What was it that made you first think about creating PAC Man? Did you just randomly think about it and boom you created him or was it a work in progress and if so what steps did you have to go through in order to create him? (via Sophie Louise Cadman)

Mr. Iwatani: Back then, the popular games in the Japanese arcade game centers were mainly alien shooting games. The arcades were filled with male players. I wanted to brighten up the atmosphere by drawing in women and couples. For that to happen, there needed to be a game for that audience. When it came to women’s interests, I thought of concepts based on fashion and love stories but ultimately ended up with the idea of “eating”. While brainstorming on the idea of “eating”, I picked up a slice of pizza and saw the shape of what was to become PAC-MAN. The idea flourished into the chomping motion, enemy ghosts, and into a maze game.

Q.2

Did you have any early concepts designs of Pac-Man and the ghosts? Were there any previous games that you created before creating Pac-Man? (via Mush Hog)

Mr. Iwatani: The concept of PAC-MAN with a wide-open mouth came from a pizza as explained but the reason why I left out the eyes and mouth was to keep the design very simple. In addition he is a shy character that doesn’t like scary things. I was evem thinking of a concept where he will eat the items that he is afraid of such as guns. But keeping the female audience in mind I decided to come up with the cute ghosts in four difference colors. The eyes were purposely made big on the ghosts to give them a ‘cute’ look. The relationship between PAC-MAN and the ghost is similar to Tom & Jerry. Prior to PAC-MAN I worked on titles such as Gee Bee by Namco. After PAC-MAN I worked on Libble Rabble.

Q.3

When you made Pac-Man did you think it’d be such a hit/popular game and it would have such a large impact on so many people?What were you thinking to yourself when you finished Pac-Man? (via Gary Starnes)

Mr. Iwatani: I did not expect the game to be so popular outside of Japan. I predicted that it would pick up some traction in the cities of Japan. In Japan, the game became popular among women and couples as predicted. I gained confidence when I began to see older people and kids having fun with the game. I didn’t think it would be a hit abroad because the popular games at the time were similar to Atari’s ‘Thrilling’. I didn’t think this type of game would be favorable in other countries. However, the game’s simple design and one stick maneuver won the hearts of the world.’

Q.4

Are they ghosts or jellyfish or a cross breed extra dimensional jellyfish ghost O.o Spooky! (via Kieffer Carr)

Mr. Iwatani: I’m surprised that you made the reference to a jellyfish. The assumption must be from the transparency in their design and also their characteristics. They are not meant to be spooky at all.

Q.5

Why is it called PAC-MAN? (via Balungile Bash Mangcu)

Mr. Iwatani: In Japan, the sound effect for eating is “Pac Pac”. I literally translated it into English and the name stuck.

Q.6

Why color him yellow? (via Xavier Fitzgerald)

Mr. Iwatani: Out of many choices, I picked the neutral color yellow. The ghosts were colored red, blue, orange, and pick to maintain a good balance. It also goes along with the them “Eating”.

Q.7

How would you explain the success of Pac-Man?
(via Louis J. Eugenio Jr.)

Mr. Iwatani: There are a lot of calculations that went in to make this a fun game. For example, if you mess up and have to restart, you will replay from an easier level. Typically the ghosts chase PAC-MAN by surrounding him but at times they rebel and disburse to the four corners. That timing was intentionally programmed to relieve some tension during gameplay. Another perk of continuing the game is to watch PAC-MAN perform when the players clears a stage. Overall, it is a user-friendly game to a wide audience, which made this game such a success.

Q.8

How do you see the future of the games industry and pacman itself? (via Horacio Angello Ortega Gamboa)

Mr. Iwatani: Games have moved not only to console but to smartphones and tablets. Even cars and rehabilitation devices have become “Game-ified” these days. Games are incorporated into daily tasks. For this reason, you may see PAC-MAN in a lot of different places, PAC-MAN can now be played on Facebook「PAC-MAN” http://apps.facebook.com/pacmansocial/”」 and 「PAC-MAN http://apps.facebook.com/pacmans/. We have also developed a new twist to the original PAC-MAN in “PAC-MAN Championship Edition DX”.

Q.9

Since there are “patterns” that can predict ghost movements, their movements are truly “random” – where they programmed with a random algorithm, but with always the same seed value, or exactly how did they get their predictive movement? Also, related: do the different ghosts have different “personalities” as they seem to have? (via John Oehler)

Mr. Iwatani: All four ghosts were programmed with different algorithms. The game was not configured for all four ghosts to chase PAC-MAN at the same exact time. If they chased him at the same time, they would all be following him from behind and make it a boring game. The red ghost is programmed to chase PAC-MAN from the front. The Pink ghost is set to move 32 dots in front of PAC-MAN. The Blue ghost moves towards PAC-MAN as the center point. Finally the Orange ghost moves randomly. These characteristics gives this game a thrilling experience.

