OTTUMWA —
Pac Man is 30.
If you’re over 35, chances are you remember seeing the arcade game and you probably played at least a couple times. The game seemed to be everywhere, from the encased screens at video arcades to tabletop games in pizza parlors.
Within two years the game had spawned spinoff games, pop songs and even a Saturday morning cartoon. Whether that was a good thing is debatable.
The game’s influence is indisputable. And in just a couple weeks Pac Man will become a member of the International Video Game Hall of Fame. He will be joined by Masaya Nakamura, founder of Namco, the company that released Pac Man.
The inductions are part of Big Bang 2010, the International Video Game Hall of Fame’s biggest effort to date. The multi-day event will also include tournaments and world record attempts for some games. But Pac Man, granddaddy of them all, will be a major presence.
“We’re going to be focusing a ton on Pac Man,” said Dan Canny, vice president of the IVGHOF board.
Nakamura, 84, won’t be attending his induction, but Namco is sending a delegation to accept the honor in his name. Canny said the delegation will likely include officials from corporate offices in Chicago, San Francisco and Tokyo.
“A team of corporate folks from Namco [are coming],” he said. “We’re still working out their schedule.”
Big Bang 2010 runs Aug. 5-8, with a setup day on Aug. 4. Organizers are asking children from the area to come from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 6 to take part in creation of sidewalk chalk “birthday cards” for Pac Man. If the schedules work out, Namco’s delegation will pass the well-wishes as they go to Bridge View Center.
Ottumwa’s government is also getting into the act. White dots similar to the ones Pac Man consumed on-screen will run between Bridge View Center, home of the event, and Central Park. The ghosts from the game will mark intersections. And the city has agreed to temporarily rename the park “Pac Man Park” for the event.
Hours run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Aug. 5, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 6-7, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 8. Each evening will wrap up with concerts. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster outlets and online.
Other events scheduled for the weekend include tournaments for classic games, Halo 3, Mario Kart and others. Yes, Pac Man is included.
A full schedule is available at http://ivghof.com/schedule
Local News
Pac Man to join Video Game Hall of Fame
Children invited to create sidewalk chalk ‘birthday cards’ for iconic character
- Local News
-
-
Bridge work will close trails section
The closure of the trails between Black Lake and Mary Street is expected to remain in effect through November.
-
PHOTOS: Fire and Ice — Raising funds for smoke detectors
Cooper Chickering, 3, of Ottumwa, enjoys the “ice” part of the “Fire and Ice” event, while Ottumwa Master Firefighter Bill Keith shows a crowd the “fire” part of the fundraiser, which raises money to buy smoke detectors for Ottumwans who need them.
-
Ottumwa schools toughen Internet policy
This week, the Ottumwa school board adopted a new policy for Internet use in the district. The new policy fits with The Children’s Internet Protection Act, a federal regulation tied to government funding.
-
‘A peek behind the curtains:’ Weekend events gear community to check out trails, downtown
This weekend's events to benefit the trails and educate the community of what’s new and changing downtown include the annual Tips for Trails at the Tom Tom Tap and the mediathon to raise money for the Wapello County Trails Council.
-
Eisenhower bridge repair in the works
Insurance companies are still hammering out final reimbursements after a truck hauling a wide-load wind turbine struck the Eisenhower Pedestrian Bridge in April 2011. The city also finalized severing ties with Centerplace and blasts the company's management of Bridge View Center.
-
Cremer takes command of Veterans Affairs office
The Wapello County Board of Supervisors has approved hiring Marty Cremer of Agency as the county’s new Veterans Affairs director. Dan Hoy, the outgoing director, told the board his last day will be Friday.
-
PHOTO: Rewarding field day at Wildwood
Students at Wildwood Elementary School reap the rewards of collecting Box Tops worth more than $2,000. The school had 12 activity stations Monday at its Field Day, where Wildwood alumni came back to help the kids have fun.
-
Ottumwa school district, teachers agree on contract
The Ottumwa school district approved the 2012-13 Master Contract for teachers on a unanimous vote.
-
IHCC eyes 2012-13 budget estimates
A potential state funding increase could add $800,000 in new money to the Indian Hills Community College's bank account next year. On the other hand, an estimated decrease in student population may reduce funds by about $800,000.
-
Gothic House Center has new outdoor exhibit area
Four outdoor panels will be available to visitors who stop by when the American Gothic House Center is closed. One panel features the history of the American Gothic House, and the others are about Grant Wood’s painting, his life and the impact of this painting.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Bridge work will close trails section
