The Gary Whelan Story reported by Twin Galaxies
Press Release
11/24/2004 British Gamer Takes 21-Year-Old Video Game Record Away From American
Gary Whelan is the First U.K. Gamer to Hold Title on Classic Game in Decades
reported by Walter Day
A special medallion has been commissioned by Billy Mitchell to honor Whelan's
success in bringing title to Great Britain.
British Gamer Beats 21-Year-Old American Record to Rule Galaxian; A Large Cash Prize
Offered by Billy Mitchell to Whoever Can Beat this New record: Link
Gary Whelan's high score has prompted a Billy Mitchell Bounty:
Twin Galaxies Bounty: See link at bottom for details: Link
Bounty (22) - Galaxian - SPECIAL BILL MITCHELL CHALLENGE (Bounty Prize: Read Below)
After nearly twenty (20) years, one of the most venerable classic arcade world records
was broken on the game "Galaxian". Bill Mitchell would like to see just how far this
game's world record score can reach, and has offered a unique cash challenge to fuel
the competition. Link
Gary Whelan is a world class player so he will try to break a million points and
he continues to improve at this time.
It would have been nice if Mark Alpiger put up a bounty on Galaxian as well.
Gary Whelan's Galaxian High Score: Date Achieved Monday, August 09, 2004
In the Classic arcade video game playing, the domain of legendary arcade titles like
Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Centipede and Frogger, has traditionally been considered an
impregnable stronghold of American supremacy. American players, famous for classic
rivalries between gamers from California, Texas, Florida and North Carolina, have
always owned the world titles on more than 250 different classic titles.
"But, that changes right now," says Walter Day, editor of Twin Galaxies' Official Video
Game & Pinball Book of World Records, the world's official book of records. "America
had better watch out because for the first time in more than 20 years, a British player
has stolen a world video game title away from an American. Link
He took the game up again after being away from it for a long time and was easily
able to pick up the skillset after two years of practicing on his home cocktail
table coin operated machine, which is easier to master than the one at his local
pub more than 20 years ago.
When a game is completely reconditioned, and the controls work perfectly, it is
easier to obtain a very high score.
Gary Whelan plays Galaxian on his Coin-Operated Cocktail Game
On August 13, 2004, playing on his own Galaxian machine in his home in Dukinfield,
England, Gary Whelan scored 399,290 points, beating the long-standing world record of
389,770 points set by Perry Rodgers, of San Luis Obispo, California, on May 12, 1983.
Until now, Rodgers' Galaxian score was deemed unbeatable. But recently, many
scores which seemed to be untouchable are coming down with the recent renewal of
interest in this second golden era interest in the classic video games of the
past. The great players are reappearing and beating their own world records from
20 years ago as well as new players who have appeared to show their best skillset
in places like Funspot Arcade, New Hampshire, Ground Kontrol,
Portland, Oregon and Totally Amused in Humble, Texas. Link
A complete report and analysis of Whelan's gameplay has been prepared by Twin Galaxies'
Chief Referee, Robert Mruczek, and can be found at the Mruczek report.
"Whelan's accomplishment is a big deal," says Day. "The second edition of Twin Galaxies'
book of records - due out in early 2006 -- will publish a significant feature on this
accomplishment, making Whelan's feat one of the highlights of the retrogaming section.
Also, Billy Mitchell, considered by many to be the world's most famous video game player,
has commissioned special artwork that commemorates Whelan's achievement (see graphic
medallion honoring Gary Whelan). Mitchell says: "I have created this artwork because
Gary Whelan's world record is one of the most exciting classic gaming events of the
year (2004) - it should inspire a very exciting rivalry between the United Kingdom and
America, not only on Galaxian but on all the other titles, too. It will enrich the
entire classic gaming hobby." Link
Gary Whelan sits near his Galaxian Coin Operated Game
In fact, Mitchell is so impressed with Whelan's breakthrough score on Galaxian that
he has offered a cash bounty of $100 to the first player who can break Whelan's
newly-established world record. "I'll go even further," says Mitchell, "I'll offer
$1,000 to the first player who can reach 1 million points on Galaxian."
