COMMENTARY
IS THERE LIFE AFTER PAC-MAN ~
By Louis Boasberg
Once upon a time, Ralph Lally, editor and pub-
lisher of Play Meter magazine, lamented in an
editorial the fact that there were very few video and
amusement games being originated in America . He
wondered what had happened to the inventive
genius and initiative of American designers, engi-
neers, and technicians.
Ralph was so right. japan had tried to conquer by
military means and failed , but after the war, with the
help of American capital, know-how, and American
mass production methods, the pupil exceeded the
master. The losers are the winners and the winners are
the losers.
The technical skills and achievements of the
japanese have been amazing. They have conquered
almost the entire world of electronics. Most of the
successful video games originated in the Land of the
Rising Sun. I would hate to think where we would all
be without Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Donke y Kong,
Ms. Pac-Man, Pole Position, Track & Field, and a few
others .
We cannot subscribe to the theory that there are
no more brains left in America and that American
engineers and designers cannot originate sensational
coin-operated games. But this does seem to be the
situation.
It seems to this writer that perhaps we should
adopt more realistic themes for games today in order
to attract players-themes that players or large groups
of players can relate to . Perhaps we have had enough
whimsy and cute games. Designers have planned this
cuteness in games to retain the female players. This
feminine play was established by Pac-Man and
continued with Ms. Pac-Man, Centipede , and a few
others . But perhaps in overemphasizing cuteness,
whimsy, and comedy, we have alienated and lost
man y masculine players to the "gray area" invasion.
I think we can adopt realistic themes and not only
regain some of the old players who have deserted
video games, but capture some new fans for our
games. The recent wave of sport theme games is a
good beginning.
On a realistic note, why don ' t we adopt themes
dealing with history-ancient, modern, and c urrent?
War games are interesting, and certai nl y we can
72
resurrect a war theme without offending any co untry
or race.
Why not games involving finance, Wall Street,
politics , foreign intrigue, espionage, famous books,
famous movies, music, art, literature, action, adven-
ture , mystery, the occu It, nostalgia , and tri via?
Auto racing games have always been popular , so
why not a game involved with driving a car in traffic?
Freeways, expressways, city streets with traffic lights,
stop signs, and wild drivers present as much danger
and hazards as driving in the Indianapolis 500.
If we believe that there 's nothing new under the
sun , if our designers and engineers cannot think up
something new, why don ' t the y become scholars and
spend many long hours in research? Let them go over
all the old Billboard and old coin machine magazines
issued in the past 60 years. Let them study all the old
International Mutoscope, Mike Munves, and other
manufacturers' catalogs. Let them look over every old
brochure and circular they can find . Let them seek
out old amusement games, flippers, etc., stored away
in garages, warehouses, people 's homes, etc.
By studying these old games and selecting what
were once great and appealing games and features, it
is possible that they might modernize and revive
these games, improving the technical aspects, the
beauty, the graphics, and adding modern technolog y
and methods of play. After all , what are two of the
greatest box office hits of all time? Namely " Raiders of
the Lost Ark" and the current " Indiana jones and the
Temple of Doom ." But they' re a revival of the Pearl
White , Ruth Roland , and other cliff hanger serial
thrillers of yesteryear.
On a more modern note, why not run blind ads in
all the trade journal s, large newspapers, the Wall
Street journal, and national magazin es, adverti si ng
for original ideas. I'll bet there is many a perso n in this
country, young and old , male and female , who h as an
idea for a brilliant and appealing coin-operated
amusement game. All we have to do is find thes e idea s
and translate them into games that make money.
So let us revive th e old hits and di scove r new hits
which may produce just a few all-American winners.
We will always appre ciate the Japan ese co nn ectio n,
but now is the time for all good m e n to co m e to the
aid of the industry.
PLAY METEP.. August 1 . 1984
l
I