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Whiskey Media Pac-Man Scrub League 2011

We catch a scorching-hot case of Pac-Man Fever, and we don't care what the doctors say! We couldn't be more excited about it!

In case you haven't noticed, it's summer, which means two things for video game enthusiasts: more screen glare and less new games to play. In lieu of any compelling new releases, we're taking a break from our usual Thursday Night Throwdown format this week to bring you the return of the Whiskey Media Scrub League. Last time, it was Mortal Kombat, but with last week's release of "Pac-Man Fever" on Rock Band Network, and the unbridled celebration of the classic arcade experience known as California Extreme happening next week, we've decided to take it back, all the way back to 1980, with one of the games that sparked this whole video craze, the original Pac-Man.

We've got 15 contestants from virtually all walks of life and every branch of the Whiskey Media family tree. You'll see familiar faces from Giant Bomb and Tested, as well as members of our video production, engineering, and business teams; hell, we're even giving a couple of the interns a crack at it. Since Pac-Man's not really a head-to-head competitive game, we'll be running a simple high-score contest: whoever can pop the most pellets and chomp the most ghosts with their allotted number of lives gets to walk away with the glorious title of Whiskey Media Pac-Man Scrub League Grand Champion.

Folks at home can get in on the action by registering over at Bet Win Place Show and betting on your favorite contestant in the Pac-Man Scrub League. (If you're already registered from our last Scrub League, there's no need to re-register.) You've only got one point to wager, but we'll be giving away prizes--including copies of Buckner & Garcia's magnum opus, Pac-Man Fever, complete with an autographed Pac-Man cheat sheet, courtesy of Ozone Entertainment--to select viewers who correctly pick the first, second, or third place contestants, so choose wisely. We'll also be chatting on the phone with a couple guys who know a thing or two about Pac-Man: Jerry Buckner and Gary Garcia. It's gonna be a straight-up Pac-Party, y'all!

It all starts today at 4PM PDT. Until then, I recommend getting amped up by alternating between Buckner & Garcia's "Pac-Man Fever" and this soothing, informative clip from Curtis Hoard's Conquer the Video Craze.

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Ryan

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Edited By Ryan  Staff

In case you haven't noticed, it's summer, which means two things for video game enthusiasts: more screen glare and less new games to play. In lieu of any compelling new releases, we're taking a break from our usual Thursday Night Throwdown format this week to bring you the return of the Whiskey Media Scrub League. Last time, it was Mortal Kombat, but with last week's release of "Pac-Man Fever" on Rock Band Network, and the unbridled celebration of the classic arcade experience known as California Extreme happening next week, we've decided to take it back, all the way back to 1980, with one of the games that sparked this whole video craze, the original Pac-Man.

We've got 15 contestants from virtually all walks of life and every branch of the Whiskey Media family tree. You'll see familiar faces from Giant Bomb and Tested, as well as members of our video production, engineering, and business teams; hell, we're even giving a couple of the interns a crack at it. Since Pac-Man's not really a head-to-head competitive game, we'll be running a simple high-score contest: whoever can pop the most pellets and chomp the most ghosts with their allotted number of lives gets to walk away with the glorious title of Whiskey Media Pac-Man Scrub League Grand Champion.

Folks at home can get in on the action by registering over at Bet Win Place Show and betting on your favorite contestant in the Pac-Man Scrub League. (If you're already registered from our last Scrub League, there's no need to re-register.) You've only got one point to wager, but we'll be giving away prizes--including copies of Buckner & Garcia's magnum opus, Pac-Man Fever, complete with an autographed Pac-Man cheat sheet, courtesy of Ozone Entertainment--to select viewers who correctly pick the first, second, or third place contestants, so choose wisely. We'll also be chatting on the phone with a couple guys who know a thing or two about Pac-Man: Jerry Buckner and Gary Garcia. It's gonna be a straight-up Pac-Party, y'all!

It all starts today at 4PM PDT. Until then, I recommend getting amped up by alternating between Buckner & Garcia's "Pac-Man Fever" and this soothing, informative clip from Curtis Hoard's Conquer the Video Craze.

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OMGTSN

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Edited By OMGTSN

Awesome!

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Sinful

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Edited By Sinful

2nd! hi there! sweet! 
 
hope the prizes are good.

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CzarTim

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Edited By CzarTim

Can't wait!

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Moonling

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Edited By Moonling

im going outta my mind ahhh

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MjHealy

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Edited By MjHealy

Brad to win! C'mon Shoemaker!

I decided to not even bet on Jeff, in the past I'm pretty sure he said he sucks at Pac-Man. Brad, on the other hand, knows how to deliver.

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GaZZuM

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Norman Chan is the man with plan for Pacman

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defaultprophet

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Edited By defaultprophet

You're all so wrong, Mellisa is gonna take it

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KowalskiManDown

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Edited By KowalskiManDown

@DefaultProphet said:

You're all so wrong, Mellisa is gonna take it

Damn right she is! Glad to see I'm not the only person who bet on the dark horse!

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Pop

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Edited By Pop

Damn it, I have to wake up early tomorrow and take my final exam but I'll watch it eventually :D.

