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The 'Father Of Pac-Man' Has Died Aged 91

The 'Father Of Pac-Man' Has Died Aged 91

The game has played an estimated 10 billion times.

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Masaya Nakamura, nicknamed 'the father of Pac-Man' after his company pioneered the cult game, has died aged 91.

Masaya was the founder of games company Namco, which was behind the addictive arcade game. It went on to be played an estimated 10 billion times and has been named in the Guinness World Records as the globe's most successful coin-operated arcade game.

Masaya Nakamura, left, and James J. Morgan, chairman of Atari Inc. Credit: PA

Namco started life as two mechanical horse rides on the roof of a department store, but would go on to be a massive name in the arcade games industry.

The iconic yellow character is originally said to be based on a pizza with a slice taken out of it. It was designed by Namco's Toru Iwatani and went on sale in the 1980s, becoming a huge hit around the world.

Masaya is responsible for naming the character, choosing the word 'Pac' or 'pakku' in Japanese as a representation of the noise he makes as he eats those little pills.

Masaya died on 22 January, the Daily Mail reports. A private funeral was held for the family with an additional memorial being held for those from the industry who wish to pay their respects.

Source: The Daily Mail

Featured Image Credit: PA