Wiebe Goes For It

If anyone took my suggestion and saw the documentary The King Of Kong: A Fistful Of Quarters, they name Steve Wiebe would ring a bell. He was the world record holder of Donkey Kong for a while, until Billy Mitchell's score was submitted, via mail on a videotape. Steve Wiebe is the competetor you would want to root for. He always vied for the title in a live environment, in a real arcade, with spectators all around. Billy never seemed to participate in live tournaments, but instead opting for videotaping his game and submitting it to Twin Galaxies, the governing body of classic video gaming, including overseeing the journal of high scores. Twin Galaxies had previously denied a videotaped submission from Steve Wiebe, which would have blown away Billy's standing record. They cited the fact that the tape had left Wiebe's possession, that it could have been altered, and therefore deemed inadmissible.


If you see the film, chances are that you will initially be taken by Billy Mitchel, and his apparent charm (but his hair is god awful), but as the movie progresses, and you get to know Steve better, and actually see what Billy is all about, you cant help but start to root for Steve. He is a family man, teaching elementary school in Redmond, Washington. He has a Donkey Kong machine in his garage. He is seemingly an all American, lovable guy. Billy is a backstabbing, dirty, conniving businessman. Even though Billy has the current high score, his attitude and persona are tough to embrace.


Earlier this evening in Las Vegas, at the Mix08 event , Steve once again vies for the world record of Donkey Kong. It is scheduled to end at 10:00 local time, and it is now 10:30, and I cannot find whether or not he was successful. Now, I am sure that all of you are on the edge of your seats, itching with anticipation, and anxiety not knowing if he is the new King Of Kong, but I will indeed be pinned to the Internet looking for a score........ Please sleep well............
PS Spell check now works!!!!




Comments

NancyinAbq said…
Who'd have thought Kong would be still popular. But I'm understanding from your posts that the whole culture of the video arcade is what's still a draw. Love you.
March 6, 2008 at 7:01 AM
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