Nintendo has denied reports that its most famous developer, Shigeru Miyamoto, is stepping down from his current position and focusing more on smaller projects while passing the reins to younger developers.

“This is absolutely not true. There seems to have been a misunderstanding,” a Nintendo spokesperson told Reuters. “[Miyamoto] has said all along that he wants to train the younger generation. He has no intention of stepping down. Please do not be concerned.”

Miyamoto is one of the most influential game designers in the world, responsible for the development of such series as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, and has been responsible for heading the major creative efforts of the company for the past 25 years.

Rumors of Miyamoto’s departure came after a Wired report that he wanted to work on smaller titles with shorter development cycles.

The official statement from Nintendo reads:

“Video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto’s role at Nintendo is not changing. He will continue to be a driving force in Nintendo’s development efforts. In discussing his priorities at Nintendo in a media interview, Mr. Miyamoto explained how he is encouraging the younger developers at the company to take more initiative and responsibility for developing software. He attempted to convey his priorities moving forward, inclusive of overseeing all video game development and ensuring the quality of all products. Mr. Miyamoto also discussed his desire to pursue fresh ideas and experiences of the kind that sparked his initial interest in video games.”

Nintendo’s stock price dropped 2% after the orignal rumor was announced.