R.I.P.
WHAT!?
"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."
Cholangiocarcinoma is considered to be an incurable and rapidly lethal malignancy unless both the primary tumor and any metastases can be fully resected (removed surgically). No potentially curative treatment yet exists except surgery, but most patients have advanced stage disease at presentation and are inoperable at the time of diagnosis. Patients with cholangiocarcinoma are generally managed - though never cured - with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other palliative care measures.
It has an annual incidence rate of 1–2 cases per 100,000 in the Western world
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholangiocarcinoma
In london now, on my phone. RIP Iwata 
I hope he left Nintendo prepared for this situation.
^ I am guessing that they knew given his condition and recent stay of absense (given it was an incurable condition).
No company could be prepared for a loss of such leadershsip though.
I am guessing after his absense he told them this was how he wanted to go out, as leader of a company, not sitting in some hospital room waiting to die.
So sad.
Because of the N.Directs and Iwata Asks, it felt like he had a personal connection to any fan watching. He seemed so kind and decent.
gamingeek said:So sad.
Because of the N.Directs and Iwata Asks, it felt like he had a personal connection to any fan watching. He seemed so kind and decent.
This. I am so deeply saddened.
Also sad to think that perhaps he "went" feeling the gravity of failure for the WiiU. I know it's stupid to think about this but it crossed my mind.
___
Listen to Wu-Tang and watch Kung-Fu
And it turns out he knew he was dying, bile duct cancer survival rates are 15% for you living only 5 years more. And far less in other cases.
He knew he was dying and set about working for the company and its future.
RIP.
This is a loss not only for Nintendo, but for the industry as a whole.
Practically the last thing he did was apologize for E3 2015, thinking everyone now hated him. I feel like a monster. Maybe if I and a few more people bought the WiiU, he would have gotten better.
Listen to Iced Earth and play Doom
Doubtful. You have to admire the man for staying the course even so late in his illness.
Coopersville said:Practically the last thing he did was apologize for E3 2015, thinking everyone now hated him.
Very sad.
Such a terribly sad day and truly a loss for the industry. I'm certain that he knew what was ahead for him and he wanted to finish his life doing whatever he could for Nintendo instead of wasting away in a hospital bed. His passion and dedication was truly remarkable. He will be sorely missed. RIP
Coopersville said:Practically the last thing he did was apologize for E3 2015, thinking everyone now hated him. I feel like a monster. Maybe if I and a few more people bought the WiiU, he would have gotten better.
Don't feel bad, as succesful as Iwata was he would have learnt a long time ago not to sweat the small stuff (like whatever was hurled at him from the internet).
I'm curious as to how many were in on the fact that the cancer was in curable. It seems like he went in like but was business as usual.
The news isn't really getting much play in the media here, where they do 20 minute news segments for dead soap actors. Feels quite strange given the hundreds of millions who have bought products Iwata was involved in.
This was all I could see on the BBCs, international news channel which doesn't play domestically here.
I was in France when I heard this news. Fucking sad! Iwata was awesome and a legendary programmer too! May he rest in peace, he will be missed!
PAX Iwata Tribute
Hell of a career. Rest in Peace.