The upcoming 2008 CAGDC Tourney at Pro Putt FFC

[Welby]

SW does keep the last score on screen, but I will check to see if this one still hold the scores in the hs table or clears.  I'll be more than happy to give anyone tips/help getting the threshold score, but you'll have to play w/o help when actually going for a score.

[MDARULZ]

Good news about SW, Mark - the less I have to run thru the arcade to catch a score, the better.  As far as the retention, I'm not concerned about that, so you don't have to check.  As a matter of fact, I prefer the machines clear out the scores when they're turned off, so that I can be more sure that a new score will go in the high-score table, in case a ref is not immediately available.

You're very nice to offer help, and no doubt a few players will take you up on it.  Feel free to have a help session anytime, or, perhaps you'd like to do it either Friday or Saturday evening, when I do one too, after contest hours (!! PM or so).  Either way, the players will definitely benefit !

[Steven D'Amore]

Capcom Bowling is a fun game guys. It's better then real bowling sometimes. My hand/wrist ache after about 4 games.

Have Fun, I hope the trac-ball is in good condition.

[***PL***]

But... with XXXX being able to easily play for an hour, anyone who can't reach YYYY might as well pick another title, as their percentile will be so low that (to me) it's pointless to contest that title.

I wouldn't set your minimum thresholds based on what the top players can do.

Also, it could be argued that several titles have their minimum set too low...

Did you consider setting the minimum score equal to the score required to get the first bonus man?  For example, Frogger is set at 10K and the bonus frog is given at 20K.

[Welby]

I don't have a problem with lowering the threshold score for SW, but do keep in mind that we're only talking about completing less than 2 waves(hard start) to exceed 1M.  I'll see how my son does Friday.

On a side note, Frogger is the only game that I haven't made the threshold score.  I thought we played it the other night, but we didn't.  I won't be playing on that one for an hour.   Pat and Don have that one so locked up, that I'd be foolish to use the puny score I'd get vs them.  I'll play the games that I've got a little more parity.

[Welby]

I went to PPFFC last night and went over each of the games for problems.  I'll only list the problems; most of which are very minor fixes.

CC:  player 1 start button/jump doesn't work...played a quick 2p game...trackball seems to work fine and screen looks fine, though there is some burn if you look close.

DK3:  Game plays and works great, but there is one little problem that I almost didn't notice....the bezel is covering the score and most of the timer.  If they trim the top of the bezel or remove it, problem fixed!

Rampart:  Sound is very low...probably just needs a volume adjustment, but is too low to hear the alarm cues.

Capcom Bowling:  Trackball seemed to roll ok, but I couldn't play the game, as the 'add credit button' was missing...possibly just pushed inside, as the hole is there; just no button.

SW:  Game plays fine, but the right thumb and trigger do not function properly.  Right finger-trigger does nothing at all, but the right-thumb button fires sporadically...not always when you push it, but also sometimes it goes off during fast motions of the yoke.  The spring is bad on the thumb button, so it doesn't pop out, but it does fire when you push/wiggle it with some pressure.  By holding the thumb button secure while playing, I was able to use the force.  The fireballs were a little overwhelming at times, though I think it may be set on 'hardest' vs hard due to the rate they were coming from the ties.  Connor didn't reach the threshold score, but I think he would have if all the bottons were working.

That's all as far as problems goes; everything else works great.

Galaga must be 'fast' bullets, but the whole game seems faster to me, not just the bullets...for the dedicated machine.  The 'anniversary edition' seemed more like what I play in MAME.  Is the gameplay on 'fast bullets' also faster for everything else too?

Last night was the slowest I've seen the place at night, since I've been there.

[MDARULZ]

Thanks much for the reports from the arcade, Mark - they're invaluable, since I live 4 hours away, and you're just 4 minutes away !!

It sounds like all's well, except for Star Wars, which I knew could be an issue, but it was a title requested to be put in by two signups, so I took a chance.  We may have to pull it, if it doesn't get fixed.  This is a possibility, as those yokes are hard (and expensive) to work on.  But, let's hope that it can at least be improved.  If not, I'll ask the two signups to give me an opinion if it should be pulled, before the start of the contest.  They'll both be there the day before, so they can test it out right before the event.

The rest of the game issues are minor, and easy fixes, as you noted, Mark.

Maybe Pat knows more info about the 'speed-up' on Galaga.  Is there one version where just the bullets are faster, and another that's a speed-up on everything ?  I've seen these two variations on Ms. Pac, but didn't know about the possibility for Galaga, assuming there are two different speed-up 'kits' out there.  Maybe Rick would know, too.

Curious that the place wasn't too busy on a Friday, but that's not the norm.  Hopefully, it will be kind of laid back while the contest is going on, as a 'packed' gameroom will make it a little tougher to play.

I wonder how Don feels about little children crowding close to the machine, and asking questions ? 

[***PL***]

Galaga must be 'fast' bullets, but the whole game seems faster to me, not just the bullets...for the dedicated machine.  The 'anniversary edition' seemed more like what I play in MAME.  Is the gameplay on 'fast bullets' also faster for everything else too?

No, I always thought the enemies stayed at the same speeds and only the bullets were faster.

[MDARULZ]

No, I always thought the enemies stayed at the same speeds and only the bullets were faster.

That was my impression too, tho I'm not sure I ever saw the fast firing version in an actual machine.

In any case, it sounds like the one at Pro Putt is fitted with a speed-up kit, as everything is faster.  So... I'll ask the repair tech if it's a kit that he can remove and restore things to normal.  If not, then I'll ask current signups if they'd like me to switch over to the regular (not the 'arranged') version of Galaga that's in the Namco Classic Collection Vol. 1 machine.

