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PacManhattan Relocates Classic Game To New York Streets

Posted by michael on from the actually-more-frogger-than-anything-else,-given-the-traffic dept.

Matt Slaybaugh writes "Some classmates of mine have developed a 'large-scale urban game that utilizes the New York City grid to recreate the 1980's video game sensation Pac-Man.' One player dresses up as Pac-Man and tries to cover the full Greenwich Village grid, while 4 others dressed as Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde try to catch him. Everyone reports their positions to their respective generals, who monitor progress on a central control board. I can't wait for the real-world implementation of Donkey Kong."

4 of 326 comments (clear)

  1. SUPREME NERDULENCE!!! by swordgeek · · Score: 4, Insightful

    OK, this is just so nerdy, so utterly whacko, and such a large scale piece of craziness that you HAVE to love it.

    I've been laughing for the last three minutes. This is great! Even my wife likes the idea. Cheers to those doing it.

    --

    "People who do stupid things with hazardous materials often die." -- Jim Davidson on alt.folklore.urban
  2. Why report? by www.sorehands.com · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why bother to report position? Why not just automate it with GPS reporting?

    --
    Fight Spammers!
  3. This is a creative project, but... by MisterLawyer · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The rules are missing a few details.

    From the rules:
    "At the start of the game, Pac-Man runs along the streets, staying outdoors, within the designated playing area at all times. The ghosts may begin to chase Pac-Man. Pac-Man continues to run the board until all of the dots are "eaten" or one of the ghosts eats Pac-Man."

    What does it mean for a ghost to "eat" Pac-Man?
    Does a ghost have to be within a certain distance from Pac-Man?
    Does a ghost have to "tag" (physically touch) Pac-Man?
    Does a ghost have to restrain Pac-Man?

    What happens if a random pedestrian interferes with the game?
    These are not empty streets where pan-man and the ghosts can run around freely. There is a lot of obstacles and pedestrian and automotive traffic getting in the way of things.
    Also, a guy dressed in yellow foam being vigorously chased by other guys dressed in foam is likely to attract attention, probably by the police.

    Wouldn't the fastest runner have a distinct advantage over the other players?
    In other words, if Pac-Man had the evasive maneuvers of a pro football running back, wouldn't the game kind of be over before it started?

    I applaude the creative ressurrection of a childhood pastime, but I am skeptical of the game being much more than an elaborate "tag, you're it" with costumes.

  4. real geeks would ... by rawbytes · · Score: 4, Insightful

    use GPSes and GIS software to monitor and control the game rules. Each player probably needs to see the whole board also, not just a block ahead.