From/De: Namco Bandai Games America
Pac-Man to PRESENT a Float at the 122nd Annual Tournament of Roses® Parade
Iconic Hero Celebrates 30th Anniversary with a Birthday Party in Pasadena
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (Nov. 19, 2010) – NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., today announced that PAC-MAN, the beloved pop culture icon, will be the first videogame character to receive its own float at the 122nd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. on January 1, 2011. Through the decades, the popularity for this yellow rotund hero continues to span generations and this honor affirms his global appeal. PAC-MAN® will be appearing to commemorate 30 years of power pellet eating fun as well as the release of his newest video game, PAC-MAN Party™ which is now available for Wii™.
The PAC-MAN 30th Anniversary Party float will stand at 55 feet tall and include the ghost characters from the franchise Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde. Surrounded by presents and a scene from his latest game, PAC-MAN’s friendly visage will adorn the float while standing atop a bright and colorful cornucopia of floral arrangements. It wouldn’t be a party without cake as PAC-MAN will hold his birthday confection which is decorated with iconic symbols from the arcade game.
“PAC-MAN’s big spirit and insatiable appetite for adventure have won him a place in gamers’ hearts for three decades, and we think this is a great time to show how much we appreciate him,” said Kenji Hisatsune president, CEO and COO of Namco Networks America. “It’s a true honor for PAC-MAN to be recognized with a birthday party in Pasadena and we think the towering 55 foot high float serves as a monumental way to celebrate his legacy with the world.”
“PAC-MAN and his friends will be a thrilling addition to the 122nd Rose Parade,” said Jeffrey L. Throop, president of the Tournament of Roses. “Every year, thousands of families travel to Pasadena to celebrate the New Year, and millions watch along on television. To be able to celebrate PAC-MAN’s 30th anniversary with the world on New Year’s Day is a true privilege for the Tournament of Roses.”
PAC-MAN Party for Wii continues the franchise’s history of providing engaging entertainment that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With more than 50 exciting mini-games and eight characters to choose from including newcomers Woofa, Patra and Roger, players will be fully engaged using the Wii Remote™ controller’s motion and button control capabilities in various time-based trials. From dodging a cascade of blocks, to racing and sheep shearing challenges, there is non-stop action for everyone.
PAC-MAN Party is rated “E10+” by the ESRB and is now available in stores for an MSRP of $39.99. For more information on the game and the franchise, please visit: www.namcobandaigames.com or www.pacman.com/en. More information about the 122nd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade can be found at www.tournamentofroses.com.
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About NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. is a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer based in Santa Clara, CA. The company is a part of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises including the PAC-MAN®, SOULCALIBUR®, NARUTO™ and Tekken® brands. For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., and our products log onto http://www.namcobandaigames.com/.
ABOUT MBC PROMOTIONS
MBC PROMOTIONS is a boutique agency that has rapidly grown to be one of the country’s most respectable and successful results-driven marketing firms. MBC specializes in offering affordable cross-promotion campaigns with some of today’s top consumer brands, specializing in video game and entertainment promotional partnerships. Through their creative alliances MBC strategically acquires promotional tie-ins and engaging media campaigns that capture the greatest amount of visibility. The PAC-MAN PARTY Rose Parade float coordination is handled by MBC PROMOTIONS, Oceanside, CA, www.mbcpromotions.com.
PAC-MAN PartyTM & © 2010 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Press Release © 2010 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.