RCorcoran

I have hard copies of all 7 "Activisions" newsletters if your interested. I can get them scanned and either post them here (with Al's consent) or on my own site.

Albert: Have you landed on whether or not you're going to do this? If so, by when do you need our info?

I'll ask Todd to drop by and post his comments to this thread. I actually talked to him about Skiing last night as it is a game in the 2600 Time Based Deca. Let's just say I have some room for improvement.

Ruffin: How about a Win version that is as pretty as your Mac version?

Absolutely. Todd has agreed that he will play on all three of his carts and whatever, 3rd party cart is presented at CGE and we will videotape the effort. I certainly hope he can reproduce this time (as I'm sure he does).

I think everyone here at AtariAge is truly exceptional. Perhaps my view is a bit skewed due to the fact that we all love Atari. No matter. Except for a stray comment or two, everyone has been great. This is a class act community and I tip my hat to Albert & Alex and the rest of my fellow Atarians. I am very proud to count myself as one of you.

Actually, you're right on the money about the technique. As for Todd laughing at you, highly doubtful.

Way to go Chad! As a fan of Cosmic Ark, I look forward to seeing your creation.

Not a problem. If I can walk away with the tape (or a copy), I will make sure you get a copy delivered ASAP. If there is in fact a "trick" that allows Todd to go faster than anyone else, I will be the first to disallow it as the Atari Editor. It's not forbidden, for Todd to explain his technique. It is, in my opinion, a breach of etiquette for me or anyone else to do so. Again, that's just my opinion. I have no problem what-so-ever in sharing this video as Todd has already given his blessing.

I got my copy (autographed) from HSW when he had a booth at CGE'99... I too want to see this series finished as they are great tapes. Although the Tarot card thing is a bit odd.

I have no problem with this at all. In fact, Al, you want to bring a cart? I know Joe or John (DP) usually bring carts for people to use...

I spoke with Todd at great length last night. He has agreed to bring all 3 variations of Barnstorming he owns to CGE and play a game on each cart. We will record all three games and capture all the necessary metadata for each.

Right on! I too started playing videogames around 75-76 so I know where you're coming from. It does get absurd from time to time...

Yep, a clear case of momentary blindness... Thanks Lemmi

April: Can you put the link back on Todd's front page? Or am I just blind? I would like to see what was written as we had a 5.5 hr. power outtage last night...

Well, there are those who feel that, qualified or not, the word of a TG official is not sufficient evidence. Therefore, I will not allow the 32.50. Reason, simple... I'm tired of this and want to move on to the next controversy... Very interesting points... I may have to pay *special* attention if you submit scores. I don't think I could have stated that any more eloquently... What all this boils down to is really quite simple. Billy Mitchell made the statement that ALL games must be videotaped to be considered real. While that statement does have some merit in certain circumstances, I do not subscribe to it 100%. For the past 3 years I have run live events at CGE, with hundreds of players on many different platforms (and coin-ops). Neither I or TG can afford to videotape each and every performance. There simply isn't enough time or money to do this at these types of events. Walter has run live events across North America for over 20 years, and has rarely videotaped those events. He captures the scores manually that are witnessed by himself and TG refs. Should we now invalidate all scores in the dBase or book that have no videotape evidence? If so, that would remove roughly 99% of what Walter and many others have worked for over the past 20 years. Just my $0.02

To some degree I agree, but it could not and would not hurt to have a physical record of some kind, those 3 guys won't live forever you know (I don't think). Wait a minute! You mean I CAN'T live forever?! Damn! I was hoping to play Atari games well past the time the sun explodes...

"While I do not feel that Ron's resolve of the situation was either apologetic with regards to some of his comments nor done with a "smile on his face", it is very fair and just of TG, which is all that is required or could be asked." Thank you Jeff. I merely stated the facts as I had them. I am more than willing to admit a mistake or correct an injustice. I have no ego to bruise... In all things in life, I try to be fair to the best of my ability. Very rarely do I let emotion get in the way. That's not to say I'm not passionate about things, but I try not to let that cloud the issue.

As I stated previously, the record I have from Todd that is verified on tape is 32.77. This is the score that will be put into the database once I have an opportunity to speak to Todd about everything that has transpired. The 32.50 at CGE last year was performed, but not taped, therefore it cannot stand until reproduced on tape or .avi. Hence, the 32.77 stands (for now).

Awesome Al. I'll make sure everything is setup and ready for ya.

The 32.77 is on videotape. The 32.04 came directly from Activision. The 32.50 was only witnessed by myself, Brien King and Steve Knox at CGE last year. We didn't take a pic or videotape the performance.

Now if only Cox in Phoenix, AZ would add it... I'd love to see Starcade again. Neat show back in the day.

I have Atari Revival Warlords and it isn't all that bad. Yes, it is clearly aimed directly at modern, younger gamers, but being an old fart, I think it's still fun. Why? I was a Warlords die-hard way back when...

I don't know if we'll have a video camera there or not, but I am going to have this done in full view of the gaming public. I am also going to ask Albert to come to the booth and watch so you will have a known, trusted, 3rd party perspective.

O.K., a couple of comments, then the meat of this posting... As a sidebar, for those of you who are not familiar with Todd, he appeared several times in Activisions, the Activision high score newsletter that was published from from the Fall 1981 to Fall 1983. The Spring 1983 (Vol. 6, pg. 5) issue contains a score of 32.74 for Barnstorming by Todd Rogers. I also have in my possession a letter from Jan Marsella, the Director of Customer Relations at Activision, dated 15 Feb 1986 showing a best time on Barnstorming of 32.74. However, in a letter from Denise L. Steele, Director of Marketing Communications at Activision, dated 3 Jul 1986, they, Activision, show Todd achieving a score on Barnstorming of 32.04. Yes, all of these are on Activision letterhead. It looks like they may have made a typo. After looking through the archives, I was unable to find any "solid" evidence (photo or videotape) to this score. So, without photographic or videotape evidence, and after speaking with Todd last night regarding all of the "happenings" on this forum and the fact I was unable to find in the TG archives the videotape or photographic evidence of the 32.04 score, I have decided to enact the Twin Galaxies Challenge Rule since two (2) of the challengers are "...a contender on the same game in question." Here is the rule if you wish to review the process for yourself: http://www.twingalaxies.com/Rules8.html What I have done is asked Todd to play in a public forum, CGE, to try and re-create his time of 32.04. If he cannot, his 32.04 will be removed from the Twin Galaxies scoreboard and replaced with 32.50, which he did score at last years CGE in front of 3 TG judges (myself, Steve Knox & Brien King) as well as the general public. I hope this helps. I know it's been painful, but I too want to know the truth. If Twin Galaxies has posted a score in error, then it MUST be fixed to preserve the integrity of the scoreboard.