tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64810914068210369282024-03-13T04:22:04.163-04:00Pinball AficionadoPinball Aficionado is my personal labor of love and is for you, the pinhead, the pinball fan, the aficionado. It is for everyone, from the person who is just entering the hobby and is trying to understand what all the hoopla is about, to the seasoned collector with 30 years of experience under his or her belt. Enjoy!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-21171106008598935292016-06-24T18:11:00.001-04:002016-06-24T18:13:40.833-04:00Pinball Collectors, Collections, and Why They Collect (Case Study #2)<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today on <a href="http://www.pinballaficionado.com/">Pinball Aficionado</a>, we're going to return to the world of collecting; the people, the games, and the reasons why they go about acquiring them. What drives someone to collect 300 pound machines that cost thousands of dollars and take up massive amounts of real estate anyway?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our pinball hobby is full of different types of people, from operators who get games and put them out to earn money, to collectors, big and small, who may acquire games for many reasons. Whether it's the one game they grew up with, or someone who gets these machines as quasi art installations that they can enjoy in their home, the reasons are varied. A while back we looked at our first collector, an opeator with a large number of machines. Today we're going to look at an enthusiast that can be seen as the opposite, a die hard fan with a single game.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0rAwu7UmeS6R5gBF2gdBgIxtEMzyNGfq6ydnxjgcPYgDfGTshaN7Fz67aPIw-MVhSDfZc4lXnjwharALCG3ElXdDo5gWs6W4_fbYsF-d4qF6uAZ_QWFnkfX6vVHYoTPU2IZ1BjuUvROe/s1600/13521123_10154163215116166_106920846_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0rAwu7UmeS6R5gBF2gdBgIxtEMzyNGfq6ydnxjgcPYgDfGTshaN7Fz67aPIw-MVhSDfZc4lXnjwharALCG3ElXdDo5gWs6W4_fbYsF-d4qF6uAZ_QWFnkfX6vVHYoTPU2IZ1BjuUvROe/s320/13521123_10154163215116166_106920846_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dennis' awesome </span><a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2465" style="font-size: medium;">Surfer!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>COLLECTOR CASE STUDY #2</u>:</b></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Collector</span></b>: Dennis</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><u>Location</u>:</span></b> South Florida</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><u>Number of Games</u>:</span></b> 1</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><u>Reason for Collecting</u>:</b></span> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Pinball is Life and you have to start somewhere. Hehe!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WtfohJtk7CGNFrHA3POax-6iv-nE4obCqVpXl-Fz6Lx_VHKaCFpLnWZRZnbV-OSQoI8MH4PEGaJTDYrVAoDVO5spQYax9z8LSQpsYusNJjukVhLdyi6Lso8XRFem7zthUzDD83yt-lV1/s1600/12509332_10153767814776166_467450886946736989_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WtfohJtk7CGNFrHA3POax-6iv-nE4obCqVpXl-Fz6Lx_VHKaCFpLnWZRZnbV-OSQoI8MH4PEGaJTDYrVAoDVO5spQYax9z8LSQpsYusNJjukVhLdyi6Lso8XRFem7zthUzDD83yt-lV1/s320/12509332_10153767814776166_467450886946736989_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dennis and his Wife at the <a href="http://www.pinballasylum.com/">Pinball Asylum</a>!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><u>Pinball Aficionado</u>:</b></span> "Do you go after any particular</span><span style="font-size: large;"> types of games, eras, or the titles from a certain designer or company?"</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Dennis: "I Really like solid states and <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#Electro-Mechanical_Game">EM's</a>. The basic rules and ease of getting into them appeals to me. I have started to understand and get into modern DMD games, but its a completely different approach; it's more about knowing the rules and maximizing features, modes and multiballs which is pretty cool but much more complicated to wrap your head around all the craziness."<br /><br /><br />PA: "Why did you choose the game you picked, how did you acquire it?"<br /><br /><br />Dennis: "I went with my wife to the Orlando <a href="http://wp.freeplayflorida.com/">Free Play Florida</a> last year (2015) and they had a couple of <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#Electro-Mechanical_Game">EM's</a> one of which was <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2459">Surf Champ</a> which is the 4 player version of <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2465">Surfer</a> and my wife and I loved it. We came back to it throughout the weekend so, for us, it stood out as a table that offered us repeated challenge and fun. Some time later a collector posted he had a working Surfer for sale, so I went to try it out and liked it, and he even offered to deliver it! I have wanted a pinball machine to practice my shots, etc. and this was a perfect opportunity, and for the price, i couldn't pass it up."<br /><br /><br />PA: "When acquiring a game, did you do it for a specific reason (gameplay, art, opportunity)?"<br /><br /><br />Dennis: "For me, this specific table had a little bit of everything. Cool bright colors, good art, good bumper location, good spinner location, drop down targets, and some nice challenging and satisfying shots. Again, out of all the games at <a href="http://wp.freeplayflorida.com/">Free Play Florida</a>, this one stood out for my wife and myself, so I already knew the boss (my wife) liked it, so that's always good when getting something that's going to take half of the living room space it has permission to be there :-) "<br /><br /><br />PA: "Anything else you'd like to share???"<br /><br /><br />Dennis: "The pinball scene in south Florida is amazing! I have met so many incredible, friendly and selfless people that are in this hobby to enjoy themselves but also to share their love of pinball with the rest of the community. The <a href="http://www.villagebbs.com/forum/">Village BBS</a> (ed. note: an amazing forum for collectors in FL) has been a great place to share ideas, stay up to date with events and stay in touch with a lot of the people involved. I really enjoy going to events and seeing the same friendly faces, as well as new people, and talk about whats going on in the world of pinball and how it has gotten more interesting throughout the years. Through the local events I have gotten into the competitive pinball scene and it has been a very fun ride. The <a href="http://www.floridaape.org/">Florida APE</a> was an amazing show this year, and am always looking forward to a new expo or convention that I can attend. I am set to attend the <a href="http://replayfx.org/">Replay FX</a> in Pittsburgh this year and am eager to hang out and cheer for my pinball friends."<br /><br /><br />PA: "Awesome! Thanks for your time."<br /><br /><br />Dennis: "No problem."</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So, all you aficionado collectors out there, why do you collect? What kinds of games do you go after? If you'd like to be featured in a future profile, shoot me an <a href="mailto:pinballaficionado@gmail.com">email</a>!<br /><br /><br />Till next time!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-36267723228885634192015-07-17T16:13:00.003-04:002015-07-17T16:13:52.218-04:00The Plight of the Pinball Collector<span style="font-size: large;">Hey there <a href="http://www.pinballaficionado.com/">Aficionados</a>!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeqDYY58ZBQX4kUX2tnNJilJVTmXxBq-vsarvfcpi5baDWM2774OvDCTYLmYB8Bu9xZmeiKlXwQv4DH9nLNUkaYe2UUcl_T720EmEk2nhQWEmG1mKqEJcbHaYuccwo0IWa5-jto7O5tBZ/s1600/Logan+and+Luci.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeqDYY58ZBQX4kUX2tnNJilJVTmXxBq-vsarvfcpi5baDWM2774OvDCTYLmYB8Bu9xZmeiKlXwQv4DH9nLNUkaYe2UUcl_T720EmEk2nhQWEmG1mKqEJcbHaYuccwo0IWa5-jto7O5tBZ/s320/Logan+and+Luci.JPG" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">What'cha lookin at bub?!?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I was recently chatting on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a> with other collectors about pinball machine ownership, and it dawned onto me that the person in question needs three things to have a collection they want. Two of the three are absolutely essential, the third is preferable, as otherwise the collection might turn out mediocre. People who don't own games may not realize this, but these things really come into play as vans pull up to your door and money leaves your wallet, so without further ado:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Three Things You Need to be a Collector: </i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. MONEY</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You definitely need money. While you can later trade machines once you have a collection going, you do need money to buy that initial game you want. You will also need money for repairs, restoration, etc. Money is pivotal to owning real pinball.