In response to Mitchell's offer, Walter Day says: "Billy Mitchell is already recognized
as the classic gaming hobby's biggest benefactor, having pioneered "cash bounties" in
1999, when he published a poster which offered hundreds of thousands of dollars out
of his own pocket to anybody who could break world records on select classic games
from the early 1980s".
Meanwhile, Perry Rodgers, the California player who lost the title to Whelan, is not
sitting idly on the sidelines. When asked if he would take this loss lying down,
Rodgers responded: "Absolutely not. I have plans to get back in shape and take my
title back, especially to win back the title for America." Rodgers is currently
employed as a game producer working at Wild Tangent, an internet game publisher and
developer headquartered in Redmond, Washington, recognized as the interactive game
industry's leading custom-game publisher, serving customers like Nike and Coca Cola.
Whelan is employed as a Service Technician at Océ-UK where he repairs and installs
all sorts of Wide Format Plan Printers. Océ, headquartered in the Netherlands, is
traded on Nasdaq (OCENY), and is recognized as a global leader in digital document
management and delivery solutions.
Marv Pollack, a spokesman at Océ, said "Océ is pleased to have a world record holder
as an employee. We are immensely proud of his skill and accomplishment. We will send
out an internal announcement throughout all our worldwide branches so all Océ employees
can appreciate Whelan's feat."
Whelan says that his wife Tricia and daughter Hayley are "proud as punch" about his
accomplishment. He says: "My wife knows my love for the classic games has been
forever! I have been with her since 1974 and married her in 1980, so she knows all
about my love for the old games. And my daughter, Hayley, has been completely
supportive, too."
An ardent fan of the Manchester City soccer team since age seven, Whelan has played
video games since 1972, starting with Pong. In addition to classic coin-op arcade
games, he still plays his NEO-GEO home system
When asked how much work it was to break this world record, Whelan says: "I have
been playing Galaxian since it arrived at my local pub in 1979. It has always been
my favorite game and I still play 2 hours per night and even more on the weekends."
Whelan doesn't know if other players in the United Kingdom might challenge ancient
records held by Americans. But, he notes, "I came out of nowhere, so maybe other
guys are attempting records as I speak."
In spite of this success in hand, Whelan has no plans to retire from gaming quite
yet. He still wants to lift his Galaxian world record even higher, and, eventually,
go for the world title on other memorable games from the early 1980s, like
Space Invaders, Rally-X and Moon Cresta.
So, arcade fame has finally come to the United Kingdom. And, in a recent email
to Whelan, Billy Mitchell asked: "Are you ready for fame?"
Without blinking an eye, Whelan answered: "Yeah, I'm ready!"
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English Gamer gets recognition for beating the Americans
Press Releases
12/25/2004 World Record on Galaxian Wins Headlines Throughout Europe
Gary Whelan Appears on BBC and in London Sun and Manchester Daily and more Link
by Walter Day
Gary Whelan is a national star in the United Kingdom, appearing in a full page
story in the Manchester Evening News on December 21, followed by two national
papers -- The Sun (half page story) and The Daily Express (full page story)
on the 22nd -- with pictures. Also on the 22nd, the BBC ( British Broadcasting
Corporation ) filmed a TV slot for the 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM news. Also on the 22nd,
Whelan appeared live on two radio interviews: one for The British Services Radio
(worldwide) and the other for the National Radio Station 5 Live .
Next week, Whelan appears on Channel M, a local Manchester news program as well
as in the two local papers next week, the Advertiser and the Tameside Reporter.
Plus dozens of European web sites.
Video game "record score" claim
Mr. Whelan said he would keep playing until he reached 1m points
A man who has spent at least two hours practicing on a vintage video game for
the past 25 years has secured what he says is the highest ever score.
