Microscopic Version of 'Pac-Man': Norwegian Scientists Recreate Classic Arcade Game Using Microorganisms [VIDEO]
A team of Norwegian scientists created a microscopic real life-and-death simulation of the classic Japanese arcade game "Pac-Man." Researchers from the University of Southeast Norway released some microorganisms into a videogame-like maze where predators hunt for the weaker ones.
Norwegian Scientists' Real-Life Version of "Pac-Man"
In a YouTube video, Norwegian scientists showcased an epic real-life version of the 1980s cult videogame "Pac-Man" by unleashing single-celled euglena and ciliates into a liquid-filled 3-D maze, together with the multi-celled rotifers. The maze, which has a diameter of less than one millimeter, possessed neon blue top-light and lens flare effects.
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The video showed the multi-celled rotifers acting as "Ghosts" from the original arcade game. Moreover, the unicellular organisms played the role of "Pac-Man," running through the maze to get away from the predatory microorganisms.
Why the Norwegian Scientists Created a Real-Life Version of "Pac-Man"
In a blog post, Professor Erik Andrew Johannessen, lead scientist of the project, explained that he and his team created the real-life version of "Pac-Man" to demonstrate how micro and nano system technology could be utilized to create a three-dimensional environment for microorganisms. He said that the nutrient-laden fluid maze is an artificial environment that bears close resemblance to the natural environment of single- and multi-celled microorganisms.
The Norwegian scientists believed that the real-life version of "Pac-Man" they created could address the problem that most researchers encounter when studying microorganisms in petri dishes. Since the maze mimics the microorganisms' natural environment, it would be easier for scientists to study the organisms' natural behavior.
Real-Life Version of "Pac-Man" Helps Bridge Gap
Aside from scientific purposes, the Norwegian scientists also pointed out that the real-life version of "Pac-Man" could partly help in raising awareness on their field. They also expressed that they had "tremendous fun along the way" and are hoping to integrate more games with their future research to communicate with the public in a more effective manner.
Adam Bartley Lyslagt, a filmmaker who collaborated with the Norwegian scientists to document the microorganisms, said that the microscopic real-life version of "Pac-Man" bridges the communication gap. He stated that it is an effective way of introducing a scientific research to a wider audience.
"High-tech research is mostly too distant from the daily lives of most people," Lyslagt commented. "In this context, we saw that art and entertainment in the form of film would be able to form such a bridge of communication," he added.