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-H3D130lyVKUNJ2qZEnwLIS8JNOWmqB8a2WcMhgJejxBMamsW0BI2wSD3Vw2lWT6-8DNcjnfpqbR6e9-qCETK-tLxmQUfbUgLWg8dP1NHIDw2YpX2th1JpYqzeAeN2nG13b4A2y2BEpMA/s1600/Xmen%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-H3D130lyVKUNJ2qZEnwLIS8JNOWmqB8a2WcMhgJejxBMamsW0BI2wSD3Vw2lWT6-8DNcjnfpqbR6e9-qCETK-tLxmQUfbUgLWg8dP1NHIDw2YpX2th1JpYqzeAeN2nG13b4A2y2BEpMA/s320/Xmen%2521.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. SPACE</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You definitely need space. While you can be richer than Bill Gates, it won't matter if your available area is the size of a bathtub, no space means no collection. The collector needs room, which is why many of us often times offloads our games in other people's homes, to accommodate for a lack of immediate space.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJzwqdzZR6RqCBls6iRD0c_0TSYnzRL1ydVR5BzfMZQIMvKFy6twVB6Gfb-DSioa1c44WzNfcj0wbvqqW0-6YcHlHj5eTZlKp_PDfy6-G6pn1B7M-7BeIE6V84Eq2pmtBkDDStxuHDY0P/s1600/The+Game+Row.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJzwqdzZR6RqCBls6iRD0c_0TSYnzRL1ydVR5BzfMZQIMvKFy6twVB6Gfb-DSioa1c44WzNfcj0wbvqqW0-6YcHlHj5eTZlKp_PDfy6-G6pn1B7M-7BeIE6V84Eq2pmtBkDDStxuHDY0P/s320/The+Game+Row.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. LUCK/TIMING</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This attribute is not necessarily pivotal to owning machines like the last two, but is definitely handy in getting the collection you want, let me illustrate. Here in Florida, if I wanted to buy a Williams <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3619">Jack*Bot</a> today (2015) in good condition, I'm going to spend approximately 2300-2500 dollars for one. That is what they currently go for here. Had I been collecting 10 years ago, I could have snagged one in similar condition for about 1400-1500 dollars. Is that because the dollar has devalued that much in that time? No, it's because ten years ago, pinball in general wasn't as popular, games like <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3619">Jack*Bot</a> were harder to sell as not as many people knew about that game than they do now (thanks to Internet, <a href="https://pinside.com/">Pinside</a>, <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/search.pl">IPDB</a>, <a href="http://www.pinballarcade.com/">Pinball Arcade</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a>, etc), and replacement parts were harder to source back then. I wasn't lucky enough to be in the hobby 10 years ago, so now if I want one I'm going to pay the premium to get one. Another way of looking at the luck factor, you want a <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2699">TX Sector</a>. A game that is not rare but almost never comes up for sale anywhere, as the people that own that game love it and won't let them go. You can be super wealthy, have all the room in the world but you may spend YEARS waiting for one to become available. The flip-side of that, you have a game in your collection, you have the opportunity to sell it or trade it for another game BUT YOU CAN'T because you KNOW that you will never find another example of said game again, or in the condition of the one you currently own. This is the crux of luck in pinball collecting, unlike many other forms of entertainment (movies, music, sports, video games), finding a specific title you want to own might take years or may never happen, no matter how much money you have to go and buy one, at any price.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkNUe0Bfmytw3P6LaxGBO1V2S38ZHrqiCzwga3RgoIauzFHyTGARLoOsAAoEdvbVlWKk9GdMH3QuIO7uz6on7lznZRjg3FeFCw0avW2t1aYJPIHpVUJm9Sn-g2SUuXQ54da0NVOGx25ux/s1600/Bad+Cats+Red.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkNUe0Bfmytw3P6LaxGBO1V2S38ZHrqiCzwga3RgoIauzFHyTGARLoOsAAoEdvbVlWKk9GdMH3QuIO7uz6on7lznZRjg3FeFCw0avW2t1aYJPIHpVUJm9Sn-g2SUuXQ54da0NVOGx25ux/s320/Bad+Cats+Red.JPG" width="231" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So there, the three pillars of pinball collecting: money, space, and luck. To be successful at it you need all three, and then some.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What do you think? Am I completely off? Do you agree? Can you think of any other things you need to have a good pinball collection??</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUB8uVgtv-AlFZYOxfct5l_J6iNdWfww1j2iXV23KBPyxKy1J7P3qcD1_nydfE4y6MRtH7mva3r9hjWuMdztprWVoglopsPPaw9D0V6qa-uWD8gsGzegE5rp90WPctqJPaHVHq183av8s/s1600/Iron+Man+at+AO%2527s+Pin+Lineup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUB8uVgtv-AlFZYOxfct5l_J6iNdWfww1j2iXV23KBPyxKy1J7P3qcD1_nydfE4y6MRtH7mva3r9hjWuMdztprWVoglopsPPaw9D0V6qa-uWD8gsGzegE5rp90WPctqJPaHVHq183av8s/s320/Iron+Man+at+AO%2527s+Pin+Lineup.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time!!!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-71531725715264969992015-03-12T20:17:00.003-04:002015-03-12T20:22:16.920-04:00Pinball Stances<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnuopzzf9RZvR3cTiDTA-I6wrSp5q8Q9BQrU3cQqZ0PyCyby8QzEc6Chaxi13dPHMBcwj6IFdfia8Lat0Txie6AP7cnmKL2qpRXIvePneduCBOB91_oE5_69pXEd5-fnBFvPF3Dgs4xVh/s1600/image_zpsf5d3b7ea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnuopzzf9RZvR3cTiDTA-I6wrSp5q8Q9BQrU3cQqZ0PyCyby8QzEc6Chaxi13dPHMBcwj6IFdfia8Lat0Txie6AP7cnmKL2qpRXIvePneduCBOB91_oE5_69pXEd5-fnBFvPF3Dgs4xVh/s1600/image_zpsf5d3b7ea.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Player 1.........Step Up!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Pinball Stances, we all have them, but why do we do them? Is it natural? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What drives aficionados to stand the way they do at a machine?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVStSyswzs2HEeCHhSOH6MUYz9RJfj4lKPVk2PFgRGWjhzsIVLjEouarO-pdrxzsGkTXudZ6z4boYxgDDEvDQdrjKy8ChDFNFxhONnQwpyHVm6obK625kSdOHPBFv24EeXEfTxVnYUOOr/s1600/Colorful.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVStSyswzs2HEeCHhSOH6MUYz9RJfj4lKPVk2PFgRGWjhzsIVLjEouarO-pdrxzsGkTXudZ6z4boYxgDDEvDQdrjKy8ChDFNFxhONnQwpyHVm6obK625kSdOHPBFv24EeXEfTxVnYUOOr/s1600/Colorful.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A typical bank of games in a collection...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it due to Center of Gravity? Height? Visibility? Is there even a reason at all???</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wondered about this and started to ask around...And I found some answers!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<i><b>
<span style="font-size: large;">Marcel Gonzalez (<a href="http://www.floridaape.org/">Arcade Pinball Expo</a> show runner):</span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"A stance aids in the eye level most comfortable to a player. some is low , very close to playfield level (<a href="http://www.ifpapinball.com/player.php?p=7">Lyman</a>). Some are almost perpendicular to playfield.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Tall people are pretty screwed in a crowded room. Same as me. I'd have to switch to a stance not so comfortable to me. I guess tall pinheads need space."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDGM3Vg9bQpv3pgFioOqu7KE1pIweiNYFC_rp5VWvAc9jXwlvkBx0HLoYULJXo3abp1PtDv0ErYtmIskq4ZP0Tr4XOtZd1SaKL_tJckqBG_tiqdaJJy23luLiTNde8CAZ4YQJdK5c45RL/s1600/Friends+on+a+Friday+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDGM3Vg9bQpv3pgFioOqu7KE1pIweiNYFC_rp5VWvAc9jXwlvkBx0HLoYULJXo3abp1PtDv0ErYtmIskq4ZP0Tr4XOtZd1SaKL_tJckqBG_tiqdaJJy23luLiTNde8CAZ4YQJdK5c45RL/s1600/Friends+on+a+Friday+Night.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I guess surrounding conditions can contribute to someone's pinball stance at the moment...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Whysnow (<a href="https://pinside.com/">Pinside</a> Member):</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"I actually find that I play best when I am in a more casual stance. Getting closer to the glass tends to help me concentrate and focus, but rarely do I play better.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My wife makes fun of my stance and says I look like I am going to fall over sometimes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A good friend has the patented 'enders pinball stance' where he stands very wide legged directly in front of the game for a firm base and good nudging core. I heard he does 500 sit-ups a day just to get better at nudging."</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy01sxSdG-5tQxjfNAtDguterYKzR2iX5pK5N6DKCDBEOWveW-4HmK_5vGAcucfplQQcyd5U-tsZRz5D2OZj5PX9d0XK6GIOEfI7Cmx4o9k4fS8gEzq3ZOZIQCB7BOwOCQBionQCN5rmHx/s1600/Standing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy01sxSdG-5tQxjfNAtDguterYKzR2iX5pK5N6DKCDBEOWveW-4HmK_5vGAcucfplQQcyd5U-tsZRz5D2OZj5PX9d0XK6GIOEfI7Cmx4o9k4fS8gEzq3ZOZIQCB7BOwOCQBionQCN5rmHx/s1600/Standing.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hmm...."Ender's Pinball Stance"???</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></i>
