<![CDATA[Kotaku: toru iwatani]]> http://tags.kotaku.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/kotaku.com.png <![CDATA[Kotaku: toru iwatani]]> http://kotaku.com/tag/toruiwatani http://kotaku.com/tag/toruiwatani <![CDATA[Death Before Retirement]]> At 54 years-old is Shigeru Miyamoto is showing no signs of slowing down. From Super Mario Galaxy to Wii Fit, he's still got his fingers in multiple projects. But with contemporaries like Pac-Man creator Toru Iwatani retiring, the question remains: is Shigeru Miyamoto next? He tells us:


Don't movie directors usually make films until they die? Annually, I don't make that much money. So I don't think I can retire.

Of course, Miyamoto makes tons of money — he could buy and sell us all! In typical Kyoto-fashion, he's just being very humble and trying to downplay his fabulous wealth. So, fret not. Miyamoto isn't destitute and isn't deserting Nintendo any time soon. Heck, at 54 years-old, he's Nintendo's target customer!]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=277922&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Pac-Man Creator Not So Good At Pac-Man]]>

Last week, Pac-Man creator Toru Iwatani called it a day and has semi-retired off to a university teaching position. So, Toru Iwatani must be amazingly good at the game he created. Nope! He says:


I did come up with Pac-Man, but truthfully my reflexes are not what they used to be, and with my concentration capabilities diminishing I don't think I can take on any contenders. My role on the Pac-Man experience, rather than excel at it, has been to come up with the structure which will provide thousands with enjoyment. At least, I have this excuse for not being good at playing it!

Geez, he sounds so old saying that. Brian Ashcraft

Iwatani Interview [Acey Bongos' Xbox Life]

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=267581&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[How Pac-Man Creator Profited From Pac-Man]]>

Earlier this week, Pac-Man creator Toru Iwatani called it quits and retired from gaming. What's next? He's teaching game planning at Tokyo Polytechnic Institute. Iwatani had a very impressive run, creating one of gaming's most memorable characters. All that's nice, but it doesn't pay the bills. Says Iwatani:


I'm not sure if I should mention this or not. Well, um, the truth of the matter is, there were no rewards per se for the success of Pac-Man. I was just an employee. There was no change in my salary, no bonus, no official citation of any kind. So I didn't buy anything for myself. And it's really not my personal style to buy myself a present anyway.

Bummer, dude! I remember reading this in Reuters or AP a year or so ago. Stuff like this isn't, rather wasn't, unheard of in companies here in Japan. Though, I'm sure Namco has set Iwatani up with a plush retirement plan. Well, I sure hope so. Brian Ashcraft

Iwatani Interview [Gamebreak]

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=266641&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Pac-Man Creator Doesn't Retire From Signing Autographs]]>

Today in NYC, legendary game creator Toru Iwatani announced his retirement. Over at MTV's Gamedrop blog, Jason Cipriano decided it would be cool to get the Pac-Man creator to sign a Pac-Man arcade cabinet. Realizing that it would be, well, difficult to bring a cabinet to the event, Gamedrop settled on a Pac-Man marquee — the sign that's displayed over the arcade's screen. For bonus points, high scoring gamer Billy Mitchell also John Hancocked it! I've met loads of famous game industry types, but I've never asked for anyone's autographs. Maybe I should, 'cause this is pretty cool. Then again, maybe I shouldn't. Brian Ashcraft

Pac-Man Autograph [Gamedrop]

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