Updated with corrected photo: Denis Akiyama, the Toronto-born character actor who played the real-life Pac-Man creator in Sony’s Pixels and had a long career that included voicing roles in animated TV series like Sailor Moon, died June 30. He was 66.
Akiyama’s film credits include 1995’s Johnny Mnemonic, 2010’s Repo Men and Resident Evil: Afterlife and 2015’s Pixels in which he played a fictionalized version of Pac-Man creator Toru Iwatani in the comedy that starred Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Josh Gad and Peter Dinklage.
He most recently played Koji Yasuda on Carter, a Canadian comedic crime drama starring Jerry O’Connell. The series was picked up by Wgn America and will premiere in the U.S. next month.
In animation, Akiyama’s credits over a four-decade-long career included voicing Malachite on Sailor Moon and key roles on the likes of X-Men (as Silver Surfer), The Adventures of Tin-Tin, Monster House,...
Akiyama’s film credits include 1995’s Johnny Mnemonic, 2010’s Repo Men and Resident Evil: Afterlife and 2015’s Pixels in which he played a fictionalized version of Pac-Man creator Toru Iwatani in the comedy that starred Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Josh Gad and Peter Dinklage.
He most recently played Koji Yasuda on Carter, a Canadian comedic crime drama starring Jerry O’Connell. The series was picked up by Wgn America and will premiere in the U.S. next month.
In animation, Akiyama’s credits over a four-decade-long career included voicing Malachite on Sailor Moon and key roles on the likes of X-Men (as Silver Surfer), The Adventures of Tin-Tin, Monster House,...
- 7/3/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Ryan Lambie Jan 30, 2017
Masaya Nakamura, founder of Namco, the company behind Pac-Man and other classic games, has sadly passed away.
The golden age of arcades wouldn't have been the same without Namco. The Japanese firm was responsible for the classic Pac-Man and a legion other hit games of the 70s and 80s, including Galaxian, Pole Position and Galaga.
We're sad to report that Masaya Nakamura, the founder of Namco, passed away on the 22nd January - news of which was only made public by the company today.
Nakamura founded Namco - under the name Nakamura Manufacturing - in 1955, and specialised in making amusement park rides and simple arcade games. It was in the surge of popularity of arcade machines, led by such games as Pong, Breakout and Space Invaders, that Namco made a global name for itself. Galaxian, released in 1979, was the company's answer to Taito's Space Invaders, and a...
Masaya Nakamura, founder of Namco, the company behind Pac-Man and other classic games, has sadly passed away.
The golden age of arcades wouldn't have been the same without Namco. The Japanese firm was responsible for the classic Pac-Man and a legion other hit games of the 70s and 80s, including Galaxian, Pole Position and Galaga.
We're sad to report that Masaya Nakamura, the founder of Namco, passed away on the 22nd January - news of which was only made public by the company today.
Nakamura founded Namco - under the name Nakamura Manufacturing - in 1955, and specialised in making amusement park rides and simple arcade games. It was in the surge of popularity of arcade machines, led by such games as Pong, Breakout and Space Invaders, that Namco made a global name for itself. Galaxian, released in 1979, was the company's answer to Taito's Space Invaders, and a...
- 1/30/2017
- Den of Geek
While Pac-Man isn’t the only arcade game to have a kill screen, it certainly has the most famous one. Players that were good (and dedicated) enough to reach the arcade cabinet’s 256th board would find that the level was unable to be completed. This was due to a glitch that made half of it unplayable, with the right side being entirely composed of of random letters and symbols.
Pac-Man 256, which launched last year as a free-to-play mobile game, uses this iconic level as the basis for an endless runner starring Namco’s mascot. Now the iOS and Android hit has released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. As such, console players can now experience the core gameplay loop that combines the signature Pac-Man gameplay with the omnipresent threat of a kill screen that constantly chases Toru Iwatani’s creation more vehemently than any ghost ever did.
Designed to be played in short bursts,...