<i style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rollitover(<a href="https://pinside.com/">Pinside</a> Member):</b></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Me? I stand left foot forward and straight on, right foot back and at a slight angle outward. Upper body tilted slightly toward the machine. Hands firmly down on the machine. I nudge from time to time but not as much as I should and use body english at tense moments. I swear it helps as much as nudging.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My son? He stands feet side by side or right foot back a pinch. His upper body nearly straight up. His hands rest slightly and he rarely nudges. He says he likes to let the machine "play out".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He is a damn good player so lots of people are now copying his stance."</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Great responses! So I guess in the end it's all of the above, space factors, height, comfort, habit...it boils down to the player and what they personally want when they step up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyfEHNIGhLt1f2rYFY28_xOEBnYkjmilFljRnutzUx_9Vc9E6o1G7rEXG2dmAyHmguiRyS0vOtJAePiXhBBh6HExgCt0iiB1kH4Fu-ISd5DO-H5_Nn-sn-Zy1dgnBhMHUo9nUXj6zmxrA/s1600/LOS+in+Action.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyfEHNIGhLt1f2rYFY28_xOEBnYkjmilFljRnutzUx_9Vc9E6o1G7rEXG2dmAyHmguiRyS0vOtJAePiXhBBh6HExgCt0iiB1kH4Fu-ISd5DO-H5_Nn-sn-Zy1dgnBhMHUo9nUXj6zmxrA/s1600/LOS+in+Action.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the end, no matter how you stand at a game, it's where the ball is that counts.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">And last but not least:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Rick Stetta, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujE7Ie9sIM8">does it best!</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/ujE7Ie9sIM8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ujE7Ie9sIM8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Until Next time!!!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-24212118504531201482015-03-04T17:00:00.000-05:002015-03-04T17:00:20.359-05:00.........And We're Back!<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Phew! I never thought that bathroom line was ever going to let up........."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hello pinball aficionados, after a while away, I'm excited to announce that WE ARE BACK!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxLaHc6UrM4pTvSyyNOKShTordYgMAPfVd2S8EE1AigDJ5ahhRZLxQOoigWvSO3QCx9fD7OkhapnqD-ggaq8WxGD1JNvagRmEqrnWLr73evg704Mgj_81CCd02oyZ0TyxTcXay6Q1XwF8/s1600/Homer's%2BWorld.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxLaHc6UrM4pTvSyyNOKShTordYgMAPfVd2S8EE1AigDJ5ahhRZLxQOoigWvSO3QCx9fD7OkhapnqD-ggaq8WxGD1JNvagRmEqrnWLr73evg704Mgj_81CCd02oyZ0TyxTcXay6Q1XwF8/s1600/Homer's%2BWorld.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>WOOHOO!!!!!</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Keep on the lookout for new posts on everything in the world of pinball, including Shows, Tournaments, Games, Players and More!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In our next post we'll be looking at Pinball Stances... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9VyRdf8_YysiWy_xT_Yhmws39LfuqIv9HDeUU1iR0NxFSOFGYPOGmM5vx9uJ8V04Gh_Zc5on7jOaN3nBvixO4rLqseO_dgUFiAHFTpq2mNbmjiGj0luMQj1lcNB0khPOGEW_vfxZZicK/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9VyRdf8_YysiWy_xT_Yhmws39LfuqIv9HDeUU1iR0NxFSOFGYPOGmM5vx9uJ8V04Gh_Zc5on7jOaN3nBvixO4rLqseO_dgUFiAHFTpq2mNbmjiGj0luMQj1lcNB0khPOGEW_vfxZZicK/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hmm, I wonder who that is...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Stay Tuned!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-82690133608943114672014-11-04T02:00:00.000-05:002014-11-04T02:59:42.703-05:00To Trade or Not to Trade...........That is the Question<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In the world of pinball collecting, often times an aficionado has the option to acquire a game through trading as opposed to a straight sale. This usually consists of either a "Trade with Cash" or the "Straight Trade." Trading with cash is usually where two machines are traded and both parties agree to adding/subtracting cash on the side to make it even and satisfactory for both groups. Straight trade is when two people trade without any cash outlay on the side. While under most situations a straight trade would be done for two machines of equal market value, sometimes it might not be, especially if both individuals want the game the other person has. This has led to some very interesting possibilities for trades, game swaps that might not normally make sense, unless you factor in where one is located as well as the rarity and desirability of a particular game in that area.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Would you swap a Metallica for a Centaur?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtXwnoPK8i4ChDgBDAhEH9R1UEth4ngXGdIjnDlq0u_GKBcRjOBeiFXZ369HNVkIkdnxpf7mhaa7XqMtWwNXrgK-4aYwHKGvI4ah_q2uAE3TGB_U7okDG3esU0OHtcsyfLJsbxtXzAyXw/s1600/Pinball+Blue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtXwnoPK8i4ChDgBDAhEH9R1UEth4ngXGdIjnDlq0u_GKBcRjOBeiFXZ369HNVkIkdnxpf7mhaa7XqMtWwNXrgK-4aYwHKGvI4ah_q2uAE3TGB_U7okDG3esU0OHtcsyfLJsbxtXzAyXw/s1600/Pinball+Blue.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/">Stern's</a> <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/metallica/pro">Metallica Pro</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Sh4CQk4Q8dOHhyB7hQFni408qY0nYLZET_q0XeCxACZ7fE4vMZzYrbbzD_tTOvANIEPQ2xw3TBFNHwLGQv5RZMY_yAG8vDFag-Q5h83facWjRkte3YECkjmyLYahp5GQK8XMt3b724As/s1600/DSCN8056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Sh4CQk4Q8dOHhyB7hQFni408qY0nYLZET_q0XeCxACZ7fE4vMZzYrbbzD_tTOvANIEPQ2xw3TBFNHwLGQv5RZMY_yAG8vDFag-Q5h83facWjRkte3YECkjmyLYahp5GQK8XMt3b724As/s1600/DSCN8056.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=476"><span style="font-size: small;">Centaur</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That sounds crazy on the surface, a new Stern DMD game from 2013 for a 33 year old machine with limited sound, lighting effects, and more primitive rules. Yet in Florida (where I live) Centaur is highly desirable and almost never for sale. In that light, a trade for a Metallica Pro would not only seem possible, but some might consider it a bad deal for the initial Centaur owner, as getting another Centaur would be a lot harder than getting a new Metallica. Though in the end, if both parties are happy, that's all that matters.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What happens if the trade really isn't balanced? Lets say a collector has a Stern <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4858">Lord of the Rings</a> (market value around $4200.00 and commonly available) but really wants a <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2486">Swords of Fury</a> (technically an $1800.00 dollar game but super uncommon, maybe only 2 in the state he resides in and nobody letting go of one, and it never for sale anywhere)? He being a fantasy themed fan, and someone who's grown tired of chasing after the One Ring, has decided he wants a Swords of Fury above it all, none are for sale anywhere within 1000 miles of him, so when he finds an owner with one, that person will only take a LOTR for trade, and so he's got a serious choice to make, take the hit and agree to the trade, or hold out hoping another game pops up. Not all Pinball games get reprints, a rare game that's never getting remade will stay rare, and while most may dismiss a trade offer like that, one man's warm-up machine is another man's grail, and pinball people can do unbelievable things when they get the fiery desire to have a game in their collection no matter what.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It boils down to desirability and what the person or people are after in the trade, and what a person is willing to do to get a game that he really wants.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What do you guys think? Have any of you ever been in the situation where you REALLY wanted a game and were willing to trade down just to get it? Do any of you have any stories you'd like to share? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Comment Below!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">PS. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_Hour_Service_Station">Marshall</a> down at <a href="http://24hourdistribution.com/">24 Hour Distribution</a> for sending me the flyer to one of my favorite games, <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=127">Bad Cats</a>!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8A1ae7rA0ikY74w9G_-V3s1Siweg_uysazS9GjzCyWU_Jslzn4FYTAhN-AEkw_xRNSgPViaw2Rcu0tzBdL7A-bT6T1cfxxwV59rrU0Yha48pPd-tMB97j9YUG11SMoqqWKYpgCVBPK8ru/s1600/Bad+Cats+flyer+from+24+Hour+Distribution.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8A1ae7rA0ikY74w9G_-V3s1Siweg_uysazS9GjzCyWU_Jslzn4FYTAhN-AEkw_xRNSgPViaw2Rcu0tzBdL7A-bT6T1cfxxwV59rrU0Yha48pPd-tMB97j9YUG11SMoqqWKYpgCVBPK8ru/s1600/Bad+Cats+flyer+from+24+Hour+Distribution.JPG" height="320" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meow Meow Meow Meow.................</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Marshall is a true Pinball Aficionado!!!! Thanks again man!!!!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-65618706334927931322014-10-25T13:50:00.001-04:002014-10-27T10:30:57.524-04:00Pinball Collectors, Collections, and Why They Collect (Case Study #1)<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today on <a href="http://www.pinballaficionado.com/">Pinball Aficionado</a>, we're going to take our first look at the world of collecting; the people that do it, the games they go after, and the reasons why they do what they do. What drives someone to go and fill their house with machines that cost thousands of dollars and take up massive amounts of real estate </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> and weigh a ton!</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2aJfZBUHe8s7iGmGWVi7aDefa7pTxKsiMyjOXyQeMxMKAcgSj783y7LAgFr50JUbHX_iVMcowZy-02f5iMIWo0LXc1ErNWnW2dHUrxWgQibAX49dcFLB0rhyphenhyphenru2bRNgxZwhqdyAgbbOS/s1600/2014-05-05+00.12.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2aJfZBUHe8s7iGmGWVi7aDefa7pTxKsiMyjOXyQeMxMKAcgSj783y7LAgFr50JUbHX_iVMcowZy-02f5iMIWo0LXc1ErNWnW2dHUrxWgQibAX49dcFLB0rhyphenhyphenru2bRNgxZwhqdyAgbbOS/s1600/2014-05-05+00.12.54.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of FLECOM's collection in his living room</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
