MC track ball speed at Funspot...

[royawesome]

To Scootie,

Roy Shildt is back in town! but not in NH. I wanted to go to Funspot this year but TG refused to tell me what the settings on missile command were going to be at Funspot concerning the track ball speed. TG has allowed Tony Temple to play on the R8#4=OFF Which is for the 2.5" TB! Too bad Tony is not good enough to play against me yet and probably never will be. Can you find out what the trcak balll speed at Funspot will be next year so that I can play? royawesome @royawesome.com

[MDARULZ]

As with your first post, I had to move this one, Roy, because of inappropriate placement.  This board is more the place it should have been...

I'm guessing that Scootie would say the same thing that I told you, when you e-mailed me requesting I be a 'go-between' for you and Funspot before this year's tourney; namely, that you can communicate with Funspot / Gary directly, and if there's a problem doing that, or you don't get a reply, then unfortunately, you may be out of luck.

I know that you and Tony Temple (current TGTS wr holder on Missile Command), plus TG, have gone around and around on this settings issue, which apparently started when TG may have posted the 'wrong' settings on their web site (mistakes happen, of course).  Apparently, there's also a discrepancy between different printings of the MC owner's manual.  But, if I had to suggest a 'solution', it's pretty simple - since the 4" trakball is harder to spin (momentum, etc.) than the 2.5", then if you're on a 2.5" machine, put the 'sensitivity' dip switch setting to whichever of the two positions such that the onscreen cursor moves the lesser amount for each rotation of the trakball; and, for the 4", do the opposite.  Simple, eh ?  Of course, once the 'proper' settings are determined, then this information can be published as the 'canonical' setting for each.  Hopefully, there's no difference from one 4" machine to another (or 2" to another), as far as the setting behaving differently between machines with the same trakball size !  But, I wouldn't put it past Atari...

[sandinista]

Hey Roy , why not turn up at Funspot and take  on Tony ? He was there this year , waiting for you . Shame you didn`t show . I`m sure everyone at the event would have been interested to see you two guys go toe to toe on Missile Command . I was lucky and met Perry at Funspot . What a great guy  . Though we`d talked via email over the last couple of years or so , it was really great to actually meet up . We talked at length about Galaxian and the way we both played the game . Seems our techniques are very , very similar , and it was fascinating to meet and talk with the guy .Would have been cool if you and Tony had done the same .

Question Roy ... do you have a Missile Command Machine ? And if so , do you intend taking back the record ? I will play Galaxian till the end of my days , so if anyone attempts to break my record , I will be ready to come back at them 

All The best

Gaz

[TT]

Mark is spot on in his assessment of the situation.

If you have played both the 2.5 and 4 inch trackball versions of Missile Command you will realise that the 4" trackball needs to have the faster setting R8#4=OFF, and the 2.5" trackball needs to be set to the slower setting R8#4=ON, for precisely the reasons that Mark has outlined in his post above.. If you play using the opposite settings, you will soon realise that the 4" is way too slow, and the 2.5 is way too fast.

This is confirmed in black and white in the 3rd and final printing of the schematics for the upright machine. A copy is located here:
http://www.crazykong.com/manuals/MissileCommand.man.pdf
(See page eight, halfway down)

For those who have a copy, you can confirm these trackball settings in the schematics for the sit-down cockpit version of MC which also uses the 4" trackball, as they read identically.

For those of you who are capable of turning up to Funspot without sending a Private Investigator to check the place out first, you should find the MC machine there uses these settings.

Cheers

TT

[MDARULZ]

Hey Roy , why not turn up at Funspot and take  on Tony ? He was there this year , waiting for you .

Kind of like how Roy's been going round and round on the MC settings issue, he's had an ongoing issue about whether he's allowed at Funspot or not.  He was previously banned from the tournament (in 2005), apparently at least partly because he allegedly made a Funspot employee cry on a phone call he placed there previous to the tourney (yes, it was said to be a girl employee, in case you wondered).  Anyway, because he was unsure if the 'ban' was lifted, he didn't show up this year.  So, that's the explanation of why he wasn't there...

The reason I know the above is from information I got from Funspot regulars, and also info that Roy has (unsolicited) written to me.  I'm relating the previous sentence because a few persons in our hobby like to think the worst of some people, and therefore I have to explain things like this, at times.

OK, now on to Tony's post...

Mark is spot on in his assessment of the situation.

If you have played both the 2.5 and 4 inch trackball versions of Missile Command you will realise that the 4" trackball needs to have the faster setting R8#4=OFF, and the 2.5" trackball needs to be set to the slower setting R8#4=ON, for precisely the reasons that Mark has outlined in his post above.. If you play using the opposite settings, you will soon realise that the 4" is way too slow, and the 2.5 is way too fast.

