Draft:Pac Pack
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Last edited by Citation bot (talk | contribs) 5 months ago. (Update) |
| Pac Pack | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Astral Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | ValuSoft |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Genre(s) | Maze, parody |
Pac Pack is a 1998 video game compilation developed by Astral Entertainment and published by ValuSoft. The original compilation contained six Pac-Guy (a parody of Pac-Man) games that were previously released as freeware games online.
Later on, the compilation was later re-released as a self-published title online. Astral's release contained ten games. However, a year later, this re-release was discontinued to avoid any legal issues with Namco (the creators of Pac-Man).[1]
Pac Pack later became infamous on the internet for it's bizarre nature and use of copyrighted characters and music.
Gameplay
[edit]Each game contained on Pac Pack revolved around the titular Pac-Guy. Like Pac-Man, player controlled Pac-Guy around a maze, collecting various pellets scattered around the stage. Unlike the inspiration, Pac-Guy doesn't move automatically and comes to a stop if no input is given. Also, unlike Pac-Man, Pac-Guy can shoot projectiles at enemies with ammo being placed on the map in place of Pac-Man's "power pellets".
Each level throughout the series is usually themed to something in pop culture (such as those from Star Wars, Doom, etc.). For example, in the original "Pac-Guy" (and "Resurrection"), level 11 is themed around Star Wars, with a MIDI-rendition of The Imperial March playing in the background; a character parodying Princess Leia also appears in said level.
Other games in the compilation sometimes also add a twist. An example is "Pac-Guy: Atomic Edition", where Pac-Guy uses a rocket launcher as an projectile.
While most of the games in the compilation follow a loose story, "Pac-Guy 2" and "Pac-Guy 2: Part 2: Pagoon" follow a considerably more focused story, involving Pac-Guy stopping the invasion of the "Bord".
Development
[edit]Brian Quarfoth, one of the two developers of the Pac-Guy games, acquired a copy of Kilk and Play at Best Buy in 1995. He wanted to use the software as a new way to tell stories, and created the first Pac-Guy game as a test. After creating the first few levels, he showed the game to Garth Thompson; one of Brian's friends. Garth added his own levels as well as some transition scenes.
After uploading the first game online as freeware, it unexpectedly gained popularity, which prompted the two to continue making more Pac-Guy games.
The first few Pac-Guy games were made on an improvised production. The two based levels on references to their favorite franchises, and used stock assets from the Klik products for inspiration. Pac-Guy 2 was originally meant to be a full on parody of Star Trek, but after the death of Brain's grandfather, the plan was changed, say for references to the Borg.
Before Pac Pack, Brain and Garth had freely licensed various games in the series to be included on compilation CDs. Although the two never intended on selling the games, ValuSoft approached them, offering to produce a Pac-Guy themed CD in exchange for royalties, to which the two agreed to. Excluding some minor instances of violence, the games remained unchanged on the Pac Pack.[2]
For every copy of the complication was sold, the two only got 2¢ each.[3] Months after the compilation's release, ValuSoft released Brain and Garth for their contract allowing them to sell Pac Pack on their own. Despite this, their re-release didn't sell well as ValuSoft's version.
References
[edit]- ^ "Astral Entertainment". 2004-02-14. Archived from the original on 14 February 2004. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ "Interview: Brian Quarfoth (creator of Pac-Guy) by RyanSilberman on DeviantArt". www.deviantart.com. 2017-04-01. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ Luna Morley (2016-06-06). Comment from @BrianQuarfoth. Retrieved 2024-12-09 – via YouTube.