Historically, that great hobby we call pinball can usually be divided into two general realms. One is the world of the operator and location games, where pinball machines are out in public spaces and are playable by the masses. The other world is that of the home collector, where individuals (usually after getting their first machine) go after and acquire games they are interested in owning and before long can have rooms, and then houses full of pinball tables. In years past, a majority of pinball owners were operators, but in recent decades there has been an ever growing shift toward collecting, so with that, let's look at our first collector.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>COLLECTOR CASE STUDY #1</u>:</b></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Collector</span></b>: FLECOM</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><u>Location</u>:</span></b> South Florida</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><u>Number of Games</u>:</span></b> Over 20</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>Reason for Collecting</u>:</b></span> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Mental Illness </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSPAPsmQGZuUqufUpkRX8QPdOuo2OBjIyQFpmH1kkIA72jUf0mggJD6DtYax9eggYaEEeuD8iGu9C_BpHbVAQv5tFxZwN5NqflcD8LJTDE3FGykekRJVdXvxNNKEEibr74E6wxup0eYf8/s1600/DSCN8497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSPAPsmQGZuUqufUpkRX8QPdOuo2OBjIyQFpmH1kkIA72jUf0mggJD6DtYax9eggYaEEeuD8iGu9C_BpHbVAQv5tFxZwN5NqflcD8LJTDE3FGykekRJVdXvxNNKEEibr74E6wxup0eYf8/s1600/DSCN8497.JPG" height="320" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mental Illness??? Wha?!?!?!...................</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>Pinball Aficionado</u>:</b></span> "Do you go after any particular</span><span style="font-size: large;"> types of games, eras, or the titles from a certain designer or company?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>Flecom</u>:</b></span> "I buy games that I can find for a good price, then fix them up and restore them to a playable condition. I really love seeing these games come back to life, that's when I know my hard work pays off.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My main focus has been finding good deals on games that I feel play well and then fixing them up. I tend to prefer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_pinball_terms#D">DMD games</a> with good flowing shots. As for designers, I do like <a href="http://www.pinballinventor.org/welcome.html">John Popadiuk</a> and am very happy to own all 5 of his released games including his self described 'Trilogy of Awesomeness' (<a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2845">Theater of Magic</a>, <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3824">Tales of the Arabian Nights</a>, and <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4059">Cirqus Voltaire</a>)."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>PA</u>:</b></span> "You say you have over 20 games, do you have them all in once place? Where do you put them all?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><u>Flecom</u>:</span></b> "I'm a collector/operator, I have several games here in my place, the rest are around, wherever I have room for them, including some on location at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/arcadeodyssey">Arcade Odyssey</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>PA:</u></b></span> "What was your first game, and how did you come about acquiring it?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>Flecom:</u></b></span> "My first game was a <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2358">Data East Star Wars</a>, which I picked up a little over 3 years ago. I was watching '<a href="http://gspawn.com/">Pawn Stars</a>' and saw they had a pinball machine in an episode (I think it was a <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1386">KISS</a>). I thought owning a pinball machine might be neat, decided I wanted one, and went to <a href="http://www.ebay.com/">Ebay</a> to see what was available. Seeing that nothing was for sale nearby, I then went on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craigslist">Craigslist</a>, found a DESW for sale and bought it. I picked that game as I'm a Star Wars fan. Little did I know that it would lead me into this hobby."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>PA</u>: </b></span>"Very Cool! Thanks for your time."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><u>Flecom</u>:</span></b> "No problem."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, all you aficionado collectors out there, why do you collect? What kinds of games do you go after? If you'd like to be featured in a future profile, shoot me an email!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Till next time!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-79401706730310720362014-10-17T03:09:00.003-04:002014-10-17T19:33:07.588-04:00Pinball Art and the Whoa Nellie Controversy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjFqNVknK8JYUKNxunjtFHZx6smmf6e4yvFV821mCBY2dO3Ql9Mnj2Zyg12K7vlF5-VIv75BteibPQPWnplm8hcNilkSTg8DtKI2FFh99lc0btcyyuMJArL5doC-fKjCxcwP8PC40dfJT/s1600/WNBJM_Final_Qtr_9-8-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjFqNVknK8JYUKNxunjtFHZx6smmf6e4yvFV821mCBY2dO3Ql9Mnj2Zyg12K7vlF5-VIv75BteibPQPWnplm8hcNilkSTg8DtKI2FFh99lc0btcyyuMJArL5doC-fKjCxcwP8PC40dfJT/s1600/WNBJM_Final_Qtr_9-8-10.jpg" height="298" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sternpinball/posts/10152767660474244">Whoa Nellie!</a> The game that is fruitful for some and rotten for others. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>- Photo courtesy of Whizbang Pinball</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This week on <a href="http://www.pinballaficionado.com/">Pinball Aficionado</a>, we're going to look at a controversy that has developed in recent hours online. It was during <a href="http://www.pinballexpo.net/">Pinball Expo</a> and involves Stern's announcement of a game they will soon be manufacturing in early 2015 for <a href="http://whizbangpinball.blogspot.com/">Whizbang Pinball</a> (the design duo comprised of <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/search.pl?searchtype=advanced&ppl=Dennis%20Nordman">Dennis Nordman</a> and <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/search.pl?searchtype=advanced&ppl=Greg%20Freres">Greg Freres</a>).</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sternpinball/posts/10152767660474244">Whoa Nellie</a>, an older electromechanical style design that's been in the works in one form or another for over 4 years. As soon as the announcement was made on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sternpinball">Facebook</a> there were many who lauded the move, as it's essentially an original theme with a homage to classic pinball art of the 1970's. There were also dozens of comments by people who found the artwork offensive, misogynistic, even one person alluding that it fed into rape culture.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Whoa indeed!</span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's an interesting debate, and could prove a very slippery slope for <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/">Stern</a>. On the one hand, having a simpler, EM style game with "classic art" could definitely appeal to the hobby's prime demographic, older white men (statistically the average pinballer's age today is around 42) who grew up on games with that visual style. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBlaWAidmsLlG4M_5-qpmbNDaOfq68c2yVzxF74fjOYnAS17d7aqZ5Jn0FgKQTwKTFruaML_1mgqnpRzfzJRbuOP-tx7O8w6X-sDqBP6z_UOEZxODpN4xQDeJq6qqsc2IcA_LVDAIbUXl/s1600/0222032326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBlaWAidmsLlG4M_5-qpmbNDaOfq68c2yVzxF74fjOYnAS17d7aqZ5Jn0FgKQTwKTFruaML_1mgqnpRzfzJRbuOP-tx7O8w6X-sDqBP6z_UOEZxODpN4xQDeJq6qqsc2IcA_LVDAIbUXl/s1600/0222032326.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Warrior's Bride in <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1755">Paragon</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aFNnWOG07jO5xwi75RqydFhqHICAEnOMA9QMiS2aFxmjjhUkphhIjb2nHD_da9MiK9ehhJiH3dwkQgJxuSUNZlhJbzRktndMHqUIQR9hhF8auVPkRVi5flLiR9y2qtu-UsiSxLPYWBUE/s1600/DSCN8135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aFNnWOG07jO5xwi75RqydFhqHICAEnOMA9QMiS2aFxmjjhUkphhIjb2nHD_da9MiK9ehhJiH3dwkQgJxuSUNZlhJbzRktndMHqUIQR9hhF8auVPkRVi5flLiR9y2qtu-UsiSxLPYWBUE/s1600/DSCN8135.