Q.10

Before the release of the original Pac-Man, did you have any ideas for its gameplay apart from the 2D action/maze genre we’re all aware of now? Did you experiment with other genres such as platformers or RPGs? (via Jordan Dean Ezekude)

Mr. Iwatani: During the development of PAC-MAN, 3D games were a thing of the far future. I did think of an idea that did not involve the four-corner maze but rather PAC-MAN and the ghosts running freely. However that would have made the game geared towards an advanced audience, which was not my goal. Since then I have been involved in planning arcade games that have online capabilities and games to play at major theme parks.

Check out artist Katsuya Terada’s original illustration for PAC-MAN’s 30th anniversary. PAC-MAN shines like a full moon on the dark night sky.

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Q & A

Q: Have you played PAC-MAN before? If you have, please tell us your memories from when you played.

A: Unfortunately, I have never played, but I was curious to see people play at a coffee shop at that time.

Q: Please tell us the theme of this work.

A: It’s a smile that makes people feel the PAC-MAN’s experience over the past 30 years.

Q: Please let us know what you were feeling when using PAC-MAN as the inspiration of this work.

A: I thought he’s round and yellow.

Q: Pac-Man will have his 30th anniversary on May 22, 2010. Please give us the message on this celebration.

A: Please do not be too complacent but be ambitious.

Profile

TERADA, Katsuya
Born in Dec, 1963 / illustrator cartoonist

Representative Work

Cartoon

1. Saiyukiden Daienou

Cover Image

1. Marudukku Scramble (Tou Ubukata)
2. Marudukku Velocity (Tou Ubukata)
3. Iga Ninpocho (Futaro Yamada)
4. Chimera Kou Series (Baku Yumemakura)
5. Sengoku Jieitai 1549 (Harutoshi Fukui)

Animation

1. BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE (character designer)
2. Silk Road Shounen Yuuto (character designer)
3. Kamen Rider W (creature design)

Movies

1. Mirai Ninja (character costume prop design)
2. Zeiram (costume design)

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PAC-MAN Hide & Seek – PAC-MAN is always on the move! Take turns hiding PAC-MAN under one of the Ghosts and shuffling the Ghosts around to confuse other players. Where’s PAC-MAN? The player that guesses right gets their turn to hide PAC-MAN!

PAC-MAN Bowling – Set ‘em upand knock ‘em down! Wind-up PAC-MAN and aim for the paper ghost and fruit targets. Can you knock them all down?

PAC-MAN Tag Game – Get ready to chase or be chased with the PAC-MAN Tag Game! Toy includes 1 PAC-MAN and 3 Ghost tags. Players can clip on a tag to play 3 active, exciting games thatwill get everybody up and moving around!

PAC-MAN Dash Game – Pull PAC-MAN back, and set him free. Which way will he go? You’ll just have to see! Wind-up PAC-MAN and try to avoid the coloredGhosts or knock over the “turn-to-blue” Ghosts to win!

PAC-MAN Maze Craze – It’s a race to collect the fruit as you roll the die and move around the game board. But Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde will try to keep you from moving around the board and collecting your fruit. The game includes all the pieces and instructions for 1-4 player games.

These toys will disappear like Ghosts so be the first out of your friends and family to collect all 5! For more info, check out:  www.wendyskids.com

But that’s not all! Inside each Wendy’s Kids’ Meal is a coupon code to get $1.00 off the original PAC-MAN on the PC so the whole family can enjoy the world’s most popular arcade game. To redeem your code, go to:  www.pacman.com/wendys.

*This contest is over*

Through the decades, the popularity for this yellow rotund hero continues to span generations and this honor affirms his global appeal. PAC-MAN® will be appearing to commemorate 30 years of power pellet eating fun as well as the release of his newest video game, PAC-MAN Party™ which is now available for Wii™.

The PAC-MAN 30th Anniversary Party float will stand at 55 feet tall and include the ghost characters from the franchise Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde. Surrounded by presents and a scene from his latest game, PAC-MAN’s friendly visage will adorn the float while standing atop a bright and colorful cornucopia of floral arrangements. It wouldn’t be a party without cake as PAC-MAN will hold his birthday confection which is decorated with iconic symbols from the arcade game.

