Twin Galaxies Presents - Man Vs. Snake: The Long And Twisted Tale of Nibbler

It is not in limbo anymore!

It's never been in limbo. Time and money have a lot to do with everything. Most everyone associated with this documentary, have real lives, and real jobs outside of gaming.

If anyone has a reason to complain about the time, it's me. And I'm OK with it. This started in November 2007. It started as a short doc, to chronicle the first billion point game in 1984. It's changed into so much more over the course of the filming.

Tons of footage to go thru, to decide what's best to tell the story.

If Tim and Andy need more time to get it right, I hope they take it. I told them that a long time ago. I'd rather have the best quality results, that a quickly rushed together butcher job in editing just to get it done. These guys are professionals. These guys are perfectionists. I have complete faith in their ability to get it right, and create an end product we will all be able to enjoy.

A big thank you to Jace Hall and the entire Twin Galaxies organization for backing this, and supporting Tim and Andy. They are great guys.

Looking forward to the finished product.

Sorry Dwayne, I luv you man! But I want to see if they manage to work in the footage where they made you cry. That sh*t was for real. Good interviewing there.

Hec

Fun, had never seen that version of the trailer before.
And it raises an interesting post-documentary question which was never brought up to Andy-Tim during the filming that I'm aware of:

Why wasn't Tom allowed to restart his game and make a cumulative score to 1 billion? Was that part of the "gentleman's ruleset" per Rockola providing the machine to TG arcade for the Rockola sponsored contest?

Here is historical context:
As early as Aug. 1982 TG allowed cumulative scoring as seen in Eric Ginner's Robo run for the California Challenges North Carolina event on Aug 27-30, 1982. Score still in TG scoreboard.

and the cumulative scoring was still in effect through Aug. 1983 for the Video Game Masters challenge as seen at this link below, with the exact verbiage pasted, too.

So it is curious that Tom didn't just pick up and roll with the game?

--------------
The full 1982-1983 Twin Galaxies International Scoreboard- Official Video Game Playing Rules are found at http://www.videoparadise-sanjose.com/tg-rules.htm
Just the section pertaining to cumulative scoring is listed below:
4. MALFUNCTIONS DURING MARATHON PLAY
4.1 The real test of a marathon is endurance over time. Therefore, the main point is how long the player can last before succumbing to fatigue or losing their last Man. So, even though a machine might turn off and wipe out a score, the player is allowed to start again immediately. Machines do not have the en- (sentence ends abruptly…)
4.2 The previous score reached before the malfunction is added onto the new score registering on the machine. To insure that the old score was recorded accurately, the witnesses are required to watch the game closely and log the score regularly. For example, if a marathon machine blanked out five times during the performance, the final score would be attained by adding the five recorded scores together. All players will agree that accuracy is of the utmost importance.
4.3 If a marathon machine goes out of order for more than forty-five minutes and no replacement machine is available, the marathon is over due to technical default. The reason for this is that the player is receiving a bonus rest period that rival marathoners never enjoyed.
4.4 If there are unusual circumstances, however, call the International Scoreboard immediately for advice. Meanwhile, keep playing, if possible, until a decision is made.
4.5 A player may restart immediately if the machine blanks out for any technical reason or accident. The game room management should take precautionary measures to insure that there is no interference from friends, foes, or spectators.

and here is a Rockola interview that has some more specifics-
http://allincolorforaquarter.blogspo...es-part-3.html

Soon after its introduction, gamers all over the country were playing the game in hopes of being the first to reach the magical number and win nationwide acclaim. Attention soon turned to Ottumwa, Iowa’s famed Twin Galaxies arcade where a teen named Tom Asaki had become the favorite. Asaki was already well-known in the gaming community, having been part of the three man "Bozeman Think Tank" that developed the Ms. Pac-Man grouping strategy back in 1982.
. As Asaki mounted his assault national wire services began reporting on his quest. Rock-Ola responded by offering a free Nibbler machine to the person who first reached the magic number. Asaki never made it – failing in four well-publicized attempts. In the first, he scored 838 million points in forty hours before losing his last man. The next try ended after 707 million points when Tom exceeded the “limit” of 127 free men. The machine would eliminate all of your free men if you reached 128 and knowing exactly how many men you had was crucial. The free man limit did provide marathon players with a measure of relief since they could leave the game when they accumulated 127 men and take a break while snake after snake died (which took enough time for the player to take a crucial bio-break). Asaki's third game ended when the game’s joystick broke after 793 million points. The final attempt proved something of an anti-climax when the game broke after just 120 million points. Meanwhile, another Twin Galaxies regular was mounting a challenge of his own.