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Slave girl from <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1155">Hercules</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JQMX2UQUXlfpxg-0-8doiuhw9FcbeiI6dUAACQTQiDXwkP6WqkraI1ePtj_VOePy8t5W54eOnKPlBwgjpRME8U0JGJQkIW4Byf_Rp1pi7lwPxOzniZSW9PUHMruMWTlrsBP9JDA1mGT_/s1600/DSCN8238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JQMX2UQUXlfpxg-0-8doiuhw9FcbeiI6dUAACQTQiDXwkP6WqkraI1ePtj_VOePy8t5W54eOnKPlBwgjpRME8U0JGJQkIW4Byf_Rp1pi7lwPxOzniZSW9PUHMruMWTlrsBP9JDA1mGT_/s1600/DSCN8238.JPG" height="237" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sacrifice in <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1062">Gorgar</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWewtbpVnT1ZBal19wahuc_Xa_4B2qbnBHjL-MKlzKS7isI-xxSnrALVMXng9Qil3qoneU_CwBPXtzrOTD8qn0aGSKDh7cKr3Qx_I16Z6JiKOsG1Bfqb25kKcT5HHFMjo-MahJD9r5lz3v/s1600/DSCN7708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWewtbpVnT1ZBal19wahuc_Xa_4B2qbnBHjL-MKlzKS7isI-xxSnrALVMXng9Qil3qoneU_CwBPXtzrOTD8qn0aGSKDh7cKr3Qx_I16Z6JiKOsG1Bfqb25kKcT5HHFMjo-MahJD9r5lz3v/s1600/DSCN7708.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Girl in <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=997">Genie</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uGlqT96489yNXphRMxvhrMWqMcEBoVZLZ5zrYCFjfJXmO7dQqM4NwYsHEIh5A8KU7E7xYF3KIdtCOdFNgQGedjNjyOniSQ3yNSGzfsRPfGVofsTYR3oRxJjpk8oz-zzHrqML6VpanMnf/s1600/DSCN8301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uGlqT96489yNXphRMxvhrMWqMcEBoVZLZ5zrYCFjfJXmO7dQqM4NwYsHEIh5A8KU7E7xYF3KIdtCOdFNgQGedjNjyOniSQ3yNSGzfsRPfGVofsTYR3oRxJjpk8oz-zzHrqML6VpanMnf/s1600/DSCN8301.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=851">Fire Queen</a>.............She might be sexualized, but is she a "victim" or "inferior"???</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">On the other hand, this kind of art today could definitely rub some the wrong way. Today more people, especially women are now in the hobby, and they find these visuals to not have any redeeming or artistic value, and as such find that this older graphic style is offensive and outdated. It's a valid point, more people are trying to move past older stereotypes and trying to be more inclusive and respectful. There was even an article written for <a href="http://www.skill-shot.com/content/tnacdc,6275">Skill-Shot.com</a> showing female player Kayla Greet's view toward the sexualization of the feminine form in games past and present (including contemporary titles such as <a href="http://www.pinballnews.com/games/acdc/index12.html">ACDC Luci</a>) and how it was distracting, demeaning, and did not leave a positive impact for young people in general.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So that possibly leaves Stern in a vulnerable place, cater to the largest pinball playing demographic, or try to appeal to a wider audience. In a relatively small hobby like pinball, Stern's obviously catering to their largest audience, though if they continue to focus on them, its likely to remain small. Time will tell if it was the right move or not. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gjE4rGA-Z3u-s9bF-j7mbtVvuKNGHP61rInKCSgSEt9ofCdRVNYGzwTMXSdGN9dHrYP1vZwNv_PIHbABJ7-i5HIc4VLLdYp_DDIbS2Kn2pVPIH0pQMpw0jgdVPI86tMK5jq0GEMw-G1E/s1600/playfield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gjE4rGA-Z3u-s9bF-j7mbtVvuKNGHP61rInKCSgSEt9ofCdRVNYGzwTMXSdGN9dHrYP1vZwNv_PIHbABJ7-i5HIc4VLLdYp_DDIbS2Kn2pVPIH0pQMpw0jgdVPI86tMK5jq0GEMw-G1E/s1600/playfield.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Playfield..... </span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- Photo courtesy of Ministry of Pinball</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, what does everyone think of this controversy, is it legitimate? Blown out of proportion? What's your view of the debate??? Comment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Until Next time!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<i>-- Special Thanks to Amanda Kotchon for contributing to this entry.</i></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-69750391535431221882014-10-09T23:30:00.002-04:002014-10-09T23:30:30.608-04:00Pinball Aficionado Facebook Page!!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7h7cQooTVCu8Hf8-fm3DWh96shpPsVroh9zI3x_9cBymPu6MJ8NWYZkEUZnGGFSSw6qWJ3fiP8iwE4S8BL57_cShulFGYHt2WVW1FhYt22JsvXeWaCd8ZBal-f0PR4vLpSLNNplnMOqV/s1600/BDK.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7h7cQooTVCu8Hf8-fm3DWh96shpPsVroh9zI3x_9cBymPu6MJ8NWYZkEUZnGGFSSw6qWJ3fiP8iwE4S8BL57_cShulFGYHt2WVW1FhYt22JsvXeWaCd8ZBal-f0PR4vLpSLNNplnMOqV/s1600/BDK.JPG" height="159" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Joker's Realm... In <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5307">Batman: The Dark Knight</a> Pinball by Stern!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hey all you aficionados out there! Just want to give everyone a head's up! Pinball Aficionado is now officially on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pinballaficionado">Facebook</a>!!! Now you can more easily see blog posts, links, make comments, share info, check out photos, and more!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkoFVnLTPlHEcbw8FRM58eYTsl2forS6AjtY57d1sozWrXIa6jINUj9aVSwoh4cHP2cRVHOsd9iIIQ8rp4N-9A01IGXRxL9TXxSH8SMmv9J_yqCGliqmb8wVOtFF7NvMtozN8VYhzaSMI/s1600/My+Pins+at+Jeff's%2B-%2BApril%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkoFVnLTPlHEcbw8FRM58eYTsl2forS6AjtY57d1sozWrXIa6jINUj9aVSwoh4cHP2cRVHOsd9iIIQ8rp4N-9A01IGXRxL9TXxSH8SMmv9J_yqCGliqmb8wVOtFF7NvMtozN8VYhzaSMI/s1600/My+Pins+at+Jeff's%2B-%2BApril%2B2014.JPG" height="264" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pinball!!!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lots of stuff is coming in the next few weeks to the blog, we're going to go from one end of the pinball universe to the other and back again, hope you guys stay tuned, it's going be a great ride!!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">-- Eric</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-12010842037594142752014-10-02T15:09:00.001-04:002014-10-02T15:09:12.194-04:00What Makes You Prefer One Machine Over Another? -> The Responses!!!!!!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2-05xiqoJW3TUuUkKCaN_I3Rlim5ILrypwGosEiZ8hsqicNKGOUgD2lNB0oP9NLo1DwnPGrzV208pWYAksVjLDl1gjlIGEKuDGUJbIE35ArYHA_8DDAb0hImei44HR3J56j8su7zUhyphenhyphen5/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2-05xiqoJW3TUuUkKCaN_I3Rlim5ILrypwGosEiZ8hsqicNKGOUgD2lNB0oP9NLo1DwnPGrzV208pWYAksVjLDl1gjlIGEKuDGUJbIE35ArYHA_8DDAb0hImei44HR3J56j8su7zUhyphenhyphen5/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The world famous "Wall of Pins" at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/arcadeodyssey">Arcade Odyssey</a> (in Miami FL)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">WOW! You guys really responded!!! Awesome! I'm not sure I've ever had so many comments to a single post before! Last week we asked what makes you pinball aficionados <a href="http://pinballaficionado.blogspot.com/2014/09/what-makes-you-prefer-one-machine-over.html">prefer one machine over another</a> and we got some incredible answers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One reader, mentioned that first and foremost it was art (or how the table looked), followed closely by game play (amount of action and shots). Another comment, talked of how the rules of a table can differentiate similar layouts, so that they while two games may look VERY similar, almost the same, they end up playing and "feeling" completely different. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Other replies went on, talking about not just the shots, but how much "flow" or continuous ball movement potential a table might have, and how well this factor of movement worked with other elements of the table, such as sounds, call outs, and light shows. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIvrS88euknzAYvbafT4mhYz-fqX0gvqwpu6oo69cWkyAs2ugKW2laOODuQv1zN-mjhSMgd2y-st6OMImCAxpGJjbtKOYv-C0MLRIjNGqbHk3FlOEcFDFQMemUhyOJBN-JNdOLX75Tq5w/s1600/Private+Game+Selection.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIvrS88euknzAYvbafT4mhYz-fqX0gvqwpu6oo69cWkyAs2ugKW2laOODuQv1zN-mjhSMgd2y-st6OMImCAxpGJjbtKOYv-C0MLRIjNGqbHk3FlOEcFDFQMemUhyOJBN-JNdOLX75Tq5w/s1600/Private+Game+Selection.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Universes under glass...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Others went further, explaining that a major factor for them preferring a game over another was dependent on if they owned it or if they were just playing it at a location. If they owned it, it would need deeper rules (for longevity) and/or possibly have a lower production run, and be in near museum quality condition to make a game in a private collection just that more special for the owner.