Heart of a Gamer: A Tribute to Satoru Iwata Comments from album director Gerry Wheatley (The Damned), visual artist Davy Owen (Odai), and ReMixers Album freely available at http://ocremix.org/info/Heart_of_a_Gamer:_A_Tribute_to_Satoru_Iwata "On my business card, I am a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a gamer." Whether in front of a computer monitor or a boardroom of investors, Iwata's love of games were what came first. His "Ask Iwata" series combed through the histories of Nintendo games, old and new. His humor in the Nintendo Direct videos showed a side we hardly see from company presidents. His devotion to his company was never truer when, in financial trouble, he took a pay cut to make sure his employees were safe. When his colleagues were in need, he lent his time and skill to save their games. Why would he do all these things? "In my heart, I am a gamer." - Gerry Wheatley (The Damned) The artwork for this album required a fast turnaround from me, but I was immediately up for the task, as I considered it would be an honour to work on the tribute album. As a self professed die-hard Nintendo fanboy (I used to use my original Game Boy as a Walkman), I held Mr. Iwata in huge regard. He knew what Nintendo was and he knew who the company's fans were. It was reflected throughout his career from fledgling programmer to company president. His vision lives on and he will be sorely missed. I wanted to draw something that immediately encapsulated Mr. Iwata as a gamer, and something that celebrated his life and achievements rather than mourning his passing. He seemed to be a perpetually happy man and that's how I expect he'd want to be remembered. So I drew him surrounded by some of the many characters connected to him. Playing video games. It just made sense. I had to work late hours and weekends to get it done in time, but there there was no way I was passing up on this. True, I had some difficulty, the lighting was extremely tricky as well as the balance between the pseudo-reality and cartoony appearance of the different characters, but I think I did OK. I hope I have done him justice in capturing his essence. For me as an artist, video games are a huge influence in my work and drawing style. As such, I hope that this trifling image is in some small way a fitting thank you to Mr. Iwata for his massive involvement in what grew from a hobby into a career for me. Thank you, Satoru. - Davy Owen (Odai) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Sbeast - "Choose Your Character!" Source: Super Smash Bros. Melee - "Menu," Super Smash Bros. Brawl - "Super Smash Bros. Brawl Main Theme" Composers: Jun Ishikawa, Hirokazu Ando (Super Smash Bros. Melee), Nobuo Uematsu (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) Special Thanks (Super Smash Bros. Melee), Executive Producer (Super Smash Bros. Brawl): Satoru Iwata The Damned: Being president of Nintendo wasn't enough to stop Iwata from helping out. He would work alongside the staff, programming and coding along with them. He wasn't just another name in the credits. He was truly part of the team. 2. Chernabogue feat. Kroasta, Tuberz McGee - "Cuban Vacation" Sources: Kirby's Adventure - "Boss," "Level Map Select of LEVEL 4" (Grape Garden), "Level Map Select of LEVEL 1" (Vegetable Valley), "Victory Dance" Composers: Hirokazu Ando, Jun Ishikawa Producer: Satoru Iwata The Damned: Iwata was president of HAL Laboratory during the years that Kirby came to be. Even though he was the boss, he still spent his weekends and nights working tirelessly on the games. Kirby exists because of the dedication of Iwata. 3. timaeus222 - "Sky-High Rollers" Sources: Rollerball - "Title," "Multiball" Composers: Hideki Kanazashi, Hiroaki Suga Producer: Satoru Iwata The Damned: One of the first games Iwata produced as president of HAL Labs. Even though the title of "producer" is used to show a managerial position, Iwata wasn't content to just sit there and take the credit. He programmed the game along with his co-workers, including Makoto Kanai. timaeus222: When I started out writing this, I didn't think I'd actually like it -- I initially thought it would sound too similar to some of my other WIPs, but eventually I did find this to stand out amongst my other EDM tracks. It's got a hefty collection of layered, leaping/diving basses, "slippery" arps (e.g. 1:05), some obligatory Rhodes (Neo-Soul Keys), and yes, even a santoor, amongst other things. What I think distinguishes this from my other similar tracks is that I've written my first jazz solo (inspired by Nostalvania)! :D Going out of the key on purpose has never really been my strong suit, so it's kind of my attempt at sort of doing that for a change. Clear out some room, because it's time to DUEL -- er, I mean... DANCE! Yeah! Source Breakdown: 0:15.77-0:30.63 = Title (:01.11-:15.55) 0:30.63-0:36.82, 0:38.76-0:42.63 = Title (:15.55-:28.95) 0:48.43-0:49.51, 0:52.30-0:53.40 ~= Title (:01.70-:02.98) [Bass] 1:02.59-1:04.88, 1:06.45-1:08.76 = Title (:01.11-:15.55) 1:10.34-1:12.87, 1:14.20-1:17.46 = Title (:01.11-:15.55) 1:18.79-1:21.34, 1:25.93-1:29.08 = Multiball (:00.00-:02.95) [Bells] 1:34.16-1:36.09, 1:42.14-1:44.19 = Multiball (:02.95-:05.62) [Jazz solo! :D] 1:56.20-2:09.72, 2:11.66-2:19.40 = Multiball (:00.00-:05.62) [Different mood; sine wave + piano] 2:20.61-2:33.93 = Title (:01.11-:15.55) 2:34.52-2:41.90, 2:42.63-2:46.50 = Title (:15.55-:28.95) 2:53.27-2:54.37, 2:57.15-2:58.24 ~= Title (:01.70-:02.98) [Bass] 3:07.41-3:09.97, 3:11.29-3:13.72 = Title (:01.11-:15.55) 3:15.16-3:17.71, 3:19.02-3:20.72 = Title (:01.11-:15.55) 3:22.54-3:43.11, 3:45.76-3:52.30 = Title (:01.11-:15.55) 14.86 + 6.19 + 3.87 + 1.08? + 1.10? + 2.29 + 2.31 + 2.53 + 3.26 + 2.54 + 3.15 + 1.93 + 2.05 + 13.52 + 7.74 + 13.31 + 7.38 + 3.87 + 1.10? + 1.09? + 2.55 + 2.43 + 2.54 + 1.70 + 20.57 + 6.54 = (127.13~131.50)/240.09 secs = ~54% 4. Brandon Strader - "On the Wind" Sources: Nintendo Land - "Balloon Trip Breeze (Evening)," Balloon Fight - "Balloon Trip" Composers: Ryo Nagamatsu (Nintendo Land), Hirokazu Tanaka (Balloon Fight) Executive Producer (Nintendo Land), Programmer (Balloon Fight): Satoru Iwata The Damned: Iwata was tasked with porting the arcade classic Joust to the Nintendo Famicom. What he gave them was no port: improved upon Joust in every way. And the most amazing part? Iwata programmed it himself! 5. k-wix - "The Fading Children" Sources: EarthBound - "Sea of Eden," "Smiles and Tears" Composers: Hirokazu Tanaka, Keiichi Suzuki Program Director, Programmer, Co-Producer: Satoru Iwata The Damned: EarthBound was chosen for this album because it reflects Iwata's ability and willingness to save a game from doom. Years of work went into EarthBound, but when the project was stuck in development limbo, it was Iwata that turned things around. In only a year, the game went from uncertain to completed. 6. Pokérus - "New Horizons" Source: Pokémon Gold Version - "Route #26" Composer: Go Ichinose Special Thanks: Satoru Iwata The Damned: When Game Freak was in trouble with their new engine for their latest game, Iwata himself came to their aid. After Iwata streamlined the engine, the staff found themselves with a lot more memory to work with. This resulted in the best part of Gold and Silver: returning to Kanto, the region from Pokémon Red and Green. Three years had passed since then, and we got to explore it all over again. Pokérus: A mas o menos una semana de su partida, aún no asimilo bien el hecho de que Satoru Iwata ya no esté entre nosotros. Siempre recordaré con mucho cariño ese carisma con el que salía a relucir en cada Nintendo Direct, y por supuesto todo lo que hizo por clásicos de la compañía. Iwata fue un héroe anónimo del mundo de los videojuegos. Muchos de nosotros sabemos varias de las proezas que realizó para juegos como Kirby, EarthBound, Super Smash Bros. Melee y otros títulos en cuanto a sus habilidades de programación que eran fuera de serie. Pero si hay algo que le voy a agradecer toda la vida, es el esfuerzo que puso en Pokémon Gold & Silver. Siendo mis juegos favoritos de toda la vida por el hecho de recorrer tanto Johto como Kanto libremente, es todo gracias a que el pudo hacer calzar tanta data en un cartucho de Game Boy Color. Básicamente si no fuese por Satoru Iwata, Gold & Silver no hubiese sido un juego tan maravilloso y quizá la franquicia de mis amores no habría tenido el mismo impacto que tiene el día de hoy. Por lo mismo, pienso que la mejor manera que tengo para honrar su memoria es tributandolo con este track, que marca el inicio de tu primer paso por la región de Kanto en los juegos. Apenas escuchas esta melodía, sabes inmediatamente que estás a punto de emprender un nuevo viaje, que vas a aventurarte a recorrer nuevos horizontes. Y me gusta la idea de recordar a Satoru Iwata partiendo a un nuevo viaje con esta canción de fondo. Gracias por tanto, buen hombre! About a week after his departure, I'm still unable to fully understand the fact that Satoru Iwata is no longer among us. I will always remember with much love that charisma with which he came on shining on each Nintendo Direct and, of course, everything he did for the company's classics. Iwata was an unsung hero of the video game world. Many of us know several of the feats he did for games like Kirby, EarthBound, Super Smash Bros. Melee and other titles helping with his outstanding programming skills. But if there is something that I'll thank him for all my life, it's the effort he put in Pokémon Gold & Silver. Being my all-time favorite game for the possibility to travel freely through Johto as well as Kanto, it's thanks to him that they were able to cram so much data into a Game Boy Color cartridge. Basically, if it weren't for Satoru Iwata and Gold & Silver being such amazing games, maybe the franchise I love so much wouldn't have the same impact today. For the same reason, I thought the best way I have to honor his memory is tributing him with this track, which marks the beginning of your first trip through Kanto in those games. Just listening to this melody, you know you're about to embark on a new journey, to adventure to new horizons. I like the idea of remembering Satoru Iwata departing on a new journey with this song as background. Thank you for everything, good man!