One of gaming's most beloved characters is turning 35 this month, and Namco is marking the occasion with an official birthday bash later this month. Level 257, Namco's recently opened dining and entertainment venue inspired by Pac-Man and his generation of arcade games will play host to the event.
The festivities are set to take place on Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23. Toru Iwatani, lead of the original Pac-Man game, will be holding a panel for fans, followed by a meet and greet, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday Also on the panel will be well-known arcade talent and personality Billy Mitchell who was featured in the acclaimed documentary The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. Mitchell, who was the first ever person to achieve a perfect score in the original Pac-Man, will also be holding a "Battle Billy Mitchell" tournament during the festivities. Walter Day, founder of Twin Galaxies, will also be on hand, as will other special guests.
Starting at 2 p.m. on Friday, fans can head to Level 257 and enjoy free bowling, table tennis, air hockey, and classic games, a DJ, and live performances of "Pac-Man Fever" by Jerry Buckner of Buckner & Garcia. Admission to the event is free, but Level 257 is also offering VIP tickets at $35 each which include a special private reception, a "meet and mingle" with industry VIPs, a swag package, and birthday cake. If you're interested in attending the birthday bash, you can purchase tickets here.
[Source: Chicago Tribune, Level 257]