Quoted from tinyrodent

Did someone mention lack of originality?

???

Personally I think this is a brilliant idea. The FG license simply isn't appropriate for many locations and homes. I really enjoyed FG when I played it, but it will never end up in my house. The humour, while outstanding, is too adult themed. I don't care if it has a "family mode". Sexy Party, for example, will still be Sexy Party. The vomit mode will still have vomit.

Make it a Shrek and you have a much larger audience, I think. Personally I hope it kicks butt and they make a ton of money.

There is no lack of originality at Stern. Check out WoF, what an amazing game! Great shots, unique layout, plus some great throw backs to older style game play: the wide open flippers, neat outlanes that can be lite to "save" the ball, in line drop targets, a really cool ramp shot in the upper right, etc.

Duane

I don't mind at all reusing a game-design.   It gives choices for collectors & operators especially in the sunset time of pinball manufacturing.   A lot of people don't want the adult-themed "Family Guy" in their house.   A Shrek theme in the house works well for a lot of family's - and Sterns costs are much lower on the mechanical & software engineering.   If that keeps Stern in business, I'm all for it.

I wanna buy a A-list now - its just a challenge in choosing which one.  Shrek is in the race - but do you wait for IJ, or go on the proven TSPP?  (But TSPP may not be "family" friendly either - but much better than FG).  

Not trying to hijack - so back on-track - Shrek looks good in green.   Looks like its the "Donkey" mini-playfield.    

We're going to the Rochester show - I hope it'll be there....

Quoted from jonny_eh

I'm surprised that people aren't upset about Stern reusing a playfield design. If this practice keeps up, maybe they'll just reuse a set of three plafields over and over?
If this becomes regular practice, will this mean a drop in the number of original new games?

Manufacturers have been re-using playfield designs for decades. It's nothing new. There's countless examples.

Just off the top of my head:

Warlok = Blackout

Alien Poker = Laser Cue

Fireball = Fireball Classic

Jackbot = Pinbot

El Dorado = = Lucky Strike = Gold Strike = Canada Dry = Target Alpha = Solar City = El Dorado: City of Gold (Okay, I looked that one up)


And this is just a very small sampling and doesn't even begin to get into the differences between two player and four player games with different names but the same design (i.e. Duotron/Magnotron, Fairy/Fantasy, etc.....).

Quoted from cooke

Manufacturers have been re-using playfield designs for decades. It's nothing new. There's countless examples.

Just off the top of my head:

And this is just a very small sampling.

Doh! Well said, Corey. How could I forget that?

Duane

I for one think it's a great idea. FG has been getting very good reviews for play but I had no interest in even playing it let alone buying one due to the theme. However, when I heard that it was being remade as Shrek I couldn't wait to see it. I personally like the Shrek movies and humour and theme so a Shrek will almost certainly be my next NIB. I played Spiderman and while it has nice flow etc it just didn't grab me and I really didn't like the style of "movie scene" DMD animations they used in it. As for the upcoming IJ and Batman, can't wait!

ME

dont forget silverball mania = pace invaders

el dorado = many other gottlieb games

FG with other color basically

hm

The original link

http://www.pinballsales.com/asp/aa_ShrekPF.asp

now has a detailed picture of the play field ..

Death drop target has become Lies

It'll be interesting to see how Shrek does compared to FG (sales wise). If Shrek does way better, what does that say about the importance of the theme?

Quoted from jonny_eh

It'll be interesting to see how Shrek does compared to FG (sales wise). If Shrek does way better, what does that say about the importance of the theme?

I don't think there is any argument to the importance of theme. Scared Stiff: great theme + so so game play = top dollar. Shadow: so-so theme + great game = cheap DMD. Johnny M: so so theme + decent gameplay = really cheap DMD pin. Ripleys: so so theme + great gameplay = cheap modern Stern.

Theme is the thing that puts everything together. The sounds, lights, animations are all dependent on the theme. The immediate reaction is determined by the theme.

When I met Lawlor I asked him what element he thought made Addam's Family number 1. He said the theme.

Duane

I saw Shrek on picture and I think is like a pinball for a kid like mattel (trade mark) with a big green colors.Remember capt fantastic home game it was (I think) for a kid.The next one gone be better INDIANA JONES I hope so