Round-Up: Pac-Man's Record, Free Power Politics

Today's round-up includes news of Namco's 50th birthday bash, and a freely available presidential election simulator for the educators among us, as well as the latest product news and today's Gamasutra-posted industry jobs. - Namco celebrated two milestones at a recent party: first, its 50th birthday as a company, and second, the induction of Pac-Man into the Guinness Book of Records as the most successful coin-operated game in history. Guinness World Records science and technology editor David Hawksett presented a plague to founder Masaya Nakamura -- whose surname forms part of the company's full title, Nakamura Manufacturing Company -- and Pac-Man designer Toru Iwatani. The party also marked the last year in Nakamura's term as chairman of the company; following Namco's merger with Bandai, Nakamura will step down to become chief adviser of Namco Bandai Holdings. - Kellogg Creek Software has made its Power Politics III game, which simulates presidential elections, available free to educators wanting to use it in the classroom. Players can use it to control real-world presidential candidates in elections both real (Kerry vs. Bush) or imaginative (Clinton vs. Reagan). "Over the past 12 years, the simulation has been used by a variety of prestigious schools," said game designer Randy Chase. "With the current day funding problems facing schools, being in a position to offer the game free to the educational community is an exciting opportunity." - Also updated: product news including TechExcel's announcement of a new DevTest version, as well as the latest game industry jobs from studios including Amaze Entertainment, Firefly Studios U.S., Gas Powered Games, and Junction Point Studios.