![]() ![]() Unlike film’s metalanguage, which we’ve been discussing for a century, we are just starting to understand the fundamental techniques of video games. But unlike film’s metalanguage, which we’ve been discussing for a century, we are just starting to understand the fundamentals of video games - how their operations create meaning and shape our playing experiences. Just like film has a set of fundamental techniques - angles, cuts, pans, and zooms - there are fundamental techniques of video games. So what explains the enduring appeal of Pac-Man? In October, Pac-Man creators Bandai Namco released Pac-Man Geo, an app that turns real city streets into Pac-Man mazes earlier this month, British developers Steamforged Games released Pac-Man: The Card Game, a family tabletop game. This week, 40 years after Pac-Man’s launch, Google’s Stadia service will release Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle, yet another addition to the franchise. Clearly, Pac-Man’s appeal goes beyond games.Īnd yet the games themselves - there have been over 200 releases to date - continue to find a receptive audience. In the decades since its release, the game inspired a Martin Amis novel and a fashion collection, not to mention a slew of merchandise, from novelty boxer shorts to a commemorative alcohol from Matsunami Sake Brewery. Noah Wardrip-Fruin is the author of “ How Pac-Man Eats.” ![]()
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