The Brits take one more World Record from their American friends
On August 13, 2005 Tony Temple from England, got a 1,539,150 second
place high score on the coin-operated Missile Command Game. This just wasn't
good enough to beat Roy Shildt "Mr. Awesome",
for " President" original world record high score of 1,695,265
which was done shortly after the Famous Guinness Book Third Annual Masters
Tournament on July 3, 1985 which landed Roy Shildt as the first person ever
to be in the Video Game Hall of Fame by the 1986
Guinness Book of World Records Video Game High Scores section.
Roy Shildt - Guarding Missile Command 8/7/2005 California Extreme Event
California Extreme Missile Command High Score Updates for the Ninth Annual
California Extreme Show from August 6-7, 2005 Link
August 6-7, 2005 - California Extreme Missile Command Results Link
Tony Temple was ambitious enough to keep going because he could now taste
victory, despite just missing Roy Shildt's famous Missile Command high score
last year at CGEUK, which was deemed impossible by some.
Roy Shildt's High Score was to be quite a controversial story for many years. To make a
long story short, on March 9th, 2006, more than 25 years after
the title was released by Atari and more than a year after first contacting
Twin Galaxies, in a personal best taped performance that took a mere 80 minutes due to
the speed of point-acquisition on this title, Tony Temple has raised the bar to the
unprecedented mark of 1.967 million (1,967,830) points on
"Missile Command" played at tournament settings, beating the Roy Shildt score
of 1,695,265 which was done during the cold war times of 1985, The Reagan Era.
Missile Silo
The 1980's was a time when nuclear annihilation seemed plausible and that one red
'button' could set off the end of the world with the launching of a major nuclear
weapon towards Russia and visa versa. Missile Command as the actual game interface
for their anti-missile technology like that proposed by President Ronald Reagan,
40th President of the United States (1981-1989), in his Star Wars
plan which would give peace and national security in
the dawn of the nuclear age.
The Star Wars defense idea was to put a mushroom cloud of safety between you and your
opponenents incoming Missiles, making those missiles harmless to your homeland.
On January 25, 1995, President Boris Yeltsin, who, holding the electronic case
that could order the firing of nuclear missiles in response, hurriedly conferred
by telephone with his top advisers. For the first time ever, that "nuclear briefcase"
was activated for emergency use. Link
Russian launch crews would need to receive special codes held by the General Staff
before launching a nuclear weapon. However, one recent CIA report warned that some
submarine crews may be able to' launch the ballistic missiles on board their vessels
without having to obtain such information first. Link
Although international relations have changed drastically since the end of the
cold war, both Russia and the U.S. continue to keep the bulk of their nuclear missiles
on high-level alert. So within just a few minutes of receiving instructions to fire, a
large fraction of the U.S. and Russian land-based rockets (which are armed with about
2,000 and 3,500 warheads, respectively) could begin their 25-minute flights over the
North Pole to their wartime targets.
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) NORAD Story Link
NORAD Photo Link
The NORAD mission includes the monitoring of man-made types of objects in space,
and the detection, validation, and warning of attack against North America and
Canada whether by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles. Ref: Norad Public Site.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Mruczek, Twin Galaxies Referee
Twin Galaxies Coin Operated Video Game Breaking News:
Missile Command (Atari)
Twin Galaxies Breaking News Link
British Player takes Missile Command Crown
Tony Temple Almost Reaches 2 Million Points 4/2/2006
Another British Gamer Has taken another major title away from the Americans as
Tony Temple almost reaches 2 Million points on the legendary arcade title
Missile Command Robert Mruczek, Twin Galaxies most-senior Referee, has penned
a two-part analysis of Temple's Missile Command run, revealing the drama at every
milestone in the game.
