Local group planning fundraiser for Point RoboCop statue
By Taylor Hale
STEVENS POINT — A retro technology group is aiming to create Portage County’s first retro video game contest to help raise money for the city to build its own RoboCop statue.
Wisconsin Computer Club Director Alex Macomber said that participants would compete to get the highest score in RoboCop 2 for the Commodore 64 (released in 1990.) The local tech enthusiasts hope to organize a test run of the event outdoors at a local park near the end of May, before holding an official tournament later this year.
“We have talked about a couple of different potential locations for the event, but we are still in the early stages of working out how and where,” Macomber said, adding that the Holiday Inn Convention center and other venues could be an option.
Proceeds from the event would go towards helping the city create a RoboCop statue, likely made via a 3D printer. Macomber admitted that the event will be the first of its kind in the county and is unsure how much revenue the contest will generate.
“It’s hard to say, this will be the first tournament we have held like this, but I am hoping we get around 100 people coming for the contest,” Macomber said.
Wisconsin Computer Club members are working with the agency that owns the rights and likeness of RoboCop to legally use the name in advertising for the event. But Macomber noted there is a $600 agency fee to start the process.
The group will supply three to five original Commodore 64s for the contest, with extra five game emulation stations for competitors to help with size scaling. The group is working with the city to organize the event.
“I’m very supportive of anything that someone wants to do that is going to make our community a little bit better, I’m in favor of it, and if I can help clear a path I will certainly do that,” said Mayor Mike Wiza.
The contest date is slated to be announced later this summer. Follow the Portage County Gazette for updates.
STEVENS POINT — A retro technology group is aiming to create Portage County’s first retro video game contest to help raise money for the city to build its own RoboCop statue.
Wisconsin Computer Club Director Alex Macomber said that participants would compete to get the highest score in RoboCop 2 for the Commodore 64 (released in 1990.) The local tech enthusiasts hope to organize a test run of the event outdoors at a local park near the end of May, before holding an official tournament later this year.
“We have talked about a couple of different potential locations for the event, but we are still in the early stages of working out how and where,” Macomber said, adding that the Holiday Inn Convention center and other venues could be an option.
Proceeds from the event would go towards helping the city create a RoboCop statue, likely made via a 3D printer. Macomber admitted that the event will be the first of its kind in the county and is unsure how much revenue the contest will generate.
“It’s hard to say, this will be the first tournament we have held like this, but I am hoping we get around 100 people coming for the contest,” Macomber said.
Wisconsin Computer Club members are working with the agency that owns the rights and likeness of RoboCop to legally use the name in advertising for the event. But Macomber noted there is a $600 agency fee to start the process.
The group will supply three to five original Commodore 64s for the contest, with extra five game emulation stations for competitors to help with size scaling. The group is working with the city to organize the event.
“I’m very supportive of anything that someone wants to do that is going to make our community a little bit better, I’m in favor of it, and if I can help clear a path I will certainly do that,” said Mayor Mike Wiza.
The contest date is slated to be announced later this summer. Follow the Portage County Gazette for updates.
