14 DAY TRIAL // Because Microsoft claims it is making video game history with the "wakka wakka wakka" pop icon sound playing in the background. In this context, the Redmond Company together with NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. announced the first-ever Pac-Man World Championship via the Xbox 360 console. The challenge has been sent out to all the 6 million members of the Xbox Live online gaming community to prove their Pac-Man skills between April 25 and May 9 2007.
"NAMCO BANDAI Games and I are proud to partner with Microsoft on the Xbox 360 'Pac-Man' World Championship, which celebrates how popular 'Pac-Man' remains to this day," said Toru Iwatani, creator of "Pac-Man". "The success of "Pac-Man" stems from its fun gameplay and host of characters that have been enjoyed by families for generations. It will be exciting to see 'Pac-Man' fans from around the world compete on Xbox LIVE Arcade to become the first-ever 'Pac-Man' World Champion."
"'Pac-Man' reached an iconic status in the '80s across multiple generations and cultures, so the Xbox 360 'Pac-Man' World Championship provides a great incentive for fans old and new to fall in love with the game all over again," added Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of Global Marketing for Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business. "We are thrilled to be partnering with NAMCO BANDAI Games and our sponsor, Quiznos, to invite 'Pac-Man' players from around the globe to join in the fun."
Pac-Man has come a long way since 1980 when it was launched in Japan, and from 1981, when it became available across the world. Microsoft revealed that it will choose a total of nine finalists from Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Mexico; and two from Europe and the United States based on the highest Xbox LIVE Arcade leaderboard scores.
All finalists will enjoy the opportunity of coming to New York where they will participate in the finals scheduled for June 5, 2007. The winner will receive the title of Xbox 360 "Pac-Man" World Champion from Toru Iwatani. Registrations are opened here.