Skip to main content

Pac-Man to Live on at Google

Image used with permission by copyright holder

It was 30 years ago last week when Pac-Man originally made its debut in Japan.  To celebrate, Google issued a new doodle – the first ever playable doodle – that allowed users to play the game using the arrow keys to control Pac-Man. Like the original game, the doodle was simple, and it was incredibly addicting. So much so that Google has decided to make Pac-Man a permanent feature of Google.

Today Google has announced that the game will remain available at www.google.com/pacman. The game will offer the standard Pac-Man experience, al 256 levels of it, and there is even an Easter Egg that allows users to add Ms. Pac-Man when they hit the “insert coin” button a second time.

Pac-Man was conceived by Namco developer Toru Iwatani when he saw a half eaten pizza. From that simple idea, the most successful coin-operated game of all-time was born. It took eight developers 15 months to finish the game, and the result was an immediate success that attracted scores of new players to video games while quickly becoming apop-culture phenomena.

Versions of Pac-Man have been available online for years, but combining it with the most visited website in the world, means that Pinky, Blinky, Inky and Clyde will be running for their lives for years to come.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Ryan Fleming
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ryan Fleming is the Gaming and Cinema Editor for Digital Trends. He joined the DT staff in 2009 after spending time covering…
Google’s holographic ‘magic window’ video calls are becoming a reality
google project starline io 2021 news

Project Starline impressed the world back in 2021 with "magic window"-like video calls. It seemed a bit like a glorified tech demo at the time, but now, Google is back with an exciting update. The search giant has announced a hardware partnership with HP, aiming to sell and integrate the technology into existing video-conferencing platforms like Google Meet and Zoom beginning in 2025.

First showcased at Google I/O 2021, the core of Project Starline is a blend of cutting-edge technologies, including advanced 3D imaging, AI, and display capabilities. The platform aims to bridge the gap between physical and virtual interactions, creating a sense of presence and realism akin to face-to-face meetings.

Read more
Google has a chance to take on the Quest and Vision Pro in a big way
Google's Android logo wears an XR headset.

Over the years, Google has made many attempts at pushing VR and AR ahead, whether it was Google Cardboard, Google Glass, or Google Daydream. All were failed projects, ultimately.

But with the introduction of the Vision Pro and Meta's recent announcements, there's never been so much interest in extended reality (XR) headsets and AR glasses. And with the Google I/O developer conference coming this week, there are rumors that Google may make another venture into this technology.
Google’s in the game
Apple’s launch of the Vision Pro doesn’t necessarily demand a response from Google. It's a relatively niche device given its high price. But we know Google is in the game based on some recent hints.

Read more
How to change theme colors in Google Slides
GIF in Google Slides on a MacBook on a table.

Want to add a little charm and personality to your Google Slides presentations? You should try changing the theme colors of your slideshow. This ensures that each new frame contains the same background colors and trim. Once you’ve selected a theme, you’ll then be able to customize it to add even more aesthetic power to your words and pictures.

Read more