I'm curious, do you read the rules sheets of the games before playing them for the first time ?

For me, a new pin is a like a movie, i like discovering the rules as the game goes by... i usually dont like spoiling anything before actually playing. I might read the detailed rules sheets after i owned a game for a while or if it kicks my a** too much... i guess this is also a reason why i usually dont score too big on the complicated games or reach wizard mode too often  

Examples: was playing GnR last week and made an AXL combo for the first time.. cool, didnt knew it was even possible or what to do. Doing it on a regular basis since then. Same for CFTBL, made the F-I-L-M in sequential order once and found out it had a bonus for doing it in sequential order, didnt know, but now i do, makes it a little more challenging.

This, for me, is what keep my interrest in a game, discovering new little things/rules once in a while is cool, imo. What about you all ?

I don't look at the rule sheets when I first get a machine but only after a few weeks of playing them.  It is fun to discover a new sound or animation by yourself sometimes.  It also depends on if you see other players play your machine (or the same title at a Pinball show perhaps).

The rule sheets are rather interesting as they gather not only play procedures but tricks/tips and other info on the game creation, strategies and more.  

But it is not that easy to retain the information in these rule sheets of some more complex rules games like WH20 & JP.  For example, I sold my 2nd White Water machine to my friend and he was the one to tell me about some things on the rule sheets which I hadn't retained when I read them the first 2 times.

Now this thread brings me back to the point that when we played these machines in the arcades, there were no rule sheets for them.  It was just about observing the flashing lights and seeing what you did differently which thought you the rules.

I read them as soon as my game play stalls for a prolonged period and I sense that I'm no longer advancing through the rule set.

Which doesn't usually take too long... 1 week is the longest I've gone so far

Adam (who's always been a little impatient)

I read them immediately, and sometimes even before I get the game - if I know it's coming..  Why??  Well there's no way in hell I can remember everything anyway but it gives me a sense of what I should be playing for.  Like my TZ rule sheet.  I've read it cover to cover about 3 times and there's still stuff I don't remember to do in the game. The TZ rulesheet reads like a 30 page IKEA assembly manual.  

Mike

I read them too, Some times they have very good info, sometimes they just have a written version of the shot map. The thickest I have printed out is TSPP! I think it was 46 pages or something like that!!

Dave

I usually read them a week or more after I get the game. I like trying the game out first and learning by doing. I find it easier to understand the rule sheets if I know the "lay of the land" so to speak.

The most difficult rule sheet, for me at least, so far has been LOTR. Even after playing the game AND reading the rule sheet, it still took a few games before I started to get what was going on. I then re-read the rule sheet and everything became clear.

Like others have said, I will sometimes re-visit a rule sheet to refresh my memory and see if there is anything I missed.

Duane

I like to play the game before reading the rules sheet. Actually I read the rules waaaay after... when I can't figure out for example how u light up a mode or something like that

what rule sheets?  don't see anything but flashing lights and play my heart out.  usally its erin that reads them and tells me.  but by then i am already doing what she is explaining.  i enjoy not knowing.

I guess I'm in the majority, I like to give'er mess and play.  It's all about discovery to me on a pintable.  SURPRISE!!!!!!

                                         flashman

The answer is different depending on the 'situation'...

When I go for tournaments and such, I always consult the rule sheets...just to try to remember a few key shots, especially games that I don't know or seldomly played.

For games that I buy, I usually start with the rule card, then play a bit, then go and read the rule sheet, just in case I missed a money shot or a cool feature/mode.

Mes deux cennes,

Frosken