Pompano Beach, FL, aka Dodge City

[MDARULZ]

I got into the Palm Beach / Ft. Lauderdale area yesterday, and braved rush hour traffic to make it to the Apollo Amusements showroom, where Ed Cunningham and Walter Day were heading up an event whose world record results will make it into the 2007 Guinness Book.  A lot of the Funspot 'gang' was there, including Shawn, Jason, Anna, and Christian Cram (along with mom and David in tow), plus Donald Hayes, Pat Laffaye, and Abdner Ashman.  In addition, there was Kelly Tharp (getting in late), Doris Self, Dwayne Richard, Steve Wiebe and Steve Sanders.

Speaking of getting in late, that's exactly what Abdner did on Ms. Pac.  Just a bit before midnight, he finished up a new wr game of Ms. Pac, logging an impressive 933,580.  He 'only' made it to screen 133, so that's a very high mark.  His score was helped along nicely by the last fruit being a pear.

Donald and Steve tried to post some strong Joust scores (both around the half-million mark), and Pat tried often on Frogger, as did Steve W. on DK.  Jason scored 22M on Zoo Keeper, which is now the second highest TG score.

Stay tuned for more updates, and, let's hope the records flow throughout the event !

[artz]

Thanks for the updates Mark.  Considering the old record is 921,360 off of 141 boards, I can imagine what his score would have been if he had received the 8 additional boards.  I think it's safe to say he smashed his old record.

[spindaddy]

Sounds like a very fun time.  I whish I had been able to get down there. 

[MDARULZ]

It was pretty fun, and very interesting, indeed, Jason.  And, sorry Art, that the updates have not been daily, but, as usually is the case, hi-speed web access seems to be a difficult commodity to come by at the gaming venues (and, in the whole Funspot area, it can't be had for any price...).  But, here's a quick summary for everyone.  Abdner did 3 more Ms. Pac games, and two went to screen 134 (the cocktail / upside-down screen - pics will be forthcoming).  One was an 850K, the other about a 910K.  He aborted the third one at 500k because it wasn't on pace to score decently.

Other highlights (to me) were: Jason Cram scoring a personal best, and new #2 Zoo Keeper score, of 29M and change, including a 15M jump, plus Don Hayes and Steve Sanders scoring 787K and 800,500 points, respectively, on Joust TGTS.  I broke Donald's Tetris Plus wr (from my PA tourney) of 280K, with a 284K mark (a weak, yet OK improvement).  Steve Wiebe (a true gentleman) had a high of about 850K on Donkey Kong, and never lost his positive spirit, or took much of a break the whole four days.  Dwayne set a new Dig Dug wr, but it was an inaugural score, since it was done on a harder romset.  Finally, Kelly Tharp won the 'shootout' with Doris Self on Q*bert TGTS, with about a 500K score (she had just a few thousand less).  KT was disappointed, since he had 1.5M on one man this past February,but, as he says, 'what are you gonna do ?'.

Oh, one non-contest note - on Saturday evening, we all went to Ricky's restaurant, which Billy Mitchell owns / runs, and the big man showed up, complete with family in tow.  He later even showed up at the gaming location, and toured the room.  Again, pics are coming...

There'll be more on the event later, but suffice it to say that it was absolutely the best collection of talent in one room (with the fewest 'lower tier' players I've ever seen at a contest) since some of the best 80's events.  For those that merely read about these events, but don't come... come out sometime, but, please make sure it's to the next CAGDC tourney !!

[LJM]

