Pac-Man: A Revolution in Game Design
2025-01-13
Pac-Man's success wasn't due to superior graphics or fluid controls, but its innovative use of a core game mechanic: collision. Previous games treated collision literally, as a physical impact. Pac-Man, however, metaphorically represented collision as 'eating,' making Pac-Man a relatable character. This 'expansive' design philosophy not only made Pac-Man a global phenomenon but also inspired future game developers to explore richer themes and emotions. Games like Dys4ia use collision to represent nuanced experiences like gender transition.