Pac-Man on the Couch ...
Eric Shapiro - New York Press - 6/21/2010
Since 1980, hardcore gamers and neophytes alike have taken control of Pac-Man, a disembodied yellow head with a ravenous hunger for dots and the occasional fruit. They have partaken in wild ghost chases, experienced euphoric rushes of invincibility, and even witnessed his romance with the equally insatiable Ms. Pac-Man.
However, they have never had the opportunity to really know him, to discover the living, breathing individual beneath the icon (the tongue-in-cheek Hanna-Barbera cartoon doesn’t count). This is something that Avi Arad, known for spearheading of such well-known Marvel Comics characters as Spider-Man, The X-Men, Iron Man and The Hulk, has set out to change with his upcoming Pac-Man TV series.“We feel we have a unique opportunity to have an action adventure, human interest story,” Arad said at the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo, according to IGN.com.
Given the man's impressive track record, I’m hesitant to dismiss one of his projects prematurely, especially if there’s action and adventure involved. Still, a psychological examination of Pac-Man? How can one not be skeptical?
The whole thing gets even more absurd. Apparently, the world of Pac-Man is fertile ground for social commentary. Arad poses the question, “He's [Pac-Man’s] the only yellow one in Pac-Land; what does that mean? Is it a social statement?” Toru Iwatani, who developed the original Pac-Man game for Midway in 1979, didn’t think so. Regarding his inspiration, Iwatani explained: “I wanted to make a game that would also appeal to women, because arcades back then were really the domain of men. I wanted to make something they could play together on a date, or just on their own. That's why I wanted to make a game that was fun and accessible, and characters that were cute.” A worthy endeavor, for sure, but far from a social statement.
I won’t go on the record as saying I have high hopes for Avi Arad’s latest venture, but I am certainly intrigued. The premise of “Pac-Man,” the show, sounds like it is at the very least inspired, which is more than can be said for most adaptations of classic video games (Doom, anyone?). And besides, what better is there to do with the character at this point?
Since 1980, hardcore gamers and neophytes alike have taken control of Pac-Man, a disembodied yellow head with a ravenous hunger for dots and the occasional fruit. They have partaken in wild ghost chases, experienced euphoric rushes of invincibility, and even witnessed his romance with the equally insatiable Ms. Pac-Man.
However, they have never had the opportunity to really know him, to discover the living, breathing individual beneath the icon (the tongue-in-cheek Hanna-Barbera cartoon doesn’t count). This is something that Avi Arad, known for spearheading of such well-known Marvel Comics characters as Spider-Man, The X-Men, Iron Man and The Hulk, has set out to change with his upcoming Pac-Man TV series.“We feel we have a unique opportunity to have an action adventure, human interest story,” Arad said at the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo, according to IGN.com.
Given the man's impressive track record, I’m hesitant to dismiss one of his projects prematurely, especially if there’s action and adventure involved. Still, a psychological examination of Pac-Man? How can one not be skeptical?
The whole thing gets even more absurd. Apparently, the world of Pac-Man is fertile ground for social commentary. Arad poses the question, “He's [Pac-Man’s] the only yellow one in Pac-Land; what does that mean? Is it a social statement?” Toru Iwatani, who developed the original Pac-Man game for Midway in 1979, didn’t think so. Regarding his inspiration, Iwatani explained: “I wanted to make a game that would also appeal to women, because arcades back then were really the domain of men. I wanted to make something they could play together on a date, or just on their own. That's why I wanted to make a game that was fun and accessible, and characters that were cute.” A worthy endeavor, for sure, but far from a social statement.
I won’t go on the record as saying I have high hopes for Avi Arad’s latest venture, but I am certainly intrigued. The premise of “Pac-Man,” the show, sounds like it is at the very least inspired, which is more than can be said for most adaptations of classic video games (Doom, anyone?). And besides, what better is there to do with the character at this point?