The 2009 CAGDC Tourney at Richie Knucklez' Arcade in NJ

[Permafrostrick]

the event was very well behaved - I barely even heard anyone cursing

cuz you didn't play any Mark!  muhahahahaha!  :D

[Gehn]

First of all I want to thank Richie for his impeccable organization of getting those high quality machines ready for the tourney. I am relatively new to CAGing, and from what I can tell, those machines are some of the best I have seen. It's quite the adventure getting to Richie's for a city dweller like myself, who does not own a car.  This is why I must thank Mark for driving me, and to Jimmy for informing me about the Bus Service (the train leaves you too far away). Thouse roundabouts are killers! Roundabouts are much better in the UK, but these were insane. I am glad we all survived them.

First day I got there early along with Mark to help with some initial set up. (And to get a sneak peek at Richie's Pole Position skills.) The Cahill brothers were there, who were excited to see and meet Mark Alpiger. I could tell right away this was going to be an exciting event.

During Friday practice I mainly stuck with Pole Position, and tried out some games that I have never played before, such as Food Fight, and Indiana Jones.

Playing the default settings on Pole Position was surely a new experience, as I am used to TG's (as are most folks I believe, these were the settings from BITD.) After playing a few games on and off along with Vic O, Rick "50 Point" Carter,  and Ron H, we realized that the 40k threshold made more sense for TG settings, and thus, it was reduced to 30k, which allowed for more players to qualify. We duked it out and some solid 47k rounds were made Saturday. I improved my cornering skills from  the last time I played at Funspot X. In an odd way the default settings started to grow on me, mainly because it was a new "frontier" of competition...we were always figuring out whether the game could be pushed to 48000 points (49000 maybe being a theoretical max?). These settings allow for one less lap, and fewer cars. I was the first to break the 48k mark, with 48350 I believe, on Sunday morning. After getting 48750, I realized I hadn't played enough of the other games!

I checked out Indiana Jones, and had a great time with that game, I look forward to playing that one more. I noticed on TG they track Easy, Medium, and Hard for both 3 and 7 lives, was this always the case? I also got a quick glance at one of Darren's Indiana Jones games, I believe it topped 1million.

Also found Food Fight fun -- the Wagner's did quite well on this title!

It was great to see some familiar faces (Barcade folks -- Ben, Vic, Pat, Jimmy, DBH) plus to meet some new ones from the forums (Rick, Bill, Scootie, and others).

Tim had his DK sheet of scoring essentials, and from him got a good sense of what is needed to break 1.05 million -- so much is needed to be accomplished on the first man!

Thanks again Richie and Mark for all of your hard work and enthusiasm!

[Scootie]

  good one Rick!!!

I'm suprised that Mark did not play anything too!!  Richie has a mint Crystal Castles - and I was hoping to see Mark do another "foot" game and make it to level 10!!

Scootie

[BadBrains]

Hello everyone,

One reason why I think I came in 23 out of 32 was because I played alot of Robotron! my score of 336k vs 4.279M ( Eric Ahlers)!!! might of not been the smartest game to play. But, I love Robotron and after seeing Eric,Don and Dwayne play I was hyped up on Robotron. I learn some good moves on how to group things and I been playing Robotron ( on my game cube on midway arcade treasures ) at home. I bought the Branden Erickson TGTS DVD from mark and  learning some good moves on the trench stages ( mostly the 3rd trench if you start on hard 800k bonus) and my friend Charlie Rickets and I are going to practice ( and I will also play alot of Robotron ) Star Wars this Friday.

One other note, I heard Dwayne and Eric talked about David Dunn the famed Canadian Robotron player. Does he go to funspot? Because if I can watch David,Dwayne,Don,Abner and Eric play it might be one of the greatest CAG things in my life!!!

Thanks for the long post Mark, it was great

[Permafrostrick]

I wish I had played Robotron some...been years since I have played on a real machine....but against the competition I was seeing on the game....knew they were playing it to set a score versus for fun...plus I didn't want to embarass myself...hehe  I used to be where I could loop it(meaning play back to where the game loops and restarts at wave 1).

[yankeebest]

I agree with you.

My percentages got hurt on DK Jr, Frogger, Track & Field and Galaga.

My score vs Top Score
DK Jr---137k vs 515k
Frogger----37k vs 209k
Galaga----1.01M vs 1.4M
Track & Field-----77k vs 88k

[richieknucklez]

I spent some time tonight posting some pics on my site;

http://www.richieknucklez.com/html/news.html

if anyone has any to share please send em my way

[Welby]

"You, and to your knowledge, anyone accompanying you to this event ('guests', hereafter referred to as 'they'), affirm that you (they) have never been (via any legal system) convicted of a sexually-related offense that involves another person."

