Shigeru Miyamoto rumors of retirement not true, says Nintendo [updated]
(CBS) - Whew! The man who brought us video games like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda is not retiring.
Wired got an exclusive interview with Shigeru Miyamoto on Wednesday and declared the video game legend was stepping down. While it is a possibility, the man himself said it was not true.
"I'm not saying that I'm going to retire from game development altogether. What I mean by retiring is, retiring from my current position," Miyamoto told Wired.
Even the hint that Miyamoto would step down from his position at Nintendo Entertainment Analysis Development has fueled speculation over the company's future.
A spokesperson at Nintendo of America sent me this statement via email:
"Video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto's role at Nintendo is not changing. He will continue to be a driving force in Nintendo's development efforts. In discussing his priorities at Nintendo in a media interview, Mr. Miyamoto explained how he is encouraging the younger developers at the company to take more initiative and responsibility for developing software. He attempted to convey his priorities moving forward, inclusive of overseeing all video game development and ensuring the quality of all products. Mr. Miyamoto also discussed his desire to pursue fresh ideas and experiences of the kind that sparked his initial interest in video games."
"What I really want to do is be in the forefront of game development once again myself," Miyamoto told Wired. "Probably working on a smaller project with even younger developers. Or I might be interested in making something that I can make myself, by myself. Something really small."
Miyamoto went on to say that he hoped to work on projects that he could turn around in a year rather than five-years.
Call me crazy, but that doesn't sound like a declaration of retirement. It seems like Miyamoto is shirking the comforts of his success for a young developer's approach. Imagine that.
One of the many reason's Miyamoto has become a legend in the industry is because of his ability to think outside of the box. The video game icon started his career at Nintendo designing the company's first coin-operated arcade game, Sheriff.
Miyamoto's first big success came with Donkey Kong in 1981, a game that involved a gorilla and carpenter fighting over a girl. That carpenter, originally named Jumpman, went on to inspire Super Mario Bros. His portfolio also includes The Legend of Zelda, Star Fox and Wii Fit.
