Miyamoto Reveals Rubik's Cube as His 'Eternal Rival' in 1996 Interview
Shigeru Miyamoto identified the Rubik's Cube, not other video games, as his primary competitive rival in a 1996 interview. He explained that his industrial design background led him to view the toy as a benchmark for creating products that surprise non-gamers. This perspective highlights his long-standing focus on accessibility and innovation over traditional gaming competition.
Key points
- Miyamoto stated in a 1996 interview with Kenji Eno that the Rubik's Cube is his 'eternal rival' due to his background in industrial design.
- He emphasized that his goal is to create products that surprise non-gamers, rather than catering solely to veteran craftsmen or dedicated gamers.
- The interview highlights a philosophy of making games accessible and impactful for a broad audience, contrasting with the typical focus on competing against other video game titles.
- This perspective aligns with Miyamoto's recent comments about prioritizing playability and unique experiences over hardware specs or industry trends.
Background
Miyamoto has consistently emphasized Nintendo's focus on unique gameplay and accessibility over chasing hardware specs or industry trends. In recent interviews, he has discussed how the Switch's longevity and hybrid nature exemplify this approach, and how Mario's B-Dash originated from a bug that enhanced fun. These views reinforce his long-standing philosophy of prioritizing 'fun to play' and surprising non-gamers, as seen in his 1996 comments about the Rubik's Cube.
Why it matters
Miyamoto's view of the Rubik's Cube as a rival underscores the importance of cross-medium competition in game design. It highlights how iconic non-gaming products can set benchmarks for innovation and accessibility, influencing how game developers approach audience engagement and product development.
What to watch
There is no immediate next step mentioned in the source. The article notes that it is unclear if Miyamoto still views the Rubik's Cube as his rival decades later, and suggests that future interviews may reveal what currently occupies his mind.
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