Originally published at www.sxsw.com/interactive/screenburn
Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo mastermind and father of such classic franchises as Mario and The Legend of Zelda, has been known to enjoy his hobbies a bit too much - to the point that it starts affecting his work, literally. His love of gardening turned into strategy game Pikmin, ownership of a brand-new bathroom scale became the foundation for exercise sensation WiiFit, and now it has been revealed where his inspiration began for intergalactic franchise Super Mario Galaxy: hamsters. Inspiration and innovation thrive at ScreenBurn at SXSW due in large part to our enthusiastic audience of industry movers and gaming elites, but it’s important for all of us to take a look at our own industry veterans to see what still makes them tick. Accepting a "Special Achievement Prize" by the Agency of Cultural Affairs at the 13th Annual Japan Media Arts Festival that took place last Saturday, Miyamoto spoke about his unlikely inspiration from his relationship with the rodent he cared for during development. Miyamoto determined that the game should take place on a series of small spheres, later to be seen as planets in the game, making it easier for the player to be able to learn their surroundings and return to one spot – just like a hamster in a ball.
If Miyamoto’s often peculiar hobbies and ways of thinking are just a glimpse into one mind contributing to the gaming industry, just imagine what ScreenBurn at SXSW will begin to harvest and cultivate when the programming for the gaming panels go live in March! Only ScreenBurn at SXSW brings you the brightest minds in the business to collaborate, debate, and create some of the gaming industry’s leading innovations!
Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo mastermind and father of such classic franchises as Mario and The Legend of Zelda, has been known to enjoy his hobbies a bit too much - to the point that it starts affecting his work, literally. His love of gardening turned into strategy game Pikmin, ownership of a brand-new bathroom scale became the foundation for exercise sensation WiiFit, and now it has been revealed where his inspiration began for intergalactic franchise Super Mario Galaxy: hamsters. Inspiration and innovation thrive at ScreenBurn at SXSW due in large part to our enthusiastic audience of industry movers and gaming elites, but it’s important for all of us to take a look at our own industry veterans to see what still makes them tick. Accepting a "Special Achievement Prize" by the Agency of Cultural Affairs at the 13th Annual Japan Media Arts Festival that took place last Saturday, Miyamoto spoke about his unlikely inspiration from his relationship with the rodent he cared for during development. Miyamoto determined that the game should take place on a series of small spheres, later to be seen as planets in the game, making it easier for the player to be able to learn their surroundings and return to one spot – just like a hamster in a ball.
If Miyamoto’s often peculiar hobbies and ways of thinking are just a glimpse into one mind contributing to the gaming industry, just imagine what ScreenBurn at SXSW will begin to harvest and cultivate when the programming for the gaming panels go live in March! Only ScreenBurn at SXSW brings you the brightest minds in the business to collaborate, debate, and create some of the gaming industry’s leading innovations!
RSS Feed