Kato's 24-Hour Gaming Marathon For Children's Cancer

[National Kato]

Thanks to a post a few weeks back on EvAv, I decided to participate in Extra Life (http://extralife.sarcasticgamer.com/), the 24-Hour gaming marathon to fund pediatric cancer research and treatment through the Texas Children's Hospital.

This Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. EDT, I will be playing videogames for 24 hours. Stopping only for bathroom, stretch, and food breaks I will try to go the distance.

How can you participate, you ask? There are three ways:

1. Donate to my fundraising team (http://waystogive.texaschildrens.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=210&srcid=211&frtid=62)- Team Tsunami! Donate as much or as little as you like. Of course, all donations are tax deductible.

2. Start your own fundraising team (http://waystogive.texaschildrens.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=738&srcid=212)and join the marathon! You can start your own team or even join Team Tsunami.

3. Follow along as I blog! I'll be posting regularly in this thread as the night - and then dawn - passes. I'll post my current 'state of mind,' the games I'm playing, the gaming experiences, and even some interesting images...(pants optional) :D

Find me online at 4 a.m. and beat my tired ass in a game of your choice...watch this thread as images of my 35-year old body degenerates in exhaustion and insanity...whatever you choose to do, help support pediatric cancer research and treatment by donating or following along!

UPDATED: The largest donation (above $24) from a CoG member by Sunday morning will receive a brand new copy of Dead Space (360), the recipient of the very first CoG Editor's Choice Award! (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=1276)

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8113/dseax360pftfront1024tm8.jpg

Thanks for being such a great community and wish me luck!



++ CURRENT FUNDRAISING TALLY: $199 ++



.

[biosc1]

Hope you're playing NHL09 ;)

[National Kato]

Oh, you know I will at some point. Between that and Dead Space I know I've got plenty to play. But I will try to shake it up a bit and play some older multiplayer titles so anyone can join me.

[Young Al Capone]

Nice guy, Kato.

So what do you plan on playing? You shold try to marathon straight through a few games. I suggest trying to play straight through Deus Ex in 24 hours, I am sure you can do it, especially if you already know what you are doing.

[National Kato]

So what do you plan on playing?

I'll likely knock out a few nagging SP titles, but here's my current list of planned games:

Dead Space
NHL09
God of War 2
Tales of Vesperia
Halo 3
Call of Duty 4
Burnout Paradise
Shadow of the Colossus
Tiger Woods '09
Wipeout HD
Castle Crashers
GTA 4

...and maybe if I get an inkling for true insanity, I'll go pick up a rental copy of Saint's Row 2. Who knows...I'm open to suggestions before and the night of. Just find me online - either on Live or PSN - and send me a message if you want to play!

[Young Al Capone]

That is a pretty good list there. I would love to jump online at 2:30 in the morning, drunk, but I only rock a Silver account right now.

[National Kato]

Updated for new tally - $124!! A great start!

Oh, and I have Dead Space in my grubby little mitts, so that'll definitely be played. :D

[rinichanraar]

Wow, that's a cool idea. Sounds fun! Bumping for great justice.

[National Kato]

Alright, friends! Tomorrow is the big day...but to sweeten the deal, if you donate $24 or more you're going to feel great about yourself, as every cent goes directly to help fund research and treatment of pediatric cancer.

However, if you are the leading donator by the end of my 24-hour marathon, you will win an unopened, brand new copy of Dead Space for the Xbox 360!!

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8113/dseax360pftfront1024tm8.jpg

[Deunnero]

I'll be thinking of you and your quest while im sitting in a tree tomorrow. :D

Way to give back, good luck and good gaming.

[civil]

Get down with your badass bald self brotherman.

[National Kato]

Get down with your badass bald self brotherman.

civil, you will want to pay attention to this thread as I work through the marathon...I have this tickling feeling the fur coat might be seen. :D Or maybe I'll recreate the famed pic for you....?

[TheSilentDeath]

Hey Kato, is it possible to donate just a set amount and not an amount every hour?