Gary Whelan, of Duckinfield, Greater Manchester, has been playing the
space invaders game, Galaxian, since 1980.
He said he had set a world record of 399,290 points, beating the previous record
held by a Californian.
Mr. Whelan said he would not stop playing until he had reached at least a
million points.
He has always been really interested in video games...
Trish Whelan, Gary's wife
He said: "You've got to put some effort into it and some time into it.
"My marriage is probably the same.
"The worst it's been is if my wife shouts me for my tea. I say 'I'll be down
in a minute', but obviously, if I'm on a good run, I'll keep on going till
my tea's cold."
His understanding wife of 24 years, Trish, said she had not considered divorcing him.
"It's not like I didn't know what I was getting into," she said.
"He has always been really interested in video games.
"At least I know where he is and what he's up to. It's our silver wedding
next years so I'll wait till then and then we'll see."
Gary Whelan will be attending the classic coin-operated video game rivalry,
"London, England (UK) has challenge Paris, France in a challenge to a
"London vs. Paris" contest - billed as "a video game championship to settle a
650-year-old rivalry."
London UK competes against France in 2006
This is British determination vs. French confidence. The hotly contested race to
win the 2006 CGEUK World Retro Gaming Contest came down to an Old World battle
of rival cities separated for centuries by culture and Channel.
Surprise. London won. (Maybe not... It isn't 2006 yet!)
This is our moment," said London bid leader Galaxian Champion.
"It's massive. It's huge. This is the biggest prize in sport."
It will be a victory laced with political significance, with Prime Minister
Tony Blair getting the better of French President Jacques Chirac, over
gaming abilities. (Tongue in cheek with the above statements) Retro Gaming
is done all in fun and it will be delightful to see which team comes out ahead.
The English Video Gaming Proclamation to be signed: (annotated notes below)
London vs. Paris, London Signed Proclamation at CGEUK, August 13, 2005
Paris Recognized the Proclamation on August 15, 2005
A Declaration of Public Gaming Proclamation and Initiative
Whereas, on the fifteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord two
thousand and five, a proclamation was signed between representatives
of England and France to enter a video game challenge issued by the President
of the Referees, Walter Day, Jr. of the United States, containing, among other
things, the following:
A proclamation to the people of the Country of France and recognized by the
U.S. National Video Team and Head Referee of video Games, Walter Day, of the
world famous Twin Galaxies International Scoreboard authorizing Chris & Christine
Milliard of the CGEUK Event to uphold the challenge issued by the English
Video Game Team to the French to settle an 650 year arguement as to who is
the best in the land in video games. The French team is invited to participate
in the world's first International CGEUK Video Gaming Team Event which will
be held in Croyden, England in the summer of 2006.
Twin Galaxies' scorekeepers join CGEUK organizers Chris & Christine Milliard
to lead a contingent of British gamers over to Paris to challenge France to a
"London vs. Paris" contest - billed as "a video game championship to settle a
650-year-old rivalry." This type of event has never happened before, and may
be a way of spreading good will in this friendly tournament.
On Friday, August 12th, at 1:00 PM, the 8-foot tall proclamation, printed on vinyl,
will be unveiled during a CGEUK press conference in Fairfield Hall, in the London
suburb of Croydon. The actual signing of the petition will take place in Fairfield
Hall the next day, Saturday, August 13th, during the course of the one day 2005
Classic Gaming Expo-UK. British Gamers Gamers attending the CGEUK will be
invited to sign this proclamation. This formal public statement gives the French
time to arrange for a retro gaming team to practice in order to play against the
Brit's gaming team at Croyden, England in the 2006 CGEUK event next year.
