As a die-hard fan of Pac-Man in all his forms, it’s crazy to think that Bandai Namco’s worldwide videogame icon is turning the big 4-0 next year. And to celebrate, the company is releasing a new line of licensed gear, and even recently held a Pac-Man exhibit at ComplexCon in Long Beach, California with apparently more to come.
Check out the new theme song created by techno composer Ken Ishii along with the music video directed by the award winning Yuichi Kodama.
The original Pac-Man fever kicked off on May 22, 1980, so we’re sure to get more opportunities to celebrate as the official 40th, May 2020 milestone draws near.
Check it all out below along with the announcement.
JOIN THE PAC (Official Theme Song for PAC-MAN 40th Anniversary) – KEN ISHII:
Pac-Man 40th Anniversary Collection Art/Gear:
Leading interactive entertainment company BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. today invites PAC-MAN fans around the world to ?Join the PAC? and start getting ready for a year-long celebration in 2020 to commemorate PAC-MAN?s 40th Anniversary as a pop culture and video game icon. To get a sneak peek at the activities, partnerships, and surprises to come, please visit https://www.pacman.com/en-us/ or stop by this weekend at the PAC-MAN exhibit at ComplexCon taking place on November 2nd and 3rd at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center in Long Beach, California.
Born on May 22, 1980, PAC-MAN immediately rose to meteoric popularity, first in video game arcades, then on the pop culture stage with hit song ?PAC-MAN Fever? and through an array of branding and entertainment appearances. With a brand recognition rate of 90% around the world, PAC-MAN?s image and brand is one of the most recognized on the planet and is as strong as ever as he enters his 40th year of entertaining fans of all ages. PAC-MAN?s 40th Anniversary celebration in 2020 will include the debut of a new PAC-MAN 40th Anniversary theme song, composed by world-renowned Japanese Techno artist Ken Ishii. It will be accompanied by a music video directed by Yuichi Kodama, who has won awards at the Cannes International Advertising Festival, the Clio Awards, and the One Show Interactive. He was also the chief video director for the flag handover ceremony at the Rio Olympics Closing Ceremony. Multiple branding crossovers with Kipling, Champion, TIMEX, and BAIT will become available throughout the year. Fans will also be able to ?Join the PAC? at celebratory events taking place throughout the year around the world.
?Everyone at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment is extremely proud and excited to celebrate 40 years of PAC-MAN, not just a video game icon, but a true cultural icon.? said Chris Gilbert, Senior Vice President of Sales and General Manager at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. ?2020 will be a monumental year as we celebrate PAC-MAN?s birthday all year long with ground-breaking brand partnerships, a new theme song, and engaging events around the globe.?
To learn more about PAC-MAN?S 40th Anniversary celebration, please visit: https://www.pacman.com/en-us/.