This is confirmed in black and white in the 3rd and final printing of the schematics for the upright machine.

Thanks for your confirmation that my logic was right, Tony.  Now, in all fairness to both sides, I understand how critical accuracy is, and if the settings on TG were listed wrong (at one point), then bringing it (reasonably) to their attention is fine.  Based on e-mails that I was made privy too, Roy went overboard in ranting about this issue, and also how it may have (supposedly) affected the legitimacy of Tony's score.  If Tony wants to comment, he's welcome to, but, I can more than understand if he's had enough of this issue !

In any case, the best way to handle some of this controversy is perhaps to (at some point) have Tony and Roy play at the same locale.  And, I hope that this would be more for having everyone enjoy watching their skills, versus having it be looked at as a 'contest'.

[atariman]

He was previously banned from the tournament (in 2005), apparently at least partly because he allegedly made a Funspot employee cry on a phone call he placed there previous to the tourney (yes, it was said to be a girl employee, in case you wondered).  Anyway, because he was unsure if the 'ban' was lifted, he didn't show up this year.  So, that's the explanation of why he wasn't there...

I doubt if Roy has done anything like appoligize to the individual he made cry, so if he's still banned I wouldn't blame the people at Funspot.  He made the phone call, he caused the problem, it's up to him to rectify the situation.

As far as the switch settings goes, only the 2nd printing of the Missile Command manual shows R8#4=ON for the large Trakball.  The 1st and 3rd printings show R8#4=OFF for the large Trakball.  The 3rd printing and last printing also states "Large Trak-Ball input (switch must be off for proper operation of upright Missile Command game)". On top of this, schematics also show that R8#4=OFF for the large Trakball as well as the sheet attached to the back access panel.  So there are 4 documents showing R8#4=OFF vs. 1 showing R8#4=ON.  Lets look at that 2nd printing, it was done to support the new cocktail version of the game with the small Trakball, so if a typo was to be made it probably have happened during this 2nd printing.  On top of this the 3rd and last printing corrects this possible typo.  So if Roy want to believe that the second printing of the manual is correct and that the other 4 documents are wrong, as well as the 3rd and last printing of the manual correcting this inconsistence then Roy must be in some kind of state of denial.

If Roy wants to continue his ridiculous rant, then he should PROVE how the switches were set when he set his record.  Since he probably can't prove how the switches were set, then since 2 out of the 3 manual printings show R8#4=OFF as well as the documentation on the back panel, it is most likely that he played with R8#4=OFF.

In any case, the best way to handle some of this controversy is perhaps to (at some point) have Tony and Roy play at the same locale.  And, I hope that this would be more for having everyone enjoy watching their skills, versus having it be looked at as a 'contest'.

The best way to handle this controversy is to look at all the available documentation and based on the preponderance of evidence determine how the switch should be set.  For what it's worth having the two of them play at the same locale sounds like a contest to me.  Maybe you need to give us your definition of "contest".  Tony has beat Roy's score twice, once on video tape and once live at Funspot watched by many.  So what purpose would it serve to have them play together??

[TT]

Roy seems to have steered clear of this thread since his initial post. I wonder why.

Oh well, just to close this one off, I was at Funspot last week, and had an opportunity to take a picture of the schematics on the rear access panel on the machine there, as one of the operatives opened the coin door to remove the tokens from the coinbox.

Its pretty dark, but you can make out the relevant bit to this conversation:

(click for bigger image)


You can see it clearly states the switch in question should be "Off".

As you'd expect, these are the settings used on that machine. It would interesting to hear what is shown on Roy's own machine, assuming he has a similar document attached to the rear access door of his machine.

TT

[atariman]

The silence is deafening.  I suppose when you don't have a good response the best thing to do is say nothing!!  Next time do some research before you open you mouth and show your ignorance.

[pauldean]

Mr. Awesome speaks on radio program about his Missile Command score and
plans to play live at the All Games Interactive show in LA. next week:

Arena Interactive Lounge
11512 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca 90025
310 479 9759


215 - 12/14/06 All Games Interactive
Posted: 12/15/2006 8:35:00 PM 

All Games Interactive quote:
"It is an episode of All Games Interactive that can only be described as . . . awesome! Today we interview the disputed Missile Command champion, Playgirl model, and administrator of the Celebrity Fellatio Hall of Fame Roy Shildt aka Mr. Awesome! We begin the show with a clip from Roy Shildt aka Mr. Awesome! It has to be heard to be believed. Then after a brief discussion about the Fantastic Forum show we hop right into gaming news. Jessica has all the top stories of the day. Scot discusses the TVersity Media player and then it happens. Unbeknownst to us Mr. Awesome enters the building in the flesh! He talks to us about why Missile Command is his game of choice, how he came up with the Mr. Awesome character, why it is his record is in dispute, and his glory days as a Playgirl model and poontang catcher. Awesome is no exaggeration when you are talking about this installment of All Games Interactive, and its just one click away!"
Info@arenalounge.com