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVju5S-aZLULTWJf8KCubA5hm7zSZNHCSxCFnhTua5d7PUImCmY2Aoe-5jm4GYb4TUGZmcqHRqifc4R2u1UOve3azqU3B3StATgEkBkeqnzeIdYAgyjx2xT5KYAS6nPvvv2Ymw3YSBmzU/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVju5S-aZLULTWJf8KCubA5hm7zSZNHCSxCFnhTua5d7PUImCmY2Aoe-5jm4GYb4TUGZmcqHRqifc4R2u1UOve3azqU3B3StATgEkBkeqnzeIdYAgyjx2xT5KYAS6nPvvv2Ymw3YSBmzU/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Public Games...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, one person, mentioned that another factor is nostalgia, as in a game they played in their youth versus one they are less familiar with. How playing a particular game that feels special to them, brings them to a happier place in their mindset, and gives them greater enjoyment. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Phew!!! OK, Let's compile all those factors:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Shot Geometry / Design</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Flow</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Art</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sound</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rules</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Theme</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rarity</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Nostalgia</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">WOW!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If one looks at all the responses, it would appear that the answer is complicated. While going by the number of comments, it seems that the most mentioned points are "design", "flow", and "rules", but that is not all. Other factors play into those for everybody, and so the key to desirability would seem to be more a combination of multiple attributes - many times working together in concert - to make a game more preferable to someone over another.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8TI6lv89uvsyAHj-leK2TrpZ5HLI8Qjsxxb5N8JywzCCKM0q9FM-hYpctKiI_a94-QmSfe5h_kd4aXheTo5lni9YlQgflxibwWmwPC9clCTuNVYDd4Yc9Zcv8xseQ5xL8FBbTmKWNdeR/s1600/Private+Games.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8TI6lv89uvsyAHj-leK2TrpZ5HLI8Qjsxxb5N8JywzCCKM0q9FM-hYpctKiI_a94-QmSfe5h_kd4aXheTo5lni9YlQgflxibwWmwPC9clCTuNVYDd4Yc9Zcv8xseQ5xL8FBbTmKWNdeR/s1600/Private+Games.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So many factors bring a game together...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I guess this is why when you ask multiple people to list their favorite game, you get different lists, and one man's bonfire pin is another man's grail treasure. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So the answer appears to be multiple factors, combined in varying amounts, for different tastes. Wow, my hat off to the designers of these games. They bring all these disparate elements together and somehow make it all work, </span><span style="font-size: large;">talk about a tricky proposition!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally! You're probably asking "<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1yYDvHxd2NacQdsz54V_zo9Q7eoMThyDjIDywmOEEmR6rrZ0Calg2RuZxBhMtHkG0PI_bZ4vp-bf0Nv9CyxHkMrm4Jexjj69xKMXIBU1z13DuQcopEAEu8MotrL9XTzkGRqDx3mhH0kn/s1600/image_zps7876e1d3.jpg">So who won the T shirt!</a>" I can now say that we have a winner!!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Drumroll................................................................And the winner is.................................. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">KEVIN M!!!<i> </i></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5YJxWXiFLGYg4iwjGOTf1wpGksnRchL_8YE3j0aKOb5H4Xk_nwhCR7YbDvKwaEtIOYiK4GNgNyNqCeNWDFNWwB2SyNubUc7mHqCkRomfAMMp_tX1TToX2Z1nTeUcByU56ucmxqNhfclS/s1600/Winner+of+Stern+Shop+Tshirt+-+Oct.+2+2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5YJxWXiFLGYg4iwjGOTf1wpGksnRchL_8YE3j0aKOb5H4Xk_nwhCR7YbDvKwaEtIOYiK4GNgNyNqCeNWDFNWwB2SyNubUc7mHqCkRomfAMMp_tX1TToX2Z1nTeUcByU56ucmxqNhfclS/s1600/Winner+of+Stern+Shop+Tshirt+-+Oct.+2+2014.JPG" height="320" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kevin, A Winner is You!!!!!!!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Kevin, please message me (use the contact form on this blog) your address and I will send you the Stern Shop Tshirt! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Till next time.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-4109444042704922412014-09-26T00:20:00.002-04:002014-09-26T16:53:52.242-04:00What Makes You Prefer One Machine Over Another???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhsA8BUX4A2gQf5_Na3UzGoV-yvQR7GVcTy22FFuc_kM_shJvdkQN8RYm87IW7zpJdskBCB1gWfns4cPXCMM4WGfEqLJOZLLbULUJWdauh4T-xSlhuSUUInmvwDjSbIpG20mxYM_n9g68/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhsA8BUX4A2gQf5_Na3UzGoV-yvQR7GVcTy22FFuc_kM_shJvdkQN8RYm87IW7zpJdskBCB1gWfns4cPXCMM4WGfEqLJOZLLbULUJWdauh4T-xSlhuSUUInmvwDjSbIpG20mxYM_n9g68/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So many games.......so many choices.......</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Recently I was on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Facebook</a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> and saw some polls on pinball enthusiast pages that dealt with the usual "What's your favorite game" or "What's the worst pinball game of the 1980's" etc to start discussions. It got me thinking, what DOES make for a good game, or a bad game? Pinball is a funny thing, because one person might love the game you find abhorrent and vice versa. What kind of factors cause that? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMz61S4e6afiDIxZc4a13jXf4kMAAPRXKxs8vaUz97dZvCIvjN6AzMm4aMJxzqy2RatB10hBZI7oItVg0jf_0dpwwrOWjVdm6rmvokLWzzp_7tobFQg3GCnk-pgbOYxr1m9us5v8ndYpRa/s1600/ACDC+Right+Ramp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMz61S4e6afiDIxZc4a13jXf4kMAAPRXKxs8vaUz97dZvCIvjN6AzMm4aMJxzqy2RatB10hBZI7oItVg0jf_0dpwwrOWjVdm6rmvokLWzzp_7tobFQg3GCnk-pgbOYxr1m9us5v8ndYpRa/s1600/ACDC+Right+Ramp.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shots? Art? Lights? Sound?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And why is it that in our hobby, unlike many others, we pinball </span><span style="font-size: large;">aficionados</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> obsess over the smallest things. Game might shoot great, but dammit, they got that annoying 5 note loop track or the color of the playfield is yellow and not red and so it's sucky, while that other game next to it plays similar, but has some different sounds and rules and you think it kicks total butt. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06sm0WL8rdn5FgfW8dndPK6ZqEOKSoaXb067-l4-ftGd_gJmXf-25C_PhVLhnK_CL_LG_vMFqCsJxP6T7ltTg3mxcoLwVcnsqLQ1YBWKqnd-k_vG7ANkwKAjx5eeiuCMcbFjWi4v0DOXX/s1600/T2+via+LED.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06sm0WL8rdn5FgfW8dndPK6ZqEOKSoaXb067-l4-ftGd_gJmXf-25C_PhVLhnK_CL_LG_vMFqCsJxP6T7ltTg3mxcoLwVcnsqLQ1YBWKqnd-k_vG7ANkwKAjx5eeiuCMcbFjWi4v0DOXX/s1600/T2+via+LED.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Terminator 2</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiospxG3CDMfdkJJjlQD0I6hIbkSCfcJs7X72lR26B_C-iatofrEIGA_P8AmTntSELHRl4UrWdkYaqZUnrgUV7g1LVZxxbhERZYzEMGyPyNMiKNblTSI_hJE-lq6UKWPVCMK_Crfrg8gQr5/s1600/Pop+Bumper+Beauty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiospxG3CDMfdkJJjlQD0I6hIbkSCfcJs7X72lR26B_C-iatofrEIGA_P8AmTntSELHRl4UrWdkYaqZUnrgUV7g1LVZxxbhERZYzEMGyPyNMiKNblTSI_hJE-lq6UKWPVCMK_Crfrg8gQr5/s1600/Pop+Bumper+Beauty.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">ACDC</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A non pinball person would see T2 and ACDC and think it was the same game, or at the very least, would think it was made in the same year, but not us, obviously. We'd see both of those very </span>differently<span style="font-family: inherit;">, and we'd </span>definitely<span style="font-family: inherit;"> price them and rate them very differently as well. Why???</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1nMbJ4T6tYnPk23kRiGD_VPgR67QI6otiza1aCQaOjFxDsUeozcmCQkn6ngOU9B7eaX-RxXBLpUUP45f85XP8tLI7JizzuIq4CACkCXbA0U9VelrYnCNcciKTgZlxq1tgc12FekuSIY2/s1600/ACDC+Ramp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1nMbJ4T6tYnPk23kRiGD_VPgR67QI6otiza1aCQaOjFxDsUeozcmCQkn6ngOU9B7eaX-RxXBLpUUP45f85XP8tLI7JizzuIq4CACkCXbA0U9VelrYnCNcciKTgZlxq1tgc12FekuSIY2/s1600/ACDC+Ramp.JPG" height="320" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ramp...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Other hobbies/industries don't seem to be that particular. If I or most people go to buy a new car, my main concern would probably be that it drives. It's not a deal breaker if I can't get the car in dark blue when all they have is regular blue, yet in Pinball something like that can be a deal breaker. Are we just a picky bunch? Or is there more to it??? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1Fbu929ZWKQHdcGG5DdFQN-j80bqkxNhoufJlfUnsmbuPQJB5cwE9YEWji_vQcsNwIghFlSuY8hMnE4BEm70mdhIKfDpdRzSBC5R3V4mYUAOOq7Azgddqx4X2FkzS3SR7QwAksD7wiI5/s1600/Pinball+Quartet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1Fbu929ZWKQHdcGG5DdFQN-j80bqkxNhoufJlfUnsmbuPQJB5cwE9YEWji_vQcsNwIghFlSuY8hMnE4BEm70mdhIKfDpdRzSBC5R3V4mYUAOOq7Azgddqx4X2FkzS3SR7QwAksD7wiI5/s1600/Pinball+Quartet.