So, does this mean no molesters/rapists, but PeeWee Herman and George Micheal are ok?

I had been concerned about the issue of 'criminals' attending events (in general) for some time, and after last year's March tourney, which was held at a location that had lots of youngsters, I decided to add in (for subsequent events) a clause designed to at least ask the question about criminal sexual misconduct (tho it's obvious it's on the honor system, and I note that the co-organizers make no guarantees of anything with regard to this attempt to have a 'filtering' system in place).  You may have forgotten, Mark, but I first mentioned this idea in a thread I started last summer regarding keeping criminals out of events.  Also, when I was doing the write-up of the entrant form for the 2008 CAGDC Mini-Tournament last year, I implemented this idea, but was surprised to hear from more than one person that the clause about being arrested for an offense should be taken out.  Don't get me wrong - I believe in the old 'innocent until proven guilty' ideal of our legal system.  Still, I figured better safe than sorry... but, everyone (about 3 or 4 people) who I asked at that event thot the 'arrested' part should be removed, and just the convicted part should stay.  So, that's what I put on the entrant form for this year's event.

Oh, BTW, I put in the "that involves another person" part to avoid excluding persons who 'merely' got caught with (to me) minor offenses, like taking a whiz in a secluded spot (yep, like on that Seinfeld parking garage episode).

Yep, I remembered that thread, but both (all 3 technically) of the one's mentioned, were caught molesting themselves...in public places

6th Place Dwayne Richard

What the...?  Did they patch things up finally?

Yeah, whodathunkit, MDB ??!!  Well, Dwayne shows up at the event on Friday, as we're preparing, and a few people had come in to begin practicing.  He says he wants to enter, but because of past things he's done with regard to me (I've posted about it on these forums, as some of you know), I told him he wasn't allowed (in a stern tone, of course !).  Well, Richie escorted him outside after inappropriate things were said, and talked to him for some time.  He then camped out in his car, and I found out thru someone that he intended to stay there until I talked to him, and I got info that he might be wanting to work things out such that he could be in the event.  I was busy with contest preparations, so I ignored the situation for some time.  Later, Richie encouraged me to at least talk to him, and I knew my good friend Pat Laffaye was going to arrive soon, and Pat is friends with both of us, and aware of a lot of what's gone on in the past.  Well, Pat arrived, talked to him for a while, and then came in the arcade.  He also encouraged me to talk with Dwayne, and offered to be a mediator.  I just wanted someone to be there who was familiar with the situation, and listen to what was said when we talked.  After getting a lot of the preparation done, I went out with Pat, and concerns on both sides were mentioned, and Dwayne was apologetic for what he'd done in the past that was negative with regard to me.  He apologized more than once, and based on that, plus another positive statement (like others on these forums, he said that the hobby should be about fun, and of course, that's right) that he made, I decided to put things between us in a place where I was comfortable having him at the event.  He entered, we did have fun, and everyone at the event was very well behaved - I barely even heard anyone cursing, which in this competitive atmosphere is amazing (and, something I'd be hard-pressed to do, considering my expletive-filled recordings that some of you may have seen, either here, or on my Crystal Castles DVD !).

Wow, that's actually a very good thing.  I felt that it was really just a heat of the moment start that got out of hand.  Glad to hear you worked it out enough to let Dwayne join in the reindeer games, and it does show class on your part as well.  I hope Dwayne can rejoin the forums again at some point.  

[***PL***]

Wow, that's actually a very good thing.  I felt that it was really just a heat of the moment start that got out of hand.  Glad to hear you worked it out enough to let Dwayne join in the reindeer games, and it does show class on your part as well.  I hope Dwayne can rejoin the forums again at some point.  

As the designated mediator I was very pleased with the way things turned out.  Honestly, it didn't look good from the start.  Dwayne gets kicked out to the curb, kicking-screaming-yelling.  Mark is saying NO WAY that *!@%#$ is playing in my tourney, and Richie authoritatively (and correctly) stating any more trouble and I'll call the cops.  So I let a second hour go by to literally let things really cool off while Dwayne is sitting outside in the unseasonably cold weather in shorts and t-shirt.  I finally convince Mark to let him play, but he insists on talking about prior confrontations.  Back to parking lot to chat, this time the three of us.  Blah, blah, blah, blah.  All negativity is dropped and lingering issues are cleared up.  Sincere apologies are given like proper adults.  Everyone shakes hands and now Mark and Dwayne are talking like old buddies again! 