“PAC-MAN’s big spirit and insatiable appetite for adventure have won him a place in gamers’ hearts for three decades, and we think this is a great time to show how much we appreciate him,” said Kenji Hisatsune president, CEO and COO of Namco Networks America. “It’s a true honor for PAC-MAN to be recognized with a birthday party in Pasadena and we think the towering 55 foot high float serves as a monumental way to celebrate his legacy with the world.”

“PAC-MAN and his friends will be a thrilling addition to the 122nd Rose Parade,” said Jeffrey L. Throop, president of the Tournament of Roses. “Every year, thousands of families travel to Pasadena to celebrate the New Year, and millions watch along on television. To be able to celebrate PAC-MAN’s 30th anniversary with the world on New Year’s Day is a true privilege for the Tournament of Roses.”

PAC-MAN Party for Wii continues the franchise’s history of providing engaging entertainment that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With more than 50 exciting mini-games and eight characters to choose from including newcomers Woofa, Patra and Roger, players will be fully engaged using the Wii Remote™ controller’s motion and button control capabilities in various time-based trials. From dodging a cascade of blocks, to racing and sheep shearing challenges, there is non-stop action for everyone.

PAC-MAN Party is rated “E10+” by the ESRB and is now available in stores for an MSRP of $39.99. For more information on the game and the franchise, please visit: www.namcobandaigames.com or www.pacman.com/en. More information about the 122nd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade can be found at www.tournamentofroses.com.

About NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. is a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer based in Santa Clara, CA. The company is a part of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises including the PAC-MAN®, SOULCALIBUR®, NARUTO™ and Tekken® brands. For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., and our products log onto http://www.namcobandaigames.com/.

ABOUT MBC PROMOTIONS

MBC PROMOTIONS is a boutique agency that has rapidly grown to be one of the country’s most respectable and successful results-driven marketing firms. MBC specializes in offering affordable cross-promotion campaigns with some of today’s top consumer brands, specializing in video game and entertainment promotional partnerships. Through their creative alliances MBC strategically acquires promotional tie-ins and engaging media campaigns that capture the greatest amount of visibility. The PAC-MAN PARTY Rose Parade float coordination is handled by MBC PROMOTIONS, Oceanside, CA, www.mbcpromotions.com..

PAC-MAN PartyTM & © 2010 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.

Press Release © 2010 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.

For NAMCO BANDAI Games America:

Arne Cual-Pedroso
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
(408) 235-2132
apedroso@namcobandaigames.com

Craig Sinel
fortyseven communications
(323) 658-1200
craig@fortyseven.com

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SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 14, 2010 - Namco Networks, a leading publisher and developer of interactive content, today announced the launch of PAC-MAN Kart Rally on mobile devices, including Java, BREW, RIM and Windows Mobile. An Android version of the title will be coming out in early 2011.

Offered in 2D and 3D, PAC-MAN Kart Rally combines fast-paced racing action with 10 beloved iconic Namco characters, including PAC-MAN®, Taizo Hori from DIG DUG®, the Prince from Katamari Damacy®, Susumu Hori from Mr. Driller® and the Fighter from Galaga®, to name a few.

With 12 tracks and five game modes, the goal of the game is to cross the finish line in first place. This can be achieved by utilizing multiple power-ups and items found throughout each course. The various modes are Championship, Time Trail, Challenge, Survival and Mirror Mode. The player will have to be careful in picking their character as each one has different characteristics, ultimately influencing the way the kart moves.

According to Namco’s Vice President of Marketing, Carlson Choi, “PAC-MAN Kart Rally is easy to pick up and play, making it appropriate for all skill levels. With PAC-MAN’s 30th anniversary wrapping up, we are excited to continue the celebration by bringing another title that involves such an iconic brand to mobile devices.”

PAC-MAN Kart Rally is customized for the mobile platform with high-end graphics, easy controls and hours of gameplay. To learn more about Namco’s action-packed kart racing game or Namco’s library of mobile games, please visit www.namcogames.com or NAMCO GAMES on Facebook.

Enhancing the accessibility of the brand, two additional PAC-MAN games will be released this fall for home video game consoles: PAC-MANParty™, and PAC-MAN® Championship Edition™ DX. For more information on these titles, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com.

All things related to PAC-MAN can be found on PAC-MAN’s official website.

About Namco Networks

Namco Networks America Inc., a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc., is a worldwide leader in cutting-edge, digitally distributed casual entertainment including mobile, iPhone and casual PC games. More information about Namco Networks’ products can be found at www.namcogames.com, Namco Games on Facebook or @namcogames on Twitter.

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Click here to see all the images from the event.