What would your preference be, if we can't remove the speed-up, Pat ?  Keep in mind that the speed-up version might be helpful to some people, as it might throw off players who are 'good' at regular Galaga, and therefore be an asset to leave in the mix...

[***PL***]

Obviously I can't speak for the players who have signed up, but I would say this:

Definitely leave the game in, the variation would need to be decided upon later (perhaps a vote?)

If people (like myself) want to see everything sped up, then we'd have to wait until Tourney Day 1.  I don't think it's a big deal to wait until then to choose between the dedicated cab (either sped up or if we can get the normal or fast fire board set) and the regular version under the Classic Collection cab.

If you don't want to wait to decide, I would stick with the dedicated cab (even with everything sped up)  Sounds kinda cool!!   

[Welby]

I'm not a Galaga expert, so it's possible that it's ok...a quick play from someone more familiar with it should do the trick.   The game did seem to work well, though I do recall a sticky(literally) cp/fire button.

[Dr. Boom]

Just thought I'd let you all know - I dropped a post over at KLOV about the upcomming tourney, so we might get a few players from over there. I know there is a good group of guys in Illinois and a few in Wisconsin who might be interested to come down, so hopefully they'll get in touch with you, Mark and make the event.

http://forums.klov.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=704081&an=0&page=0#Post704081

I saw the bit about CC's jump/player 1 button at Pro Putt - I take it that will be fixed by game time? (that's my jump button of choice!)

[MDARULZ]

Just thought I'd let you all know - I dropped a post over at KLOV about the upcomming tourney, so we might get a few players from over there.

...

I saw the bit about CC's jump/player 1 button at Pro Putt - I take it that will be fixed by game time? (that's my jump button of choice!)

You rule, Geoff !  I knew I might forget to post after we talked last night, so I'm glad I told you to do so if I forgot.  Thanks for picking up the ball I dropped !

As far as CC's button goes, I can pretty much guarantee that it's an easy fix.  I alerted the repair guy, tho the owner said she's having an issue getting hold of him.  But, don't worry; I plan on bringing my entire trak-ball, maybe one jump button (tho I'll likely just have them swapped if needed), and my RoadBlasters kit, just in case of a breakdown or problem on those particular games.  I can do simple repairs, as can Mark, so the only game that's maybe an issue is Star Wars, and I've already discussed that with all but two players.

I did write in the contract that the games must be operating properly, so I can push the issue, but when push comes to shove, and a repair guy is unavailable, there's little I can do except substitute.  Still, I doubt there will be any serious problems, and I imagine that a repair person will be 'on call', by the time the contest rolls around.  I'll emphasize this in my next phone conversation with the arcade's owner.

[MDARULZ]

Here's a 'good news' update.  I just talked to the Pro Putt owner this evening, and she's very much on the ball.  Not only does she already have another repair guy, but he works part time at the arcade (before, she called in a worker as needed).  And, they'll already be getting the games positioned for the tourney, tomorrow (Sunday).  They're going to take the time to move the contest games together, and in an area that's kind of 'away' from a lot of the hustle and bustle of the various areas (like mini-golf, kids games, etc.) in the facility.  Now, that's being thotful !

I'll be getting in more than a day before the tourney begins, so any minor issues will be tended to well before the contest.  And, I'll also double-check that all machines are set correctly.  This can be an issue, as one unlucky gamer recently learned (Darren Harris, on Indiana Jones ATTOD at Funspot).  Apparently, he was getting one life more than it should have been set to, so his scores will likely get removed.

Star Wars will probably end up being the only game with an issue (as noted above), and Mark B. may have a workaround solution, so that we won't have to substitute another game for it.  We'll see when I'm there on Thursday.

Well, all seems well, and I'm looking forward to seeing Pro Putt, and all the great contestants.  Oh, one last thing.  While it's not likely, there's the chance that not one, but two different contest game world record holders may show up, as 'surprise' visitors.  If so, I can guarantee they'll take top honors on their respective games.  You'll have to show up to see if it happens, but if even one of them turns up, it will be quite a show (and a showdown, versus the contestants who plan on playing those two titles !).  Here's hoping they'll both be able to make it out to the event !

[MDARULZ]

More good news.  The new repair guy (Nate) called me today, and let me know that he was up until after midnight on Sunday, moving all the contest games into a group.  This was originally the owner's idea, and I think it's a great one.  And, not only is that done, but the attention to detail is incredible, as Nate even thot about making sure that the games weren't pushed up against each other, to assure that there would be room for players who are next to each other.  Wow - talk about sweating the details.  We'll all have to give him (and the entire Pro Putt 'crew' that's helping with the tourney) a well-deserved pat on the back when we arrive.

Nate also tested Galaga, and compared it to the speed on the Namco Classics coin-op version (both are in the arcade).  He said that the original appeared to indeed be a bit faster, but not an outrageous amount - he estimated 15%.  So... it appears that the speed-up (if it is sped-up) is not much of a factor.

The last bit of good news is that we got another tourney sign-up.  Jason Spindler's wife Angela is coming to the event, and one thing she'd like to see is Donald playing Centipede.  Of course, it's not a tourney game, but no doubt Don will do a demo for her (and, us !).  I think Don said that is the game with a wr he owns, that he's most proud of.  And, at 7,111,111, who can blame him !

Well, that's all for now.  I'll see you guys in Bloomington this weekend !