A multiplayer-focused spin on the classic arcade game called Pac-Man Community is coming to Facebook. Users will be able to play this game right on Facebook. This game was developed by Genvid, a company that specializes in interactive live-streamed experiences in partnership with Bandai Namco Entertainment.
In a statement released earlier, Facebook said its users can play co-op Pac-Man with up to three other people to complete mazes, while still competing against each other for the highest score. In this game, players would work with each other in other to survive the pesky ghosts, but they’ll also be competing for the highest score. You can make rooms to play with your friends, and Facebook Gaming streamers can invite viewers to join their game with Facebook’s Play with Streamer feature.
Pac-Man Community features what Facebook calls the Facebook Interactives with its watch mode, which would be available in beta at launch. This will allow viewers watching a live stream to participate while simultaneously watching a gamer’s live stream. In Watch mode, 2D mazes are converted to an isometric 3D view, and viewers can power up Pac-Man or the ghosts. Maps created by users can appear in Watch mode, too, which means that players might be able to create some interesting tests for the AI-driven characters.
Players will have the ability to play the classic version of the game or create their own levels. Like Mario Maker, the game will allow players to customize levels with creator tools. This can lead to some interesting player-created levels to play. According to Mark Zuckerberg, Founder/ CEO Meta (recently rebranded from Facebook) “Gaming is a big part of the metaverse, and I’m looking forward to seeing games like this get more interactive and immersive.”
For those interested in trying Pac-Man Community, beginning Monday it’ll be available for free on desktop and the mobile versions across the Facebook app. Pac-Man Community will only be exclusive to Facebook. The creation of this game signifies how Facebook wants to expand its gaming offerings to let streamers play games directly with their audiences. According to The Verge the company already offers Twitch-like live streaming as well as allows users to play right from the app (and some that even stream from the cloud), and Pac-Man Community’s twist on a familiar formula seems like it could be a smart first step into interactive content.
Pac-Man Community shares a lot of similarities with Pac-Man Live Studio, a multiplayer Pac-Man game with a level editor designed for Amazon-owned Twitch which is still waiting to be released to the public announcement was made in 2020. According to news sources the partnering company Bandai Namco assures that despite these similarities exist, the games still share huge differences.
According to a Bandai Namco spokesperson in a statement, he stated that “Pac-Man Community is a brand new Facebook instant game from Bandai Namco Entertainment and Genvid that will be available in December.” He added that “We don’t have any specific news to share about Pac-Man Live Studio today, but we will communicate updates and more Pac-Man news in the future.”
The future of Pac-Man Live Studio a game designed for Amazon-owned Twitch doesn’t seem bright anymore. Its official Twitter account has ceased to exist, also a previously functioning URL about the game on Amazon Games’ website continues to show 404 error, and a previously functioning URL on Bandai Namco’s website now redirects to a directory of Pac-Man games. This is a pointer that tells alt about what the manufacturers of the game are trying to say to the audience. But the interesting part remains if Pac-Man Live Studio ceases to exist, at least Pac-Man Community is here now on Facebook.
Olagoke Ajibola is a creative writer and content producer with an eye for details and excellence. He has a demonstrated history of telling stories for TV, Film and Online. Aside from being fascinated by the power of imagination, his other interest are travel, sport, reading and meeting people.
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