We are rewinding back to an interview I did with Tom Asaki back in September of 2016.  Tom was kind enough to spend some time answering my questions and contributing to the Walter Day Trading Card Spotlight.   I hope you enjoy and have a great weekend.

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Tom Asaki who is displayed on card number 1046, from the Superstars of 2014 Collection.  As one of the founding members of the U.S. National Video Game Team, Tom is one of the original players at the Twin Galaxies arcade in the early 1980’s.  He was the first to attempt the billion score in Nibbler, with a final score of 838 million points.   He can be seen in the documentary Man vs. Snake showcasing his Nibbler memories.   Tom’s game of choice and the game that he held the first record on is Ms. Pac-Man with a total score of 681,130.   

When did you first meet Walter day and where was it at?

I met Walter at Twin Galaxies Arcade in the summer of 1983.  I had come to Ottumwa to demonstrate that my reported Ms. Pac-Man scores were real.  I found a friend in Walter and spent some of the summer and autumn with Walter and Billy Mitchell.

Our next Science Fiction Trading Card Spotlight features Sarah Pinsker, who is displayed on card number 175, from the Science Fiction Collection.  Sarah started writing Science Fiction since she was a little kid.  It wasn’t until 2012 where her career really took off.  Since then she has written over 40 stories in multiple publications. She been a Nebula nominee four times and won in 2015 for best Novelette. Her fiction has been translated into a half a dozen language.   Her next project, “Sooner or Later everything falls into the Sea”, will be published in 2019.

How early in your life did you know you would be a writer? 

I always wrote, but I thought it wasn't a viable career choice for a long time. So, I guess it depends on if you mean when I knew I would write stories (always), when I started submitting (12 or 13?), or when I thought I could make a career of it (not until my 30s.)

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Stephen Wagner who currently is displayed on card number 158, from the Superstars of 2011 Collection.  Stephen has been playing arcade games since he was 7 years old.  All the years of experience has put Stephen in the record books on such games as Berzerk and Elevator Action.  As an avid guitar player and sports fan, Stephen still finds time to playing arcade machines and beating any high score that comes his way.

What games today do you play and what are your favorite genres of games?

Front Page Sports Baseball ’98 as well as classic arcade games that I haven’t yet been satisfied with scores on, like Rally-X, Galaxian and others.   My favorite genres are probably platformers, sports and janky early 80’s space shooters.

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Greg Mott, who is displayed on card number 34, from the Superstars of 2011.   Greg has been around the gaming scene since 1999 when he joined UKvac group on line and first met up with other UK collectors.  He holds a record on the Buster Bros. Arcade game with a score of 2,228,150.  Not only is Greg a major competitor for arcades in home country of England, he also competes in pinball tournaments and is highly regarded as one on the greatest gaming competitors  in England.

Do you prefer playing video games alone, against friends or online against the world and why?

Definitely most fun is with others around and for console gaming is the only way to play with others.  Just don't get the online model as was always accustomed to playing with others in the same room and a lot more fun interacting that way than with someone you don't always know remotely.  Even the classics are more fun to play as a double and watch others.