Damn, I wasn't aware he was ill. And to see him pass away so suddenly just hurts even more. I was also not aware of his programming contributions, which only serve to make this a bigger loss.
Iwata was a rare breed in the business. He was a video game CEO that had a true passion for video games, and that was an attitude that came to represent Nintendo as a whole. Even when they failed it was still understandable what they were trying to do, and he brought a level of honesty and confidence that others wouldn't dare copy. He will be so dearly missed.
I'm sure it'll probably hit the news at some point, most likely under a very general "Nintendo President Passes" since the average joe probably wouldn't know Iwata by name. However, the biggest question is what happens now. Even with the likes of Miyamoto taking the reigns, it still casts doubt as to what will happen now that Iwata isn't steering ship.
Constellation
Basically canon
Think of the mooks!
I've been repeatedly listening to music from the Mother series, tearing up a bit, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
Reminder: Offscreen Villainy does not count towards Complete Monster.
I know things around Nintendo will change in some way, but I won't expect something major. Iwata had something going, so it'd be foolish to scrap everything.
Remember, these idiots drive, fuck, and vote. Not always in that order.
Formerly G.G.
Besides Iwata made decisions that actually benefitted Nintendo as well as their customers, it'd be ludicrious to start taking them down now.
"We are just like Irregular Data. And that applies to you too, Ri CO. And as for you, Player... your job is to correct Irregular Data."
Basically canon
Right. I mean, amiibos, a whole wave of new IPs, the NX, branching out into different forms of media, Nintendo was going places under Iwata. I sincerely doubt his replacement, whoever it ends up being, will just drop everything and take things in a whole new direction. That's both disrespectful and a terrible idea.
pearlina brainrot affects millions of people worldwide. if you or a loved one are suffering from pearlina brainrot, call 1-800-GAY-NERDS
Formerly G.G.
Indeed. Whoever replaces Iwata has some big shoes to fill.
"We are just like Irregular Data. And that applies to you too, Ri CO. And as for you, Player... your job is to correct Irregular Data."
Goddess of Nature
Even though this song is from a game not made by Nintendo (rather, Sega), it fits perfectly
Fuck you, Fascist sympathizers
Personalities don't dominate Japanese business as much as in other countries. Institutional momentum is far stronger, the center of gravity lower down in the company. This makes them slow to react, but doesn't preclude change. We saw change under Iwata, from the early Gamecube era which resembled, in terms of Nintendo's strategy, the N64 era, to the Wii era and then branching out after the struggles of the Wii U, but the constant is that these changes came slowly. You need to get everyone on board to make changes, and this gives them legitimacy.
In short, we don't have to worry about anything radical, at least not in the near future. Nintendo of 2020 is going to be as Iwata envisioned, dead or not. Nintendo of 2025, now...
Oh hai TV Tropes
HAAAA!
I didn't know he was ill, so you can imagine my surprise when I heard the news, even more so when I heard he was only 55. I thought he was older than that.
I am pleased to see that gaming companies and developers besides Nintendo have paid their respects. It just goes to show how important Iwata was to the industry and its development that rival companies can put their competition aside for the time being to remember him. I can only hope that Nintendo and the gaming world at large don't suffer for his loss.
Since there are several people linking music and art, I'll leave this here.
edited 13th Jul '15 11:12:31 AM by GavsEvans123
Cortex should take a 12-step plan off a 10-step pier
The Wanderer
Mummy Woomy
Another beautiful tribute to the man.
Perpetually tired
That actually made me cry, they're all just trying to help him. 
https://www.google.com/search?site=&source=hp&q=nintendo+rainbow
A rainbow rose over Nintendo's headquarters.
The Protomen enhanced my life.
I'm not quite sure what Isabelle is holding, but it's a touching picture nonetheless.
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
Oh dear God, I'm still at work. I can't start crying now.
same old me
Prompted by Smashboards, drew a tribute to Iwata.
Oh hai TV Tropes
x4 It's the road that you go...when you die.
Awww at the comments.
Yoshicopter 9 hours ago (edited)
I still can't quite get over Iwata's death. Never, ever ever ever have I... mourned so much over someone's death. But Iwata just takes the fucking cake, man. But I know he's still out there enjoying video games, even if he isn't a part of this planet anymore. No.
Iwata's living a much more carefree life now, kart racing with Mario and the gang on Rainbow Road. I'll miss you, Iwata. Just watch out for those Blue Shells, you winner. ;)
The Protomen enhanced my life.
Basically canon
A collection of reactions to the news.
That picture of the Mario flag at half staff.
Just
I need a moment
pearlina brainrot affects millions of people worldwide. if you or a loved one are suffering from pearlina brainrot, call 1-800-GAY-NERDS
Mr. Itoi speaks about Iwata's passing
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The New Age of Awesome is here! Not even the sky is the limit!