Miyamoto wins top Spanish prize

Shigeru Miyamoto
Looks like Shigeru Miyamoto has another award to add his ever-growing trophy case.

And no, Miyamoto did not just survive the annual Running of the Bulls by himself, but rather Spain’s prestigious Prince of Asturias prize for communications and humanities. In addition, Miyamoto was awarded 50,000 euro ($64,000) for the prize.

The jury of Spaniards praised the 59-year-old game designer for “excluding violence from his creations”  and turning video games into ” a medium capable of bringing people together regardless of sex, age or social or cultural status.” 

The Prince of Asturias prize is only one of eight awards given in various fields by the Asturias Foundation each year. Not only that, but Miyamoto will be immortalized with a sculpture. That last honor alone should be enough to make the famed game designer blush.

When given the award, Miyamoto said he was “very honored” and “humbled.” He later added, “I will continue my efforts so that video games will continuously be able to offer fun and joy to people of all generations all around the world.”

We’ve tipped out hats to you more times than we can count, Mr. Miyamoto, but here’s another for continuing to be one of the video game industry’s most well-respected figures. And that’s not hyperbole.

Harrison Milfeld is a writer, editor, and freelance journalist from Missouri. Ever since he could walk, Harrison has been an avid fan of the world of Nintendo. For years, he has purchased every one of the company's subsequent products (yes, including the Virtual Boy and eReader). It wasn't until he was a young teen when he bought a PS2 that he began to embrace cross-console relations, a decision he doesn't regret. When he's not gaming, Harrison is looking to break into the magazine journalism industry and realize his dream of becoming a features reporter.