Missile Command - Screen Shot
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 2005 - Way of the Rodent web site: www.wayoftherodent.com
Way of The Rodent Magazine
Way of the Rodent (WotR) is leading the first wave of grown-up video gaming
media and is read predominately by thirty-something family-men spending
serious money on their dirty little gaming habit
Tony Temple
Tony Temple, Missile Command Champion and Reporter,
"Way of the Rodent" Alias "TT"
"TT" Tony Temple writes: Link
I’d go home at night and think about how to get better at it. I’d lie in bed,
shut my eyes, and see missiles coming down the insides of my eyelids. There
were no strategy guides or Internet sites to read up on how to get better –
it was man against machine, and this machine was different. Hell, every game
was different. Relentless streams of missiles, smart bombs, planes, noises,
sirens – all coming at you in random patterns. And the way the closing screen
of Armageddon screamed ‘THE END’ sent shivers down my spine. In 1984, I lived
in constant fear of the world ending at any moment anyway, so this only added
to the curiosity". {WoTR - issue 28}. For me, this was and still is 'The One.'
This is my gaming life.
Cheers,
TT
Way of the Rodent Forms Link
TT gets congratulated by his comrades in the following thread:
TT is too humble to say that hes Missile Command World Champion
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On March 9, 2006, Tony Temple (AKA "TT"), a UK based gamer & banker, broke the
world record for Missile Command in Tournament mode with a high score of 1,967,830
points beating the 20+ year world record score of Roy Shildt, done on 07/02/1985
in Canada right after the Third Annual Video Game Masters Tournament.
Missile Command is considered one of the great classic video games from the Golden Age
of Arcade Games.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Missile Command
Missile Command and Star Wars
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), was proposed to deploy a space-based defense
system to make the U.S. invulnerable to nuclear weapon missile attack. Star Wars
was proposed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan on March 23, 1983[1] to use ground-based
and space-based systems to protect the United States from attack by strategic nuclear
ballistic missiles. The initiative focused on strategic defense rather than the previous
strategic offense doctrine of mutual assured destruction. Though it was never fully
implemented, the research and technologies of SDI paved the way for the Anti-ballistic
missile systems of today.
This new technology would save of from a Soviet Nuclear first strike of Russian eighth
generation ICBM's. If the Soviet Union will join with us in our effort to achieve
major arms reduction, we will have succeeded in stabilizing the nuclear balance.
Our ultimate goal of eliminating the threat posed by strategic nuclear missiles
through defensive counter Measures, thus Missile Command comes into the arcades.
The Tony "TT" Temple Missile Command Story:
In the year 2000, Tony Temple was determined to get back into shape and
beat the long standing high score of American, Roy Shildt. This was a bit of
unfinished business from the 1980's in which he knew of some very high scores
which he thought could be beat given time and practice, practice, practice.
Tony Temple wanted the exact feel of Missile Command that he was used to in the
Golden Era of coin op video game arcades, so it was his quest to find such a machine.
He wanted the dedicated style of cabinet and it came down to the looks more than
anything else.
Missile Command Manual
It was important that this stand-up Missile Command be pleasing to the eye,
particularly since it would be sitting in his lounge full time, and his wife
wouldn't like having to stare at a piece of junk. The game had to be in perfect
working order like he remembered in the 1980's and the aesthetics were a close
second. This machine would have to look like it had just rolled off the assembly
line in the year of 1980.
Missile Command Cabinet:
The game was released as a table model, a standard up-right cabinet, a cabaret-style
mini cabinet and even a giant sit-down cockpit cabinet.
Missile Command Description:
Designed by Dave Theurer this game used three atomic missile launching bases for
you defend your cities against incoming missiles. Enemy missiles may separate into
several missiles so shoot them down early because you only have a limited number of
missiles. Missile Command is considered one of the great classic video games from the
Golden Age of Arcade Games. Due to the Mutually Assured Destruction doctrine (MAD),
there is no way to win at Nuclear War.
With the development in 1952 of the hydrogen bomb. Other countries slowly acquired
nuclear weapons. With the USSR and the USA locked in an arms race, each side built
enough nuclear weapons to destroy the population of the other country many times
over. The impossibility of victory led to a tense stalemate known as the doctrine
of 'Mutually Assured Destruction': MAD.
Theory of Mutually Assured Destruction doctrine (MAD)
The doctrine assumes that each side has enough weaponry to destroy the other
side and that either side, if attacked for any reason by the other, would
retaliate with equal or greater force. The expected result is an immediate
escalation resulting in both combatants' total and assured destruction. It
is now generally assumed that the nuclear fallout or nuclear winter would bring
about worldwide devastation, though this was not a critical assumption to the
theory of MAD.
