would elebits be a system-seller? Rayman? They're great games, but there'd be riots in the streets if those were your only options. To whatever extent Miyamoto was instrumental in Zelda and WiiSprots, he deserves a large chunk of the credit for the current Wii success.

**edit**

I realize Kamalot already said this, essentially, but it's worth repeating (for a third time!): WiiSports and Zelda sold the Wii in those first months. The novelty of the controller is great, but WiiSports made the headlines, and Zelda calmed down the hardcore audiences for a month or so.

TheFlyingOrc · 04-23-2007, 11:24 AM

Iwata had more to do with the Wii being created than Miyamoto, I think. Not that he was NOT influential.

I'd say the biggest advantage they have is NOT having Yamauchi anymore - maybe Yamauchi should be nominated for changing the world through going away?

TheFlyingOrc · 04-23-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manzy

I'm pretty sure Reggie saved Nintendo's ass.

Totally disagree. NoA DID need an uplift, but the parent company is where the action is. If you think Reggie came up with a motion control remote, it would only be because he was giving a presentation with a pointer, beat someone to death with it, and decided that would be a good game.

Skyelan · 04-23-2007, 12:32 PM

Hey, I'm as big a fan of Miyamoto as the next guy, but I don't think he really deserves it for an 'of the year' award. He played a large role in getting everything together, and her certainly played a big role in WiiSports, but not so much as if he were the one who made all of Nintendo's public-eye changing happenings himself.

I'd say Iwata definitely deserves to be nominated in Miyamoto's stead. His stretch during his part of the GC year was nothing special, but he was definitely a HUGE drive in both the DS and Wii. I don't think either would've come together without him not only letting them happen but heavily advocating them, honestly. Plus it's quite an achievement for just some humble game designer to take charge of a company as big as Nintendo and make it do a 180.

Yeah not all of that is this year, but it's more 'icing on the cake' of why he deserves to be nominated, I think.

SuperMonkeyFighter2 · 04-23-2007, 02:35 PM

Miyamoto is pretty much the face of Nintendo. Not to mention that many folks aren't mentioning the DS and how huge it's been.

If you have to attach a face to Nintendo's success, why not make it Miyamoto?

Manzy · 04-23-2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFlyingOrc

Totally disagree. NoA DID need an uplift, but the parent company is where the action is. If you think Reggie came up with a motion control remote, it would only be because he was giving a presentation with a pointer, beat someone to death with it, and decided that would be a good game.

No, I don't think he came up with the idea at all. His job duties aren't even geared in that respect. All he did was market the fuck out of it... and in the end that's all that really matters. He also probably helped Nintendo with its relations to other companies, which it definitely needed improvement on.