"The completed proclamation will be hand-delivered to Paris on August 15th,
on the Monday following the CGEUK event. Officials, Walter Day, Chief of Referees
and Billy Mitchell, Perfect Pacman, and his friend Steve Sanders with Twin Galaxies,
the player who was team captain at the 1982 Electronic Circus Video Game
Team Event, will be present for the official signing ceremony. Representatives
from Twin Galaxies' book of world records will join CGEUK's Chris & Christine
Milliard in leading a contingent of players over to France to issue the challenge.
United States Representatives: Walter Day, Billy Mitchell, Doris Self, Brian Kuh,
Shawn Kram, Donald Hayes, Perry Rodgers, Steve Sanders
"The 'London vs. Paris' event will be conducted in a spirit of fun and friendship,"
explains Chris & Christine Milliard, co-founders of the CGEUK. "The difficult years of
past Anglo-Franco conflicts," Chris Milliard says, "are now long behind us and we can
now use the fun and entertaining medium of the video game as a way to create positive
cultural ties between our two nations."
The contest will be conducted on 10 different games representing all eras of video game
history, including maze games from the coin-op arcade era to modern console and PC
titles. The event will be organized by the editorial staff of Twin Galaxies' Official
Video Game & Pinball Book of World Records, the official record book for the worldwide
electronic gaming industry. Link
The contest will be conducted on 10 different games representing all eras of video
game history.
The CGEUK English throw down the gauntlet to the French!
Flyer
London Brit's VS France (2006 Competition)
Classic Gamers Rivalry
Classic Video Game Team contest with the British video game
team to compete against the French video Game team to see
who has the best Retro Classic Gaming Skills in (2006) at
the Croydon, England CGEUK Tournament.
London vs France
The Croydon Proclamation will be signed this August 13, 2005. You'll be able
to take part in gaming history as CGEUK, the Classic Gaming Expo, in signing
a petition to challenge France in a gaming session to finally decide who's the
best.
The petition, described as 'settling a 650 year old rivalry', is 8 feet tall and
anyone attending the CGEUK event on Saturday August 13, 2005 will be invited to
sign it. According to Chris and Christine Millard, co-founders of CGEUK, the petition
will be handed over in the spirit of "fun and friendship, the difficult years of
past Anglo-Franco conflicts, are now long behind us and we can now use the fun and
entertaining medium of the video game as a way to create positive cultural ties
between our two nations."
The petition will be delivered to France on Monday 15th August by a select band
of representatives under a flag of truce, with Walter Day, Twin Galaxies Referee
and many of his entourage including Billy Mitchell, "Perfect Pac man", inviting
members of the French videogame industry to sort themselves out with a team to
take on the English at the next CGEUK in 2006.
Donald Hayes to receive a Medallion Link
Press Releases
11/21/2005 Donald Hayes Gaming Bio-Stats
See Donald Hayes' Gaming Bio-Stats
Donald Hayes - Player-of-the-Year
Donald Hayes was crowned Twin Galaxies' "Player-of-the-Year" and got himself placed
on a commemorative medallion with his Frogger high score, which was created by
the world famous Billy Mitchell. His next goal is to go after the near impossible
score of 863,050 of George Costanza's of Seinfeld Link
Donald Hayes has had a great year, winning the first classic gaming championship
in the United Kingdom as well as attaining a "perfect" score on Pac-Man.
His career is quite extensive. check out his bio-stats to see why he was selected
Twin Galaxies' classic "Player-of-the-Year." Link
Donald Hayes, High Score Certificate, Pacman -
and Winner of European Championship Event
Donald Hayes
Donald Hayes in London, England at Competition
Flyer
British vs. Americans Croyden, England Tournament (August 13, 2005)
Donald Hayes - Winner, "European Championship"
Donald Hayes, from Windham, New Hampshire, USA won the "European Championship"
held in London at the 2005 Classic Gaming Expo - UK, August 13, 2005
Donald Hayes won player of the year at the CGEUK event at Croydon, London,
England, and he holds the most prestigious High scores possible, including
the recent perfect pacman which only four others in the world have done. Link
Donald Hayes Designated Gamer of the Year for 2004-2005 by officials at
Twin Galaxies for all of his major accomplishments in these current years
and for supremacy on the most sought after coin-operated video game titles.
