[ you are my sunshine; my only sunshine . )

Friday, July 20, 2007

The era of Maximum Tune 2 is coming to an end as the launch of the third version will be out this Saturday. Looking back, it's hard to believe that I actually got hooked to a car game. I still remember how I started out... About 2 years+ ago, after I dumped away all the flyers that I was supposed to distribute, I dropped by Zone X arcade at Dhoby Ghaut. At that time, Maximum Tune was only at its' first version. The graphics and musics of the game attracted me and I could actually stand for hours just watching people play. I didnt dare to get my hands on the sterling wheel. My friend Lionel made the first move by trying out the game. So I thought to myself, if he dare to try it, why wouldnt I? The game was dirt cheap too, 50 cents a game. This is only for Japanese version. The English version cost $1 per game. So I tried and my god, I got hooked right away. Every single day, I would quickly pick up my bags of flyers, dumped them and rush down to the arcade. The arcade opens at 10am and I would already be there at 9am! I get around $20 each time I distribute flyers and most of the $$ would end up being donated!(Not charity, the game machine) =D .... As I carried on playing the story mode, I found it rather easy and decided to move on to time attack. This is where the challenge comes in. When I compared my timings to those set by top players, I felt so noob. I wanted so much to make friends with the top players and get them to guide me but I was kinda shy and thought that these people won't teach a nobody anything.

When the second version of Maximum Tune was launched, I felt so heart-brokened as only English versions were available. I could not transfer my Japanese version cards to the English version ones. I didn't just gave up thought. I managed to make friends with this top player named Falfen who was willing to sell me a card. Well, he was actually cheating my money. He sold a card to me for $10 and the car was not even half-tuned. I didn't care, I just needed a card. And not to forget, it's a PINK car. Gay colour but oh well, that very car got me to where I am today. I told myself that if I wanna be the top, I have to be friends with the top players and get them to guide me. I really felt inferior at first while talking to the players. I don't know what made them decide to guide me. Probably because I showed alot of interest? In any case, I owe those people who helped me a big THANK YOU. I'm very proud of what I've achieved for this second version. Managed to get into local top 3 timings for several maps. The most memorable time I had while setting record was for the 4th map. I was holding the no.1 record for several months when this guy named Marco suddenly overtook my place and set a timing which I thought was totally impossible to beat. I admit I gave up cos if I chose to break it, I'll need to spend a bomb. One day while I was out shopping with my group mates, Suriani and Michelle, I decided to drop by the arcade. As Marco was there, I asked him to show me how he played. Right after he played, he urged me to play too. I declined at first as I'll only be making a disgrace out of myself. But after much persuasion, I gave in. I told myself to spend only $5 at most. My mindset was pretty simple, just play for fun. Halfway through the map, I decided to be a little serious as I had a chance to break his timing. And....TA DUH! I set a timing which made it even more impossible for him to beat. I'm ranked 1st in Singapore and 2nd in the world(exclude the Japs). Can still remember how crazy I behaved at the arcade.... Was yelling at the top of voice till many ppl came over and see who the mad guy was. I hugged almost anybody I saw, lol!

I really hope the physics of the third version wouldnt change so much. My new goal is to help Singapore's timings be parred or even better than those in Hong Kong and Japan. Well, this means I'm gonna be spending a bomb. I know it's a bit silly of me to get obsessed by a game. Car racing is my passion =) Virtual racing only....

oh-so-bright.