Where's Rick Carter in this story, or have I missed something?

Rick and Elijah were interviewed, too. Tim-Andy did their homework.

Rick and Elijah were interviewed, too. Tim-Andy did their homework.

Oh right

It's never been in limbo. Time and money have a lot to do with everything. Most everyone associated with this documentary, have real lives, and real jobs outside of gaming.

If anyone has a reason to complain about the time, it's me. And I'm OK with it. This started in November 2007. It started as a short doc, to chronicle the first billion point game in 1984. It's changed into so much more over the course of the filming.

Tons of footage to go thru, to decide what's best to tell the story.

If Tim and Andy need more time to get it right, I hope they take it. I told them that a long time ago. I'd rather have the best quality results, that a quickly rushed together butcher job in editing just to get it done. These guys are professionals. These guys are perfectionists. I have complete faith in their ability to get it right, and create an end product we will all be able to enjoy.

A big thank you to Jace Hall and the entire Twin Galaxies organization for backing this, and supporting Tim and Andy. They are great guys.

Looking forward to the finished product.

Tim we have seen this movie a few times and it is a fantastic film. We love everyone in it and especially you! The whole thing is so amazing. We are excited about helping this film be seen. We are going to do what we can!

Where's Rick Carter in this story, or have I missed something?

This started in 2007. As a doc covering the original score in 1984. It originally was set to end when they filmed me receiving my World Record Certificate for the 1984 score from Walter Day at the VGS (Video Game Summit) in Chicago in 2008 It has turned into something else entirely. I don't know how the story ends honestly. I'm hoping for when I took the score back on Christmas in 2011. Sort of the story book ending... I personally refuse to do another marathon until the doc is released. We just keep adding and adding... and eventually there has to be an ending.

There's no grand conspiracy to keep anyone out. I told Tim and Andy about Rick. I sent the link of his stream when he played. I did the same for Elijah. I'm the one that told them about Dwayne. I told them about the Enrico Zanetti score. I told them about Tom Asaki. However it turns out, realize at some point it has to end... This October will be 8 years already. I've been waiting around three now to take it back. I've personally told Dwayne, Rick, and Elijah if they ever need a place to play, my living room is open. I'll offer as much support as I possibly can.

I'm getting to the point now, where I'm not sure if I'll do another marathon. It's been a while. It was never about keeping the score for eternity. It wasn't about the highest score... Check out the Gigawings score. It was always about being first. That was me. I'm happy doing what I'm doing now. PC gaming has gotten me back to where I honestly enjoy gaming again. All the bickering and stuff over scores and everything that goes with it, got pretty stale. I closed Facebook over one certain individual...I got tired of arguing about games...and would rather be playing them.

And in regards to the score here on TG. Rick and Elijah never submitted that I am aware of.

Anyways...I sort of got off topic there... I tend to so that now and then. Having a World Record is nice. I appreciate what Jace and crew are trying to do here. For me...I work 6 days a week, and have now for the past 4 years, with no end in sight. No time for the drama, no desire for the arguing. My free time is brief, and precious to me. I'd rather enjoy it with my wife, my family, and my friends, and playing games, not arguing about them. If you aren't having fun...you're doing it wrong.

Anyways enough of this, have fun... go play some games.

P.S. I believe Rick Carter and Richie Knuckles were both interviewed after Rick took the score the first time. I don't know if that made the cut, or extras, or whatever...

Tim we have seen this movie a few times and it is a fantastic film. We love everyone in it and especially you! The whole thing is so amazing. We are excited about helping this film be seen. We are going to do what we can!

A few times? Must not be bad then. :)

If you aren't having fun...you're doing it wrong.

Anyways enough of this, have fun... go play some games.

Great sentiment. :)

Rick and Elijah's Nibbler scores really should be in TG's database.