Career Statistics:
Donald Hayes' Stats
Medallion given to Donald Hayes for his Frogger Achievement in 2005: 9/24/2005
Frogger World Champion with a high score of 589,350 Points at Windham, NH
United States, achieved on Friday, March 25, 2005, beating Mark Robichek's
1982 Frogger long standing High Score of 442,330 accomplished on August 30, 1982
at the arcade, Phil's Game Center, in Lakewood, CA.
Read the Frogger Score Take Down Story of Donald Hayes competing against Mark Robichek Link
Awards and Ceremonies for High Achievement and Accomplishments
Donald Hayes Player of the Year Poster Commissioned in 2005: 9/24/2005
Donald Hayes Player of the Year Poster in recognition of his achievement Link
Donald Hayes to receive a Medallion for his many accomplishments including
the Frogger World Record and for being the 1985 Player of the Year
Donald Hayes Achievements
Donald Hayes, a programmer from New Hampshire, holds world records on many titles,
including Domino Man, Tron, Centipede, Super Zaxxon and Dig Dug. Hayes was Funspot's
Player of the Year for 2003. He was able made player of the Year in 2005 for his
overall accomplishments throughout his career including the recent Frogger world
record.
Medallion Received: 9/24/2005 for Frogger World Record and Player of the Year
atonement in 2005 as well as the many other classic
coin operated video game world records achieved
in a very short time period of 2000-2005.
Poster Received: 9/30/2005: Player of the Year 2005 poster created for
Player of the Year Donald Hayes for his many achievement. Link
Centipede
Centipede World Record
Donald Hayes: Poster for Centipede Donald Hayes attempts to break the existing
Poster for Centipede(Year 2000) Centipede World record on October 1, 2000.
Centipede update: Donald Hayes gets a World
Record on Link
A new Centipede world record of 7,111,111 was made by
Donald Hayes of Windham, NH United States on Sunday,
November 05, 2000. This was a harrowing nine-hour
marathon session Link
Tron
Tron World Record
News: 2/13/2002
Donald Hayes - Tron Record
Note: Donald Hayes Tron Record was recently beat by David Cruz from Florida who
scored over 6.7 million on Tron, eclipsing my record from Funspot 2001. Link
Tron: David Cruz: June 29th, 2005, after playing for an eye-popping 12-1/2 hours
on this potentially marathonable title, deemed as such by TG due to the limited
number of awarded lives (start of 3 plus 1 extra), David cranked out a final
score of 6,768,288 points, shattering the previous world record of more than
4.5 million points held by Donald Hayes these past few years.
Tron has seen some interesting turn of events in the past Link
Dig Dug
Dig Dug World Record
News: 10/27/2003
Dig Dug Record Link
Donald Scores 4.39 Million Dig-Dug Points
10/28/03 News Report:
Donald Hayes, Dig Dug - Twin Galaxies' Walter Day was excited to proclaim that
Donald Hayes of Windham, NH achieved the all-time high score in Dig-Dug of 4,388,528
(exceeding the previous mark of 4,211,920 achieved by Dwayne Richard). FI can hear
the Dig-Dug theme ringing through our heads at this very moment. The Dig-Dug
achievement joins Hayes' four other high-scores, making him the (current) best
player in the world at Centipede, Dig-Dug, Domino Man, Super Zaxxon and Tron.
