Response to The Speed-Up Cheats

Well, they were split in the first place because it was determined that indeed these were legitimate, stand-alone versions of the originals. You look at it as a mere dip switch/setting issue. However, the arcade operators of the day when these fast Pac-Man viewed the new versions as a completely new ball game for them. Yes, basically the same game, but it was presented as a "new" version and the speed-up Pac games then proliferated across the country. I know this as I was both a travelling musician and arcade rat in the early 80s, thus I have personally witnessed the phenomenon of the "new" onslaught of Pac-Games as they were given a second life. Once the speed-up versions hit the streets, it was nearly impossible to find a regular speed Pac game. Do I have motivation for making a case for keeping the speed ups? Yes. I put in the time towards these games under the assumption that we had settled this issue and would hate to see it go by the wayside because of this point of view you bring up. In actuality, the speed up games present a whole different version of the Pac games genre as old patterns simply don't work, as well as many other more subtle differences. If the games are that much easier to play, as some might think, then why hasn't there been a mass of "kill screen" games? Partly, it is due to the "purists" who have perfected the skills needed to play a 3+ hour session to achieve their magnificent scores. They tend not to bother with the speed up versions and will actually look down upon those who pursue them. A shame to be sure.

If the issue becomes the mere fact that these games are "modifications", then we have opened up a can of worms (creating quite a mess, for those who don't understand "can of worms") concerning a whole array of other games that, with a certain point of view, could be construed as "modifications" also. The many versions of Mahjong, for instance (for which there are at least 86 variations on the same theme). Or perhaps, the many revisions of Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter games or any game that has seperate entries for small, inconsequential modifications. At least with the Pac game modification, it DID present a much different version and set of strategies. Easier strategies? I seem to remember one of the hallowed Pac players from Canada stating that playing these speed ups was like "shooting fish in a barrel" (thus inspiring my commentary at the time when I submitted my Jr. Pac Man score). Once again, I ask you where are all the "kill screen" games if it was that much easier? Especially with Ms. PacMan in which the "kill screen" comes around in about half the time of PacMan. Curious indeed...

Thanks for listening as I hope this presents a valid view for you to consider.

JoustGod

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