Pac-Man Statue

Gazing up at this cheerful, pixelated figure, one might wonder how Pac-Man ended up at the Rey Juan Carlos University in Móstoles, Madrid. This isn’t just any statue. It’s a monument to video game history and a nod to the university’s pioneering role in game design education. The Pac-Man Statue, unveiled on December 19, 2014, stands as the first statue dedicated to a video game character in Spain. It’s a larger-than-life, two-meter tall, anthropomorphic version of the iconic yellow dot-muncher. He holds a small cube bearing the university logo in one hand, and a diploma in the other. He’s even sporting his signature wide grin, ready to chomp on some power pellets. The Pac-Man Statue was a gift from Bandai-Namco, the company that owns the rights to the game. They donated it to commemorate the university becoming the first public institution in Madrid to offer an official degree in Video Game Design and Development. The program is offered on both the Móstoles and Madrid-Quintana campuses. The inauguration was a grand event, attended by dignitaries like the Japanese ambassador to Spain and the director general of Bandai-Namco Spain. Even the mayor of Móstoles was there to celebrate. The representative of Bandai-Namco jokingly remarked that Pac-Man, despite being 34 years old at the “graduation,” was honored to be the first “graduate” of the video game design program. Pac-Man is more than just a video game character. He is a global icon, recognizable across generations and cultures. From his humble beginnings in arcades to countless platforms and spin-offs, he has become a symbol of the digital entertainment industry. The Pac-Man Statue serves as a playful reminder of the university’s commitment to innovation and its contribution to the ever-evolving world of video games. So next time you’re on campus, take a moment to appreciate this quirky piece of video game history. It’s a testament to the power of pixels and the enduring legacy of a little yellow dot-muncher.