The 1 year Anniversary of Iwata's death.

Tomorrow (or Today if you are probably reading this right now), July 11th, 2016, marks the 1st anniversary of the day we lost a grand gaming legend, Satoru Iwata. A year ago today, Iwata passed away in Kyoto, Japan due to a Bile Duct. An announcement was made by Nintendo the following day, in which the entire game industry was left in a big mourning. Soon after, memorials were established at the Japanese Embassy in Moscow, Russia, and the Nintendo World (Now Nintendo NY) in New York City, New York. Flags at the Nintendo headquarters were raised to half staff. A couple days later, his remains were cremated.   

Now, here we are, a year later, and yet his legacy still lives on. I think it's safe to say that we, the gaming community, can call July 11th "Iwata Day".

I'd like to think that the 11th is now "Remembering Iwata Day". His birthday seems more like Iwata Day to me. It's really sad that we lost such a legend that day almost 1 year ago. I certainly won't forget him as he was one of the most memorable people at Nintendo. He was so lovely when he made appearances in things like the Nintendo Directs and let's not forget his Iwata Asks.

I will also remember Iwata since he was pretty much the main guy at Nintendo once I started playing games and there is nobody else like him. Even though we take today to remember him I'm sure we think of him whenever there is a new Direct or console being reveled.

It's hard to believe it's already been so long, it feels like it just happened. It's still pretty sad to think about, and I've noticed it within Nintendo as a company as well, they seemed to be down about it for quite some time, and they've been very secretive about everything lately. I'll always remember Iwata as really giving Nintendo that "fun" image with the Nintendo Directs, etc. that's seemed to be kind of missing throughout the past year.

Still missing Iwata and hope he continues to rest in peace.

I miss Iwata-san every day & every time I see his name scroll by on the end credits of a game he helped to develop I can't help but remember him fondly. Though the last few days of his reign at Nintendo is remembered as 'good', I remember how he was apologizing left & right for the dismal sales of the Wii U & how every one was criticizing his leadership for quite a while. But then he dies suddenly & every one is remembering how much of a wonderful person he is compared to the crap he had to deal with prior with a lot of fans & execs calling for his resignation. It's funny how when that person dies, every one suddenly remembers the good about them & not the bad.

Still it's been 1 year later & Nintendo seems to have gotten more secretive & further away from me as a company then before when I felt that they were closer & seemed to genuinely care about me as a consumer. But now I don't feel that way & feel like they've started to pull away again & tbh it's sad.. I just feel like I want to chase after them & ask them to talk to me again, & ask if there's a way for us to be friends again. But with Iwata out of the picture, as the month's have turned slowly into a year now.. I kind of doubt it. :/

Iwata-san though I miss you & your funny face; I wish you happiness in your peaceful resting place. ~queen