Hello Everyone,

                              I think I can safely say a fun time was had by one and all at the "Dodge City" event in Pompano Beach Florida. As my bad luck goes I really crapped out on Q*bert as mark mentioned;And I'll bet I'am the only person to go to Sunny Florida and catch a cold. I actually got off the train in Baltimore and went to the hospital because my fever was high(102.2) Anyway,although I'am still sick the medicine is helping so here I'am. I really enjoyed watching the brothers Cramm playing Zoo Keeper. I liked this game very much,but it was one of the few I was never any good at. It was also nice to meet Todd Rodgers,who complimented my Gorf play as above average;And he also gave me pointers on my most difficult wave to finish...space warp(god i hate that screen!!) So maybe with some due diligence I can beat his record one day. I made 43,000 on 6 ships. Also I have until may 1st to submit a 5 man record on Q*bert,so I will be going in the next 5 days (or soonner if i get better) to practice and record games at challenge arcade,I will let you know of my results. I would also like to say that meeting Doris Self was very nice. She welcomed me into her home monday night and took me to supper,and on a tour of the city,and the beaches. She is simply a sweet women,and I hope we are still battling on Q*bert 20 years from now.  I made a personal best of 418,000 on Robotron on my first man;but then lost them all to the dreaded tank robotrons(god i hate that board to!) And unrelated to the tourney,the train i was in hit a car trying to "beat the train" and killed the driver of the car. That is why I arrived late by about 6.5 hrs. Which is really not bad for a delay when a fatality is involved.  Ed Cunningham of Launch Pad productions should be complimented on doing a nice job arranging this event,and I wish him much success with his movie.  That is all for now,any questions? Just ask!! LJM

[spindaddy]

Kelly,

If you need a place to play Q-bert I can easliy get one setup in the J-cade for you.  You are welcome anytime to play as long as you want.  Also need you guys to help me figure out when to have my next party.  What is going on in May? 

Jason

[MDARULZ]

I think I can safely say a fun time was had by one and all at the "Dodge City" event in Pompano Beach Florida. As my...

Yep, it was quite fun to watch all the elite players work their 'craft'.  The only 'bad' thing was, there wasn't much for observers like me to do, except to watch.  And, all the sitting around got to be a little boring at times, tho the numerous records and near-records set made for many opportunities of excitement.  Plus, I did get to play quite a bit on Tetris Plus.

Don't worry about tanking a bit on Q*bert, Kelly - I'm sure that you'll rock it at either Challenge Arcade, or Jason's place, this month.  Speaking of Q*bert, be sure to tell everyone about Doris' comment on his nose...  And, speaking of Doris, if you two are battling in 20 years, you better damn sure beat her, since she'd be 100 !!

Indeed, Ed wore many hats, and worked many hours.  Many thanks to him for footing the bill for many player's travel, and most everyone's lodging, plus quite a bit of food.

As far as questions for you Kelly, I'd probably ask you (and others that were there) to name a couple of things that stood out the most to you at the event (that already haven't been mentioned).  Let us know, and keep us up-to-date on your Q*bert quest by starting a new thread on either the 'Challenge Arcade' board, or 'Reporter's Corner', if you set a record elsewhere.  Good luck !!

Kelly,

If you need a place to play Q-bert I can easliy get one setup in the J-cade for you. You are welcome anytime to play as long as you want. Also need you guys to help me figure out when to have my next party. What is going on in May?

Jason

I love your name for your home arcade, Jason - the J-cade !  Nice, as Greg Erway would say...  Anyway, thanks for the generous offer for Kelly.  I think he's just an hour and a half's drive away.

I was wondering when you wanted to ramp things up for the arcade party.  I saw your post in the 'Announcements' section, here, so I'll continue my response over there, as should others.  I hope to see you soon...

[LJM]

Hey Mark,

Yes I did notice that from time to time you would have been bored. Luckily I was there to torment you - ha ha. Whenever I was not playing Q*bert I was moving from Zoo Keeper, Joust, Gorf, and Robotron 2084. I was like a kid in a candy store - All of the "talent" in one place, I just couldn't stand still.  I especially liked to watch the Cramms play Zoo Keeper - and I witnessed a 15,000,000 point jump ! I was glad about that. I did like watching you play Tetris Plus although I really stink at it.

Doris Self is prett perky for 80 years old - she even commented Q*berts nose looked like a "big orange penis". I videotaped the Q*bert "trick" and played it for her & gave her the videotape. She said she never knew about it - and would try it on her home machine. Of course Walter Day "scolded" me for "teaching her how to cheat" but it was all in good humor.

I want to end by saying I look forward to start back at the gaming events when I get back to town. I am going to beat the w.r. for a marathon game in hours played. But will it be Q*bert, Mousetrap, Robotron 2084, Defender, Stargate, Tapper, or Root Beer Tapper ? Stay tuned to find out.  L.J.M.

