Caterpillar released its ninth Cat Trials video, using skid steer loaders to play Pac-Man. The video celebrates Caterpillar’s 95th anniversary along with Pac-Man’s 40th.
“These trials are designed to surprise and delight our customers and prospects, as well as people outside our industry,” said Victoria Keese Morrissey, global marketing and brand director, in a prepared statement. “Challenges the ghosts pose to Pac-Man strike a unique metaphor for obstacles lurking around each corner of the job site. Power Pellets represent the role Cat dealer services play in helping our customers overcome these challenges.”
The game plays out on a 162x180-foot version of the Pac-Man arcade screen and was built and played using Cat equipment and grade and remote technology.
“We appreciate Caterpillar approaching us and giving a nod to Pac-Man’s 40th Anniversary in a truly unique way, and we were excited to work with them,” said Yutaka Fuse, head of licensing & branding for Pac-Man, in a statement. “It’s amazing how Caterpillar’s equipment was able to precisely recreate the iconic Pac-Man maze in the real world on such a grand scale. We were astonished by the final product.”
The original gameboard design was loaded into the Cat Grade with 3D system on a Cat 336 excavator. In total, 70 labor hours were required for the 336 to create the life-size gameboard, removing roughly 6,880 cubic yards to build the maze that was comprised of 151 corners and 4-foot-tall walls.
Support equipment, also using Cat Grade with 3D to ensure they followed the same plan, included multiple dozers, wheel loaders, a 323 Caterpillar excavator, trucks, and water wagons.
“Cat Grade with 3D enabled the workers to only handle material one time for digging, loading, hauling and dumping,” said J. Archie Lyons, creative director, global brand strategy and activation for Caterpillar, in a statement.
Five Cat 236D3 remote controlled skid steer loaders represent Pac-Man and the four ghosts, with avatars placed on top. The four corner Power Pellets represent Cat dealer services: customer value agreements, repair options, Cat financial, and Cat app. Caterpillar also stayed true to the original game by including fruit bonuses, represented by Cat parts boxes.
The participants controlling the skid steers using line-of-sight remote control systems were:
- Pac-Man: Jim Kosner of JIMAX Landscaping & Demolition, Peoria, Illinois
- Blinky: Joey Stone, NASCAR/Richard Childress Racing (RCR) eSports driver of the #8 Virtual Cat car
- Inky: Alfonso Farjardo of Horsepower Site Services, Charlotte, N.C., a Caterpillar Global Operator Challenge regional finalist
- Clyde: Tom Gardocki, The Dirt Ninja, social media influencer, professional heavy equipment operator in landscaping and construction
- Pinky: Blitz, social media influencer, YouTube gaming content creator and civil engineer
Source: Caterpillar