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groin

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Edited By groin

The original Pac-man game is really easy to exploit. Each fruit variation has a pattern that allows the player to maximize the points (e.g., http://nrchapman.com/pacman/cherry.html). Pac-man is a game of memorization, not skill.

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Little_Socrates

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I chose Ethan, but I know nothing of the team's Pac-Skill.

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Mechwing

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can u guys pick ur 2nd and 3rd place? i only could bet on winner <.< 

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Zabant

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Edited By Zabant

Joey, because he won last time. 
 
Right? 
 
Someone please bet on internet steve. He has no love :(

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Rhombus_Of_Terror

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Dany

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Edited By Dany

@Zabant said:

Joey, because he won last time. Right?

Alexis won last time.

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rmanthorp

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Edited By rmanthorp  Moderator

I WANT A CD SO MUCH!

SO MUCH!

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BRG9000

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Doesn't matter what he says about his own skills, Jeff is where the smart money is on the retro games.

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RampageAssassin

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Edited By RampageAssassin

I really hope Jeff has got Pac Man fever tonight !

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mrfluke

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@GaZZuM said:

Norman Chan is the man with plan for Pacman

always be winning = norman chan

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Skytylz

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Edited By Skytylz

Vinny isn't playing!!!?!!?!  Maybe he's gosu at pacman and is ineligible.  

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comradecrash

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Jeez I have no clue on who will win.

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Sessh

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Edited By Sessh

I hope we'll also see Ryan play (out of competition of course).

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alwaysbeclothing

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Looking forward to another up and comer, taking it all!

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Commando

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Edited By Commando

Norm = Pacman Champion

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RE_Player1

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Edited By RE_Player1
I bet on Norman... he always wins no matter what.
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normanchan

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Edited By normanchan

please don't bet on me for today's scrub league. i actually have to be out of the office for a Tested video shoot at 4pm, so won't be able to participate.

same with AHR and Intern Steve (lemon).

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dvdhaus

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@normanchan said:

please don't bet on me for today's scrub league. i actually have to be out of the office for a Tested video shoot at 4pm, so won't be able to participate.

same with AHR and Intern Steve (lemon).

Man Norm your limiting my options. Kinda wanted to bet on Ana cause think she was/is the front runner.

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FLStyle

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Edited By FLStyle

Null and void the betting!

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chilibean_3

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@normanchan said:

please don't bet on me for today's scrub league. i actually have to be out of the office for a Tested video shoot at 4pm, so won't be able to participate.

same with AHR and Intern Steve (lemon).

Well shucks.

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bkbroiler

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@Mechwing said:

can u guys pick ur 2nd and 3rd place? i only could bet on winner <.<

Me too. I feel like an idiot.

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ApolloBob

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Edited By ApolloBob

Get all your patterns down up until the 9th key.

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B_Heart

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Edited By B_Heart

looking forward to this

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Pope

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Edited By Pope

This is the best.

I've got 5 of the CD+Autographed cheatsheet prizes here at Harmonix as well, so if you want an exrta chance to get those, watch my awful twitter feed today! http://twitter.com/mrpope

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kollay

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Edited By kollay

Put my money on Andy "The Curd" McCurdy.

Don't fuck this up, Andy.

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buft

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OK i am in, come on NORM!

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Toxin066

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@normanchan said:

please don't bet on me for today's scrub league. i actually have to be out of the office for a Tested video shoot at 4pm, so won't be able to participate.

same with AHR and Intern Steve (lemon).

I'm pretty bummed. Betting on you winning is the best way for me to win.

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Daniel

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Edited By Daniel

I'm going to mop the fucking floor with these chumps.

Disclaimer: I suck ass at Pac-Man, don't bet on me.

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Commando

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@normanchan: Damnit! I already had bet on you.

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coruptai125

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Edited By coruptai125
@Commando: Same here, looks like you can't take it off either.
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SirPsychoSexy

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Edited By SirPsychoSexy

Sean Coonce better be good at pacman

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Xtrememuffinman

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Edited By Xtrememuffinman

Is this going to be archived on the site for regular members?

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stackboy

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Edited By stackboy

Never did I think I would be excited about watching dudes on a website play Pac-Man......but I am.

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SomeJerk

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Holy shit bring a not broken joystick next time.

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lockwoodx

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JoeOE18

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Edited By JoeOE18

fewer new games to play*

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NekuCTR

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I wanna see Ryan try to play with that joystick they used, and then see what he has to say.

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prestonhedges

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Next week should be Satan's Hollow.

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YoThatLimp

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So I bet place on my horse (Jeff Gerstmann) as Metalideth Luchadeer what do I win?!

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normanchan

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Edited By normanchan

sorry i didn't get to make it to the tournament -- was out on an offsite shoot with will, ahr, and lemon. to make it up to you guys on team norm, i'm going to raffle off a norm-exclusive prize to those of you who bet on me. it won't be anything big, but will be personalized and related to tomorrow's happy hour.

betting on norm pays off. keep an eye on my twitter feed (@nchan) for details. thanks duders.