The doctrine further assumes that neither side will dare to launch a first strike
because the other side will launch on warning (also called fail-deadly) or with
secondary forces (second strike) resulting in the destruction of both parties. The
payoff of this doctrine is expected to be a tense but stable peace.
The Cold War emerged after World War II between the global superpowers of the
Soviet Union and the United States, supported by their respective and emerging
alliance partners. It took place from about 1947 to about 1991.
World War III
The global fears were that of a potential World War III and a cataclysmic nuclear war
on both sides of an direct armed conflict between between the Soviet Union and
the United States.
The Organizations Created do to the Star Wars Initiative:
Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO)
Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO)
National Missile Defense (NMD)
Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
Anti-satellite weapons
Anti-ballistic missile
Militarization of space
Gorbachev opposed this defensive shield policy of Ronald Reagan,
(Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)).
There is no way to "win" the game.
The best way to save lives is not to have a nuclear war in the first place!
But you can have test simulators such as the Missile Command machine to practice
with as entertainment.
Playing the Game, Missile Command:
Missile Command: The New War Game 1980
A series of computer-controlled attack waves of ICBM missiles
are launched at the players cities. The player must then decide
which cities and bases he can defend by guiding his missiles to
intercept and destroy the invading ICBM missiles. The game is
completed when all the player's cities have been totally
annihilated.
The player starts the game armed with ten defensive missiles in each
of three missile sites, Alpha Base, Delta Base and Omega Base,
and either four, five, six or seven (adjustable) cities.
Each wave begins with ten defensive missiles in each base,
the cities left from the previous wave, plus any bonus cities awarded
at the end of the previous wave.
Missile Command Link
Variation: Points [Tournament]
Platform: Arcade
Game Starts With 6 Cities
No Bonus Cities Are Awarded
Rank % Score Points Player DateVerified Method
1 100.00 % 1,967,830 Tony Temple 03/30/2006 Video
2 86.15 % 1,695,265 Roy Shildt 07/02/1985 Referee
3 21.22 % 417,605 William Carlton 08/12/2005 Video
4 18.76 % 369,110 Alan B Johnson 06/05/2004 Video
5 18.17 % 357,630 John Zabel 02/11/2005 Video
6 7.60 % 149,630 Ron Corcoran 05/09/2001 Referee
7 7.37 % 145,085 David O'Neill 06/02/1999 Referee
The invading ICBM is destroyed when it is intercepted by the
Defensive missile's detonation. Wave one has MIRV's (branching
Attack missiles), Wave two offers killer Satellites and Bombers, Wave
six, has "Smart Missiles". The goal is to keep your home-cities
safe from destruction as long as possible.
Fission and the bomb
It was the discovery of the neutron in 1932 that had the deepest
technological implications for society. On the eve of World War II,
it was discovered that bombardment with neutrons could cause a very
large nucleus such as uranium to split in two - the process of nuclear
fission. According to Einstein's new maths (E = mc2), this should release
energy in quantities previously unimagined by humans. Energy to rival
the sun - with its benefits and consequences.
The result of the Manhattan Project, the top secret research project in
the USA that followed, was revealed to the world in 1945 at Hiroshima
and Nagasaki. Australia and the other allies celebrated the end of the
war with Japan, but another transformation had occurred. 'We knew the
world would not be the same' recalled Oppenheimer, the head scientist
developing the bomb. Watching the first-ever atomic test, he had recalled
a line from Hindu scripture: 'Now I am become Death - the destroyer of
worlds.' Our technological power had reached a new level, one which would
trouble many in the decades to come.
Minuteman ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile)
A missile with a long range (five thousand miles or more) that carries
nuclear warheads and can be launched from the ground or from submarines.
An intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, is a very-long-range
(greater than 5,500 km or 3,500 miles) ballistic missile typically designed
for nuclear weapons delivery, i.e., delivering one or more nuclear warheads.
It uses a ballistic trajectory involving a significant ascent and descent,
including sub-orbital flight.
One particular weapon developed by the Soviet Union (FOBS) had a partial
orbital trajectory, and unlike most ICBMs its target could not be deduced
from its orbital flight path. It was decommissioned in compliance with arms
control agreements, which address the maximum range of ICBMs and prohibit orbital
or fractional-orbital weapons.
