Namco founder Masaya Nakamura dies

Namco’s founder Masaya Nakamura has died at the age of 91, Bandai-Namco has announced.

Nakamura passed away on 22 January, with the video game company making the news public today, Kotaku reported.

The founder created Nakamura Manufacturing in 1955, creating amusement rides and similar fare at first. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s and 1980s that Namco became an all-conquering company, thanks to the rise of arcade gaming.

Namco was behind some of the most iconic franchises of the era, including Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug and Pole Position. In later years, the company would also see success with the likes of Ace Combat and Ridge Racer.

Namco eventually merged with fellow Japanese studio Bandai in 2005

Nakamura would go on to receive the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government in 2007.