How Nintendo's Mario Got His Name 103
harrymcc writes "In 1981, tiny Nintendo of America was getting ready to release Donkey Kong. When the company's landlord, Mario Segale, demanded back rent, Nintendo staffers named the game's barrel-jumping protagonist after him. Almost thirty years later, neither Nintendo — which continues to crank out Mario games — nor Segale — now a wealthy, secretive Washington State real estate developer — like to talk about how one of video games' iconic characters got his name and Italian heritage. Technologizer's Benj Edwards has researched the story for years and provides the most detailed account to date."
Most Racist Video Game Character Ever (Score:1, Interesting)
At least that I know of.
But it's ok. At least he's not in the Mafia.
Re:Pay Up. (Score:3, Interesting)
As someone getting out of the landlording business.... I can tell you that his obsession with coins may explain why he is so successful and still in it. Being a landlord, quite a lot of the job is fronting the cost on bills (or outright juggling them) until people get around to paying up.
Much easier for the penny pincher who holds tightly onto his war chest than someone who "floats" and doesn't stress it. Neighbors complain? Guess who they complain to. Something breaks, you know who fixes it.
I don't mean to sound bitter or anything but, I totally have a lot more respect for those penny pinching, in your face landlords who want the money on time now that I spent a few years in the rental business.
-Steve
Re:Monkey Kong (Score:3, Interesting)
DK's name comes from a bad translation of "stupid monkey."