Quoted from machine.slave

Call me crazy

Yep you are..

Mike

Pinball was advancing with the time, they named it pinball 2000 but Williams pulled the plug.  

The game has no flow! Do you think those dead end shots are going to be satisfying? The one orbit goes around the entire perimeter and would take about 15 minutes to make it's way around. The wide long ramp anouther 20 minutes. You want long ball times shoot those two shots.

Quoted from Sparky

I know... this is another discussion. But I just see new Galaga/Ms.Pac machines still raking in the cash today and cost a lot less to purchase and maintain than a newer simulator-type vid.

i think that nails it.

Early vids have a simple charm that is hard to resist.  You blast the aliens, you eat the pellets.  early pins were similarly simple. but as both got older, Vids got better adn better graphically, but not too much more complicated (Karate champ-Street FIghter- SFII-SFa-Tekken/Soul Calibur) though they did get a little more complicated.

Pinball couldn't get better "looking" it WAS reality!!! so it got more complicated.  to be honest, for the most part, i play pinball like an 8 year old.  I hit start, and try to bounce the ball around.  Complex rule sets aren't really big for me, and when i manage to get something like multiball it is usually a surprise instead of a plan.  but i think newer pins have gone too far with toys and complicated rule sets.  
For example Shrek.

Lat time Bigwig and i were at SB, we ducked out early and played a little pinball before we left. I really liked the shrek machine's theme... but all the toys and things pissed me off.  I didn't want to try to get the little playfied going, i didn't care about starting modes or anything.  I would put a shrek machine in my house if it was as simple as TMNT But as is? no way i am putting it in my house.  I found the same thing with LOTR. too busy.

I think if Stern (or Sparky!) put out a simple pin, with a cool theme that doesn't get too crazy, it would sell. Big buck hunter could have a 2 level playfield, withthe top half being a "hunting lodge" and you could fill it with dollarama toys.. but hey, what do i know.

Quoted from axe

I think if Stern (or Sparky!) put out a simple pin, with a cool theme that doesn't get too crazy, it would sell. Big buck hunter could have a 2 level playfield, withthe top half being a "hunting lodge" and you could fill it with dollarama toys.. but hey, what do i know.

I believe Breakshot was an attempt to do just that. It is a very attractive game, proven theme, that played like an older game. It's fun to flip around but not deep enough to hold onto IMHO. AFAIK it didn't do so well.

Quoted from necro_nemesis

The game has no flow! Do you think those dead end shots are going to be satisfying? The one orbit goes around the entire perimeter and would take about 15 minutes to make it's way around. The wide long ramp anouther 20 minutes. You want long ball times shoot those two shots.

Probably not satisfying to you or I, no, but to the bar crowd who normally plays the BBH video game I'm sure they'll enjoy it.  The layout is simple, the rules are probably just as simple.. I'd be willing to bet most new pins don't do well on route because they're confusing to the casual gamer.  They're trying to rope people in, not scare them away.. and a simple glimpse at Simpsons or LOTR would scare most away without even giving it a try.

Hey, I don't disagree that the pin will suck.. I'm just saying that the whole thing feels more like an experiment than just Gary Stern being his usual self, making poor decisions.

Truth be told, it could be a double-edged sword in that if successful it would inject some much needed cash into the industry, but at the same time would steer it in a different, more simplified direction* (no good for us enthusiasts!)

*kinda how the whole redemption phase started in the first place.. it doesn't get much easier than popping a quarter in and pressing a button

Quoted from axe

...I think if Stern (or Sparky!) put out a simple pin, with a cool theme that doesn't get too crazy, it would sell.

Don't tempt me. unfortunately, I don't own any right to anything and the patents that are in my name have very little to do with pinball.

... and I have no money. That doesn't help...

Hmmm, no patents worth a damn.... no money....  

You sound like Gary Stern!!!

I am hoping that the Lost Vegas project manages to scrape up some new pinball life.

Quoted from machine.slave

Probably not satisfying to you or I, no, but to the bar crowd who normally plays the BBH video game I'm sure they'll enjoy it.

Ok, so what is a hunter more likely to do; pick up a plastic gun and start shooting at things that look like rendered deer or try to get a steel ball in some way to simulate picking up a gun and shooting Bambi?

My bet is if you put BBH pin beside the video game the BBH vid wins out. Costs probably half is much to manufacture and does twice as well. Where's the business case to build this? You build pinball for people who like to play pinball.

...sorry guys but I had to do it.

are they really pins at dave and busters. The one at 400 and highway 7 right??