Donald Hayes becomes the first player in classic gaming history to match Billy Mitchell's
feat of holding five major titles simultaneously. Billy Mitchell was recognized in the
Guinness book back in 1983 as the world record holder on Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man,
Centipede, Burgertime and Donkey Kong. Donald Hayes has now pulled down five big ones,
too: Tron, Centipede, Dig Dug, Domino Man and Super Zaxxon. Note: Billy Mitchell
only has one world record standing today as a first place but he is planning on
doing something big with video games that will surprise everybody. Stats
News: 1/28/2003 Donald Hayes takes Super Zaxxon World Record Link
Donald Hayes of New Hampshire beat the long standing 20-year-old record of 339,750 points,
done way back on July 25, 1983 by Greg McLeod of Halifax, Nova Scotia according to
Walter Day, Chief Scorekeeper at Twin Galaxies. Super Zaxxon, is considered by some
to be one of the top ten hardest games of all time. Donald Hayes got a Super Zaxxon
high score of 496,950 on January 19, 2003.
Donald Hayes did one up his own world record on Super Zaxxon with a new world record
of a score of 622,000 on February 19, 2005. Stats
Millipede
Millipede World Record
News: 2/12/2005 Donald Hayes Captures 7th Classic Title Link
Millipede Record
December 26th, 2004 Donald Hayes beat the previous Millipede world record
high score of 6,995,962 done by James Schneider done way back on November 21, 1983.
After 7 hours and 50 minutes Donald Hayes walked away with a final Millipede
world record score of 10,627,331 points. Link
News: 1/22/2000
Donald Hayes - Centipede World Record Link
News: 8/28/2005 Donald Hayes is Player of the Year for 2005. Link
Donald Hayes Coin-Operated "Perfect" Pac-Man high score of 3,333,360 and
"European Championship" are his latest achievements. Donald Hayes won the
recent "European Championship" held in London at the 2005 Classic Gaming Expo - UK.
Note: The CGEUK 2006 UK Show has been cancelled. Chris Millard (CGEUK Admin) Link
Domino man
Domino Man World Record
News: 8/6/2003 - Donald Hayes Beats Domino Man - Winning 4th Major Title
Donald Hayes - Domino Man World Record Link
Donald Hayes has just beaten the 19 year old record on the 1983 Bally/Midway title
"Domino Man" with a score of 1,040,866 points. He established the new world record
at the Famous Classics Arcade, Funspot family entertainment center in Weirs Beach,
New Hampshire. Donald Hayes beat the classic high score which was originally
made on September 4th of 1983, by a famous coin-operated video game player from
the golden age, Jeff Peters, who hails from California with the long standing
score of 757,063 points. Donald Hayes is a modern era player who continues to
decimate the old age classic video game high scores which haven't been challenged
seriously for about 20 years or more.
Jeff Peters - loses "Domino Man" title to Donald Hayes
Jeff Peters was the previous world record holder of "Domino Man",
from 9/4/83 until Donald Hayes stepped into the arena to break
over one million points in 2002 at the famous Funspot Arcade
in Weirs Beafh, New Hamphire.
Centipede
Centipede World Record
Donald Hayes - Centipede World Champion
Donald Hayes goes by the high score screen initials DBH, to make his mark for
his winning scores. He is another 1980's player who is making all the high scores
of late, with a birth date of December 11, 1965. From Salem, NH. USA. It was
the era of Generation X with the 1980's being the golden arcade age of video games,
before the home entertainment systems put most of the arcades out of business.
Donald Hayes has had some great results starting in the year 2000 with a Centipede
World Record and he is still on a hot streak today.
The contest results for 2001 were a second place in the Funspot Classic Videogame
World Championships and in 2002 Donald Hayes came in second place again.
It was not until the 2003 year that he won the Classic Videogame World Championships.
in the color challenge, and he also won the Player of the Year in 2003; along with
a second place in the monochrome challenge.
Player of the Year (2005)
Donald Hayes, Player of the Year for 2005
In 2005 Donald Hayes got "player of the year 2005" for winning the European Challenge in
the UK and for his two recent world records in Frogger and Super Zaxxon.
