Satoru Iwata

Profession: Video Game Designer and President of Nintendo

Biography: Satoru Iwata was a Japanese video game programmer, businessman, and the fourth president and CEO of Nintendo. He led Nintendo from 2002 until his death in 2015, during which time he oversaw several significant developments including the Nintendo DS and Wii game consoles.

He joined HAL Laboratory in 1983 and worked as a programmer on games such as Balloon Fight and Earthbound. During this time he developed a relationship with Nintendo, programming games for the NES. He would eventually move to Nintendo as head of corporate planning in 2000.

During his time at Nintendo, Iwata also founded Nintendo Network, an online gaming service, and released the critically-acclaimed Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008) and Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2013). Iwata was helped Nintendo weather several years of unprofitable business, during which time he voluntarily halved his salary as an apology for poor sales.

Born: December 6, 1959
Birthplace: Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Pig
Star Sign: Sagittarius

Died: July 11, 2015 (aged 55)
Cause of Death: Cancer