Link:
http://www.allgames.com/radio.asp?show=agi&ep=215

[pauldean]

13 - 12/12/06 All Games Interactive
Posted: 12/12/2006 7:09:00 PM 

Mr. Awesome makes for some news on "All Games Interactive". You won't believe what they
have to say about Mr. Awesome. It is about 5 minutes into the show.

"All Games Interactive" quote:
"Ron goes on a rant about one of his customers who turns out to be the Missile Command
world record holder!? Luckily we have Jess to calm our nerves..."

link to web cast episode:
http://www.allgames.com/radio.asp?show=agi&ep=213

[pauldean]

Here is a link to a Twin Galaxies thread about the new live public Missile Command
world record attempt which will begin tomorrow 12/21/06 at 4:00 pm, Tournament
Settings, with a live broadcast from All Games Interactive, Los Angeles, CA.

Twin Galaxies thread of Missile Command attempt:
http://www.twingalaxies.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8781

[pauldean]

The outspoken "Mr. Awesome" continues with his Long Saga on the podcast: All Games Interactive.

222 - 12/19/06 All Games Interactive
Posted: 12/19/2006 6:58:00 PM

All Games Interactive quote:
"The reemergence of Mr. Awesome, the disputed Missile Command world record holder.
He gives us more info to add the the controversy surrounding the Twin Galaxies record."

http://www.allgames.com/radio.asp?show=agi&ep=222


223 - 12/20/06 All Games Interactive
Posted: 12/20/2006 6:46:00 PM

All Games Interactive quote:
"Mr. Awesome drops in once again, just in time to hear a response from Robert Mruczek"
http://www.allgames.com/radio.asp?show=agi&ep=223

Thursday, 12/21/06 is D-Day as Mr. Awesome will play for the world record. Does he
still have what it takes after 20 years? It will all play out live at All Games Interactive and
be on the Pod-cast.
 
Some say he never could play at all. Lets find out tomorrow 12/21/06, if he is the real deal.

[GFG 2/10/09]

Hi Paul:

     All I can personally state as I have never personally seen him play is that Chris Ayra, who did, said that Roy was able to get into the 600K-range. To this day, that's a very good score, and I do believe what Chris told me.

     It remains to be seen, publicly and in the here and now, if he can reach the point where Tony has. But considering his recent claim to Jeremy Mack/Bill Carlton while they visited in the UK to promote the MC film that he had done a 1.8M on tape, if he does anything less than a 1.3M today that would not prove a 1.695M was once done. Tony had multiple games over 1.3M at FS this past November. If he can, in fact, pull off a 1.8M+ at proper settings and board (ROM="Missile"), that would be newsworthy and a strong, necessary afformation of what he claims his skillset is.

     As for getting his score "TG-verified", that's his own business on how to handle as he knows the routine there.

Robert

[atariman]

Since reading forums is a problem I will post this again:

As far as the switch settings goes, only the 2nd printing of the Missile Command manual shows R8#4=ON for the large Trakball.  The 1st and 3rd printings show R8#4=OFF for the large Trakball.  The 3rd printing and last printing also states "Large Trak-Ball input (switch must be off for proper operation of upright Missile Command game)". On top of this, schematics also show that R8#4=OFF for the large Trakball as well as the sheet attached to the back access panel.  So there are 4 documents showing R8#4=OFF vs. 1 showing R8#4=ON.  Lets look at that 2nd printing, it was done to support the new cocktail version of the game with the small Trakball, so if a typo was to be made it probably have happened during this 2nd printing.  On top of this the 3rd and last printing corrects this possible typo.  So if Roy want to believe that the second printing of the manual is correct and that the other 4 documents are wrong, as well as the 3rd and last printing of the manual correcting this inconsistence then Roy must be in some kind of state of denial.

If Roy wants to continue his ridiculous rant, then he should PROVE how the switches were set when he set his record.  Since he probably can't prove how the switches were set, then since 2 out of the 3 manual printings show R8#4=OFF as well as the documentation on the back panel, it is most likely that he played with R8#4=OFF.

His record has been eclipsed, get over it!!!!!!!l

[GFG 2/10/09]

Hello fellow gamers:

     What a crock of misinformation on the latest radio segment !!

Robert