Satoru Iwata Insisted Employees Play Animal Crossing Every Day

It turns out the late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata had a unique approach to quality control. Before Animal Crossing: New Leaf hit the Nintendo 3DS, Iwata reportedly asked his employees to play the game on a daily basis. He wanted the team to be fully immersed in the experience well before it reached the public.

Former Nintendo UK PR manager Ashley Day shared this story on the Back Page Podcast. Day explained that the request came directly from the top. Staff members across Nintendo Europe and its various branches were given free copies of the game months before the official release date. It was treated as a professional responsibility for employees to spend time in the game.

This move shows how much faith Iwata had in the series. By making it a priority for staff to play, he ensured that everyone working at the company understood the charm and specific feel of the title. It is a heartwarming look at the dedication behind the scenes of one of Nintendo's most beloved franchises.