[LJM]

Kelly,

If you need a place to play Q-bert I can easliy get one setup in the J-cade for you.  You are welcome anytime to play as long as you want.

Hello Jason - Thank you for the offer to play Q*bert at the "J-cade". Sorry I have not got back to you in so long. I have had to temporarily leave town and I have not been in the gaming scene since the Pompano Beach Event in early April. If you really mean it "as long as you want" I may well try another shot at the w.r. and marathon wr. in the future. Although it will be at least 6-12 months before I could do anything. One of these days what I really want to do it play Mousetrap for a week ! Taking breaks every 10 hours to avoid the "eye fatigue". That was the death of my Q*bert w.r. attempt.  Who knows, maybe when I get back to town I'll arrange to do both !   

- L.J.M.

[spindaddy]

I just gpt a mousetrap this week. 

[MDARULZ]

Great news, Jason !  I can finally stop hearing about Mouse Trap from Kelly.  He can't believe that anyone can play as well as him, or that anyone has patterns (at least, as good as his) on the game.

I did see him play back in 1986, when we went to California on a video gaming trip.  We actually were able to get to visit Exidy, and he met the designer of the game.  When he next signs in, perhaps he can relate his remembrances of the visit, and also give some insights into the game.

In any case, when Kelly gets back into town in a few months, we'll no doubt head out to see what he can still do on the game.  If he can still play, he might just be able to pull off a new marathon record, and the J-cade will go down in history !!

[LJM]

I just gpt a mousetrap this week. 

Hello Jason.

   Thank you for your reply to my posts. I'am especially interested in your Mousetrap game.  I know you offered unlimited play time on Q*bert; but if you will extend the offer to Mousetrap I would rather marathon Mousetrap.

   I'am proud of my Mousetrap patterns as you have to enter "IN" in the center of the screen several times per screen to escape the "pursuing hawk". Each time you enter "IN" you are teleported to one of the four corners in the maze. I made patterns for all 4 corners so no matter which corner I go to I can continue on a pattern.

   I know the world record on Mousetrap is supposed to be 60,000,000 plus. I dont believe it; I could be wrong - the world is a big place. And I would be naive to believe I'am the absolute best at anything. Having said that I do believe that I probably am the best in the world at this game. I would bet my life against $1,000,000 that I could beat anyone at anytime.

   Mark and I went on a trip to CA. in August of 1986. We went to Atari Games and Exidy corp. I did indeed play Mousetrap for him and the programmer. He said I was the best he ever saw play the game - and also commented on my "corner patterns" as "interesting". Mousetrap is a very hard game. It does not get boring after 10 or 20 hours like Q*bert does. It is constantly challenging for a pattern game. I really would like to come to the J-cade to marathon Mousetrap, before my M.S. gets me hobbled. So far I'am doing well in that department. Of course I'am at the diseases mercy. And when I get back to town I would love to try if I'am still able.

Our 1986 trip to CA was very fun - I was 19, and had been a "video guy" for 3 years. We met the programmer of "Crystal Castles" Franz Xavier Lanzinger - a very nice man who welcomed me & Mark into his home to play C.C. and Xevious - very nice. At Atari we were treated like "heads of state". We had access to the whole plant and got to meet several programmers including Bob Flannagan, the brains behind some of the best Atari games including Gauntlet. We met Eric Ginner and Mark Robichek and went to dinner with them while we were in the San Francisco Bay area. Then Mark and I went down to L.A. and went to Captain Video (I think this is the right name) to play video games with another great of the Golden Age - Phill Britt. I got to show off my talents at Kick-Man. I have a picture of my screen during play which shows the entire bottom of the board filled with "extra men". If I can figure out how to do it I will post it on here or ask Mark to.

Mark may well have more to add about our trip of 20 years ago. If I have left anything out I offer him to please respond to it or add it himself as he is the administrator.

I hope to see you at the "J-cade" in 6-12 months Jason. See ya then.

                                             Kelly Tharp   

[spindaddy]

Hey Kelly,

The game is here and 100% working.  I also just got a second board set for it.  Are you on any of the MS injections?  My wife is on betaseron and doing well with it.  Look forward to having you.  later on.  Jason