In 2002, the United States and Russia agreed in the SORT treaty to reduce their
deployed stockpiles to not more than 2,200 warheads each.
Minuteman Launch
An unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile can successfully
travel approximately 4,200 miles in about 30 minutes, hitting pre-determined
targets with pen point accuracy.
The Air Force has 500+ Minuteman missiles on alert in the Great Plains states.
Standing nearly 60 feet tall, Minuteman 3 missiles have three solid-propellant
stages and were designed to carry up to three independently targeted warheads.
The LGM-30 Minuteman is a United States nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental
ballistic missile (ICBM). As of 2005 it is the only land-based ICBM in service in the
United States. It is complemented by the sea-launched Trident missile ICBM.
The L indicates that the missile is silo-launched; the G indicates that it is
designed to attack surface targets; and the M indicates that it is a guided missile.
The name "Minuteman" comes from the Revolutionary War's Minutemen.
The current Minuteman force consists of 500 Minuteman IIIs in missile silos around
F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, and
Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota
It is a guided missile, with three solid-fuel stages, and in addition, in the
post-boost stage.
History
The Minuteman I and II were in service from 1960 until 1997.
The Minuteman III was first deployed in 1969 and with the latest upgrades is
expected to remain in service through the year 2025.
Now, we will get back to Roy Shildt who did hold the Missile Command
record from July 3, 1985 to March 9th, 2006 which was over 20 years of
being undefeated. He believes that no score should count unless it is
scrutinized by Referee's in an organized Twin Galaxies Contest. Tony Temple
had done his high score at his homes lounge with just a video recorder
present, and Roy Shildt feels that there should have been a referee there
at all times. Of course, you can't have everything.
Roy Shildt - Guinness Photo July 3, 1985
Roy Shildt - Mr. Awesome
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.WayoftheRodent.com Forms
Roy Shildt and Paul Drury - Retro Gamer Magazine
Here is the Paul Drury Retrogamer story on Roy Shildt Link
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tony Temple - in front of Missile Command
Tony Temple has been playing constantly in the last two years, gradually nearing
in on the Roy Shildt high score. He has now surpassed Roy Shildt's score and
is looking to beat 2 million points on his next run. Most think he can pull
it off. We will have to wait and see. Missile Command is a very tough game
and it will take many just to get past the 1.6 million mark.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TT (Tony Temple) (Missile Command Champion) Link
Rodent Writer
Location: Derbyshire
Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 1:11 pm Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Look out for the picture in Retro Gamer this month. I'm wearing my "Eugenius" T Shirt,
just for you lot.
_________________
"Centre Of Excellence" - My Boss.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
sandinista (Gary Whelan) (Galaxian Champion) (GSW) Manchester UK
Location: Manchester
Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 4:51 pm Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great read TT (Tony Temple) (Missile Command Champion), and good luck with the record
sandinista (Gary Whelan) (Galaxian Champion)
Are You ready for fame ? Yeah , I`m ready !
Note: A Galaxian rivalry between Gary Whelan and Perry Rodgers will begin in America!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ely
Rodent Section Editor
Location: Looping the Loop - London, England
A walking route which almost encircles Greater London taking in some of the
capital's finest green areas.
Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 10:21 pm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TT (Tony Temple) (Missile Command Champion)
Rodent Writer
Location: Derbyshire
Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 10:30 pm Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roy Shildt, He's a character. Try to read as much of the "Spy hunter" links as you
can, some of his posts are genuine classics. www.spyhunter007.com
_________________
"Centre Of Excellence" - My Boss.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
abuchanx
Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 10:07 am Post subject: Yo Dude! This could be you!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That photo on the front page makes my think Mr Awesome is a fan of Super Dave.
Ely wrote:
Just looked at Mr. Shildt sites, boy this guy is a tit !!
Fancy claiming that Madonna has gobbled his awesome saval-roy. Like that makes
him special.
_________________
nintendo flesh
Roy Shildt, a 45-year-old video game champ who goes by the name of "Mr. Awesome"
claims Madonna once considered him as a sperm donor until she accidentally got
pregnant with Lourdes. Link
Missile Command Comic Strip
Roy was supposed to inpregnate Madonna but something
got in the way?