In recent news, Donald has won himself a Medallion in 2005 for all of his above
outstanding achievements which puts him above the rest of the pack of
classic video game players. He is the second person ever to receive a
Billy Mitchell Medallion for his achievements, with Gary Whelan being the
first to receive a Billy Mitchell Medallion. Link
Donald Hayes world records include Berzerk (slow bullets), Centipede (TGTS),
Dig Dug (TGTS), Domino Man, Frogger, Millipede, Space Invaders, Super Cobra,
Super Zaxxon, The Glob and Tron.
Other players have also been congratulated by having Medallions created for
them: Link
Lets take a look at the Medallions made so far to promote excellence in the
video game field!
Galaxian
Gary Whelan's Galaxian World Record Medallion Information
Medallion #001: Gary Whelan - Galaxian Champion Link
Gary Whelan - UK Gamer Beats American Perry Rogers in Galaxian
Where: Dukinfield, U.K., November 24, 2004
How Many: Prototype copies, not-numbered.
Distributed: Yes, via Twin Galaxies' CafePress online store.
Who Has #1: First Medallion
Availability: Yes, CafePress.com Store
Designer: Shepley Hansen, Fairfield, IA
Commissioned by: Billy Mitchell
Gary Whelan has the recognition of having the first Medallion (#001)
of now 15 superstar players medallions produced and offered at Cafepress.
The Medallion numbering system commissioned by Billy Mitchell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Players in order of Medallion:
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Galaxian World Champion - Gary Whelan
Medallion #001: Gary Whelan - Galaxian Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Where: Dukinfield, U.K., November 24, 2004, High Score: 399,290;
Date: August 13, 2004, Dukinifield, England, UK
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frogger World Champion - Donald Hayes
Medallion #002: Donald Hayes - Frogger Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Where: Windham, NH., September 24, 2005, High Score: 589,350; Date: March 25, 2005,
Funspot Fun Center, Weir Beach, NH, USA
Mark Robichek - Has been defeated by Donald Hayes on Frogger
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Robotron World Champion - Abdner Ashman
Robotron - Abdner Ashman continues to make higher world record scores
Medallion #003: Abdner Ashman - Robotron Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Where: Windham, NH., September 24, 2005, High Score: 893,850; Date: June 2, 2003,
Funspot Fun Center, Weir Beach, NH, USA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joust 2 - Survival of the Fittest World Champion - Dwayne Richard
Medallion #004 Dwayne Richard - Joust 2 Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Where: Grand Prairie, AB, Canada, October 15, 2005, High Score: 2,655,600;
Date: June 16, 2005 Funspot Fun Center, Weir Beach, NH, USA
Dwayne Richard Background Video Game History Link
Dwayne Richard at California Extreme, San Jose, CA. USA in 2004
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joust
The original Joust high score by James Vollandt still stands as being the
longest played game in an Iron Man Contest of 67 1/2 hours.
James Volandt - Joust (Marathon World Record Holder)
James Volandt - Longest play time of a title done at the
Iron Man contest in Canada in 1985 at the Iron Man's Contest
at Johnny Zee's Arcade. 67 1/2 hours.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Super Pac-Man World Champion - Rick Fothergill
Rick Fothergill - Super Pac-man Champion
Medallion #005 Rick Fothergill – Super Pac-man Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Where: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, October 15, 2005, High Score: 1,045,000;
High Score Date: February 2, 2005, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
The famous Billy Mitchell counts several Canadian classic gamers among his friends
and rivals: Hamilton's Rick Fothergill, known as Captain Canada for the Canadian cape
he wears, and Dwayne Richard of Grande Prairie, Alta.
Rick Fothergill Pacman Article Link
Rick Fothergill Funspot Ms. Pacman Article Link
Rick Fothergill High Scores Link
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gorf World Champion - Todd Rogers
Medallion #006: Todd Rogers - Gorf Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Todd Rogers - 1982 Gorf undefeated Champion
Where: Brooksville, FL, October 15, 2005, High Score: 653,990;
High Score Date: November 24, 1982, Burbank, IL, USA
Todd Rogers High Scores Link
Todd Rogers, his start in video games Link
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Mr. Do! World Champion - Tom Duncan
Medallion #007: Tom Duncan – Mr. Do! Colecovision Coin-Operated Video
Game World Champion
Where: New Castle, IN, October 15, 2005, High Score: 5,070,630;
High Score Date: October 2, 2004, New Castle, IN, USA
Tom Duncan - Mr. Do!
