Facts About the Origin of Pac Man

There are very few old games out there that have been a success since their inception and promise to stay successful in future generations, too. Pac Man is more than just a simple classic arcade game; it is a real cultural icon recognized by people all over the world. With at least 31 remakes and sequels out there since its birth, it has remained a staple of entertainment for every generation. Here are some more interesting facts about the origin of Pac Man.

It all started in 1979 when Toru Iwatani, a Namco employee, was working on a pizza. He was inspired by its shape because with a couple of slices missing, it resembled a head with an open mouth. Many of the popular titles at the arcade were targeted toward young boys, but Iwatani wanted Pac Man to appeal to everyone. United States players were impressed with the maze element and the ghost enemies, and by 1982 it was estimated that 30 million people were actively playing. It was an instant hit in the U.S., making more than 1 billion dollars in its first year - in quarters! Over 350,000 arcade machines were sold in the first 18 months. It is still cited as one of the highest-grossing video games ever.

Pac Man's popularity still continues to thrive today, even with games such as Donkley Kong out there to compete with. The title Pac-Man and the Ghostly adventures was just released in 2013 for the PlayStation 3, Wii U and the Xbox 360, and it's sure to be a hit for nostalgic veteran gamers as well as the new generation of children who will find that this title is still relevant. This title has enjoyed fame for creating many firsts in the gaming industry. For example, it was the first title to target the female audience on purpose, it was the first licensing success for the gaming industry, it featured the first power-up option, and it was the first time stealth gaming was introduced by the protagonist avoiding enemies instead of attacking them. What would the world be like if Toru Iwatani hadn't gone out for pizza that fateful night in 1979?