Roy Shildt Never Misses In Projectile Shots
Roy Shildt (Champion Missile Command)
In February of 1996 The international success of Scientology reminds me
that Ripley's Believe It Or Not is in the news. Hearing of Madonna's
advertisements for a sperm donor (now, THAT belongs in Ripley's
Believe-It-Or-Not!), officials from the Ripley museum chain offered
to loan her two African fertility totems which were placed in the lobby
of their corporate headquarters last year.
Jodie and Madonna are just like everybody else, except they paid top
dollar for their insemination. Whether the check was written to a sperm
bank or a personal trainer is irrelevant.
Madonna FIRES UNSPERMY BUTLER
Late Night Quip of the Week: "Madonna fired her London butler
because he was sloppy, irresponsible and had a low sperm count."
- Conan O'Brien on Late Night
THE TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO: SKIT
Yes that does say "Madonna's sperm bank" don't blame Bella- Blame JAY!
Besides- Madonna would NEVER drive a VAN!
The wild west frontier of Roy Shildt Link
Mr. Awesome the Blog Spot Link
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
sandinista (Gary Whelan) (Galaxian Champion)
Location: Manchester
Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 11:14 pm Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nice to see you here Robert Mruczek
sandinista (Gary Whelan) (Galaxian Champion)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Location: Sat in the gutter happily glugging down the Original Spirit
Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 11:18 pm Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Robert,
We really appreciate you popping in. Tony is actually over there in the US with
you guys right now (for his wedding!) but we're hoping his week without practice
won't knock him too much off course
Thanks for all the fantastic work at Twin Galaxies - a definite home of the
original spirit of video gaming.
Cheers,
Richard
_________________
"Then you don't qualify for a lion"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
rmruczek (Robert Mruczek) Twin Galaxies Referee
Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 11:30 pm Post subject: Actually I'm All Over the Place !!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi sandinista (Gary Whelan) (Galaxian Champion):
As you know, TG has to keep track of the path to victory here for the inevitable
worldwide press release that I will be writing once Tony pulls this off.
He has recently indicated to one of my fellow TG staff members his intent to show
up at Funspot this year. If so, this would certainly make for one very interesting
event.
To date, Tony's 1.3M is the highest recorded performance at "TGTS" otherwise known
as Twin Galaxies Tournament Settings. We determined recently that the 810K bug does
not happen under TGTS...the line(s) of code that does this is apparently over-ridden
by the setting that controls the number of cities awarded. Tony's performance confirmed
it. We used MAME at TGTS via "save state" mode as a double confirmation.
Walter Day and Bill Mitchell as you know will be in the UK on (I think) August 13th.
They are hoping to get a pic of yourself and if possible Tony, along with the two of
them, when that time comes. I wish I could make it but have to act as referee in
Dallas, Texas on that same day for a different event.
Best of luck in your own video game pursuits as well !!
Robert
_________________
Robert T Mruczek
Twin Galaxies - Editor and Chief referee
Star Wars classic arcade marathon champion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Robert Mruczek) (Star Wars Marathon Champion)
rmruczek (Robert Mruczek) Twin Galaxies Referee The Missile Command Bug Link
www.WayoftheRodent.com
Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 3:06 am Post subject: Two Bits of News
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello everyone:
Now, I have a special bit of news for both Tony Temple and everyone viewing this
site. The word is out...news of Tony's attempt has reached a certain "Missile Command"
player mentioned in Tony's writings. So it won't be long now before this thread might
reflect a few new postings, and maybe even a rant or two if history on other gaming
sites has taught me anything.
Personally, I am hoping that Tony passes 1.7M by July 2nd. That would be sweet !!
Robert
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TT (Tony Temple) (Missile Command Champion)
Rodent Writer
Location: Derbyshire
Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 8:09 am Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi All.
Paul Drury said that Roy wished me well and passed on his regards - I'm sure I'll
hear from him at some point....
