Cleveland Heights resident attempts to shatter Guinness record

Cleveland Heights resident Keith Curry is attempting to set a Guinness World Record™ for the most people dressed up like video game characters in one place.

"The idea came up when my friend, Chris Myrick, and I were watching the MTV reality show Rob Dyrdek’s "Fantasy Factory" and it was the episode where he broke like 20 world records. It sparked my curiosity, so I went to the Guinness World Records™ website and tried to find an easy record to beat," Curry said. "I found this one and I filled out the required form. After about six weeks, I had completely forgotten that I had even done it when I got an e-mail from Guinness with a record breakers pack."

The previous Guinness World Record™ for the most people dressed up like video game characters in one place is 376 people.

Curry quickly enlisted local businesses to help him in his quest to break the record. "The first thing I did was contact Steve Presser from Big Fun to see if he’d be interested in assisting us in the endeavor," he said. "Presser agreed to help us out with promotions and marketing. I also contacted Robert Kopis of PizzaBogo and he agreed to provide discount food to all who attend."

Participants should note that there are some regulations as to which video game characters can be impersonated. For example, Sonic the Hedgehog first appeared in a video game in 1991, before its television and comc book appearances. Therefore, Sonic qualifies for the attempt. Batman was first featured as a comic book character in 1939, prior to appearances as a video game character in 1986, so Batman does not qualify as a character that can be portrayed as part of the record.

Those interested in helping Curry’s attempt to break the record should plan to attend the gathering scheduled for June 17 at the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Park from 2 to 5 p.m.

Dana Finley

Dana Finley, editor-in-chief of Shaker Heights High School's newspaper, The Shakerite, is an intern for the Heights Observer. She will attend at Boston University in the fall to study journalism.

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Volume 4, Issue 6, Posted 1:08 PM, 06.01.2011