Good decision!  No one needs distractions.  After all, Dwayne is an extremely skilled gamer, so why would you want to exclude him from what turned out to be a great tourney?

That said, as far as the tourney itself, I'd have to say that this was probably the best one I've ever attended.  Why?  40 top gamers, 23 classic arcade games, many current/former WR holders.  The overall level of competition was much higher than in recent years.  A few new WRs (CAGDC), with several outstanding performances.  Impressive new "old school" gamers.  Event was well attended and all spaces were sold out!

Mark, thanks for once more running a GREAT and FAIR tourney even with the minor hiccups!  Fun, fun, fun!!  Oh, and I can't forget about the venue!!  Many thanks to terrific hosts Paige and Richie Knuckles -- nicest people.  Extremely personable and social, they really do go out of their way to make sure everyone is happy!  Best grub at the end while waiting for score results!  All video games were in tip-top shape.  Most in perfect condition, looked and played like RIGHT OUT OF THE CRATE!!  No or minimal complaints from contestants.  Ideal location in NYC metro area, smack between LI and Philly!  Don't miss out -- be there in 2010!!  Perfect.  5 stars!  *****

[ben]

Many thanks to terrific hosts Paige and Richie Knuckles -- nicest people.  Extremely personable and social, they really do go out of their way to make sure everyone is happy! 

I second that!

[BadBrains]

On Friday before anyone else got to the arcade Richie told me introduce myself to  Dwayne and tell him about what is going on in the arcade. Dwayne and I mostly talked about ( he told me what it is going to be about and not tell anyone, so don't ask me, I not going to tell ) his movie. But He was out in his car for a good 2 hours before he came in.

Dwayne also seems to be very happy about the potential marathon contest next year too.

Richie,

I loved the pics hope more will come

About Funspot Richie do you know if Ed or Andy are coming! During the Contest Ed said he might go up to Funspot for the contest. My family and I are going and most likely will leave Wed. night. Do you have anymore of the shirts  Paul was wearing on Sat. We should try to get a local team. I know Steve Wagner is going and do you know if Ron ( the Galaga champ) He said he lives near by your arcade and is going to be coming on Friday. Also, did you set Robotron back to normal settings after Dwayne, Don and Eric were done playing 5 man 2 player?

One more time Richie my family and I would like to thank you Paige, the refs and Mark for all the hard work you guys put into the contest to make it a great time

Thanks,

PS- One more Thanks to Paige's mom who made the great food.

[Steve W]

We should try to get a local team.

New Jersey CAG team FTMW!

[SanTe]

Mark, thanks for once more running a GREAT and FAIR tourney even with the minor hiccups!  Fun, fun, fun!!  Oh, and I can't forget about the venue!!  Many thanks to terrific hosts Paige and Richie Knuckles -- nicest people.  Extremely personable and social, they really do go out of their way to make sure everyone is happy!  Best grub at the end while waiting for score results!  All video games were in tip-top shape.  Most in perfect condition, looked and played like RIGHT OUT OF THE CRATE!!  No or minimal complaints from contestants.  Ideal location in NYC metro area, smack between LI and Philly!  Don't miss out -- be there in 2010!!  Perfect.  5 stars!  *****

Dwayne also seems to be very happy about the potential marathon contest next year too.

I'm glad everyone had a great time but after reading several comments like the above am I to understand that it has already been decided that next year's CAGDC Tournament location is already set?  Did I just find out that the sizable, growing, and exceedingly patient West Coast contingent will again get the shaft? 

This is a CAGDC Tournament, and there is nothing "ideal" about the NYC metro area location for many of us.  Hey, any of you New Yorkers who do drive and have cars wanna swing by and pick us up?  We're only 2900 miles away. 

[Eric98375]

LOL!   

[Scootie]

Chris wrote...This is a CAGDC Tournament, and there is nothing "ideal" about the NYC metro area location for many of us.  Hey, any of you New Yorkers who do drive and have cars wanna swing by and pick us up?  We're only 2900 miles away.  

OK - Will you cover our airfare & hotel. Cross country airfares are high, and hotels on the west coast are pretty expensive too.. Hey - are you at least willing to let some of us "crash" on the couch???

Why not have two CAGDC tournaments at the same time next year. One at Richie Knucklez for the Easty Coast gamers and the other at Ground Kontrol. With a little planning this could be done. Given high airfares and the economy - I don't think too many here can afford, or would want to splurge $1,500 & up on just a weekend event.

Scootie