Pac-Man 256, which launched last year as a free-to-play mobile game, uses this iconic level as the basis for an endless runner starring Namco’s mascot. Now the iOS and Android hit has released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. As such, console players can now experience the core gameplay loop that combines the signature Pac-Man gameplay with the omnipresent threat of a kill screen that constantly chases Toru Iwatani’s creation more vehemently than any ghost ever did.
Designed to be played in short bursts,...
- 6/29/2016
- by Tyler Treese
- We Got This Covered
Chicago – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the highly anticipated new film “Pixels” starring Adam Sandler and Kevin James!
“Pixels,” which opens on July 24, 2015 and is rated “PG-13,” also stars Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad, Dan Aykroyd, Denis Akiyama as Professor Toru Iwatani (the creator of Pac-man, who we interviewed), Matt Lintz and Brian Cox from director Chris Columbus and writers Tim Herlihy and Timothy Dowling.
To win your free passes to “Pixels” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our social media widget below. That’s it! This screening is on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning! Completing these social actions only increases your odds of winning; this doesn’t intensify your competition!
Preferably, use...
“Pixels,” which opens on July 24, 2015 and is rated “PG-13,” also stars Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad, Dan Aykroyd, Denis Akiyama as Professor Toru Iwatani (the creator of Pac-man, who we interviewed), Matt Lintz and Brian Cox from director Chris Columbus and writers Tim Herlihy and Timothy Dowling.
To win your free passes to “Pixels” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our social media widget below. That’s it! This screening is on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning! Completing these social actions only increases your odds of winning; this doesn’t intensify your competition!
Preferably, use...
- 7/18/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Pac-Man is a cultural icon, a landmark in video game history, a symbol of an entire decade and one of the classics of the medium. The game celebrated its 35th anniversary this past weekend so we decided to take some time and discuss Toru Iwatani’s masterpiece. But first, we look ahead at the 2015 Nintendo World Championships and discuss why we think Nintendo has dropped the ball. In our main event, we look back at No More Heroes, the controversial hit from Grasshopper Studios, starring Travis Touchdown, Death Metal, Dr. Peace, Skelter Helter, Holly Summers and many more.
Listen on ITunes
Playlist:
00:00: 1990 Nintendo World Championship clip
00:30: Intro
01:00: Nintendosage: What to expect from the 2015 Nintendo World Championship
20:00: Nes Remix interlude
21:00: No More Heroes clip
22:00: The Main Event: Review of No More Heroes
46:00: No More Heroes theme...
Listen on ITunes
Playlist:
00:00: 1990 Nintendo World Championship clip
00:30: Intro
01:00: Nintendosage: What to expect from the 2015 Nintendo World Championship
20:00: Nes Remix interlude
21:00: No More Heroes clip
22:00: The Main Event: Review of No More Heroes
46:00: No More Heroes theme...
- 5/28/2015
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
On May 22, 2015, Pac-man – one of the most iconic videogame characters in history – will celebrate his 35th birthday.
With the character coming to the big screen this summer in Sony Pictures’ Pixels, the studio is joining in to celebrate with a global birthday party of epic proportions. In cities around the world and online, film talent will join with moviegoers and special guests to celebrate with birthday cakes, free play of the Pac-man arcade game, and special events localized to each city.
Pixels is set for release in theaters nationwide on July 24, 2015.
As kids in the 1980s, Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler), Will Cooper (Kevin James), Ludlow Lamonsoff (Josh Gad), and Eddie “The Fire Blaster” Plant (Peter Dinklage) saved the world thousands of times – at 25 cents a game in the video arcades. Now, they’re going to have to do it for real.
In Pixels, when intergalactic aliens discover video feeds of...
With the character coming to the big screen this summer in Sony Pictures’ Pixels, the studio is joining in to celebrate with a global birthday party of epic proportions. In cities around the world and online, film talent will join with moviegoers and special guests to celebrate with birthday cakes, free play of the Pac-man arcade game, and special events localized to each city.
Pixels is set for release in theaters nationwide on July 24, 2015.
