Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Jon Klinkel, who is displayed on card number 66, from the Superstars of 2011 Collection.  Jon is also featured on cards 2916 for Galaga Forum and soon-to-be-released 2918 in a Score Wars group picture. Current Administrator of Galaga Forum, Jon is very passionate about Galaga. In 2010 Jon broke many Galaga World Records at that time. Jon is a true Retro Gamer as he has played on most of the systems created since the early 1980’s. He also plays PC games as well when he finds time.  Jon is currently on the committee with the International Video Game Hall of Fame. 

If you can design your own game, what would it be about and who would be the main character?

I've actually come up with several ideas for video games.  A very in-depth MMORPG that I wouldn't be able to describe in less than several pages, a persistent world based on the original Bard's Tale, a battle royale game, a game similar to Clash of Clans based on hillbillies - with appropriate units, gear and weaponry, sports simulators - among many other ideas I tend to have.

Please enjoy this interview that was done a little over 2 years ago with ESports competitor and champion, Robyn Swanson. Robyn has many world records on various games and is always competiing in some sort of fashion.   Thanks for reading this article done on April 7th, 2017.

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Robyn Swanson, who is displayed on card number 119 from the Superstars of 2011 Collection.   Robyn is also displayed on card number 920.   Robyn is one of the most competitive women gamers today.   Robyn is currently a Professional Gamer and Content Creator eSports team Empire Arcadia.  In 2011 Robyn became a member of the Supercon 2k Series and helps host video game events and tournaments.   Robyn has many records on the Twin Galaxies website for games such as Just Dance and Dance Central.

Do you remember your first video game / arcade you played and what do you remember about it?

The very first video game that I remember playing was Mario Bro/Duck Hunt on the original NES, staying up late during the summertime with my mom going from castle to castle, discovering secrets, and mimicking her movements on the player two controller as she played the game. I was 4 or 5yrs old at the time when my mother Tracey Brown taught me how to play. 

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Jerry Buckner, who currently is displayed on card number 1345, from the Superstars of 2014 Collection.  Jerry is also featured on cards 1832, 1981, 2388.   As a musician and producer, Jerry Buckner created many memorable music hits in the 1980’s.   Nothing prepared him for the smash hit “Pac-Man Fever”.  The song was and still is etched in the minds of every adult that was playing video games in the 1980’s.   Created along with his partner Gary Garcia, Pac-Man Fever was featured all over the world on the radio, TV shows, commercials and other forms of advertisement.   Along with video gaming music, Jerry has produced and provided music for many TV shows and movie hits.  Recently Jerry has produced and performed the title track for the 2012 movie, Wreck-it-Ralph.  

Did you know at the time when Pac-Man fever was released, that it would be such a smash hit?

No not at all. We were just hoping it would get played locally and help our jingle business.  When we were in L.A. doing some TV shows we were driving through Beverly Hills when our song came on the radio. We looked at each other and laughed when Gary said, "Not bad for a couple of guys from Akron."

This week we look back at the Trading Card Spotlight of Lonnie McDonald.   Lonnie is a world record holder on Joust, International Video Game Hall of Famer, and on the Nomination Commitee of IVGHOF.   Nominations are now open at IVGHOF.INFO.  Deadline is April 30th, 2019.    Please enjoy this interview I did with Lonnie on January 10th, 2016.

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Lonnie McDonald who currently is displayed on card number 249, from the Superstars of 2012 Collection.  He is also featured on cards 127 (with Steve Sanders), 589, 905, 1442 and 1465.  Steve is one greatest Joust players.  He was in Ottumwa, IA in 2012 setting a Joust MAME WR and was the 1st person to play in the original Twin location since the mid 1980s.  Lonnie is one of only 3 people to break the 1 million point barrier on the Joust Arcade game in Tournament Settings.   He is the only person over the age of 50 to marathon a game 50 hours straight.  Between 2011 and 2013 Lonnie went on a tour to roll the Joust score on as many arcade machines as he could.  On June 10th, 2012, Lonnie rolled the score on his 50th Joust Machine.  On May 23rd, 2013, Lonnie rolled his 100th machine. Along with Steve Sanders, Lonnie broke another record by competing in a doubles marathon and playing Joust with Steve for over 15 hours straight.   Their score of 40,120,150 is also a doubles record.  Lonnie has also promoted vintage gaming for TV, magazine, newspapers and online as well as supported numerous charities to help fellow gamers

Who is your favorite video game character and what makes that character special?

The Knight on an ostrich in Joust.  I’m that Knight.  The great Python Anghelo (from Joust fame and many Williams’s games) designated me a Knight of the Highest Order. An Honor that deeply moved me, and still does as I write this.