Latest Achievements Revealed In New Guinness World Records 2014 Gamer’s Edition

Guinness World Records have revealed the latest and greatest gaming achievements in the new Guinness World Records 2014 Gamer’s Edition. New feats achieved in the last 12 months and recognised in the latest edition of the best-selling book series include the Largest Collection of Videogames; Longest Marathon on a Dance Game; Fastest Game to Gross $1 Billion; and a 24 year-old Brit who has recorded record-breaking high scores on PAC-man and Angry Birds.

Michael Thomasson, is recognised as the owner of the Largest Videogame Collection in the world. The 43 year-old, who teaches videogame history and design at Canisius College in Buffalo, USA, has 10,607 games in his collection. This is made even more astonishing by the fact Michael has had to restart his collection from scratch—twice! Thomasson began collecting at age 12 when he received “Cosmic Avengers” for the Colecovision. He sold off his entire collection in 1989 in order to buy a Sega Genesis. He then rebuilt his stash, only to sell it off again in 1998 to pay for his wedding. He started collecting again shortly after marrying, on an average of buying two games per day, with a $3,000-a-year budget. His current collection ranges from mainstream titles on the PlayStation to titles on obscure systems, such as the ‘Casio Loopy’ (a specialist Japanese system). The collection is estimated to be worth around $700,000.

Another American, 37 year-old Carrie Swidecki, makes it into the iconic book for an incredible feat of physical endurance. The teacher from Bakersfield, California, played popular rhythm game ‘Just Dance 4’ for 49 hours, 3 minutes, 22 seconds earning herself the record for Longest Marathon on a Dance Game. Carrie who considers herself an ambassador for ‘exergaming’ says: “I never want to wake up from this dream! 13 years ago I was 210 pounds, and then I discovered how easy it was to exercise using videogames. I lost 75 pounds, went down 10 sizes, set 5 World Records. I have become an advocate to fight childhood obesity in schools!”

On the other end of the spectrum is an entry from one of the most popular licensed games in history – Batman: Arkham City. Sean “DarthKnight” Grayson completed the game in 2 hours, 3 minutes, 19 seconds, earning himself a record for the Fastest Completion of Batman: Arkham City. Sean said: “Some of the fights did not go well,” he said, “but I think that’s expected. I’m not actually Batman.”

British talent is also represented in the new book. 24 year-old Stephen Kish from Hove, East Sussex, is recognised for high score records on two iconic videogame series: World’s Biggest Pac-Man (5,555,552 points) and Angry Birds (37,510 points recorded on Level 1-1 of ‘Poached Eggs’).

As well as incredible marathons, high scores and record-breaking collections, Gamer’s Edition 2014 naturally recognises the biggest moment in the last 12 months of gaming; the launch of Grand Theft Auto V. Upon its release, the fifteenth title in the series sold 11.21 million units in its first 24 hours, and generated revenue of $815.7 million (£511.8 million), going on to reach $1 billion (£624.45 million) in sales after just three days on September 20 2013 (Fastest Game to Gross $1 Billion). The figure smashes records previously held by the Call of Duty videogame series and blockbuster movies including The Avengers and Avatar.

So, will you be making an effort to get yourself publishing in the 2015 edition?

Thank you Guinness World Records for providing us with this information.

Image courtesy of Guinness.