Little Lion Entertainment, a creative studio specializing in large-scale immersive experiences, recently developed a groundbreaking physical version of the classic PAC-MAN game. The project transformed the iconic arcade title into a real-world arena where players physically run and interact within a projected maze environment. Central to the production was the integration of CAST’s BlackTrax Tracking System.
Following the success of their first large-scale interactive attraction, “Chaos Karts,” a go-kart arena featuring virtual weapons and power-ups inspired by Mario Kart, Little Lion Entertainment began developing their next groundbreaking experience. BlackTrax played a key role in “Chaos Karts,” precisely tracking each kart’s movement and synchronizing it with digital gameplay. This partnership enabled a seamless fusion of physical racing and video game-style visuals, delivering a uniquely immersive experience.
Building on this momentum, Little Lion turned to another globally recognized franchise: PAC-MAN. With its iconic visuals, PAC-MAN was a natural choice. Led by Product Director Jon Crawley, who oversees projects from initial concept through to public launch, PAC-MAN LIVE EXPERIENCE launched in the UK at Arcade Arena Manchester in March 2025 and has recently expanded to Dubai, where it continues to receive enthusiastic audience response.
Reimagining a Classic
After pitching the idea to BANDAI NAMCO, the IP holders of PAC-MAN, Little Lion received enthusiastic support. The concept involved tracking real players in an arena and projecting the maze beneath them, allowing participants to run around as though they were inside the game itself.
The visual and auditory elements of the PAC-MAN arena balanced strict brand guidelines with creative freedom. BANDAI NAMCO required that the floor projections – including maze layouts and GHOST designs – remain faithful to the original game assets. This led to a collaborative development process ensuring authenticity in the core gameplay visuals.
Meanwhile, the surrounding environment allowed more room for artistic expression. Little Lion Entertainment envisioned the arena as a massive space-themed stadium, inhabited by projected PAC-MAN characters and GHOSTS serving as an audience. Working closely with an animation studio, they created a fully immersive 360° projection environment that simulates the feeling of entering a high-energy battleground or stadium.
To elevate the atmosphere, crowd noises and cheering were layered into the sound design, reinforcing the sense of competition and excitement. An upbeat soundtrack accompanies the gameplay, encouraging players to move energetically while allowing for varying levels of physical ability – participants can walk or run and still fully engage with the game.
This design approach resulted in a fast-paced, accessible, and highly engaging experience, particularly resonating with younger audiences eager to physically immerse themselves in the game world.
BlackTrax: The Power Behind the Play
Having used BlackTrax previously on large-scale events, such as tracking models during a fashion show, Jon Crawley was already familiar with its capabilities. When it came time to select a tracking system for PAC-MAN LIVE EXPERIENCE, the team evaluated alternatives but found none that matched BlackTrax’s accuracy and low latency.
With up to 16 players active in the same space, tracking needed to be fast, precise, and seamlessly integrated into the game engine. BlackTrax delivered.
One of the biggest technical challenges was aligning the tracking data with the floor projection. A standard projection setup introduced discrepancies – players appeared out of sync between the visual environment and the tracking system at the edges of the space. To solve this, Little Lion deployed a total of 40 BlackTrax Sensors, which allowed for pinpoint accuracy anywhere in the space, which was crucial for the gameplay experience.
Using BlackTrax’s standard calibration process and a custom plugin, the real-time tracking data was fed directly into the game engine. This enabled not only real-time positioning, but also the ability to assess movement history, calculate velocity, and even predict where players might move next.
The commissioning phase was complex, involving meticulous projector calibration, BlackTrax Sensor positioning and focusing, beacon placement, and data routing. However, once operational, the system proved robust, stable, and reliable under live conditions, leaning on BlackTrax’s continuous calibration feature which keeps the system’s accuracy up to par.
Jon emphasized the critical importance of low latency: many tracking systems struggle with lag when players move quickly, but BlackTrax consistently maintained real-time responsiveness, which was vital for preserving the immersive and dynamic nature of the game. Additionally, BlackTrax features no increase in latency as more players are added to the tracking area so it was a natural choice for this use case as it had a high player count.
Gameplay-Driven by Precision
BlackTrax’s precise tracking capabilities have significantly enhanced Little Lion Entertainment’s creative freedom and experience design. The system’s accuracy enables reliable triggering of gameplay elements, such as starting the game when a player steps into a designated zone or losing a life upon crossing a virtual boundary.
This precision minimizes player frustration, maintaining momentum and immersion by ensuring immediate and intuitive interaction responses. It also allows the design team to implement complex cause-and-effect gameplay mechanics that respond dynamically to player movement in real time.
Overall, the reliability and responsiveness of BlackTrax technology have opened new avenues for richer, more engaging interactive experiences that blend physical movement with digital gameplay.
In addition to the technical performance of the BlackTrax system, Crawley emphasizes the importance of consistent and responsive customer support. Over the five years Little Lion has worked with BlackTrax, support has been a reliable constant. Communication has always been strong, giving the team confidence that expert help is available when needed.
The PAC-MAN LIVE EXPERIENCE stands as a compelling example of how innovative use of tracking technology can transform classic digital games into fully immersive physical experiences for audiences worldwide.
In line with this momentum, Little Lion Entertainment is accelerating its growth with the expansion of its “Arcade Arena” concept. Following high-profile openings in Manchester (2023) and Dubai (2024), the company will unveil its most ambitious venue yet in London in 2026 – a new site that will feature fan favourites like the PAC-MAN LIVE EXPERIENCE and Chaos Karts, along with a third, top-secret attraction. This expansion highlights the company’s strategic commitment to blending beloved video game IP with cutting-edge interactive technologies.