As kids in the 1980s, Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler), Will Cooper (Kevin James), Ludlow Lamonsoff (Josh Gad), and Eddie “The Fire Blaster” Plant (Peter Dinklage) saved the world thousands of times – at 25 cents a game in the video arcades. Now, they’re going to have to do it for real.
In Pixels, when intergalactic aliens discover video feeds of...
- 5/20/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Sony Pictures Entertainment has released the trailer for Pixels and it is so epic!
The plot of Pixels is about aliens who misunderstand our message of peace and send pixelized versions of old school video games, which try to destroy our world. Meanwhile, a medley of unlikely heroes in Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Peter Dinklage, and co. work to save us from this old school menace.
I absolutely love everything about this movie. From the brilliantly conceptualized plot to making our childhood come to life in a somewhat twisted fashion. While I am a fan of Peter Dinklage from Game of Thrones, I can't say the same for Adam Sandler and Kevin James. Granted, I used to be big fans of both actors. However, after repeatedly being disappointed with movie after movie, you get a little burned out. Although, with Pixels, I am completely on board with them being in this movie.
The plot of Pixels is about aliens who misunderstand our message of peace and send pixelized versions of old school video games, which try to destroy our world. Meanwhile, a medley of unlikely heroes in Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Peter Dinklage, and co. work to save us from this old school menace.
I absolutely love everything about this movie. From the brilliantly conceptualized plot to making our childhood come to life in a somewhat twisted fashion. While I am a fan of Peter Dinklage from Game of Thrones, I can't say the same for Adam Sandler and Kevin James. Granted, I used to be big fans of both actors. However, after repeatedly being disappointed with movie after movie, you get a little burned out. Although, with Pixels, I am completely on board with them being in this movie.
- 3/18/2015
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Matt Malliaros)
- Cinelinx
Nintendo's hotly anticipated Wii U console is based on an idea the company tried in 2003. It bombed, then. But its time may have finally come.
What could Nintendo possibly cook up as a successor to the world dominating Wii console? On the market since 2006, the Wii features woefully outdated hardware and its two main challengers--Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3--have released me-too motion-control gaming products. It's time for Nintendo to update.
For the Wii's next act, I assumed HD output was a given, along with graphics capabilities on par with or better than the competitors. I could also imagine things like a vitality sensor, so a gamer's heart rate would impact their experience. Or 3-D output. Or something breakthrough. Maybe the Wii 2 would be a hologram machine.
I was wrong. The Wii U (a clangingly awful name, I think) turns out to be a touchscreen tablet, lined on the margins...
What could Nintendo possibly cook up as a successor to the world dominating Wii console? On the market since 2006, the Wii features woefully outdated hardware and its two main challengers--Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3--have released me-too motion-control gaming products. It's time for Nintendo to update.
For the Wii's next act, I assumed HD output was a given, along with graphics capabilities on par with or better than the competitors. I could also imagine things like a vitality sensor, so a gamer's heart rate would impact their experience. Or 3-D output. Or something breakthrough. Maybe the Wii 2 would be a hologram machine.
I was wrong. The Wii U (a clangingly awful name, I think) turns out to be a touchscreen tablet, lined on the margins...
- 8/5/2011
- by Jeff Ryan
- Fast Company
Over 19,000 people attended this year's Game Developer's Conference to soak their minds in the rich, brainy stew alongside other game-loving, game-making individuals. Among those people were Toru Iwatani, Jordan Mechner and John Romero.
If you don't know who they are, then maybe the names of their creations-"Pac-Man," "Prince of Persia" and "Doom"-will ring a few bells. Yeah, I thought so. All these men and a few more hallowed game designers took part in Gdc 2011's Classic Game Post-Mortems, in celebration of the 25th Edition of the conference. I've already talked about how riveting and inspirational Eric Chahi's talk was and now Gdc made the other presentation in the series available to watch for free. Just go to the Gdc Vault website and click on Gdc 2011. Once there, you'll find
One thing that you'll note about the talks and the designers who give them is that they were...
