RIP Satoru Iwata, and thank you.

The world received some deeply saddening news.

The CEO of Nintendo- really, a big part of the spirit of Nintendo, has passed away at the age of 55. I'm sure you're familiar that he was more than just a visionary head of a giant games company; that he was a real in-the-trenches programmer and developer, whose hand touched titles like Balloon Fight, Kirby, Earthbound, Super Smash Bros Melee, and far more. I'm not going to elaborate and go into a giant history lesson, you can find a biography lesson anywhere.

I'm actually still processing this, but I'll stay brief.

Mr. Iwata's work and wonderful demeanor has been a great influence in my becoming a game developer. That's the same gift he gave many of us. All we can really do is cherish what he brought the world, and also importantly; play and create with the same passion and honesty with which he always did.

Thanks for everything, boss. Here's to ya.