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About the artist:

The second artist is a cartoonist and novelist, Mitsuru Sugaya, who is famous for the cartoon, “Game Center Arashi (eng: Game Arcade, Arashi)” This amazing art piece depicts PAC-MAN controlled by Arashi getting Ghosts!

Game Center Arashi is a popular Japanese character about a young boy named Arashi Ishino who is obsessed with playing video games.

Q&A

Q: Have you played “Pac-Man” before? If you have, please tell us your memories from when you played.

A: Yes, Yes! Right after PAC-MAN was released, I played until I almost got tired of it. Mostly, I played at coffee shops. At that time, I was working on my drawings of “Game center Arashi” at the coffee shop. Since most coffee shops have the table type game machines and I couldn’t help playing. Therefore, I couldn’t work. I would break a 1000 yen bill to 100 yen coins, and pile up the coins on the table to play. I remember that it took a lot of time to clear the first stage.

Because of that, my work was always delayed. Around the time that PAC-MAN was released, most coffee shops were like arcades. It was difficult to find a coffee shop that had no arcade machines.

When the PC version was released, I also purchased that and played it. Also, since the game “Game Center Arashi ~ PAC-MAN world Competition~ “, by Bandai Namco Games, includes “PAC-MAN”, was available on the popular Japan internet service i-mode, I sometimes played the game on my cell phone. However, it is difficult to play with the cell phone screen now because of my aging eyesight.

Q: Please tell us the theme of this work.

A: “Game Center Arashi” is a character that you can assimilate into its game world or the character. Of course, your mind is assimilated into the character you control. I drew this illustration to imagine that Arashi’s mind assimilates into PAC-MAN’s. Anyone who plays PAC-MAN must throw themselves into PAC-MAN. Of course, I did, too.

Q: Please let us know what you were feeling when using PAC-MAN as the inspiration of this work.

A: I thought of what Arashi would see in his mind if he was drawing this illustration. I imagined that 2D game became 3D in his mind. I wanted to convey that image to people when they see this illustration.

Profile

SUGAYA, Mitsuru

Born in 1950 / Cartoonist / Novelist

1950 Born in Fuji City, Shizuoka. Went to Tokyo to be a cartoonist after graduating from a high school.

In 1971, debuted as a cartoonist of “Kamen Rider” ( Author: Shotaro Ishinomori)

In 1983 “Game Center Arashi” and “Konnichiwa Mycon received Shogakukan Manga Award. After that, wrote many information comics for adults.

In 1994, re-debuted as a writer of fiction war stories. Currently work as a cartoonist and novelist. Also currently enrolled in Master’s Graduate School of Human Sciences, Waseda University, majoring in educational technology.

Official Site

http://www.m-sugaya.com/

Wallpaper Download policy

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• No responsibilities will be taken for any issues or damages in regards to the wallpaper use.
• No questions about the wallpaper use are accepted.
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SAN JOSE, Calif., June 30, 2010—Namco Networks, a leading publisher and developer of mobile games and interactive entertainment for mass-market casual gamers, today announced that it has reached more than 30 million paid transactions from Qualcomm Incorporated’s Brew® apps in the United States, and continues to grow rapidly.

“Since 2003, we’ve worked closely with Qualcomm and Brew carriers to bring PAC-MAN-related content to the mass market,” stated Namco Networks’ senior vice president of sales and marketing, Scott Rubin. “With more than 30 million paid transactions in the U.S., our goal remains the same—to please all consumers with top-notch games.”

Over the video game icon’s 30-year history, PAC-MAN and its various spin-offs have been sold on almost every gaming platform. On mobile specifically, PAC-MAN, Ms. PAC-MAN and PAC-MAN Championship Edition have consistently achieved top-seller status across all the major carrier decks.

“Namco is not only one of the top video game publishers in the United States, but a leader in the Brew development space,” said Mitch Oliver, vice president of ecosystem development for Qualcomm. “The wireless world of gaming and interactive entertainment is rapidly evolving, and we are excited to share the success of such a popular franchise.”

For more information on Namco and its games, please visit www.namcogames.com or NAMCO GAMES on Facebook. To learn about PAC-MAN and its origin, please visit PAC-MAN’s official website or PAC-MAN on Facebook.

About Namco Networks Namco Networks America, Inc., a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc., is a worldwide leader in cutting-edge, digitally distributed casual entertainment including mobile, iPhone and casual PC games. More information about Namco Networks’ products can be found at www.namcogames.com, Namco Games on Facebook or @namcogames on Twitter.

Namco, and all related logos, designs, and elements are the trademarks and © of Namco Networks America Inc. 2010, NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. 2010. Qualcomm and Brew are registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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