Pac-Man anniversary

ISSUED: 11th MAY 2010

A yellow, dot-munching legend will soon descend upon Swindon, Wiltshire, England, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of all-time video game classic, PAC-MAN.

Three unique events have been organised by the Museum of Computing in Swindon to mark this milestone, scheduled to take place on Saturday 22nd May 2010.

A specially constructed maze in Swindon town centre’s Wharf Green will be the venue for a unique ‘Human PAC-MAN’ event. Members of the public will be able to control a real-life PAC-MAN, trying to avoid the giant ghosts while collecting dots. It’s anyones guess what will happen when PAC-MAN grabs a ‘power pill’ and the tables are turned on the ghosts! Participants and onlookers will be able get a bird’s eye view of the action thanks to a video camera feeding Swindon’s twenty-five square metre ‘Big Screen’.

The ‘Big Screen’ will also be host to one of the largest versions of the original PAC-MAN game ever played and will be available to anybody who wants to relive their youth or try this classic game for the first time.

Simon Webb, Curator of the Museum of Computing, said: “PAC-MAN is the world’s most widely recognised games character. We couldn’t let this day pass without celebrating the 30th anniversary of this groundbreaking game, so we’re doing it in style. It’s going to be quite an event!”

Meanwhile, back at the Museum, people will be able to play variations of PAC-MAN on machines such as the Nintendo Game Cube, the original Game Boy, Sega Master System and many other retro game systems. The museum will also be staging a dedicated exhibition on the history of this social phenomenon, globally synonymous with 80s popular culture.

Museum volunteer Andy Romain said: "PAC-MAN was my first introduction to cocktail cabinet gaming. Sitting with a pint of coke and being drawn into the

neon-like maze world of this little yellow iconic character. Then I was thrilled when I was given a Grandstand handheld version of the game. He added: “PAC-MAN - the pill popping, ghost gulping figurehead of a gaming revolution!"

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ITINERARY FOR ANNIVERSARY EVENTS:

WHARF GREEN, Swindon Town Centre SN1 1LV

11:00 - 15:00

- Pac-Man as it's never been seen before – on the Big Screen

- Human Pac-Man, come and have a go at controlling a real life Pac-Man

- Public participation is free

MUSEUM OF COMPUTING – 6-7 Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN

09:30-17:00

- Pac-man gaming on the Atari 2600, Nintendo Game Cube, Game boy, Sega Master System and many others

- History of Pac-man mini exhibition

- Normal admission charges apply

PAC-MAN is an arcade video game developed by Namco, a landmark in video game history. It was first released in Japan in 1980, a time when most video games were space ‘shoot-em-ups’. PAC-MAN was an instant success and became an icon of the popular culture and a social phenomenon. For more information visit the Namco website: www.namcogames.com

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The Museum of Computing was the first dedicated computer museum in the UK, opening in 2003. It is a non-for-profit Company limited by guarantee and is run entirely by volunteers. The museum has a collection of over 3000 objects related to the history of computing and holds regular exhibitions and events.

- Opening times are Saturdays from 9.30am to 5 pm and Mondays from 10am to 4pm. There is a classroom for talks, PC clinics, gaming events and school visits.

- The museum is in Swindon town centre at 6-7 Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN, at the top of Regent Street opposite the new Central Library.

- Admission fees are £7.00 for a family ticket, £3.50 for adults, £3 for Students and Concessions, children age 6-15 yrs cost £2.50, under 5's go free,. All children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. We welcome school parties and groups

by appointment.

For further details, hi-res photos, screen grabs or interviews contact:

Neil Robinson or

Magdalena Szalachowska

Mobile: +44 (0) 7760 733 530

press@museumofcomputing.org.uk

For details on the museum and exhibits, contact:

Simon Webb

Curator, Museum of Computing

Mobile +44 (0)7834 375628

info@museumofcomputing.org.uk

www.museumofcomputing.org.uk