Miyamoto Shrine> Feature Kong> Miyamoto, E3 2004

I'm obviously at E3 to try out all the new titles being released this year, but there's always the fun side-quest of trying to meet Mr. Miyamoto once again and let him know we're still around and we're still documenting his life and work. I missed my chance at the Nintendo press conference, I was seconds too late as Mr. Miyamoto left through the back entrance after posing for photos with the DS, fortunately I got my second chance on day 2 of the E3.

I was in the back stage VIP area of Nintendo's booth trying out the new DS titles and tech demos when I spy Charles Martinet hanging out in the reception area, so I decided to take a seat by the balcony to see if anyone else was around (read: Mr. Miyamoto) and low and behold as if by magic Mr. Miyamoto walks out of his office that very second with a cup of coffee taking a well earned break between interviews. I just managed to take a photograph before he walked into Mr. Iwata's office to discuss whatever men of that power talk about. I contemplated whether or not to bother Mr. Miyamoto or to just hope I bump into him later in the show, I decided to go down stairs and wait for him to emerge in order to shake his hand and perhaps exchange a business card.

After a few minutes of staring at my watch and pretending to phone people as not to get kicked out a smart Japanese lady carrying a notebook knocked on Mr. Miyamoto's office door, after searching the office and looking a bit confused I let her know that he was in Mr. Iwata's office. I really must have looked the part of a stalker when she pointed me out to Mr. Miyamoto and Mr. Iwata sitting down at the table in Iwata's office, Mr. Miyamoto was led from the office by the Japanese lady who I can only assume was his PR manager where I approached him, shook his hand and handed him a business card. He checked it, again as in the past shared a noise of acknowledgement and was met by 2 more Japanese PR people. He then showed the card to all of the PR people with him who showed curiosity but little reaction and pocketed it and left for an interview.

I was definitely pleased with myself at this point, but always a little weary that he showed very little reaction and the thought was always in the back of my mind that he hated me, he despised this website and he wanted to see me burn alive in a giant whicker man for exploiting his privacy. I'd really like to know what he thinks of the site.

I decided seeming as I was there, I might as well ask about giving Mr. Iwata a business card, only this time the correct way. I approached a very nice NOA employee and asked if Mr. Iwata was busy and if I could give him a business card. "You can wait 5 minutes for his interview to end or I can get the card to him if you like" she replied, of course I decided to wait it out and before you knew it I was granted access to Mr. Iwata's office, walked to his table which he was sat with another Japanese employee and explained myself. "Hi, I just wanted to quickly shake your hand and give you a card" Mr. Iwata seemed more than happy to take my card after a friendly hand shake. He read it out "Miyamoto... Shrine", a smile immediately appeared on his face. "Do you remember us from last year?" I asked "Yes" he said with a smile, "We got lots of pictures of you having a good laugh over our card" I joked. At this point I felt it would be rude to keep the next interviewer standing outside any longer so I thanked Mr. Iwata and began to leave before he stopped me at the door "what did you think of DS?" he asked, "I thought it was great, really cool" I went on ranting "I thought yesterday's press conference (note how I got all the days wrong) was the best Nintendo has ever done, Zelda is the best game ever!" He laughed. I then thanked him and left his office to thank the NOA lady for helping me out. I was very pleased now, Mr. Iwata was a very friendly, courteous man.

At this point Mr. Miyamoto ran right passed me followed by a stream of video cameras to the VIP DS area, so I went back up to checkout what was going on. He was being interviewed by a few Japanese television shows which I had already been told happened in the VIP area from time to time. I took a few photos of Mr. Miyamoto whilst he was being interviewed and when he was done he posed for someone's camera, I quickly pulled out mine and he kindly stayed in pose for about 10 seconds whilst my camera loaded. After I asked if I could get a photo with him and he nodded, then I was knocked out of the way by his Japanese PR man as another Japanese TV crew appeared to interview Mr. Miyamoto, the PR man apologized and explained that Mr. Miyamoto was being interviewed, I told him I understood. Mr. Miyamoto left after this final interview and returned a wave to me, but he didn't seem to be his usual always happy, always smiling self. No doubt due to all the interviews he had been doing over the last two days. 

I felt bad though, the last thing I want to do is really annoy Shigeru Miyamoto and I have no idea if he was angry or just tiered. I always had the suspicion that perhaps he has seen the site and doesn't like it, after all he likes to be a very private man. The roundtable from day one where he appeared annoyed about all the heart problem stuff which I originally reported didn't help, I should explain myself I feel. I was sent an interview by Ali Almaci which he conducted and sold to Future Publishing and appeared in NGC in the UK, here is a cut from the interview:

What time period at Nintendo did you enjoy the most and why?

 Well, that's really hard to say. I always try to enjoy myself here at Nintendo, no matter what I do. There have been times in the past when I've endured some hardships, like when we're preparing new hardware and games for launch. The stress sometimes really takes a toll on me physically, to the point even where I have developed some heart problems in the past. Apart from that and spiritually speaking though, I always feel like I've been trying to fulfill myself and make myself happy here. So despite some of my physical hardships I have always felt spiritually fulfilled and happy at Nintendo.

So as you can see Mr. Miyamoto had heart problems but is fine now, you know how the internet works.

Anyway, I had an absolutely fantastic E3 and felt really privileged to meet Mr. Miyamoto again and also Mr. Iwata. I hope Mr. Miyamoto gets some rest after traveling home from Washington DC and returns to work to make Zelda amazing.

Andy Robinson

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