UPDATE: In a move that is perhaps unsurprising given the fact that Nintendo's stock dropped 2% following the spread of this story, Nintendo is now denying that Miyamoto's role is changing at all. The publisher sent out an official statement late last night to refute the quotes from the Wired story.

"This is absolutely not true," said a spokeswoman for Nintendo. "There seems to have been a misunderstanding. He has said all along that he wants to train the younger generation.

"He has no intention of stepping down. Please do not be concerned."

"Please do not be concerned" sounds exactly like the kind of thing you say when you're trying to soothe panicky investors. Another, later statement went even further, specifically stating that Miyamoto's role is not changing at all.

"Video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto's role at Nintendo is not changing. He will continue to be a driving force in Nintendo's development efforts. In discussing his priorities at Nintendo in a media interview, Mr. Miyamoto explained how he is encouraging the younger developers at the company to take more initiative and responsibility for developing software. He attempted to convey his priorities moving forward, inclusive of overseeing all video game development and ensuring the quality of all products. Mr. Miyamoto also discussed his desire to pursue fresh ideas and experiences of the kind that sparked his initial interest in video games."

The odds of this being a gigantic mistranslation during the interview don't seem great, when you consider that Miyamoto is rarely interviewed without several Nintendo reps flanking him. It's certainly possible that his role shift is not something that's happening in the immediate, and that his talk with Wired simply jumped the gun in making it known. Or maybe his translator really is just that bad. I don't know.

What I do know is that Nintendo would really, really like to continue saying that Shigeru Miyamoto is involved in developing all of their major franchises. And it seems like their stockholders would really, really like for them to continue saying that as well. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what Mr. Miyamoto says next.

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Shigeru Miyamoto is not retiring from game development, but things are definitely changing for gaming’s best known designer.

The creator of Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda has been the guiding hand of Nintendo creative efforts for years, generally overseeing the company’s biggest projects.

Wired reports Miyamoto will be changing his role at Nintendo, remaining at the company but working on smaller projects, allowing some of the younger staff to step up their roles.

“What I really want to do is be in the forefront of game development once again myself,” said Miyamoto. “Probably working on a smaller project with even younger developers. Or I might be interested in making something that I can make myself, by myself. Something really small.”

Miyamoto said he expected to start on a new project in 2012, and will hopefully show his new creation off in the next year. He expressed interest in moving away from overly long development cycles.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen something truly personal from Miyamoto. Hey, maybe this is a good thing.

UPDATE: In a move that is perhaps unsurprising given the fact that Nintendo's stock dropped 2% following the spread of this story, Nintendo is now denying that Miyamoto's role is changing at all. The publisher sent out an official statement late last night to refute the quotes from the Wired story.

"This is absolutely not true," said a spokeswoman for Nintendo. "There seems to have been a misunderstanding. He has said all along that he wants to train the younger generation.

"He has no intention of stepping down. Please do not be concerned."

"Please do not be concerned" sounds exactly like the kind of thing you say when you're trying to soothe panicky investors. Another, later statement went even further, specifically stating that Miyamoto's role is not changing at all.

"Video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto's role at Nintendo is not changing. He will continue to be a driving force in Nintendo's development efforts. In discussing his priorities at Nintendo in a media interview, Mr. Miyamoto explained how he is encouraging the younger developers at the company to take more initiative and responsibility for developing software. He attempted to convey his priorities moving forward, inclusive of overseeing all video game development and ensuring the quality of all products. Mr. Miyamoto also discussed his desire to pursue fresh ideas and experiences of the kind that sparked his initial interest in video games."

The odds of this being a gigantic mistranslation during the interview don't seem great, when you consider that Miyamoto is rarely interviewed without several Nintendo reps flanking him. It's certainly possible that his role shift is not something that's happening in the immediate, and that his talk with Wired simply jumped the gun in making it known. Or maybe his translator really is just that bad. I don't know.

What I do know is that Nintendo would really, really like to continue saying that Shigeru Miyamoto is involved in developing all of their major franchises. And it seems like their stockholders would really, really like for them to continue saying that as well. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what Mr. Miyamoto says next.

----

Shigeru Miyamoto is not retiring from game development, but things are definitely changing for gaming’s best known designer.

The creator of Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda has been the guiding hand of Nintendo creative efforts for years, generally overseeing the company’s biggest projects.

Wired reports Miyamoto will be changing his role at Nintendo, remaining at the company but working on smaller projects, allowing some of the younger staff to step up their roles.

“What I really want to do is be in the forefront of game development once again myself,” said Miyamoto. “Probably working on a smaller project with even younger developers. Or I might be interested in making something that I can make myself, by myself. Something really small.”

Miyamoto said he expected to start on a new project in 2012, and will hopefully show his new creation off in the next year. He expressed interest in moving away from overly long development cycles.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen something truly personal from Miyamoto. Hey, maybe this is a good thing.

Pikmin, maybe? HAA

This could actually be really good. He can put out good, small games, fast! I look forward to hearing more about this.

@kevtheasian said:

ok

Don't strain yourself with excitement there, chief.

@Crushed said:

@kevtheasian said:

ok

Don't strain yourself with excitement there, chief.

I'm strained.

That's a good thing to do. Giving the small fries to shine but guiding them at the same time. I'd give anything for him to be my mentor.

@Crushed said:

@kevtheasian said:

ok

Don't strain yourself with excitement there, chief.

Yeah, I know people have a boner for the first post achievement, but I would enjoy seeing it taken away from people who can't do much better than that.

Definitely looking forward to his new project.

Small != bad. Hopefully it's something innovative. I expect nothing less from Miyamoto!

