In this session, he will reveal how a singular creative vision drives his work, not only in terms of his world-renowned software like the Super Mario Bros. and Legend of Zelda series, but also in generating key technologies, including the current global phenomena, Nintendo DS and Wii. GDC, CMP Technology’s annual conference dedicated to the art, science and business of games, takes place March 5-9, 2007 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco.
“A Creative Vision” marks Miyamoto’s first major talk since Nintendo’s release of Wii, and its smash-hit launch titles, Wii Sports and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which all serve as examples of the design legend’s matchless artistic leadership. His much-anticipated title, Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii, is expected to release later in 2007. In his keynote, Miyamoto will invite the attending developers to apply the creative process he will outline in their own distinctive styles.
“The Game Developers Conference is a place for developers to learn from one another, and I think it is safe to say that every member of the community has at one time or another fantasized about having Shigeru Miyamoto as a mentor and teacher,” said Jamil Moledina, Executive Director of the GDC. “By guiding us through his creative vision with a keynote at this year’s GDC, Miyamoto is allowing all attendees this incomparable privilege.”
Miyamoto joined Nintendo in 1977 as a staff artist and quickly built a reputation for himself. In 1981, Nintendo released Miyamoto’s creation Donkey Kong to arcades, launching what would come to be known as his first masterpiece. In 1985, Nintendo released their Nintendo Entertainment System with Miyamoto’s Super Mario Bros; over time, more than 40 million units of the game were sold worldwide, and a series of mega-hit titles was born, including the 1996 Nintendo 64 best seller, Super Mario 64. More than 193 million video games in the Super Mario series have been sold worldwide.
To date, Miyamoto has worked on more than 100 different Nintendo video game titles, supporting younger video game creators as a producer for Kirby and Pokémon games. Miyamoto’s most recent video game projects include Wii Sports, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Nintendogs, Super Mario Galaxy and design work on the Wii hardware. He also was responsible for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Metroid Prime, Super Mario Sunshine, Pikmin, Luigi’s Mansion and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which has been called the greatest video game of all time.
In 1998, Miyamoto was honored as the first inductee into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. In 2005, he and his best-known creation, Mario, were honored as inaugural inductees into the Walk of Game in San Francisco. In 2006, he became one of the first video game creators knighted into France’s Order of Arts and Letters.
Miyamoto’s keynote, “A Creative Vision,” will take place from 10:30am - 11:30am in the Esplanade Room of the Moscone Center’s South Hall on Thursday, March 8.