How hard would this be to do? I mean, think up a theme, create a design (either by computer or a working model to the best of one's abilities) and submit the idea to Stern? On my way back from A-town, my friend and I we're discussing this and thought it could be a really cool project if you did this as a collective with people who are really into pins. We came up with a theme which is long overdue and could make for a kick-a** machine.

Discuss this here or pm me if you'd like to be part of the project code named 'Beef Toddler'...



Alex

This has been brought up in the RGP forums.  The idea usually gets blasted before it gets off the ground.

Your best bet is to keep the team small, and be content that in the end you may only end up with 1-2 finished machines that reside in your basement.
The plus side would be that you end up with a killer pin that (insert manufacture here) are falling over themselves to produce it and make you and them bucket loads of money.

As for how hard it would be ... I really don't know.  From all the pinball designer interviews they have had on TOPCAST they alluded that creating and designing a pinball machine is about as complex as nuclear physics.  Weather this is job security talking or that its really *that* complicated, I think you can only really know once your knee deep in it.

It also would depend on if you were starting from scratch (everything) or if you were harvesting existing components and materials.

For pitching the idea to Stern, it has been mentioned (not confirmed) that they do not want to risk creating a non-licensed theme pin and can't really afford to make a flop at this point.  Give Gary Stern a call (serious) and see how receptive to the idea he is.  You never know right?

If your going to make one yourself:

-Tommy's AC/DC pin is an amazing example of a homebrew pin. If your looking for inspiration start here.  (link is posted above from Vengeance)
( I wish someone would have brought AC/DC down for Allentown)

-Also there are two guys from Australia currently working on a homebrew pin called Coconut Island.  They have posted on maaca and RGP several times.

In any event I would be the first to wish you good luck and if there is anyway I can help let me know.

Design and implementation are two different things.

Then of course, you need to deal with economics (keeping the costs down), multiple talents (electronics, programming, artwork), production (ever wondered how much fun a wiring harness would be to make?) and licensing.


I think it would be fun to design something but it would take a big commitment.

Quoted from Vengeance

http://archive.maaca.org/s107351202.onlinehome.us/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?m-1146309506/s-all/

Well it turns out your link hit my idea right on the nose! I had no idea about this thread or else I wouldn't have posted the question. Code Name Beef Toddler  - aka Angus Young aka AC/DC shares the idea that if there's any band out there more deserving of a pinball in their name it should be them! Although ToMMy's design and work is fabulous, I just had different design ideas than his. It's amazing what kind of stuff goes through your mind in 6.5 hours after you've been to a pinball convention!

Alex

PS: Good work, ToMMy!

Just to add:

http://www.diypinball.com/Welcome.html

http://www.users.on.net/~spaners/Coconut%20Island/  (looking really interesting)

Taking a burned out pin and making my own like ToMMy has been an idea I have had for years, but with ToMMy doing it, I gave up... less interest I guess. I had a theme in mind and all, and most of it designed on paper, but the sucky part is that I suck at electronics. My strong points are mechanicals and physics. Makes it near impossible for me to convert a pin to DMD and program it.

I guess I will stick to my design on paper... cheaper that way. I intended to have an animated backglass that would have also been 3-D (shaped plexi). Would have been cool.