Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata passed away: Twitter abuzz with condolences and tribute

July 11 brought a sad news for gaming fraternity as Nintendo's CEO and president Satoru Iwata passed away at the age of 55. Nintendo issued a short statement announcing that president Iwata succumbed to death due to cancer. Iwata started his stint with HAL, one of Nintendo's subsidiaries which was behind hugely successful games like the Kirby series, Earthbound, and Smash Brothers Melee, and started his stint in Nintendo in 2000.

He was made the company's President in 2002 contributed to the company's popular Wii and Nintendo DS devices. Iwata has been the face of the company since then, and looked after the GameCube, the Nintendo DS, 3DS, Wii, Wii U, as well as other games that released over the past.

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Iwata was battling the growth discovered on his bile duct, due to which he was forced to skip last year's E3. Iwata sent out a letter to shareholders to inform them about the growth in his bile duct, and soon after the E3, underwent surgery for the cancer treatment. While, it seemed like Iwata was recovering in the months following the operation, he gave up and passed away on July 11.

During his tenure, Iwata earned respect for his work and company's progress under his leadership, and was admired for his friendly attitude.

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Nintendo mentioned in its post that it has not decided on the next president. In the meantime, Shigeru Miyamoto and Genyo Takeda will jointly run the company.

Here is how gaming fans reacted to the news of Iwata's death on Twitter:

"Above all, video games are meant to be just one thing: Fun."Terribly sad news about Iwata-san. A gaming legend.

— Graeme Boyd (@AceyBongos) July 13, 2015

Just heard about Mr. Iwata passing away. A great man and role model that be missed tremendously.

— Matt Bozon (@MrBozon) July 13, 2015

I hope Iwata's legacy is proving that great leadership isn't about sales numbers alone. Ethics, inspiration, and compassion matter too.

— Jeremy Parish (@gamespite) July 13, 2015

R.I.P Iwata thanks for a great childhood #Iwata pic.twitter.com/fU7A35hEp5

— Savage God (@ShinoBeenTrill) July 13, 2015

Thank you for everything, Mr. Iwata, rest in peace.

— PlayStation Vita (@PSVita) July 13, 2015

Please understand you will always be in my heart Mr. Iwata. Thank you.

— Vinesux (@VinnyVinesauce) July 13, 2015

So sad to hear of Iwata's passing. He left an indelible mark on gaming.

— Barry Kramer (@razzadoop) July 13, 2015

Damn. Iwata was responsible for so many things that I love. Rest in peace.

— Lucas Pope (@dukope) July 13, 2015