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Twin Galaxies relaunches, drops fee requirement for score submissions
Long-running video game record-keeping site Twin Galaxies has overhauled its score submission guidelines, removing a controversial fee requirement in an effort to make the community more accessible to fans of classic arcade gaming. The decision follows up on the recent appointment of gaming veteran Jace Hall as the organization's Head Custodian and Caretaker. Twin Galaxies previously instituted steep submission fees in the wake of a months-long period of inactivity, demanding that record-seekers pay the organization $25 for a single score application and verification. Refunds will be issued to paying applicants, and the organization will resume normal operation upon the launch of a redesigned website. Twin Galaxies and its previous owner Walter Day played key roles in the 2007 documentary film The King of Kong, verifying submitted scores for the hotly contested Donkey Kong world record. [Image: Twin Galaxies]
Walter Day retires from Twin Galaxies, gaming hall of fame to be opened
Open up that 40 oz. of Bawls and pour one out for Walter Day, who just this past week announced his intentions to retire as head of the gaming world's official scorekeepers, Twin Galaxies. In an interview conducted by TG's Josh Houslander, the regularly pinstripe-clad referee and musician took the time to not only spell out his future plans (he's focusing on his music), but also detail the upcoming inauguration of the International Video Game Hall of Fame and Museum in Ottumwa, Iowa (a town in Iowa that's vying for the title you see above). "I like to dream big and shoot for the stars, and that's what I'm doing now," Day says in the lengthy video interview (found in full after the break). He says that he'll be on hand for the inaugural ceremonies on August 5 - 8, but in the future, Day will be little more than an attendee at various Twin Galaxies events. Everyone here at Joystiq would like to wish Day the best in his future endeavors. [Via GameSetWatch]
Stride Gum ponying up 40,004 quarters for a Wiebe win
We've known for a good while now that Billy Mitchell's arch enemy, Steve Wiebe (our hero!), would be competing for another Donkey Kong world record at E3. What we didn't know was that Stride Gum would be investing $10,001 in quarters -- and a year's supply of "the world's longest lasting gum" -- if the star of King of Kong can accomplish the task.The official statement from Stride says, "Reward will be paid provided Wiebe successfully beats Billy Mitchell's current record of 1,050,200 during a single game of Donkey Kong at E3 2009." We'll be there, cheering him on and giving Walter Day high fives in the background. If we see a kill screen, we'll be sure to tell everyone that we possibly can within the immediate vicinity. Would you expect any less?
Video game documentary premiering at Sundance
A documentary detailing the 1982 World Video Game Championships will be hitting the screens at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. It's called Chasing Ghosts or Rulers of the Galaxy depending on which source you read (Variety calls it Chasing Ghosts, but the Sundance site calls it Rulers of the Galaxy. They probably had to change the title since a film called Chasing Ghosts was released last year starring Michael Madsen) and is directed by Lincoln Ruchti ... perfect for an Xbox Live Marketplace download, right?The movie focuses on the championships held at the Twin Galaxies Arcade in Ottumwa, Iowa, which was declared the "Video Game Capital of the World" in 1982 by the mayor of Ottumwa, and then later made official by the governor at a special ceremony in 1983. So, if you've been wondering where the capital is, now you know. Start planning your trip now. It also stars top video gamers like Billy Mitchell and Darren Olsen, and contains plenty of retro-gaming action.Twin Galaxies opened in 1981 after founder Walter Day toured over 100 arcades in four months, recording high scores on all the video games, and then brought them to his arcade as the "Twin Galaxies National Scoreboard." Although the arcade closed down in 1984 (wow, video game capital of the world doesn't hold much staying power, does it?) they still track high scores. Check out their Official Video Game & Pinball Book of World Records published in 1997. In today's day and age they live on the web, where you can search to your heart's content on their site. For instance, we just found out that Donald Hayes set the current official high score of 589,350 for Frogger in 2005. Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.We'll be checking the flick out at Sundance and talking to cast & crew, so look for that in January.
