8 Famous Video Game Characters Created By Accident
7. Pac-Man
Pac-Man is one of the first and still one of the most recognisable gaming figureheads to this day. Even non-gamers have no doubt had a go at the original 1980 classic at some point in their lives.
The character's unusual name is said to be derived from the original Japanese working title, 'Pakkuman', which, in turn, comes from the Japanese onomatopoeic phrase for chewing, "paku-paku." Before release, the game was retitled Puck Man in reference to the character's hockey puck-like shape.
However...
When it was shipped internationally, English-speaking countries were naturally conscious of the fact that some funny buggers would change the 'P' on the side of the arcade cabinet to an 'F.' Because, you know, people are terrible.
Hence, the name became Pac-Man out of sheer necessity, and wouldn't you know it, it's now one of the medium's most emblematic terms! Who'd have thought that a name developers settled for because they had no other choice would elevate their ghost-chomping character to everlasting stardom?