Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto says even if gen-AI “were to eventually handle everything, there will always be a role left” for human designers

Shigeru Miyamoto, legendary Nintendo designer responsible for Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda franchises, has been selected to receive Japan’s Order of Culture award—making him the first video game developer ever to receive the prestigious honor. The award will be presented by the Emperor of Japan on November 3, 2026, during the nation’s Culture Day celebration.

Established in 1937, the Order of Culture recognizes individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the advancement of Japanese culture across fields including art, literature, technology, and science. Miyamoto, now 73 years old, previously received Japan’s Person of Cultural Merit award in 2019. At a recent press conference, he expressed humility about the recognition, emphasizing that he doesn’t create games in isolation and accepted the award on behalf of his entire team.

Beyond his iconic work in game development, Miyamoto has expanded his creative influence across multiple disciplines. He has collaborated on Super Nintendo World attractions at Universal Studios and worked on film projects such as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, reflecting his broader impact on Japanese culture and entertainment globally.

During his remarks, Miyamoto addressed concerns about generative AI’s role in future game development. He argued that despite AI’s advancing capabilities, there will always be a meaningful place for human creativity and design in game production. Drawing on his own experience witnessing rapid computer tool evolution throughout his career, Miyamoto suggested that AI will enhance rather than replace human designers, potentially making creators even more important in guiding creative vision and direction.

Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto says even if gen-AI “were to eventually handle everything, there will always be a role left” for human designers

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