Toru Iwatani is a Japanese video game designer best known for creating the iconic arcade game Pac-Man. He developed the game while working at Namco in the late 1970s, aiming to create a game that appealed to a broader audience, including women. Iwatani's design for Pac-Man was inspired by his love for pizza and the idea of eating. The game was released in 1980 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, leading to numerous sequels, merchandise, and adaptations, solidifying Iwatani's legacy in the gaming industry.