Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™ LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

'Father of Pac-Man' Masaya Nakamura dies

Masaya Nakamura, who founded the Japanese video game company behind Pac-Man, has died at the age of 91.

Masaya Nakamura, known as the "Father of Pac-Man"

Masaya Nakamura, who founded the Japanese video game company behind Pac-Man, has died at age 91. (AAP)

Masaya Nakamura, the "Father of Pac-Man" who founded the Japanese video game company behind the hit creature-gobbling game, has died at age 91.

Nakamura, who died on January 22, held an honorary position at Bandai Namco Entertainment, formed in 2005 from a merger of two game companies. He founded Namco in 1955. Its beginnings were humble - just two mechanical horses on the rooftop of a department store.

Pac-Man, designed by video game maker Toru Iwatani, went on sale in 1980. Guinness World Record has named it the world's most successful coin-operated arcade game.

Bandai Namco reported Nakamura's death on Monday, but would not comment on the cause of his death or other personal details, citing his family's wishes.


1 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world