Entertainment is there to improve people's quality of life. After your basic needs, there's entertainment.

The quote by Satoru Iwata emphasizes the role of entertainment in enhancing the quality of life. Iwata highlights that while basic needs like food, shelter, and safety are fundamental for survival, entertainment plays a crucial role in enriching life beyond mere existence. It offers joy, relaxation, and engagement, contributing to emotional well-being and overall satisfaction.

The origin of this statement comes from Iwata’s work as a video game designer and president of Nintendo, where he championed creating games that were not only fun but also meaningful and accessible to a wide audience. His philosophy reflected a belief that entertainment should inspire creativity, foster connection, and provide positive experiences that improve daily life. This perspective guided Nintendo’s approach to game development and interactive media.

Iwata’s words also underscore the broader cultural and social value of entertainment. Beyond personal enjoyment, entertainment can stimulate the mind, encourage learning, and bring people together. By placing it after basic needs, he positions it as an essential part of human flourishing, highlighting that a life without enjoyment or creative engagement is incomplete.

Ultimately, the quote conveys a vision of entertainment as a tool for enrichment. Iwata reminds us that once survival is secured, cultivating joy, imagination, and shared experiences through entertainment is fundamental to living a fulfilling life. It reflects a philosophy where fun and play are not trivial but vital to human happiness and growth.