cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/49816572
In an interview in the new issue of Famitsu, Miyamoto was asked why Nintendo‘s IPs are enjoyed around the world.
Miyamoto replied that the key to a successful game isn’t looking at what’s trending and trying to capitalise on that, but starting with ideas that the developers personally find fun and working around them.
“People have long asked me, ‘why does a mustachioed middle-aged guy like Mario sell so well?’ and I always think, ‘that’s a bit rude, isn’t it?'” Miyamoto joked (via machine translation). “Well, I wonder the same thing myself – why did an older guy like this become a hit? But if you look at it simply, it’s because he was introduced alongside incredibly fun games.
I know about the Donkey Kong thing but that doesn‘t seem related to Miyamoto‘s claim at all. That‘s just a work story. There‘s nothing about actual life in there.
And yes Star Fox was designed after a shrine spirit near Nintendo headquarters, making him much more of a „real life anecdote“ than Mario or Donkey Kong.
A work story is still a life experience, but if you want something else there’s plenty to work with. The iconic Chain Chomp enemies were inspired by a particularly nasty dog he’d walk past on the way home from school. The mean old dog would charge at him, sometimes coming inches away from biting him, but would be stopped by the chain keeping it in the yard.
The Legend of Zelda was inspired by his childhood, exploring the woods near his house.
He enjoys gardening, which inspired the setting of Pikmin.
Lastly, according to his Wikipedia page, he’s a “semi-professional” dog breeder. (I’m not sure what that means) which inspired Nintendogs.
Basically what he’s trying to say is that inspiration from one’s personal life is a more appealing starting point than what you think will make the most money.