The Times is reporting that Nintendo has banned Shigeru Miyamoto from speaking publicly about this hobbies. The reasoning for this is that the Kyoto-based company doesn't want Sony or Microsoft to pick up on what their upcoming strategy might be. Miyamoto has long drawn upon his personal experience for his game design; his love of gardening inspired Pikmin, getting a family dog drove Nintendogs, his fitness hobby led to Wii Fit and his life-long love of music spawned Wii Music.

"Having managed to lure millions to games with the inventiveness of characters such as Zelda and Mario, it became Mr. Miyamoto's hobbies that shifted gears for Nintendo in the next-generation console era. And as Nintendo's Wii games console approaches its second year, even the most fleeting insight into how Mr. Miyamoto is spending his work or play-time is creating huge interest," reads The Times article. "In short, the gaming and investment communities are wondering which of his current pastimes will be translated into a virtual rendition that will attract millions of sales five years from now."