From the Arcade to the World: Building a Global High-Score Community

When I was a kid, the arcade was my sanctuary. As an African-American albino with a lazy eye, I didn’t exactly blend in. But in the arcade, none of that mattered. The only thing that counted was whether you could snag the high score. It was a place where being good at a game made you cool, no questions asked. Surrounded by introverts and loner nerds, I found a community that welcomed me, as long as I could hold my own on the joystick.

One of my favorite games to play back then was Robotron 2084. I was glued to that machine for hours, mesmerized by the lights, the explosions, and the lasers—being a robot in that chaotic world was everything. That sense of belonging, of being on top of the world when you saw your name at the top of the leaderboard, was something I never forgot.

That’s why I created High Score Game Arcade. I wanted to recapture that feeling—not just for myself, but for everyone who ever felt like an outsider, or anyone who just loves the thrill of chasing a high score. It’s a place where I get to do what I love: make games that are fun, challenging, and accessible. And it’s a place where people from all over the world can come together to play, compete, and see who’s the best. It’s like the 80s arcade scene, but with a global twist.

Developing High Score Game Arcade wasn’t easy. But I was lucky to have my technical co-founder, Omar, who’s just as much of a video game and tech nerd as I am. We’re both passionate about this project, and we spent long hours making sure we could bring it to life for everyone.

When we first launched about a year and a half ago, we started with a fast-paced action game. It was fun, but I realized that to make the arcade truly accessible, we needed to cater to different play styles. That’s where Fruits and Dragons comes in. It’s a match-three game with a twist—your matches power up a hero character in an adventure that plays out above the grid. The best part? It’s self-paced, so you can take as much time as you need between moves. It’s easy to pick up, but tough to master, striking that perfect balance that makes a game addictively fun.

The idea behind Fruits and Dragons is to make it so that anyone, anywhere, can join in the fun. All you need is a computer, a phone, or whatever device you have on hand. It’s a game designed to be accessible to everyone, but with enough depth to keep even the most seasoned gamers on their toes. And that’s where the global high-score competition comes in. I want people from all over the world to feel that rush of seeing their name at the top of the leaderboard, just like I did as a kid. Except now, it’s not just the local arcade—you’re competing with the whole world.

But I’m not stopping there. My dream is to create a community, and even a worldwide high-score league, where official badges mean something. I want High Score Game Arcade to be the definitive place for setting and tracking high scores in video games. Imagine a future where having one of our badges is like holding a Guinness World Record, but it’s open to everyone, not just the elite few. I’m inviting anyone who’s interested to join in, whether you’re a player, a developer, or just someone who loves the idea of what we’re building. This is about creating a legacy, a global gaming community that anyone can be part of.

And honestly, one of the most fun parts of this whole thing is our Discord. The atmosphere there brings me right back to that feeling of sheer joy and acceptance I had in the arcades during the 80s. It’s where the real magic happens. There’s something about the friendly trash talk that just adds to the excitement. When you’ve got the high score, and you can rub it in everyone else’s face, it’s all part of the experience. The banter, the camaraderie, and the competition—it’s like being in the arcade all over again, but with a global audience. So, to everyone out there, I wish you good luck—unless, of course, you suck.

Love,
Victor Varnado