Before Pac-Man chomped its way into our hearts, the iconic yellow hero was destined for a different cosmic fate.
Taito Corp, the game’s creator, initially conceived Pac-Man as a space shooter. Think of a futuristic, high-scoring combat game instead of an arcade maze challenge.
However, creative director Toru Iwatani, envisioned a game with a broader appeal. He drew inspiration from the joy of devouring pizza, transforming “Puck-Man”, as it was first called, into the insatiable maze-explorer we know today.
This shift in direction, replacing bullets with bite-sized dots, resulted in a global phenomenon that continues to fascinate generations.
Prompt:
Before its global domination, a specific classic video game almost became a different genre entirely. What unexpected twist was considered for this legendary game, and how did it ultimately shape its iconic status?