Kiwi to compete in first-ever Xbox Pac-Man Champs

Kiwi gamer selected to compete in first-ever Xbox 360 Pac-Man® World Championship

Foxton Beach 15-year-old takes on the planet’s top Pac-Man gamers

AUCKLAND, 31 May 2007 – Microsoft Corp. and NAMCO BANDAI Games, Inc. have revealed that a 15-year-old New Zealand gamer is to travel to New York next week, as one of the world’s top Pac-Man players selected to compete in the first-ever Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship.

On June 5, New Zealand gamer Reuben Anderson, 15, from Foxton Beach, Horowhenua, will compete in Times Square, New York City, taking on nine other gamers from around the globe for the right to be crowned the first Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Champion by Pac-Man creator Toru Iwatani.

Pac-Man is one of the most beloved video games of all time. More than 30,000 Xbox 360 gamers in 25 countries spent thousands of hours playing Pac-Man on the Xbox LIVE online gaming service from 4-10 May, in the quest to get the highest score in their region and advance to the championship round in New York.

Reuben achieved the highest score in the Australia/New Zealand region and will now test his skills against the best Pac-Man players on the planet.

Reuben says, “I’d never actually played Pac-Man competitively before, but when I heard about the Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Champs I played it every day after school for about 10 days on Xbox LIVE.

“I can’t believe I’m a finalist and will be representing New Zealand in New York City. I’m so stoked – it’s a huge honour.”

Xbox 360 New Zealand business manager Frazer Scott says, “We’re thrilled a Kiwi gamer has beaten the Aussies to secure the ANZ top spot in the New York finals. Here’s hoping Reuben can bring home the trophy.”

Including Reuben, the 10 finalists for the Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship are based around the globe on four continents and in eight countries: US, Japan, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Austria, New Zealand and Singapore.

The Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Champion will receive worldwide acclaim and gain a place in gaming history. The winner of the finals will also receive other great prizes, including 100,000 Microsoft Points for games, movies and other fun content available on Xbox LIVE, and a one-of-a-kind Xbox 360 featuring a special design inspired by Pac-Man and autographed by creator Toru Iwatani.

ENDS

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