Miyamoto Contemplates Retirement: Exploring Backup Plans Just in Case

At 71 years old, Shigeru Miyamoto, the mastermind behind Mario, Donkey Kong, and numerous other beloved Nintendo characters and games, has no intention of retiring. Miyamoto revealed to The Guardian that while he is pondering a succession plan, he fully intends to continue working for the foreseeable future.

Miyamoto expressed gratitude for the enthusiasm surrounding his creations and acknowledged that others have played a significant role in their development. He also anticipates that his legacy will endure even after he eventually retires.

In Iron Man, there's a scene where the president visits his own company, but the guard refuses to let him in. The president points at his own portrait and says, "That's me!" He then expresses his hope that his teams will remember him as the creator of the company's products.

Miyamoto announced in 2011 that he was planning a soft retirement, intending to step down from his current duties at Nintendo and take on a different role within the company. This led to widespread speculation and concern, causing some panic about Nintendo's share price. Nintendo responded by issuing a statement denying that Miyamoto was retiring in the traditional sense.

Miyamoto stated in 2013 that at his age, it would be "strange" not to consider retirement. At that time, both Miyamoto and Nintendo management were preparing for his eventual departure from the company. Miyamoto mentioned that he was deliberately reducing his involvement in projects to encourage younger staff to take on more responsibilities.

Throughout the last ten years, Miyamoto has focused more on non-gaming ventures at Nintendo, such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the Super Nintendo World theme parks. He stated in an interview with The Guardian that he no longer sees himself as a game designer, but rather as someone who identifies "unique opportunities" to showcase Nintendo's brand and characters.

Miyamoto has been dedicating time to learning about the Hollywood film-making process. Currently, he is immersed in reading numerous scripts in order to explore ways to bring uniquely Nintendo films to fruition. In his current role as Representative Director and Fellow at Nintendo, Miyamoto no longer directs Mario or Zelda games but remains involved in some capacity as others take on the day-to-day responsibilities.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie of 2023 grossed over $1.3 billion, making it the second-highest-grossing film worldwide, just behind Barbie. Miyamoto, alongside Marvel boss Avi Arad and Sony Pictures, is producing the upcoming live-action Zelda movie.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of Shigeru Miyamoto's work, I am both relieved and inspired by his recent statements about retirement. While it is understandable that he would want to consider succession plans at the age of 71, his continued dedication to the gaming industry is truly remarkable. Miyamoto's creations have brought joy to countless people around the world, and his commitment to passing on his knowledge and insights to the next generation of game designers is a testament to his passion and generosity.

I am particularly excited about Miyamoto's focus on non-gaming ventures, such as the Super Mario Bros. Movie and the Super Nintendo World theme parks. These projects demonstrate his willingness to explore new avenues for sharing Nintendo's beloved characters and experiences with fans. The success of the Super Mario Bros. Movie is a clear indication that Miyamoto's creative genius extends beyond the realm of video games, and I am eager to see what he will accomplish in the years to come.