Quantum Pac-Man

Welcome to the classic arcade game Pacman but with a quantum physics twist!

Try it for yourself!

Classically, the positions of Pacman ghosts are well defined. However, in this iteration of the game, each ghost acts as a quantum particle, that is, their positions are described by a probability distribution. The ghosts are therefore invisible until they interact with light, which collapses their distribution into one point, corresponding to a visible location. Once the light stops shining, they resume an uncertain quantum state.

Here’s how to play:

1. Gobble and swallow pellets to gain points.
2. Careful! The ghosts (Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde) exist to hunt you down. But in this game, they act as quantum particles!

What does this mean? It means the position of all ghosts is not deterministic but instead given as probability distribution. Effectively, this makes all ghosts invisible, and there is little certainty in their position at any given time.

3. Wait! When Pacman eats a certain number of pellets, he will ‘flash’ himself around a certain radius, making the area around him visible where all ghosts caught inside will ‘collapse’ to their true positions.
4. When Pacman consumes a power-pellet, he will flash the entire board, forcing all ghosts to collapse to their positions and making them vulnerable to consume so that their flesh are quantified into points.