Classic Arcade Gaming (dot com) Holds Donald Hayes Challenge Event

Feb. 20, 2011 - PRLog -- The first-ever Classic Arcade Gaming (dot com) event to honor a gamer, the Donald Hayes Challenge, will be held this year at High Scores Interactive Arcade Museum, from 11 AM Saturday March 5th through 4 PM Sunday March 6th. The arcade (which features many dozens of classic game titles) is located at 348 High Street, in Burlington, New Jersey, and owners Meg and Shawn Livernoche are co-organizing the event along with classic arcade gaming advocate Mark Alpiger (who has organized and run 9 major gaming events over the last 5 years). Both Mark and the Livernoche's have made the format and features such that this event is totally designed for, and around, the players (a number of which are some of the most famed in this hobby). A total of 16 arcade games will be featured in the tourney, including a majority that are popular classics from the 80's. The list of finalized games includes the major titles Centipede, Frogger, Joust, Ms. Pac-Man, Star Wars, Track & Field, and Tron, plus lesser known, but nonetheless great games, Donkey Kong Junior, Gorf, Moon Patrol, Crystal Castles, and more.

In a continuation of the popular contest format from previous CAGDC tournaments (a first for arcade events), the players actually get to choose the games that they play, so it's like being able to design your own contest ! Each gamer's 6 best game score results, out of a minimum of 6 titles played, will determine their final score, and finishing place in the event. There is a monetary purse of $175 that will go to finishers in places 1 through 3, and in addition, there's the opportunity for up to six players to win $20 each for beating Donald Hayes at one of his six best game scores for the event.

Gamers who are already signed up for the event include (naturally) the incredible Donald Hayes (multiple world record holder and winner of the last 6 CAGDC Tournaments); Ben Falls (Frogger and Moon Patrol master); Jimmy Linderman (Moon Patrol expert); Richie Knucklez (multiple world record title holder and sponsor of the event); Bryan Wagner (jack of all titles); Steve Wagner (Gorf champion); and many others. Additionally, Donkey Kong expert Ben Falls will be appearing on Saturday, and playing Donkey Kong throughout the day. Be sure to catch him practicing for the upcoming huge Kong Off event, plus watch throughout the weekend as others try to beat already lofty world records. Note that if you're a King of Kong movie fan, at least three of the co-stars from the DVD are scheduled to be at the event (organizer Mark Alpiger, plus entrants Donald Hayes and Bryan Wagner). You can get autographs, and chat with them about the real story behind the documentary !

Within about 10 minutes of the arcade's location are numerous food and lodging choices, making things convenient for tourney entrants. In addition, free rides will be provided for a number of gamers staying at the local Hampton Inn motel.  As a plus for gamers in New York City, multiple inexpensive bus and train options each go to within a block of the arcade !

For complete information on the tournament, including an information section for out of town travelers, go to the following web link for all the details: http://www.classicarcadegaming.com/contests/CAGDCDHC2011/. You can contact tourney organizer Mark Alpiger with any questions (his contact info is listed on-page), after reading through the complete web page first.

With the rarity of arcade locations nationwide, tournaments are that much more rare, with only two or three held in the U.S. each year (and, probably just that many worldwide, as well !). So, be sure to come out and support the only one that's designed with the wishes of the true classic arcade gamer in mind. The Livernoche's and Mark Alpiger will enjoy seeing the fun and competition of everyone playing the arcade classics this March, so make sure that you're one of the many gamers who comes out for this incredible event !

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About Classic Arcade Gaming (dot com)

Website owner Mark Alpiger is a long-time advocate of the hobby of classic arcade gaming, and has appeared in the 1987 Guinness Book for an arcade world record. He has attended 29 major arcade contests / tournaments (starting in 1985), including co-organizing and running 9 of them. In addition, he co-starred in the hugely popular documentary film The King of Kong.

The website is a result of his endeavors in the hobby, and documents the history of classic arcade gaming, plus features the most popular forums about the hobby on the Internet today.