TT
_________________
"Centre Of Excellence" - My Boss
Results of California Extreme and CGEUK Event 2005 Link
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dwayne Richard
Dwayne Richard from the Twin Galaxies Message Board: Link
Referee-at-Large
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:37 pm Post subject: Congrats to Tony!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tony TT (Tony Temple) (Missile Command Champion),
That is an amazing performance. This deserves all the recognition in the world.
The other score was a fraud and now we have a legitimate benchmark. One that is
definitely a serious mark that will be a long time in someone else breaking it!
Missile Command's are actually hard to find with working boards and parts.
When I heard about the successful accomplishment I thought it is good to have
the commonwealth take over some world records instead of the rebellious subjects
laying claim. Cheers!
It is too bad you can't make it to Florida.
Dwayne Richard
Note: Tony Temple will be missing Kelly Tharp; Q*bert Marathoner and Brit, Gary Whelan
at Galaxian as well as American Doris Self; Q*bert and Perry Rodgers Galaxian Champ,
by being a no show at the Toughest Gun Wild West Showdown at the Dodge City of Video
Games at the Buffalo, Dodge City Pomano Beach Wild Frontier Superstar Showdown of
Video Games, in Florida. Challenge Arcade, Pennsylvania, and Totally Amused Arcade,
in Humble Texas were recent video game marathon reunions that brought some recent
Legendary Showdowns of the Superstars of the 1980's together to compete for the
2007 Guinness Book World Records.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Nelson
bernard (David Nelson)
Senior Referee
Location: Derry, NH
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:15 am Post subject: truly outrageous
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Tony,
Outstanding performace on an extremely difficult and relentless game. I am in
awe of your incredible accomplishment in getting a phenomenal new world record
on what is one of the most coveted classic games to own the record on.
Nice job. How about joining us at this summer's Funspot tournament so we can all
congratulate you in person and maybe witness some of your amazing skill in action!
_________________
-David Nelson : New England captain US National Video Game Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roy Shildt Statement regarding Tony Temple's taped Missile Command high scores: Link
Today, gaming scoreboards are accepting video taped video game scores as world
records and that is a good way to verify a world record. But, a video taped performance
of a video game score (in and of itself) should never be accepted as an Official World
Record (based on the Guinness philosophy alone). Video game machines can be altered and
video tapes can be edited so that fraudulent game play is virtually undetectable. Only
video game scores performed under the "Guinness Book Tournament Standard" (GBTS)
should ever be accepted as Official World Records.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Alpiger www.classicarcadegaming.com
Author Topic: 'Big' announcement due from TG on Sunday, April 2nd... Link
MDARULZ (Mark Alpiger) (MDA)
cag superfan
Administrator
'Big' announcement due from TG on Sunday, April 2nd...
« on: April 01, 2006, 12:51:25 PM »
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Boolman (MDB) (Welby)
Welby (Mark Boolman)
Standard Member
Re: 'Big' announcement due from TG on Sunday, April 2nd...
« Reply #1 on: Yesterday at 02:21:39 PM »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Looks like poor old Roy Shildt has been topped. I'll assume it was the
Missile Command wr write-up. Score was over 1.9mil on tgts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AL (Alex Weir) Dublin, Rep. of Ireland
Re: 'Big' announcement due from TG on Sunday, April 2nd...
« Reply #2 on: Yesterday at 04:09:55 PM »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was indeed Tony 'TT'Temples score on MC.
I met TT at the CGEUK event last year, and he is a top guy. Watching him play the game
from behind (obviously) was a nerve-wrecking experience , let me tell you. He failed
then, but now has the glory.
I believe MDA, you have some pictures from the event, one of which was Tony playing
MC? Make the scoop, and show the master playing said game, just to let fellow gamers
what he looks like and stuff...
Cheers,
AL
Forms for: www.classicarcadegaming.com Link
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"TT" Tony Temple is also a writer for the Way of the Rodent Classic Games Web Site: Link
http://wayoftherodent.com/
The following is Tony Temple's interview with Twin Galaxies, "Walter Day" Founder of
the Video Game and' Pinball High Scoreboard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walter Day
Here comes the judge
When Referees Attack!
By TT (Tony Temple)
This month the brief was "Go get us a TRUE legend" After a bit of thought, for me there
was only one man to get hold of and interview. And I’ll tell you this for nothing:
Walter Day is a man on a mission. It’s a reflection of the character of the man that
he’s been on it for the best part of 30 years, and is fully geared up for the next 30.