Tom Duncan has over 1000 World Records in Home/Arcade Formats Link
Tom Duncan, the Ty Cobb of Gaming Link
Tom Duncan High Scores Link
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Galaga World Champion - Steve Krogman
Steve Krogman - Galaga Champion
Medallion #008: Steve Krogman - Galaga Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Where: Boca Raton, FL, November 12, 2005, High Score: 15,999,990;
High Score Date: July 11, 2004, Boca Raton, FL, USA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tapper World Champion - Greg Erway
Greg Erway, Tapper
Greg Erway did lose his Tapper world record to Kelly Tharp. Link
On December 4, 2005 at the Humble, Texas Superstars Reunion, Kelly Tharp of
Sellersburg, Indiana played 18 hours to grab the Tapper world title.
Medallion #010: Greg Erway - Tapper TGTS Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Where: Rochester, NY, October 15, 2005, High Score: 3,162,125;
High Score Date: June 5, 2005, Funspot Fun Center, Weir Beach, NH, USA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carnival World Champion - Fred Pastore
Fred Pastroe - Carnival World Champion
Medallion #011: Fred Pastore - Carnival Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Where: Medford, MA., October 15, 2005, High Score: 386,750;
High Score Date: June 12, 2001, Funspot Fun Center, Weir Beach, NH, USA
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Spectar World Champion - David Nelson
David Nelson - World Champion on Spectar
Medallion #012: David Nelson - Spectar Coin-Operated Game World Champion
Where: Derry, NH, USA October 15, 2005, High Score: 80,990;
High Score Date: April 20, 2004, Funspot Fun Center, Weir Beach, NH, USA
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Shootin Gallery World Champion - Troy Whelan
Medallion #015: Troy Whelan – Shootin Gallery – Atari 2600 Home System -
World Champion
Where: Mechanicsville, VA, November 21, 2005, High Score: 253,900;
High Score Date: August 22, 2003, Funspot Fun Center, Mechanicsville, VA, USA
Troy Whelan High Scores Link
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Above are the first 15 Medallions made except for #9 and #13 and #14.
I wonder who will take the spot of #13 and #14 of Superstar Gamers and why have
they not been announced yet? I am sure we will find out later.
Video Game Memorabilia Billy Mitchell Article:
Billy Mitchell Creates More Memorabilia to Document Video Game and Pinball History
Honoring Superstars: Poster #66: Link
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November 12, 2005: Honoring Superstars: Poster #66:
Billy Mitchell honors more superstar gamers with Medallions: Link
It is interesting to wait and see who will be on the next numbered medallion
for excellent gaming?
Thank you,
Paul Dean
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Medallion #001: Gary Whelan - Galaxian Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Medallion #002: Donald Hayes - Frogger Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Medallion #003: Abdner Ashman - Robotron Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Medallion #004 Dwayne Richard - Joust 2 Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Medallion #005 Rick Fothergill – Super Pac-man Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Medallion #006: Todd Rogers - Gorf Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Medallion #007: Tom Duncan – Mr. Do! Colecovision Coin-Operated Video
Medallion #008: Steve Krogman - Galaga Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Medallion #010: Greg Erway - Tapper TGTS Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Medallion #011: Fred Pastore - Carnival Coin-Operated Video Game World Champion
Medallion #012: David Nelson - Spectar Coin-Operated Game World Champion
Where: Derry, HH, October 15, 2005, High Score: 80,990;
Medallion #015: Troy Whelan – Shootin Gallery – Atari 2600 Home System -
World Champion
Above are the first 15 Medallions made except for #9 and #13 and #14.
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