[National Kato]

Hey Kato, is it possible to donate just a set amount and not an amount every hour?

You don't donate by the hour - you donate a set amount. :) I'll make the OP clearer, thanks!

[TheSilentDeath]

You don't donate by the hour - you donate a set amount. :) I'll make the OP clearer, thanks!

Actually when I went to donate at the site it showed that you donate every hour.

[National Kato]

That's where the option for 'Other' at the bottom of the list comes in handy. Those others are just suggestions in keeping with the 24-hour theme.

Trust me: I've received donations that aren't one of those available choices, and not easily divisible by 24. :)

[TheSilentDeath]

That's where the option for 'Other' at the bottom of the list comes in handy. Those others are just suggestions in keeping with the 24-hour theme.

Trust me: I've received donations that aren't one of those available choices, and not easily divisible by 24. :)
Ok thanks.

[TheSilentDeath]

There you go Kato, money sent.

[National Kato]

And so it begins....

Fridge is stocked:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f27/NationalKato/DSCN0249.jpg

Games are out:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f27/NationalKato/DSCN0250.jpg

Bright eyed and bushy tailed...?

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f27/NationalKato/DSCN0252.jpg

...only 23 hours to go! :(

[boratika]

Well, I've chipped in.

Keep the good work up.

[National Kato]

4 Hours in...

So the start of my day was NHL09's Be A Pro mode, arguably the finest thing to happen to hockey videogames. Endlessly interesting and dynamic, it's what has always been lacking from this genre - from either EA or 2K.

NHL09 - Be A Pro (9 am - 11 am)

Then Khrymsyn and Haemmorhage logged in and invited me into the game's OTP mode - the Colony of Gamer's Club team where we all play individual positions, the remainder taken up by AI. Three fun games, but unfortunately no wins. Final record: 0-2-1.

NHL09 - OTP (11 am - 1:30pm)

Taking a quick stretch break and posting this. Will update in another few hours, likely with an image or other goodie.

Stay tuned to this thread as I have some free schwag to get rid of for anyone who sponsors or follows along with this marathon.

[civil]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f27/NationalKato/DSCN0249.jpg
Mountain Dew?

Oh Kato, break the stereotypes. :( :p

[National Kato]

Yeah, I know...

I don't like coffee and I have plenty of beer variety. At least it isn't Game Fuel? :D

[Haemorrhage]

They were some great close games but we just couldn't pull out a win. Veregon and I have been making up for the losses though. I will be firing up Shadowrun soon, but if you want to play some more NHL 09 league games send me an invite.

[National Kato]

10 hours in...

Been playing a ton of Saint's Row 2. For all its flaws, it has a ton of variety, which has been keeping me entertained for hours. The controls aren't bad...my driving became so used to GTA4's style that I'm having to relearn some of it. Races are killing me...

Saint's Row (5+ hours...)

Guinness begins to set in...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f27/NationalKato/DSCN0257.jpg

Meanwhile, Nixon enjoys a relaxing night in the White House lanes...

[Rogue_hunter]

I see plenty of Stella Artois and Guinness, so all is well.

[National Kato]

I see plenty of Stella Artois and Guinness, so all is well.

Don't forget the Vlasic kosher pickles! :)

Dead Space is beginning to call to me as the room gets progressively darker. Soon, I'll have to re-enter the Ishimura.

[civil]

I see plenty of Stella Artois and Guinness, so all is well.
Good eye. My favorite expensive beer in the US (Guinness) and cheap beer in the UK (Stella).Though sadly I just discovered Guinness isn't vegan-friendly. :(

Well shit, you've got your weekend set Kato. Carry forth!

[Rogue_hunter]

Don't forget the Vlasic kosher pickles! :)

Dead Space is beginning to call to me as the room gets progressively darker. Soon, I'll have to re-enter the Ishimura.

I make my own pickles now.

And I just left the Ishimura. Chapter 2 has been completed.

[National Kato]

My trek continues through the Ishimura! More often than not, the fuckers attacking me are small and quick...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f27/NationalKato/DSCN0259.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f27/NationalKato/DSCN0261.jpg

...but I forge on.