I spoke to Walter last month, about life, videogames and the universe, and came back
feeling all mellow and warm inside. Read on Dear Rodents, and discover the founding
father of the High Score tables...
Walter Day. The Man. The enigma
Tell us how this journey started Walter?
I remember it distinctly. The name just popped into my head while driving my car in
Ottumwa, Iowa. “Twin Galaxies” started as an arcade in a small town and eventually
gained recognition as the "Official" scorekeeper for the gaming world. We hosted
LIFE Magazine in 1982 who photographed the champion players of the era. Then, we staged
the first Videogame World Championship" in 1983, which was broadcast by ABC-TV's
"That's Incredible." By 1983, the Governor of Iowa proclaimed Ottumwa the
"Video Game Capital of the World"
Out of small acorns huh? So what exactly has Twin Galaxies become?
Twin Galaxies is the official scorekeeper for the whole world, creating and enforcing
the rules of competitive videogaming - verifying and identifying the world record
performances, creating the contests, and then crowning the champions of on thousands
of different games on PC, console and arcade platforms. Our main activities include
publishing our forthcoming book: Twin Galaxies Official Video Game & Pinball Book of
World Records, as well as maintaining a website at www.twingalaxies.com.
Given the massive storm in the early 80’s when Videogames hit the US, you must have
been able to do some pretty mad things?
Oh certainly. The Twin Galaxies US National Video Game Team travelled around the USA
in the summer of 1983, putting on shows and exhibitions, facing any player who dared
try to beat our team members. We never lost and we now are beginning to be recognized
as the historical founders of organized videogame playing. The main games being played
in the arcades back then were Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Tempest, Frogger, and about 50 more
legendary titles.
This infamous street photo of the US Nation Videogame Team was shot on the morning of
Sunday, November 7, 1982.
But there must have been a stage in the early nineties when you were perhaps concerned
about these classic arcade games disappearing into obscurity given the death of the
arcades?
Actually, the game cabinets will begin to age soon, so new cabinets will have to be
created for them. Lets tell it like it is. These old classics are part of the permanent
culture of today. In fact, they will be revisited by more and more people as the century
progresses, becoming even more recognized for their brilliance and simplicity.
It’s amazing that the classics have had a resurgence in popularity in recent years....
I truly believe that the classics will become part of the culture of the 21st century
as more and more people go into training to try and win a classic arcade high-score title.
Someday, in about 100 years, someone will be on the news because he has just broken the
80-year-old Donkey Kong record. The history will follow these games forward in time and
they will be even more immortalised than they are now in our present day.
There are a handful of fantastic players in the US (and the UK) who still push the envelope
with the older arcade games. Why do you think this is?
Think about it. The challenge is very compelling. The games are one-on-one and involve
strategy instead of churning graphics. So, today's players, as they develop their skill-set
on each game, have a strong sense of accomplishment as they become the top scorer in the
world on many titles. In fact, the high-score-based games of the 80s are so universal that
a player's score in Brazil achieved in 1982 can be compared to someone in Texas or London
in the year 2025. Their performances are valid over time and space, instead of requiring
the players to be in the same room at the same time like today’s FPS games.
That’s a trippy thought Walt....Of course Bill Mitchell, World Pac man Champion, who we
spoke to a few months back, was crowned player of the century by Namco a few years ago.
Just how close are you and Bill, and how does he keep his hair so immaculate like that?
Billy and myself have travelled the world together for over 20 years, so, we have seen the
history of the videogame age go by, so we have much in common and relate to many common
experiences. As for Billy’s hair, well lets just say it requires lots of practice so he
knows the maze of his head like the back of his hand. Actually, he uses a pattern.
The immaculately manicured Billy Mitchell
Hahahah! I like it! Of course, one of the issues with points based games are those phenomenal
endurance sessions with some players becoming so good, they would play for literally days
on end. And of course this led to the introduction of the Twin Galaxies Tournament Settings.
Could you expand on this?