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Balls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Let me know!!!!! </i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Discuss what factors for you, cause a game to suck, or a game to be great! Comment below, here on the blog (make sure java script and cookies are enabled for your comment to come through) and for your trouble one of you will be randomly picked to win a </span><span style="font-size: large;">kick-ass "STERN SHOP" T-Shirt, totally free, that I picked up while I was visiting the factory last month!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1yYDvHxd2NacQdsz54V_zo9Q7eoMThyDjIDywmOEEmR6rrZ0Calg2RuZxBhMtHkG0PI_bZ4vp-bf0Nv9CyxHkMrm4Jexjj69xKMXIBU1z13DuQcopEAEu8MotrL9XTzkGRqDx3mhH0kn/s1600/image_zps7876e1d3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1yYDvHxd2NacQdsz54V_zo9Q7eoMThyDjIDywmOEEmR6rrZ0Calg2RuZxBhMtHkG0PI_bZ4vp-bf0Nv9CyxHkMrm4Jexjj69xKMXIBU1z13DuQcopEAEu8MotrL9XTzkGRqDx3mhH0kn/s1600/image_zps7876e1d3.jpg" height="172" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ooooooh!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Next time we'll check out your replies. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Until then!!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-18184407000420845522014-09-18T15:28:00.000-04:002014-09-18T15:28:14.555-04:00The World of Modding! - Part 3: Lighting!!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMhWawr7qVwQ4ZFXheGF9OBqSAuOhsY_aO1TbdCiD-tYSPJ20wUlNxd-Xyza5AG5lHDusKpzVTQ2Wn8H33JkzpGtfzs2gJm0v_xqP4EMGVDMpTMwxfaf3MrpNK1qdFVnR1dK2nqL3vbft/s1600/photo+3+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMhWawr7qVwQ4ZFXheGF9OBqSAuOhsY_aO1TbdCiD-tYSPJ20wUlNxd-Xyza5AG5lHDusKpzVTQ2Wn8H33JkzpGtfzs2gJm0v_xqP4EMGVDMpTMwxfaf3MrpNK1qdFVnR1dK2nqL3vbft/s1600/photo+3+(1).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Colorful LED's lighting up the ramps in a <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=310">Black Knight</a><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">Last week we looked at the "<a href="http://pinballaficionado.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-world-of-modding-part-2-physical.html">Modding</a>" scene (pinball... not piercings </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">*snicker snicker*</span></i><span style="font-size: large;">)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">, specifically the different "physical" ways that pinball aficionados modified their games to suit their tastes. That included adding toys, changing game artwork, and personalizing bits of their games to make them specifically their own.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn7ISfcWlLuqF7M-JK8dY_2uEMsZGVuvrVOmqYlMjgFE90Ywf1m5tIXbgefHAeEgTQqZdNDOcuF9YotX4yl3wcM9-5LUgPO2TS0WAxMxm8d1TXJzwhag6Z3XIhz1HMWe4V3eruLdsgEd7/s1600/aaa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn7ISfcWlLuqF7M-JK8dY_2uEMsZGVuvrVOmqYlMjgFE90Ywf1m5tIXbgefHAeEgTQqZdNDOcuF9YotX4yl3wcM9-5LUgPO2TS0WAxMxm8d1TXJzwhag6Z3XIhz1HMWe4V3eruLdsgEd7/s1600/aaa.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">LED's added to the inserts on a <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/213/the-lord-of-the-rings">Stern: LOTR</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This week we're going to look at another huge side of modding, and that is the LIGHTING side. This type of modification involves the changing of lights in a game, most commonly from <a href="http://www.pinballnews.com/learn/lamps.html">incandescent bulbs</a> to newer, more versatile, <a href="http://www.cometpinball.com/category-s/1817.htm">LED types</a>. This is done to suit the owners taste, and in many cases, improve the look of a game. There is also a huge benefit to LED's, in that they're cooler than older style incandescent bulbs, and they typically last thousands of hours longer. The added color potential of LED's also means one can change the look of the game, as old style bulbs only came in white, 99% of the time. The downside to using LED's is that in many cases they do not look the same as older bulbs, and pinball players like what they are accustomed to and find LED lighting to be ugly or negatively impact play. Also in earlier years, LED's were not as sophisticated and the results were less than promising, resulting in older incandescent bulbs holding favor until now. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqs5rH77PzIAnJLYxOQYDhoKoGioxqRt1jn1GFQs9Mm_CfO56EL2uywwOw0A-ZaUFNRggDHBnbvqTT-UyDU0vNXuE8m3VwXZDOFHHxboqI_l12-xf-_vOhXpBgtXxS7-AQlKFxagZzcrQ/s1600/image_zps5365ce22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqs5rH77PzIAnJLYxOQYDhoKoGioxqRt1jn1GFQs9Mm_CfO56EL2uywwOw0A-ZaUFNRggDHBnbvqTT-UyDU0vNXuE8m3VwXZDOFHHxboqI_l12-xf-_vOhXpBgtXxS7-AQlKFxagZzcrQ/s1600/image_zps5365ce22.jpg" height="320" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Incandescent 555 wedge bulb on the left, it's LED equivalent on the right (old school flasher up top)...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">LED's in pinball machines are nothing new, some games came with them (behind the scenes on pinball circuit boards) as early as the <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=2294&picno=55724&zoom=1">mid 70's</a> on early <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#Solid-State_Game">Solid State</a> games, and visible to the pinball player as early as <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=82&picno=11603&zoom=1">1987</a> (seen there in the shooter lane area on a <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=82">Premier: Arena</a> pinball game). Stern pinball has been messing with them to replace old style incandescent bulbs <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89NfEy4Cy0U">since at least 2004</a>, but as you can see in the first 5 mins of that video (courtesy of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTI1MWaUrPmmxzokunqSOQA">mdclayton</a>), LED's at the time were not quite as sophisticated as today and had issues, resulting in Stern continuing to use older bulbs until <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/star-trek/pro">last year</a>.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">LED bulbs have gotten better lately, and are now available in many different colors, configurations, and brightnesses that can make older games really pop. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivkUroMgC_htpvLPUwk3XhzYbScECkwOTihmWvIyXfKTZUd-xsp46waVJ_hyaNeRLkaPNN8A62MbuSNP7GXBBukS-mK6Wgl-lYsJO4OMzYbtQuZJiXpfftQJmcYUxOaxdrgh1fS5wpwPw/s1600/RB+Ramp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivkUroMgC_htpvLPUwk3XhzYbScECkwOTihmWvIyXfKTZUd-xsp46waVJ_hyaNeRLkaPNN8A62MbuSNP7GXBBukS-mK6Wgl-lYsJO4OMzYbtQuZJiXpfftQJmcYUxOaxdrgh1fS5wpwPw/s1600/RB+Ramp.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Data East <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=23">Rocky and Bullwinkle </a>outfitted with <a href="http://www.cometpinball.com/">Comet LED's</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC_cSVOgb8ZoZGVPyiKWFv757yUf4NjYzZozgCVadBHPQ0Ru9dSPQWUHW8YzXbYo6ksIOgY61I-siHw2XRgfGxSR8Zl77edgaB3ZzG2j_auXvz_pTJEszMlOm6XMNK5r5FwZCJ6dmnf4O/s1600/Metallica+Modded.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC_cSVOgb8ZoZGVPyiKWFv757yUf4NjYzZozgCVadBHPQ0Ru9dSPQWUHW8YzXbYo6ksIOgY61I-siHw2XRgfGxSR8Zl77edgaB3ZzG2j_auXvz_pTJEszMlOm6XMNK5r5FwZCJ6dmnf4O/s1600/Metallica+Modded.JPG" height="320" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/metallica/pro">Metallica</a> with custom LED lighting throughout<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">This has led to several major LED bulb vendors for the pinball community for hobbyists and owners to really trick out their games and modify the game's lighting. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Some major LED vendors for the community are:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.cometpinball.com/">Comet Pinball</a> (My personal favorite, great prices, great variety!)</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.pinballbulbs.com/">Pinball Bulbs</a></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.cointaker.com/">Cointaker</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzddRxCSIRLh6iioS1ecuRgdAWdSKvOOVxKAxp0qo-Yl2RoB_edvgCc6n4ksCyTiPtbCO9yvpfcZN331_HH_FkhnrZeBm5p6fU-7qff7PuzrwdsNqCRN80jnTbHEeaEYRFTwnd2odEAV-/s1600/photo+5+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzddRxCSIRLh6iioS1ecuRgdAWdSKvOOVxKAxp0qo-Yl2RoB_edvgCc6n4ksCyTiPtbCO9yvpfcZN331_HH_FkhnrZeBm5p6fU-7qff7PuzrwdsNqCRN80jnTbHEeaEYRFTwnd2odEAV-/s1600/photo+5+(1).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Black Knight plastic with blue LED underneath</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiBsEEm8H8zaEDHQIHeAAWPXRGpoGw0wizfkkFi759cCnXyQ9FuDR9qtQlXKIsA2lK3PwtYYQ_9AhK0rpdKhz3gssAtGc_hyphenhyphenxQvmQN-LvX3pZ22s4F7KE1F_C-SfjmLHtWYYwmZDOqvRA/s1600/photo+4+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiBsEEm8H8zaEDHQIHeAAWPXRGpoGw0wizfkkFi759cCnXyQ9FuDR9qtQlXKIsA2lK3PwtYYQ_9AhK0rpdKhz3gssAtGc_hyphenhyphenxQvmQN-LvX3pZ22s4F7KE1F_C-SfjmLHtWYYwmZDOqvRA/s1600/photo+4+(1).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Check out that moon! LED bulb ADDED to that spot for extra effect!