Written by Todd Friedman on . Posted in Trading Card Spotlight
Please enjoy this interview that was done a little over two years ago with this Esports competitor and champion, Robyn Swanson. Robyn has many world records on various games and is always competing in some sort of fashion. Thank you for reading this article completed 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 for the 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 four or five years old when my mother Tracey Brown taught me how to play.
Written by Todd Friedman on . Posted in Trading Card Spotlight
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."
Written by Todd Friedman on . Posted in Trading Card Spotlight
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 world record and was the first person to play in the original Twin Galaxies location since the mid 1980's. 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.
Written by Todd Friedman on . Posted in Trading Card Spotlight
Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Bob Bates who currently is displayed on card number 454, from the Superstars of 2013 Collection. As game designer, Bob has created more than 40 games that have won many awards in the industry and overall has sold over 6 million copies of his games. Some of them include Unreal 2 for the PC, Spiderman 3 for home consoles and Eric the Unready, also for the PC. He his Co-Founder of “Game Designers Workshop”, and annual conference of game designers. Bob is a Lifetime Achievement Award from the IGDA (International Game Developer Association) and selected in 2010 as the IGDA’s person of the year.
Who is your favorite video game character of all time and what makes that character special?
My favorite character of all time is Floyd, from Steve Meretzky’s game called Planetfall. He was a great robot companion to the player, always playful and always optimistic. When you would go to save a game, Floyd’s eyes would light up and he would say, “Oh boy! Are we going to do something dangerous now?” For gamers of a certain generation, Floyd will always have a place in their hearts.
Written by Todd Friedman on . Posted in Trading Card Spotlight
Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Sean “Taggsta” Tagg, who currently is displayed on card number 2030, from the Superstars of 2015 Collection. Sean has been a big part of the Walter Day Collection trading card history. Along with his own card displayed in the article, Sean has created many other cards with his artwork. Cards such as 2402, 2403 and 2407, just to name a few. The amazing part is the art was all created on the Nintendo 3DS. Sean has also a knack for restoring 1980's Arcade machines.
Are you still involved with gaming today, and what role do you play?
I am one part of the Arcade Perfect Podcast with my co-host Daz Borg. We cover one arcade game per episode and go into detail about the game, trivia and the home ports that were released. We invite guests on to the show who are big fans of the feature game which builds new friendships and gives people a chance to talk about their favorite game.
