pacman4console

Start a game at Level 1

$ pacman4console

$ pacman4console --level=[level_number]

$ pacman4consoleedit [path/to/level_file]

$ pacman4console --level=[path/to/level_file]

pacman4console [options]

-h, --help
    Displays a brief help message and exits.

-v, --version
    Shows the program's version information and exits.

The pacman4console command provides a nostalgic, text-based rendition of the classic arcade game, Pac-Man, directly within your Linux terminal. Built using terminal capabilities, often leveraging libraries like ncurses, it transforms your console into a retro gaming arena. Players control a character, typically represented by a 'P' or 'C', navigating a maze made of ASCII characters to eat all the 'dots' (represented by '.' or '*') while avoiding four pursuing 'ghosts' (often 'G', 'O', 'H', 'S' or different colors). Consuming larger 'power pellets' temporarily reverses the roles, allowing Pac-Man to eat the ghosts for bonus points. The objective remains the same as the original: clear each maze of dots to advance to the next level, accumulating the highest possible score. It's a lightweight, fun diversion that demonstrates the versatility of the command line beyond system administration.

This command is typically not a part of standard core Linux distributions and may need to be installed from community repositories, third-party sources, or compiled from source code. Its visual presentation relies on the terminal's character set and color support, which might vary, potentially affecting the game's appearance. Performance can also depend on terminal emulator capabilities. Due to its nature as a simple game, advanced configuration options or persistent high score tracking are often absent or limited.

The game involves navigating a maze, eating all the 'dots' while avoiding four computer-controlled ghosts. Eating larger 'power pellets' temporarily makes the ghosts vulnerable, allowing Pac-Man to eat them for bonus points. The game ends when Pac-Man loses all his lives.

Movement is typically controlled using the standard arrow keys (Up, Down, Left, Right) on the keyboard. Pressing 'q' or 'Q' often allows the player to quit the game at any time.

pacman4console is often available through your distribution's community or extra repositories (e.g., AUR for Arch Linux, universe for Ubuntu). Alternatively, it can be downloaded and compiled from its source code, usually found on platforms like GitHub.

The concept of playing Pac-Man in a text-based environment predates modern graphical interfaces, with various implementations emerging in the early days of computing. pacman4console is one of many open-source projects that bring this classic arcade experience to the Linux command line. While a specific definitive origin for this exact iteration can be elusive due to the distributed nature of open-source development, it embodies the spirit of creating simple, entertaining diversions using readily available terminal capabilities. Its development is often community-driven, maintained by enthusiasts who appreciate the simplicity and nostalgia of console gaming, making it a popular choice for users looking for a quick, retro break without leaving their terminal.

ncurses(3), games(6), mines(6), bastet(6)