Random: "I'm A Pretty Normal Person" - Miyamoto Disputes 'Genius' Label

Just normal, innocent men

by · Nintendo Life
Image: Nintendo Life

Nintendo has released its Q&A transcription for the recent financial briefing, and it contains a rather humorous interaction between an investor and legendary creator Shigeru Miyamoto in which the former calls Miyamoto a "genius". To his face.

Naturally, given Miyamoto's tendency to view his accomplishments with a humble attitude, he was quick to dispute such a lofty label. Although the Google translation for the Q&A may be a bit iffy (an officially translation will likely land later this week), he essentially notes how employees who listen to his annual company lecture are surprised at how "normal" he really is.

Here's the Google translated excerpt:

Q: Please tell me about the succession plan in terms of creativity. From the outside, it seems that Miyamoto-san is a genius, which is why he continues to create hits. I think it is difficult to convey the essence of game development, so what kind of methods do you use to achieve this? I would like to know if the essence of Miyamoto-san's creative thinking is being successfully passed down within the company.

Miyamoto: You used the word "genius" in your question, but after my annual lectures for about 100-200 new employees and mid-career employees, I often hear people say, "I wondered what kind of person Miyamoto was, but I was relieved to find out that he was actually a normal person," so I think I'm a pretty normal person.

I think it would be more fun if I didn't have to work, so if I do work, I think about how to do it as efficiently as possible, and if I'm doing the same job, it's easier to make the next job if it's a hit, so I always think about how to make it more of a hit. In my annual lectures, I also talk about these kinds of creative worries.

Yeah, that last paragraph is a bit all over the place, but we kind of see what he's getting at. Either way, it seems Miyamoto isn't quite comfortable with being called a genius, and we can definitely imagine him pulling a rather sheepish grin in response to the question.

Although he's taken more of a backseat in recent years with game creation, MIyamoto is still a significant driving force for Nintendo, lending a hand in the creation of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the Super Nintendo World theme parks.

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Do you think Miyamoto is a genius? We'd say he's certainly earned the description, personally. Let us know what you reckon with a comment down below.

[source nintendo.co.jp]

About Ollie Reynolds

Nintendo Life’s resident horror fanatic, when he’s not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from TOOL to Chuck Berry.

Comments 27

Nah, he's built differently.

You know what they say about genius and madness.. I’d claim to be a normie too

I wonder what it’s like to work on an actual game with Miyamoto. I remember reading that he can be ruthless. Come in and totally dismantle whatever was being worked on. I remember reading criticism on Miyamoto and how his decisions show that he may need to step aside. I think this was during the later years of the WiiU. Especially after the release of the Star Fox game.

Normal *GOAT, surely

Exactly the sort of thing a genius WOULD say.

It is anyone who says it themselves that often is not.

Kudos on the tagline.

Immense respect for the tagline to this article.

Bro's built the Arwing and the Great Fox irl, I already know it. He's probably got it in his basement.

I take Miyamoto as someone who really understands the simple pleasures. Not exactly the definition of a genius, but still someone who gets it.

He’s normal. I’m normal. You guys are all special.

No one who conjures up the idea of a plumber curb-stomping turtles is normal.

It's always great to see that Japanese humbleness, but I have to honourably disagree, Miyamoto IS a Genius.

Welp, good to be humble than up your own ass about your accomplishments

Here's the Google translated excerpt:

Sigh.

I love you guys, I have been here for over 10 years. But it is time to use a real japanese translator for these kind of pieces.

Nintendo Life network is huge, has great fans and the content should match this.

:/

He also could have added that games - I assume even on the creative side - are made by a whole collective of people. They all have a hand in making these hits.
Am I wrong?

One can be a "genius" when it comes to certain aspects and still overall be a "normal person" - honestly, being that way is for the best instead of the former going to your head etc. so I'm glad to hear that's Miyamoto-san's case!

@Rozetta We do commission translations from time to time if we feel it's required.

But for an official Nintendo document that will receive its own translation in just a few days..? What's the point? We pick and choose our battles.

While he is certainly correct, the ideas spawned from his brain has captured the imaginations of gamers for generations. The impact he has made on the gaming industry can never be overstated.

I don't know, between Donkey Kong Arcade to the N64 (barring cartridges) and greenlighting Pokemon.

Until the Gamecube You'd have thought Miyamoto was a time traveller in how well he seemed to see the direction of gaming and consistently lead the pack in terms of game design and recognising what IP had potential.

Like arguably yeah he might not be a traditional genius, Miyamoto wasn't like Iwata who was a literal genius level coder who also lead programming.

But Miyamoto and his teams displayed consistent genius in understanding what made a fun and engaging game even when working in new frontiers like 3D for Super Mario 64

@Olliemar28 wouldn't the sensible thing be to post the news story in a few days with the official translation, then?

He's a humble man. I will cry when he is gone. Looking forward to his next Mario movie and game.

@Rozetta Amen to that bro! They can certainly get a proper translator for these kinds of things.

"I think it would be more fun if I didn't have to work"

SAME, BRO. I'VE NEVER FELT MORE SEEN IN MY LIFE.

@Not_Soos The antiwork movement found its new leader

I think society would be healthier as a whole if we stopped calling people geniuses.
That said, he's clearly an intelligent, creative individual who has had a hand in a lot of my favorite games.

@Olliemar28
Sorry, man. You guys can't win no matter what. If you had waited for the official translation, the outcry would have been "I already heard this on another site! This is old news!". Oh well

The humility of a genuine creative perhaps? Well done sir.

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