[National Kato]

18 hours in...

I'm starting to get tired. Playing NHL09 since both Dead Space and Saint's Row 2...as well as many other games...require faster reflexes. I can't bring myself to drink another Red Bull. But I keep coming out on a line change and not noticing that I'm on the ice for a few seconds. It's killing my Positioning rating. The coach is gonna get pissed... :D

[Pale Ale]

Aww common, drink that Red Bull!

If it's something you believe in your supposed to take it too far, win, but die like in Greek tragedy.

Or at least that's what the TV that raised me taught. :)

[civil]

Won't somebody please think of the children!

[civil]

You alive, NK? Been a while since you gave an update. You should be winding down now (or passed out in pool of your own spittle). Hope it went well!

[Spigot]

Pssh... 24 hours of solid gaming? Sounds like Thursday to me :)

[National Kato]

I'm alive!! :D

Well, I made it to 21 hours before I passed out on my couch with - of all things - Uno on my 360 screen. What a lame way to go out...but I had been drinking for 21 hours and my brain couldn't handle more than a single button push. Where was the Fable 2 combat system when I needed it!? ;)

I want to thank everyone who supported the charity drive by either donating or just wishing me well through this site and messages over Live/PSN. It really made a difference!

I'll announce the winner of the copy of Dead Space tomorrow. Runners-up will receive the free schwag I mentioned earlier. PMs will be sent to all winners!

[astranoir]

I'm alive!! :D

Well, I made it to 21 hours before I passed out on my couch with - of all things - Uno on my 360 screen.

Did the repetitive music lull you to sleep? Also, congrats on making it (almost) 24 hours!

[Suave Peanut]

Congrats Kato! Too bad I couldn't get in on the NHL action :(

[Rogue_hunter]

I'm alive!! :D

Well, I made it to 21 hours before I passed out on my couch with - of all things - Uno on my 360 screen. What a lame way to go out...but I had been drinking for 21 hours and my brain couldn't handle more than a single button push. Where was the Fable 2 combat system when I needed it!? ;)



You could have played Assassin's Creed if you wanted one button combat.

Sucks you didn't make it the full 24 hours. There's always next year?

[KingGorilla]

Good eye. My favorite expensive beer in the US (Guinness) and cheap beer in the UK (Stella).Though sadly I just discovered Guinness isn't vegan-friendly. :(


Is there beef broth in it?

[National Kato]

Did the repetitive music lull you to sleep?

Every dream had a soundtrack. And that soundtrack was the Uno menu screen soundtrack. :(

[astranoir]

Every dream had a soundtrack. And that soundtrack was the Uno menu screen soundtrack. :(

Alas! Next time fall asleep to Chrono Cross, or something wonderful like that! :) (as if you can plan such things...)

[Spigot]

Every dream had a soundtrack. And that soundtrack was the Uno menu screen soundtrack. :(As a veteran of many an all-nighter, I should have warned you about the dangers of playing a simple game with a hypnotic soundtrack at the tail end of an all-nighter.

That ranks up with trying to watch a subtitled movie at 4am. You're NOT going to stay awake, no matter how action packed.

[National Kato]

As a veteran of many an all-nighter, I should have warned you about the dangers of playing a simple game with a hypnotic soundtrack at the tail end of an all-nighter.

My girlfriend cleaned up and tucked me in at some point in the morning, so I wasn't able to take a picture of my coffee table littered with Red Bull cans and beer bottles. :D I'm also lucky she didn't shave my eyebrows or something. :p

[Deunnero]

Good job on lasting as long as you did.

See you tonight in 09.

[civil]

Is there beef broth in it?
Ha! No, fish products.

And good job, Kato. 21 hours is still impressive. You have...stamina. :p

[Deunnero]

Good job on lasting as long as you did.

After I re-read this I need to add: "And that's what your gf said too." :p

[National Kato]

I'm pleased to announce that the winner of the copy of Dead Space is...

civil

Congrats, civil, and thanks for your generous donation!

[civil]

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