If you don't know who they are, then maybe the names of their creations-"Pac-Man," "Prince of Persia" and "Doom"-will ring a few bells. Yeah, I thought so. All these men and a few more hallowed game designers took part in Gdc 2011's Classic Game Post-Mortems, in celebration of the 25th Edition of the conference. I've already talked about how riveting and inspirational Eric Chahi's talk was and now Gdc made the other presentation in the series available to watch for free. Just go to the Gdc Vault website and click on Gdc 2011. Once there, you'll find
One thing that you'll note about the talks and the designers who give them is that they were...
- 3/28/2011
- by Evan Narcisse
- ifc.com
One of our favorite collective pastimes as gamers is looking back on all of the great stuff we played in the before time, when "joystick" referred to the thing sticking out of the machine you shoved your quarters into. This year's Game Developer's Conference, which goes down in San Francisco between February 28 and March 4, will pay particular attention to that facet of our shared experience with 11 developer-hosted "classic" postmortems.
The idea is to put the developer of each of the 11 featured titles onto a stage and have him -- they're all dudes -- take questions on their work from the gathered attendees. It's a pretty all star lineup that the Gdc planners have put together, including several of the show's own past (and present) Lifetime Achievement Award winners. For those of us who won't be able to make it to San Francisco, the 11 lectures will be filmed and made available...
The idea is to put the developer of each of the 11 featured titles onto a stage and have him -- they're all dudes -- take questions on their work from the gathered attendees. It's a pretty all star lineup that the Gdc planners have put together, including several of the show's own past (and present) Lifetime Achievement Award winners. For those of us who won't be able to make it to San Francisco, the 11 lectures will be filmed and made available...
- 1/20/2011
- by Adam Rosenberg
- MTV Multiplayer
What if Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, Ron Howard, Quentin Tarantino, Brad Bird and Sofia Coppola converged on a convention center to lecture on their masterpieces? That will probably never happen, but the video game equivalent will. At this year's Game Developers Conference, the creators of "Pac-Man", "Prince of Persia", "Doom" and more will deliver postmortems to their fans and friends, colleagues and co-workers. Here's a complete list of the speakers:
Jordan Mechner, "Prince of Persia"
Toru Iwatani, "Pac-Man'
David Braben, "Elite"
Erich Chahi, "AnotherWorld"/"Out of This World'
Mark Cerny, "Marble Madness"
John Romero, "Doom'
David Crane, "Pitfall!"
Jason Kapalka, "Bejeweled"
Peter Molyneux, "Populous"
Will Wright, "Raid on Bungeling Bay"
Ron Gilbert, "Maniac Mansion"
The conference runs from February 28th to March 4th, 2011 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. You can register to attend -- there's a fee -- or you can watch...
Jordan Mechner, "Prince of Persia"
Toru Iwatani, "Pac-Man'
David Braben, "Elite"
Erich Chahi, "AnotherWorld"/"Out of This World'
Mark Cerny, "Marble Madness"
John Romero, "Doom'
David Crane, "Pitfall!"
Jason Kapalka, "Bejeweled"
Peter Molyneux, "Populous"
Will Wright, "Raid on Bungeling Bay"
Ron Gilbert, "Maniac Mansion"
The conference runs from February 28th to March 4th, 2011 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. You can register to attend -- there's a fee -- or you can watch...
- 1/20/2011
- by Chris Plante
- ifc.com
With Pac-Man’s 30th anniversary having just past, it’s clear that the Pac-Man franchise has stood the test of time. The little yellow chomper has remained a worldwide videogame icon – recognized by billions – not to mention spawning derivative games and merchandise, as well as a cartoon series, and even an 80s top-ten hit single.
Toru Iwatani,the mastermind behind the original Pac-Man title, recently visited a game exhibition in Holland, and brought along a blue binder that blew the gamers (at least, the gamers that can remember the 80s) out of the water.
What was in the notebook?
