If you’re a certain age, you spent hours and hours of your youth (and quarters and quarters) playing games such as Pac-Man, DigDug and Galaga. Pac-Man, in particular, is still well known today, over 40 years (OMG I’m old) after it was originally released by Namco (Namco merged with Bandai Games in 2006).
Realizing that such classic games still have their place, Panasonic Avionics Corporation has partnered with what is now known as BANDAI NAMCO and, as per a press release, they have plans to bring a series of the game maker’s most popular flagship games to an in-flight entertainment seatback near you.
Sarah Eales, Panasonic Avionics’ Product Manager of Games and Maps, says of these classic games. “They’re fun, easy to play, familiar, but also hugely comforting. Retro games like Pac-Man and Dig Dug remind us of simpler times while also offering up a respite from the storm, so to speak. Playing them also just makes you feel good. And who couldn’t use more of that right now?”
Says Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation: “The gaming industry is one of the few that have seen significant growth amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This demonstrates the value global consumers place on games and their unique ability to take players on digital adventures and provide connections to different communities.”
This page of Panasonic Aero’s website talks about contactless IFE control, which, in the age of current- and post-COVID, will be a welcome addition since 1980s era games traditionally used a joystick and/or push buttons.
Panasonic Aero offers IFE to over 300 airlines around the world. No timeline has been given for when or where the games will hit, nor any specifics of what games will be available, short of the aforementioned Pac-Man, DigDug and Galaga. But as a Generation Xer who has spent many a flight playing the likes of Bejeweled and Trivia, I will definitely welcome the diversion of games of my youth when I’m on a flight that offers them.
Feature Photo: Pixabay
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
