News Commentary – Three Cheers for Pac-Man

This week marks a huge anniversary in the Information Technology time continuum. What could make you feel older than PAC-Man turning 30! The reality is that I know for a fact that many of you would not be Information Technology Professionals if it were not for arcade games just like this one.

On Mondays I offer comments on some of the most interesting information technology stories that I have found on the web that week. Please feel free to join in the discussion or suggest other stories.

Today’s comments were generated after I read a CNN story. It brought back fond fond memories of days gone by and was very nostalgic. It was even handed and factually rigorous. I recommend it to you. Give it a read below.

CNN.com – Chomp! Pac-Man, the arcade classic, turns 30

“A rotund, voracious figure follows a trail through a maze. As he rounds a corner, he is confronted by ghostlike monsters attempting to wipe him out. He turns and flees, but soon discovers an additional source of power that briefly turns him from hunted into hunter.

This simple premise gave birth to Pac-Man, the most successful coin-operated video game in history.

The pop-culture sensation, released in Japan 30 years ago this week, created millions of glazed-eye addicts and spawned more than 400 products, including a cartoon, a breakfast cereal and a hit song.”

Man I miss the simplicity and wonder of the days when Pac-Man was new!

What do you think about this topic? Do you agree or disagree with me? Do you have a recommended news story for next week? Please share your ideas below.

That is my Information Technology Thought of the Day (ITTOD) for May 24, 2010 by Scott Coughlin.

Image Credit: Arcade Video Games