I'll look foreword to seeing what he does, but he is getting there in age and retirement can't seem that far off for him, this probably will be better in the long run if he wants to continue to have a role in video game design

10 years later, Nintendo's newest IP is also its biggest and best, while Mario games have shown a sharp decline in quality, and a new Zelda hasn't been released since the 3DS game.

@KaneRobot said:

@Crushed said:

@kevtheasian said:

ok

Don't strain yourself with excitement there, chief.

Yeah, I know people have a boner for the first post achievement, but I would enjoy seeing it taken away from people who can't do much better than that.

Profound insight, there. You are right - I will cancel my subscription and exile myself from this website.

Also, I don't care.

Well, huh.. Bye Nintendo? Maybe they are seeing this as a way to get into the changing world of the mobile/handheld market. Then not bye Nintendo. Also a game made just by him would not be a bad thins.

At least this might result in some cool stuff coming to WiiUware and the 3DS shop. Small downloadable games from Shigeru Miyamoto ? Yes Plz.

This must mean Nintendo eShop games overseen by Miyamoto! Sweet.

Good for him to try something new. Could of just stayed doing what he does and collecting his fat paycheck

Small != bad. Hopefully it's something innovative. I expect nothing less from Miyamoto!

I'm sure he'll be able to produce a much more exciting new IP than Mario or Zelda again. This news actually makes me extremely interested in a buying a new Nintendo console after so many years without one.

This sounds awesome. The smaller the projects, the more chances he can take because the potential loss is smaller. I think it might lead to a lot of cool projects coming from him. Plus, new people taking over the bigger franchises might lead to new, maybe even better, ideas. This sounds like a good move.

Wait, Kotaku is reporting that he's retiring from Nintendo altogether. Anyone know if he's still with Nintendo or not?

@Darknezz said:

10 years later, Nintendo's newest IP is also its biggest and best, while Mario games have shown a sharp decline in quality, and a new Zelda hasn't been released since the 3DS game.

What? Did you play Galaxy 2 and 3D Land? Have you even heard of Skyward Sword? Am I being trolled here?

Sounds great. He gets to focus on projects he may be more passionate on and we get a fresh take on games like Zelda and Mario. Seems like a win/win.

"Something really small" = Pikmin 3 2012 CONFIRMED

This could lead to something wonderful (another Super Mario World or The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past) or something completely uninteresting (another Wii Music), and I'm not sure which is more likely.

I think this is a good thing. I'd love to see some new smaller concepts come out of Miyamoto rather than the one big game every once and awhile.

@iAmJohn: You're being trolled man. "Nintendo's newest IP is also it biggest and best" was the 1st tip off.

This could be the best thing for Nintendo right now. Looking forward to see what the mind of Miyamoto has in store for us, and what any newcomers might bring to the table. For better or worse, Nintendo definitely needs some kind of change.

This sounds like Miyamoto going back to his roots rather than a retirement. It makes a lot of sense since he's passed some of his biggest franchises to others at Nintendo so maybe this is a way to bring something brand new.

@Shaka999 said:

Wait, Kotaku is reporting that he's retiring from Nintendo altogether. Anyone know if he's still with Nintendo or not?

From the original Wired article: "The creator of Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda will step down from his current position at Nintendo but remain with the company to work on smaller, more personal projects, Wired.com has learned."

I'm actually happy about this. Nintendo hasn't created a new IP since Pikmin and with him working on smaller stuff hopefully more new stuff can come out of there.

This could be cool.  I'd like to see something smaller, maybe more focused on creative.

This sounds like a great move. It gives the younger staff more autonomy to try their hands while Miyamoto can go back to creating more personal titles, and I'd love to see what sort of games he could make on a smaller scale with today's tech. I also wonder what sort of Zelda Aonuma's team might produce if Miyamoto isn't as heavily involved as a producer for the next game.

Please make one HD game before you move on to smaller projects Mr.Miyamoto. Please!

This is the best thing that can happen to Nintendo. Maybe the younger developers won't feel shackled by the all the same tropes we've seen in past Nintendo games and can start trying new things. And I'm not even talking about creating new franchises; I would love to see a brand new take on classic series such as Zelda.

@Masha2932 said:

Please make one HD game before you move on to smaller projects Mr.Miyamoto. Please!

HD doesn't matter. His focus has always been on gameplay. While his games have some of the best graphics you'll ever see on any Nintendo platform, graphics aren't the reason his work is revered.

YES

@SlackerMonkey: *facepalm*

I'm fucking stupid. Should've just read the original article, thanks for the response.

@iAmJohn: not sure if trolling, or really really stupid.

I am excited. Oh man, I can't imagine what new character we will encounter.

Hopefully this is preamble for "Original IP coming at Wii U Launch." I'm sure his juniors have had time to think of something, anything, when they're on break from the Mario Mines.

Cool.

@Hailinel said:

This sounds like a great move. It gives the younger staff more autonomy to try their hands while Miyamoto can go back to creating more personal titles, and I'd love to see what sort of games he could make on a smaller scale with today's tech. I also wonder what sort of Zelda Aonuma's team might produce if Miyamoto isn't as heavily involved as a producer for the next game.

Agreed.

really really small, like his..............

awesome.

I like this idea.

the last couple of years feels like a monumental shift in the concept of game development, I don't know what it means for Miyamoto to step down, but I hope it is the death knell for the current trend of Japanese game development.

Also, foot in mouth, but I really should go play vanquish, bayonetta, and shadow of the damned to support interesting japanese game developers.

Pikmin 3 at launch for WiiU.

That's great news. Hopefully his magic works on these smaller games.

Pikmin? Please? Pretty please? With sugar on top? PLEEEAAASSSEEEEEE?

Wired is garbage, their articles are as relevant as the crap that shows up on the yahoo front page.

As long as he still shows up at e3 to swing around a master sword, I'm happy...