Pac-Man is one of the most iconic video game characters ever. The character, which was introduced in the early 1980s as a video game, has been one of the most popular and enduring characters of this genre. It made the transition from arcades to people’s homes, on a variety of machines. Its most recent move, however, is one of its most interesting.
Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe launched a new game called Pac-Man Stories recently, but it is not available on consoles or PCs. You don’t even need a monitor to play it. This game is a “skill”, which can be used with Amazon’s Alexa service. The software that powers Amazon Echo devices. Pac-Man stories sees players immerse themselves in a “choose-your-own-adventure”-style affair in which their decisions shape the narrative of the tale. The first Pac-Man story is called Ghastly Garbage, and it features the retro gaming icon along with other classic characters like Inky Binky and Pinky.
Play games on your watch
It may seem strange to adapt and develop original gaming concepts with characters known for their visual style. However, this trend has been going on for some time. Smartwatches.org examines the wearable device market first. It explains how many games are available, including a version of the 2048-style puzzle game and TetroCrate.
The UK and French App Stores have named RuneBlade as the Game of the year. Microgaming Thunderstruck 2 is the first online slot that can be played on Apple Watch. The five-reel game was originally designed for mobiles, tablets, and browsers. is available at casinos like Betway. It takes inspiration from Norse legends and characters such as Thor and Odin. Huawei is also reportedly developing a gaming smartwatch that has controllers built into the wristband. It seems the public is confident in this concept.
From SpongeBob and Stranger Things
While Pac-Man’s Alexa-based Alexa game has grabbed the attention of many in recent months, it is not the first title developed for smart home devices. According to Amazon, The SpongeBob Challenge is another game that can be played with the Echo or other compatible devices. Players have to memorize orders from behind the Krusty Krab’s counter. Fans of quizzes can try out a game based on Jeopardy! Comic book fans will be able to investigate the murders of Bruce Wayne’s parent in Gotham City with The Wayne Investigation. This latter game was released to coincide with the release of Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Alexa isn’t the only one having fun with smart home devices. GearBrain highlights a number of fun experiences that are available with Google Home. One of these is an app where you can bj88 chat with Dustin, the main character from Netflix’s hit Stranger Things. The season 2 premiere of Stranger Things attracted more than 15,000,000 viewers in October 2017. The SongPop app is a great way to test your music knowledge, while Crystal Ball gives Google the chance to be a fortune teller based on your answers to some questions.
Enhancing your experience
Some game developers are not only creating games for Alexa but also considering how smart home devices can be used to improve the gaming experience of existing titles. Activision created an Alexa skill to analyze the performance of a player and give tips on how to improve their gameplay. Apps can be used to check social features, such as if your friends are playing the game and to compare stats with theirs. You can imagine that this concept will be attractive to many developers in the future, as it transforms the Alexa service to a gaming assistant.
Smart lighting can also transform gaming. VentureBeat reported earlier this year that Philips had made its Hue led bulbs compatible with the Chroma lighting systems. The lighting will be adjusted to match the game being played, creating an immersive and unique atmosphere. This is a simple touch that could bring a person’s gaming experience to life.
Exciting Times
The launch of this new Pac-Man is a significant moment in the history of smart home devices gaming. It will be interesting to see if any other retro icons can come back to life.
It is clear that gaming and emerging technologies can work together to bring new experiences to consoles and PC games, as well as to give them a fresh lease of life. This world will continue to develop in the coming months and years.