Toru Iwatani

Why this artist matters now

Toru Iwatani is a Japanese video game designer and programmer born in 1955. He is best known as the creator of Pac-Man, the 1980 arcade game that became a foundational title in early commercial gaming and remains one of the most recognizable games globally. Working at Namco during the formative years of the arcade industry, Iwatani designed a game centered on a simple mechanic, navigating a maze while collecting items and evading pursuers, that proved both accessible and enduringly playable. His work helped establish the template for casual gaming appeal that extended beyond the male-dominated arcade audience of the era.

Source: Moma Bulk 2026 05 04 · Trust score: 92% · Updated 1mo ago