I think this is a great step forward personally:



PAPA this year looks like they are starting the process to at least locally televise on site players playing their qualifying/playoff matches.  

I think this is a great step as the biggest problem with spectating in pinball is that it's only so interesting for so long (unless you are the one involved) to watch someone's back as they rack up their score. I think it will be great to watch everything as it's happening.  

Definitely a great idea.. us novice guys will definitely benefit by watching some of the moves the pros make.

I was watching you play a lot, Adam (never really seen you play before), and was taking a lot of mental notes.. specifically with NUDGING   (seriously though)

I think that for the average viewer/watcher ( not knowing ALL the rules in advance etc. etc. ) this would be like watching paint dry. Even though I'm interested in the gameplay, you've got to admit, this would be pretty boring to watch for most.

Where this COULD come in handy is when there is a machine malfunction, judges could actually review the video, then make an educated ruling on the issue.

Quoted from Bally Boy

I think that for the average viewer/watcher ( not knowing ALL the rules in advance etc. etc. ) this would be like watching paint dry. Even though I'm interested in the gameplay, you've got to admit, this would be pretty boring to watch to most.

Where this COULD come in handy is when there is a machine malfunction, judges could actually review the video, then make an educated ruling on the issue.

But that could be said for almost any televised event.  If anything I liken watching pinball to watching poker.  But since I actually like Pinball I don't find it mind numbingly dull as watching poker is

Quoted from Bally Boy

I think that for the average viewer/watcher ( not knowing ALL the rules in advance etc. etc. ) this would be like watching paint dry. Even though I'm interested in the gameplay, you've got to admit, this would be pretty boring to watch for most.

Where this COULD come in handy is when there is a machine malfunction, judges could actually review the video, then make an educated ruling on the issue.

I think it will be useful at tourney's as you could put it up on a big screen and people could watch a bit and then move on.

Quoted from Vengeance

But that could be said for almost any televised event.  If anything I liken watching pinball to watching poker.  But since I actually like Pinball I don't find it mind numbingly dull as watching poker is

I'd agree with that. I feel the same about some other stuff like poker, fishing shows, and televised golf. I like DOING these things.... not WATCHING them on TV.

The camera thing would actually be good at a large tournament, it's nice to see how the game is going, without distracting the actual current player. They could show it on the large screen where the score sheets are usually posted.... at least for the final matches.

I can't wait to watch Championship Pinball on the Ocho hosted by Cotton McKnight and Pepper Brooks. It's gonna be awesome!

Quoted from Bally Boy

The camera thing would actually be good at a large tournament, it's nice to see how the game is going, without distracting the actual current player. They could show it on the large screen where the score sheets are usually posted.... at least for the final matches.

I think that's the plan, when I said televised, I meant on a screen at the local tournament, not on actual television

Having play by play commentary would be great. They could help explain the rules as the game is being played and talk about the players' strategies.

Quoted from jonny_eh

Having play by play commentary would be great. They could help explain the rules as the game is being played and talk about the players' strategies.

I can do a great Howard Cosell imitation!

Good idea-it'd be great to be able to stream some of those feeds online.  Commentary isn't a terrible idea, but maybe something that's tracking the total score, what's lit, etc, as well as information on the games, rules, etc.  It'd be a great way to learn to play better.  

If not a live stream, you could probably produce a pretty cool DVD based on the event afterward with all the footage.

Ya, a second camera focused on the DMD would be needed.

Quoted from Chris Bardon

Good idea-it'd be great to be able to stream some of those feeds online.  Commentary isn't a terrible idea, but maybe something that's tracking the total score, what's lit, etc, as well as information on the games, rules, etc.  It'd be a great way to learn to play better.  

If not a live stream, you could probably produce a pretty cool DVD based on the event afterward with all the footage.

But then you have to get the real quiet British golf announcer's ... that would be uber weird to to hear them get quietly excited about someone lighting the super jackpot