Iwata Asks is a series of interviews conducted by former Nintendo Global President Satoru Iwata with key creators behind the making of Nintendo games and hardware.





Special Edition: Creative Small Talk

Solitary Thoughts

Itoi

You tend to make lots of discoveries on the weekend because you're alone, but you also run across unpleasant things, like your flaws.

Miyamoto

Yeah.

Iwata

That's right.

Itoi

Like, "I wonder if what I've been doing is totally wrong." You think such negative thoughts on the weekend.

Miyamoto

Yeah, that's right.

Itoi

I'm talking about myself, you know.

Iwata

(laughs)

Itoi

When I get down, it tends to be on the weekend. And the response on Twitter makes me think, "How can you say that?"

Iwata

Oh, is that so?

Itoi

Yeah. People who are usually at work find themselves alone on the weekend, so their emotions begin to stir. Usually when there's a problem, they have coworkers to talk to, so they can get over one thing after the next, saying, "This is like this so we should do this." If they talk to someone, they figure it out.

Iwata

Uh-huh, uh-huh.

Itoi

But on weekends, I can only run across people who can't figure out what I have to talk about. Of couse, that isn't an entirely bad thing, but the dog I'm taking out for a walk and my family members can't. Weekends are the time when each of us is caught up in some kind of natural phenomenon as an individual.

Iwata

Hmm.

Itoi

On weekend nights, I think all sorts of stuff, like how alone I am. (laughs) Like, "I don't have any friends…"

Miyamoto

(laughs)

Iwata

(laughs)

Itoi

I do have family and friends, but in the end, it's about what you yourself are going to do. It's like in the Mother2 (EarthBound) game when you run out of health and collapse, then light hits you from above.

Iwata

You start thinking.

Itoi

Yes. It is surprisingly enjoyable to be in that kind of situation, though.

Iwata

Yes, that's right.

Itoi

You think, make some notes, tidy your thoughts, read a book, and as the result of that evasion, you discover something. Again…I'm talking about myself.

Everyone

(laughs)

Itoi

I assume the same is true for you two as well. In other words, you when you're alone—what you think in an independent state—is incredibly important.

Iwata

Yes.

Itoi

If we had to be at work every single day, it would be no good for anyone.

Miyamoto

Mm-hm.

Iwata

You need different states.

Itoi

Right. Talking to others alone isn't enough. You have to be in a natural state. Companies and teams are man-made. 2. Mother (EarthBound™): An RPG that Shigesato Itoi helped design. Three installments have appeared. The first one was named Mother and released for the Nintendo Entertainment System™ in July 1989.