Washington state's Andrew Laidlaw has regained the tournament World Record on the classic arcade game Galaga.
Announced New Year's Eve by official video gaming scorekeepers Twin Galaxies, Laidlaw's score of 4,525,150 points was done under a setting that only allows for five lives total on the hardest difficulty setting. It is Laidlaw's second time holding this record, regaining the record from Phil Day, who took it from him in 2009.
"It feels great... this isn't going to wear off for awhile," Laidlaw stated to Denton Arcade Examiner. "The first time was magical in a way, this time it's a huge relief!"
Laidlaw and Day have formed a friendship over the course of this battle for the top spot on this arcade classic.
"Phil and I were in regular contact while he was chasing my previous record," Laidlaw said. "I offered any tips I thought I could and he in turn sent me a disc of his game play. Our rivalry is very much enjoyed by both."
According to Day, he expected Laidlaw to top his score of 3,275,720 but did not expect him to defeat it by such a huge margin.
"I have to admit, I didn't think he was going to beat it with such a huge score, and it is a huge, huge score, which I think is great," Day said. "These old games need to be pushed to the limit, and Andrew is doing just that."
Day states that he has retired from Galaga competition, leaving Laidlaw to wait for another tournament settings challenger. In the meantime, he has considered aiming for the "marathon" Galaga record, which allows for extra lives as long as the game will give them. That record stands at 15,999,990, set in 1989.
"The Galaga marathon record is a monster record held by Steve Krogman and it has stood for a quarter century, so it's not going to be easy, but I would love to have it," Laidlaw stated. "I want to first accomplish 8 million on the TGTS record and then I figure I will be in good shape to give it a try."
Standing as the Galaga champion is the latest chapter in a decades-long obsession for Laidlaw.
"A friend of mine took me into an arcade in Denver around 1982 and showed me this game in which you could tether two ships for better firing ability," Laidlaw recalled. "I have to be honest, at first I thought it was a cheat of sorts... I was so captivated by it I just become obsessed with this one game. I'd love to be better at Dig Dug or Donkey Kong, but Galaga will always be my favorite game."
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