Bruce Glick 48-Hours of Asteroids

Posted on February 04, 2013

Links:
http://twitch.tv/bruceasteroids
[UPDATE] We’ve gotten word that the on-site Internet connection may be spotty, but check back though out the weekend. Search for Bruce Glick Asteroids on Twitch. We’ll post a direct link once we know it.

[UPDATE 2] The direct link is http://twitch.tv/bruceasteroids.

www.mamason39.com
mckennaclairefoundation.org

Exclusive interview with Bruce Glick before this event
@Bruce_Glick on Twitter

Bruce Glick Prepares for 48-Hours of Asteroids

Posted on January 17, 2013

On Friday, February 8, 2013, at 7:00 pm PST, Bruce Glick begins his uninterrupted 48-hour session of Atari Asteroids at Mama’s on 39 in Huntington Beach, California, also streaming live on Twitch.

Glick is working up to a world-record attempt. He’s got his eye on John McAllister’s 2010 high score of 41,838,740, although beating it won’t be an easy feat. Before that, Asteroids was the longest-standing unbeaten arcade game record, set in 1982 by Scott Safran.

But Glick isn’t just doing this for personal glory. He’s doing it for the kids. We spoke with him to find out more.

Atari Asteroids: How did you first come up with the idea for this marathon session?

Bruce Glick: I guess it was just a natural progression. I needed to do something in a live setting and I want the experience before I make the attempt at the record.

AA: Why is a live setting important?

BG: It’s the way Scott Safran did it back in the day, and that’s how it should be done now. Too many people are doing these exclusively on the internet. Takes the coolness out of it. Plus there’s way more pressure.

AA: Last year, you completed a 36-hour-straight session where you scored 18,000,000. What was that like?

BG: It was awesome! Never attempted anything like this before. All my neighbors and some friends came over at different intervals to watch and cheer me on.

AA: How have you been preparing for this upcoming 48-hour session?

BG: My actual game play is sporadic due to my heavy work load. When I do play it’s more for an hour or two at a time, working on technique and reflex. My real training has come in the form of exercise for physical health. I felt this was extremely important for me. I was definitely overweight and not in the best shape. I am proud to say since October 30th I’ve lost 40 lbs and exercise regularly.

AA: I hear you’ve gotten involved with the McKenna Claire Foundation for this event.

BG: The McKenna Claire Foundation raises money for pediatric brain cancer research. I figured if I’m going to do something that’s going to attract attention and people will be watching, then I might as well make it worth-while. They have made a huge impact in our town, and it’s for a great cause.

I met with Dave and Kristine Wetzel [the foundation’s Co-Founders and McKenna’s parents], and they were nice enough to give my wife and me a jacket with the MCF logo on it. I will be wearing it in the morning during my runs. It is very inspiring to me.

AA: It sounds like kids’ health is very important to you.

BG: Yes, it’s the future of our country. “The Biggest Loser” has really touched on the subject this season. The fact that video games are being blamed for a large portion of the epidemic doesn’t sit well with me. I know it defiantly plays a part in it.

I want to show kids that doing something like a 48-hour marathon actually takes physical training and good health to achieve. Kids shouldn’t spend countless hours gaming. Even when I was a kid and we had our Atari 2600 and our local arcade we still rode bikes, skateboards, built forts. We did stuff.

AA: You have your own Asteroids machine. What other arcade games do you own?

BG: I currently have two Asteroids machines, Gauntlet 2, Galaxian, Missile Command, and a MAME system (Multi Arcade Machine Emulator). It has pretty much every game you can think of plus all the ones you forgot about.

AA: What do you look for in an Asteroids machine, for an event like this?

BG: I just play it and if she’s smooth it’s good. These games are so old they’re either in good condition or they’re not. One thing to consider is the PCB basically the heart of the game. If the PCB looks good no cracks in the solder, no blistering of capacitors or burn spots any where then it’s probably good. It’s really just luck to get one that works well.

The machine that I will be doing my 48-hour on is the biggest piece of crap ever. Seriously it’s embarrassing how messed up it is. The reason I play it is because its internals are nice. It’s basically the Millennium Falcon.

AA: So what can people expect on February 8-10? If they’re in the area, can they stop by Mama’s?

BG: Yes, yes! It’s open to the public — it’s a live forum. I will have all my games down there for people to play so anybody, even McAllister, could roll up and go head to head with me. Mama’s has great service, food, and atmosphere. They have a nice bar and big screens for watching your favorite sporting event. Anybody is welcome to walk up and talk to me. I may not be able to make good eye contact but I will definitely be able to answer any questions anybody has or just talk about whatever.

I don’t know if McAllister has seen your site or knows anything about me, but it sure would be cool if he was in the area that weekend. I would love to meet that guy. He is a legend in the vintage video game world, and if anybody doesn’t know, the current world record holder.

AA: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

BG: Just for the record I’m not looking for personal notoriety. I just want to raise money for the foundation and play my game. It’s really not about me — it’s about everyone else involved. Without all the great people that have been helping me I wouldn’t be answering these questions or doing the 48-hour at Mama’s. Generating interest in vintage games is always cool though.

 

Links:

mckennaclairefoundation.org
www.mamason39.com
www.twitch.tv

Bruce Glick Going for Asteroids World Record

Posted on December 02, 2012

Huntington Beach, CA — Bruce Glick has recently announced his plans for public marathon sessions of Atari Asteroids, with an eye on breaking the world record.

His latest achievement was a live-webcast 36-hour straight session, where he scored 18,000,000. Glick is now gearing up for a 48-hour session, which will be hosted by local restaurant and bar, MAMA’s on 39, as well as being transmitted live online.

Glick owns two Asteroids machines. He’s been fine-tuning his championship machine, which has a high score save kit allowing roll-over at 10,000,000 instead of 100,000 (and obviously saving the high scores), and lightning-fast board.

The current Asteroids world record of 41,838,740 was set by John McAllister in April, 2010. Until then, Scott Safran’s 1982 record of 41,336,440 was the longest-standing video game world record.

Stay tuned to AtariAsteroids.net for all your information about Glick’s plans.

[UPDATE]

The time and place are official! Put February 8th, 9th, and 10th, 2013 on your calendar. Start time will be 7:00 pm on Friday night, and will go for 48 hours until 7:00 pm on Sunday night. You will be able to view it live via web cast on twitchTV.com.

More details coming soon…