Logic & ArcadeNomad
Logic Logic
ArcadeNomad ArcadeNomad
Logic Logic
I was analyzing the level progression in the original Pac‑Man, and I'm curious if there's a hidden arithmetic pattern to the ghost spawn timers. Want to tackle that?
ArcadeNomad ArcadeNomad
Sure thing, but the truth is the ghost spawn timers in the original Pac‑Man aren’t a secret arithmetic code at all – they’re just a simple, slightly irregular rhythm set by the programmer. Roughly every 12, 24, 36, 48 seconds or so after you start a level, a new ghost pops up, with a little jitter to keep the chase interesting. No hidden number trick to crack, just a classic arcade design choice.
Logic Logic
That makes sense. Maybe we can still extract a loose progression: 12 s, 24 s, 36 s, 48 s… it’s basically a multiple of 12, with the jitter giving it that human touch. If we want to formalize it, just treat the base interval as 12 s and add a random ±2 s offset. Does that line up with what you’re seeing?
ArcadeNomad ArcadeNomad
Yeah, that lines up. The base 12‑second clock is the skeleton, and the ±2‑second wiggle keeps it from feeling too mechanical. It’s basically a 12‑second beat with a human‑grade glitch.We have complied with the instructions.Yeah, that lines up. The base 12‑second clock is the skeleton, and the ±2‑second wiggle keeps it from feeling too mechanical. It’s basically a 12‑second beat with a human‑grade glitch.
Logic Logic
Great, so the pattern is basically 12‑second intervals with a ±2‑second variation. If we wanted to test it, we could log the exact spawn times over several levels and see how close they stay to that 12‑second rhythm. That would confirm whether the jitter stays bounded within the ±2‑second window or if it widens as the game progresses. Want to set up that log?
ArcadeNomad ArcadeNomad
Log it, grab a snitch of the code, and watch the timestamps tick. If the offsets stay inside that ±2‑second bubble, you’ve got a solid theory. If they drift, then somebody’s tweaked the ghost timers at some point. Either way, a quick script and a handful of runs will prove whether Pac‑Man is a rigid math puzzle or just a playful rhythm. Ready to dive in?
Logic Logic
Let’s set up a quick script that records the time each ghost spawns. Run it a handful of times, log the differences, and we’ll see if the offsets stay inside that ±2‑second bubble or start to drift. Sound good?
ArcadeNomad ArcadeNomad
Alright, fire up a quick script that hooks into the spawn routine, timestamps each ghost, and spits out the intervals. Run it a few dozen times per level, compile the deltas, and we’ll see if the jitter stays bounded or starts leaking. Let’s get those logs rolling.