Gameplay has to be standardized in order to compare scores of similar kind and, therefore,
rank the players in a statistical table of merit. There are some games for which we
accommodate dozens of different combination of difficulty settings. If you have several
player who can play a game for days, it becomes a contest of who stays awake for the longest
- hardly a reflection of their abilities.
With the advent of the internet, TG is now a worldwide phenomenon: you accept recordings of
world record attempts. How do you maintain the integrity of the organisation - is it open
to abuse?
Our referees monitor all score submission, requiring them to submit their achievements
on videotape, so we can see their gameplay and verify that they have not used illegal
tactics or cheated. Lots of work and we are the only organization in the world that
requires proof on this level.
There are some players of the classics who take these scores extremely seriously
(in some cases to the point of litigation). Does this surprise you?
Some players have lost the true vision of what life is all about and erroneously believe
that their high scores on video games may well be their only accomplishment in life.
Therefore, they become worried that history may forget them so they try to cast a light
of greatness on their scores far beyond the actual scope of the accomplishment, hoping
that the attention they generate will immortalize them. They need to take more walks in
the park.
You must have come across some real characters over the years?
We have seen people who can play video games better with their feet than most people can
play with their hands. Mike Klug, who now works for Konami, could reach over 66,000 point
on the classic Pole Position back in 1984, using his feet to steer and while working the
gas pedal with a handheld stick. I have even been stalked by numerous players who tried
to force me to put them in the book of records. Scary experience.
I like videogames, me.
Can you give us a few examples of the greatest videogame performances that you’ve witnessed
in your capacity of Chief Referee?
On videotape, we have seen the amazing skill of the UK’s Gary Whelan who can play
Galaxian better than anyone in the universe. He has lifted gaming to an artform,
uniting his mind with the machine. (Go on Walter! TT)
Our very own Gaz Whelan. We will fight them on the beaches etc.
Of course, TG is not all about Walter Day. you have had some great servants over the years
like Robert Mruczek who ploughs through hours and hours of tapes verifying scores, and
Bill Mitchell?
Servants? Not a chance, they are my bosses. Robert Mruczek is much smarter than most of us
and is a true leader of Twin Galaxies, having the vision to take us in the correct direction
to serve the public. And of course, Billy Mitchell is the world's most famous video game
player so I often find myself cast in the role of his valet.
In a world now full of PlayStations, X Boxes and Gamecubes, how do you keep interest in
the arcade classics alive Walter?
The classics field is alive and well as the USA has many, many venues for competing, buying
and selling classic games. And there are many warehouses and showrooms throughout the USA
that constantly supply the public with an unending stream of classic arcade games. And, of
course, there is the world-famous Funspot Arcade in New Hampshire which holds an annual
high-score competition that attracts the greatest players in North America. So I’d say
the scene is very much alive.
To your credit, you’ve managed to avoid turning Twin Galaxies into a commercial outfit
over the years. Has this been by design or not for want of trying?
We need to commercialize to some degree soon because we need a staff of highly talented
people to cover all the platforms. So, someone is going to have to pay their wages to get
the job done because a volunteer workforce is far from adequate. However, it is true we
have given our services as a complete gift to the public for our entire 25 years of
existence.
Any tips for anyone going for a record or thinking about throwing their hat into the ring?
You need to practice and then rest; practice and then rest. Burning out can wear out your
faculties in way that is counter-productive to achieving higher scores. Practice and then
take a walk in the park. it works wonders. But for some games, it takes a deep level of
thinking that comes out of the DNA. Some players have the ability to solve very complicated
games and some don’t have the same skill level and score lower.
That’s sound advice; so what do you play these days?
No time for playing games, just working on the forthcoming edition of the Twin Galaxies'
Official Video Game & Pinball Book of World Records.
Any immediate plans to hang up the referee’s shirt?
I start my music career as a rock star soon and will be doing less refereeing as this
year progresses. Actually, I do compose music and will be spending a lot of time in the
recording studio.
Thanks very much for your time Walter!
You're very welcome.
Thanks again to Walter Day. You can find out more about Twin Galaxies, and search
their complete database by visiting www.twingalaxies.com
April 2006
"Here comes the Judge" By "TT" Tony Temple
Tony Temple interviews Video Game Player of the Century, "Billy Mitchell". (A Satire) Link
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