Before you could kill, maim and steal in Grand Theft Auto or eviscerate aliens as a super-soldier in Halo, you had to feed yourself as Pac-man. Masaya Nakamura, who passed away on January 22, was one of the pioneers of what is now the multi-billion dollar video game industry. Pac-man — literally “munching-man” — hit arcades in 1980 and has gone from being a worldwide addiction to a nostalgic recreation.
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Like the violent anti-hero of the Hitman games, Pac-man is relentless in his single-minded pursuit. And like so many other oddly coloured global figures, his only USP is his large mouth. Even now, the nearly 40-year-old game can hold its own. Its sheer simplicity — all you need is basic hand-eye coordination — is refreshing. Nakamura himself warned of the dangers of something he called “screen addiction” when Pac-man first became successful. Now, with 3D screens, smartphones and virtual reality headsets, the world of video games is more enticing than ever. Unfortunately, it also enhances some of the more gory aspects of its creators’ imaginations. We must thank Pac-man for all the beauty of the gaming world. And also its beasts.