Pac-Man concept artwork – featuring mock-ups of the game-screen, character design, etc. Seeing the pictures definitely showcases the simplicity (as well as reliance on addictive gameplay) in one of the most important video games in history.
For those of you who may not have grown up in the 80s, Pac-Man was one...
Toru Iwatani,the mastermind behind the original Pac-Man title, recently visited a game exhibition in Holland, and brought along a blue binder that blew the gamers (at least, the gamers that can remember the 80s) out of the water.
What was in the notebook?
Pac-Man concept artwork – featuring mock-ups of the game-screen, character design, etc. Seeing the pictures definitely showcases the simplicity (as well as reliance on addictive gameplay) in one of the most important video games in history.
For those of you who may not have grown up in the 80s, Pac-Man was one...
- 6/27/2010
- by Jeremy Swinarton
- GameRant
Plus Weird Al targets Lady Gaga, James Franco's art, and Dame Helen Mirren kicks butt.
Last night, Jimmy Kimmel had a Twilight special, and it was hilarious to watch. It probably wasn’t supposed to be, but it was. My favorite line came from Robert Pattinson though: "It wouldn't be PG-13 if the CGI wolves had genitalia. They're like the action figures."
Weird Al Yankovic says he has his eyes on the Billboard charts for his next big parody, and obviously Lady Gaga is a ripe target.
In an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that Washington state’s disclosure law for petition signature on R-71 domestic partnership law is valid and does not violate the First Amendment.
Emmy Rossum says despite the description of Shameless, it’s really a fun, laugh-filled show. And she’s already gotten naked for the Showtime series, something she got to share...
Last night, Jimmy Kimmel had a Twilight special, and it was hilarious to watch. It probably wasn’t supposed to be, but it was. My favorite line came from Robert Pattinson though: "It wouldn't be PG-13 if the CGI wolves had genitalia. They're like the action figures."
Weird Al Yankovic says he has his eyes on the Billboard charts for his next big parody, and obviously Lady Gaga is a ripe target.
In an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that Washington state’s disclosure law for petition signature on R-71 domestic partnership law is valid and does not violate the First Amendment.
Emmy Rossum says despite the description of Shameless, it’s really a fun, laugh-filled show. And she’s already gotten naked for the Showtime series, something she got to share...
- 6/24/2010
- by lostinmiami
- The Backlot
In light of the arrival of the "Scribblenauts" rooster hat, I got to thinking about all the nerdy stuff in my apartment, and just how much of it makes me a better man. The above "Fallout 3" statue was, admittedly, taken at my old job, and is therefore not really something I "own," but that was the idea.
Here's the stuff that you guys are most proud of on your nerd scale:
TrueGameHeadz @multiplayers Toru Iwatani/Billy Mitchell autographed Pac-Man Arcade marquee
Jeremy_LaMont @multiplayers Dune Encyclopedia... though during a recent visit my wife's friends Both saw it on the bookshelf and commented. Hello, ladies!
gravitybomb @multiplayers Probably the life-sized Boba Fett cut out I have in the living room. Ol' Boba radiates awesome nerdiness.
nickchester @Multiplayers Not game-related, but this custom Ghoulies picture I had made for our wedding anniversary is am...
midnight917 @multiplayers Early 80's old school 8-bit Famicom from Japan,...
Here's the stuff that you guys are most proud of on your nerd scale:
TrueGameHeadz @multiplayers Toru Iwatani/Billy Mitchell autographed Pac-Man Arcade marquee
Jeremy_LaMont @multiplayers Dune Encyclopedia... though during a recent visit my wife's friends Both saw it on the bookshelf and commented. Hello, ladies!
gravitybomb @multiplayers Probably the life-sized Boba Fett cut out I have in the living room. Ol' Boba radiates awesome nerdiness.
nickchester @Multiplayers Not game-related, but this custom Ghoulies picture I had made for our wedding anniversary is am...
midnight917 @multiplayers Early 80's old school 8-bit Famicom from Japan,...
- 8/10/2009
- by Russ Frushtick
- MTV Multiplayer
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