Passengers will soon have the opportunity to play some of the most recognized games in pop culture history on a flight. Panasonic Avionics Corporation announced an agreement with Bandai Namco to offer a number of gaming classics on its in-flight entertainment systems as part of a push to strengthen its IFE gaming portfolio.
As the world comes together in overcoming the pandemic, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment has partnered with Panasonic Avionics to provide our universally acclaimed game content to be enjoyed in-flight, with hope of the day to come when travelers are free to enjoy the skies again.
– Naoki Katashima, Managing Director of BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment
Panasonic Avionics CEO Ken Sain notes “The gaming industry is one of the few that have seen significant growth amidst the COVID-19 pandemic” and sees this as an indication of “the value global consumers place on games and their unique ability to take players on digital adventures and provide connections to different communities.” With that in mind the companies teamed up to deliver an array of options, including Dig Dug, Galaga, and Pac Man, to the IFE screen.
Only time will tell if the arcade classics prove a hit that can tap in to the momentum of the eSports world, though that market has generally veered well away from the gaming style of yore. And while some progress has been made in brining the modern eSports offerings to airplanes (including a high-speed local network powered by light rather than radio waves), the latency on satellite communications generally makes the more immersive solutions less viable in the sky today.
Blending old and new gaming experiences on board
Instead IFE vendors tend towards games that can stand on their own, whether it be the classics or newer options. PAC made progress on that front as well in recent years. The company announced a partnership with Toca Boca back in 2019 to bring those kids’ games to the sky.
The company also added the Gameloft portfolio to its catalog in 2019, “helping airlines gain access to a new segment of passengers that are interested in new digital experiences, and offer a better cost-to-value ratio than traditional media, providing a long-lasting value on investment.”
And now, with the Bandai Namco portfolio also available, the breadth of gaming options on board continues to expand.
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