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">With improvements in LED design, you now have dozens if not hundreds of different bulb styles and options to get the light and color just right for you. These vendors even provide entire kits so that you can just tell them the game you want to light up and they will send you all the bulbs in all the right colors to make your game look its best. The LED's themselves have been improved and many of the issues that people faced years ago are gone, so that even <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/">Stern</a> has now adopted LED lighting as standard throughout all of their models.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0a9ZzSnbn5Q9v1Ndy01fnuhs_9HO3_Mj6RKm5DUfi2VUk8C6BGLaaukIgtpbytZnH_-Xi5zdYWDR8Od69E8ZE4kvHy0eVjoJTlFUuDVUpB6euKzqrsboMAfpcR8DMvHL3keSFEXGERVGT/s1600/ST+Ramp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0a9ZzSnbn5Q9v1Ndy01fnuhs_9HO3_Mj6RKm5DUfi2VUk8C6BGLaaukIgtpbytZnH_-Xi5zdYWDR8Od69E8ZE4kvHy0eVjoJTlFUuDVUpB6euKzqrsboMAfpcR8DMvHL3keSFEXGERVGT/s1600/ST+Ramp.JPG" height="320" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">LED lighting on Stern's Star Trek: Pro</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This begs the question: "Is the old school incandescent going the way of the Dodo???" Not necessarily, as certain players and collectors will always want to remain traditional and not switch their games over, but for most other people and their games, as well as all newly manufactured titles from here on out, LED's seem to be here to stay. I guess you could say that Pinball is now officially in "The LED Era".</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time!!!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-39143886251956744392014-09-12T02:25:00.000-04:002014-09-14T22:43:36.198-04:00The World of Modding! - Part 2: Physical Mods<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MkxxWfoWC8efEVA2gXSQQwM91-VOcFu0yfwK444hu2OXiE5Qe0EVTeSApjHHA_2FegwO4TDLtnTD2B2lm-K6Tp_1ZIHW13JABA7mjwjM9ftM47CjgKP9PldYQ803v4A8RovRmV17or8P/s1600/egg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MkxxWfoWC8efEVA2gXSQQwM91-VOcFu0yfwK444hu2OXiE5Qe0EVTeSApjHHA_2FegwO4TDLtnTD2B2lm-K6Tp_1ZIHW13JABA7mjwjM9ftM47CjgKP9PldYQ803v4A8RovRmV17or8P/s1600/egg.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hand crafted, customized "Candy Apple" plungers to go on many different games...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Continuing on from my last update about the world of </span><a href="http://pinballaficionado.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-world-of-modding-part-1.html" style="font-size: x-large;">Modding</a><span style="font-size: large;">. I decided to start by looking into how people trick out their personal games with different art, toys, and customization options. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8E3R0UKto5ej7eTEW1nDnR7PPUg7gpClvellKMh4uWDG9zPDjPuwHWWsLfi8B0wskD6eHfLpWeB1hS_cWwHL7-o2H32_U2Qth0iD-noufWvVa230QMRM6dWFOkf7toFfCpIYWQxvtSgpE/s1600/topper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8E3R0UKto5ej7eTEW1nDnR7PPUg7gpClvellKMh4uWDG9zPDjPuwHWWsLfi8B0wskD6eHfLpWeB1hS_cWwHL7-o2H32_U2Qth0iD-noufWvVa230QMRM6dWFOkf7toFfCpIYWQxvtSgpE/s1600/topper.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom topper on a Sega <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3593">Batman Forever</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Let's face it, if you're gonna drop anywhere from 500-9000 dollars on anything, (let alone a pinball machine) you better be happy with it! Jeez...It would totally suck if you weren't happy after dropping that kind of dough....*shivers*...yikes. Anyway, not everyone is happy with how a particular game looks when it leaves the factory. Some may like the gameplay but hate the artwork, others might find the interactive toys lacking, or the game missing that special something that the designer should have included, but didn't because of cost, time, or lack of foresight. Because of that, people turn to modifications to make their games look better, be more personalized, and in turn, the overall experience improves and they have more fun playing them.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoIMe7pxxF7HGwyIMQbHJKRxRMpZZ8rpL-GDCxyPbgEsqiCFfIZRN5FL8JcMtdIx4RCUCtZ9xNqkzO0Qy2NOVu6NfKDLZsv9aezONgXDW1W6_nTFYCGSA0UC65dtnodE2wSMVMkiYPJ3N/s1600/guitar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoIMe7pxxF7HGwyIMQbHJKRxRMpZZ8rpL-GDCxyPbgEsqiCFfIZRN5FL8JcMtdIx4RCUCtZ9xNqkzO0Qy2NOVu6NfKDLZsv9aezONgXDW1W6_nTFYCGSA0UC65dtnodE2wSMVMkiYPJ3N/s1600/guitar.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom guitar toy and additional side wall art added to a <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/">Stern</a> <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/metallica/pro">Metallica</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">There are many big name "Modders" out there who create these modifications and sell them online. Among them are the likes of "<a href="http://pinballmiked.com/">Mike D</a>", "<a href="https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/acdc-new-original-translite-meet-helen">Aurich</a>", "<a href="http://www.pinballpimp.com/">Pinball Pimp</a>", "<a href="http://www.pingraffix.com/">Pingraffix</a>", "<a href="http://mezelmods.com/">Mezelmods</a>", and of course, "<a href="http://www.pinballrefinery.com/">Pinball Refinery</a>" just to name a few (click any of those links and prepare to go "Whoa!!!!" because all those guys do incredibly amazing work)! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some examples:</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxMU8T08JUmc0ZHT0-5hsdXhn9HclKPDEzgUuXVc9QAl0wVD7ufEJye96OF2TbzM2VbYmiwzkIafY5X7q8sFSLNjKM1xPWK17RHNMDOXckIZM2k0R-wv9ybdqw9IbejmLGA1hG9XzHQSx/s1600/photo+2aa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxMU8T08JUmc0ZHT0-5hsdXhn9HclKPDEzgUuXVc9QAl0wVD7ufEJye96OF2TbzM2VbYmiwzkIafY5X7q8sFSLNjKM1xPWK17RHNMDOXckIZM2k0R-wv9ybdqw9IbejmLGA1hG9XzHQSx/s1600/photo+2aa.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/ac-dc/pro">ACDC</a> with an alternate <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#Translite">translite</a>, speaker panel, and custom speaker covers.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53f2G1WeREBKa4Aj5jZsiBZDHB_n6DmqS2ZqZyfr7r1BsTbbkGyeLvZ8-tNQmbfmdehh5NFPfoCATkZpZ2wF42cVCddD7SuvQe2YtTnUJ6O4QlIIo4qlAZIPj9s_ZexEFEqQw3GmUxdAG/s1600/Custom+snake+fangs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53f2G1WeREBKa4Aj5jZsiBZDHB_n6DmqS2ZqZyfr7r1BsTbbkGyeLvZ8-tNQmbfmdehh5NFPfoCATkZpZ2wF42cVCddD7SuvQe2YtTnUJ6O4QlIIo4qlAZIPj9s_ZexEFEqQw3GmUxdAG/s1600/Custom+snake+fangs.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom snake fangs for Stern's Metallica.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgm6gHxNbtUYRtS41SjEyKk56GjFRg23O4yviQvzKkNjJLNr_-scFlllGCGNxCsjlPuMli0HIn4UGEZoI6hB_IBGqUC0jYmiNT26T5N_XQ8CA6Jdlg3XfjRBfUz3Dg9FvZ8O4OlwxITXy/s1600/10498719_10204359216971174_5317830875511085387_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgm6gHxNbtUYRtS41SjEyKk56GjFRg23O4yviQvzKkNjJLNr_-scFlllGCGNxCsjlPuMli0HIn4UGEZoI6hB_IBGqUC0jYmiNT26T5N_XQ8CA6Jdlg3XfjRBfUz3Dg9FvZ8O4OlwxITXy/s1600/10498719_10204359216971174_5317830875511085387_o.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom Metallica speaker panel from <a href="http://www.backalleycreations.com/">Back Alley Creations </a>(photo courtesy of Elo Rey).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yNuu2hfTOVOYlFPLzDHqTVg7AwNUT95GK_BmZDfNY6n4JMETXQzrTqyzTCTvfC2zrTmTdemavocWFlggzy6b5pgEboh2c-9Zw4sYSN4LlOnDhff8SUbC020s0ZPcQiLwhFiAxKXXC45b/s1600/aaa+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yNuu2hfTOVOYlFPLzDHqTVg7AwNUT95GK_BmZDfNY6n4JMETXQzrTqyzTCTvfC2zrTmTdemavocWFlggzy6b5pgEboh2c-9Zw4sYSN4LlOnDhff8SUbC020s0ZPcQiLwhFiAxKXXC45b/s1600/aaa+(2).JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom pinball apron for <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3592">Apollo 13</a>...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dBFsG9WXGrAiPlP_qarO2hxmWJmL-5EcKYBFG3RtbCWijMSIRJrl4YwVRFUP8oT4ScgYS2kVYtlGyhINh76cUTua_hIYg3EJx9UDJmpC2Qu_tKPgr_dgkWAm_ij4l0xPS4xzkA6elLe5/s1600/zz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dBFsG9WXGrAiPlP_qarO2hxmWJmL-5EcKYBFG3RtbCWijMSIRJrl4YwVRFUP8oT4ScgYS2kVYtlGyhINh76cUTua_hIYg3EJx9UDJmpC2Qu_tKPgr_dgkWAm_ij4l0xPS4xzkA6elLe5/s1600/zz.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom decaled and powder coated side rail for <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/star-trek/pro">Stern Star Trek</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Along with these guys, there is another big modder that has been making a name for himself in the scene lately. He goes by the illusive moniker "<a href="https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/candy-apple-shooter-rods-acdc">The Modfather</a>" and has been creating several very popular items for pinball aficionados that have found their way on games from Seattle to Boston and everywhere in between. After moving mountains, making many clandestine phone calls, sending smoke signals, and solving intricate clues with secret passwords, I discerned his hidden location and was FINALLY granted access to see his work in person......Phew!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7oRRp8Vs-ehuN5YMCGkqlY-GnX2m9Ql15NaF4ETS3Vi1NirNwnnOI23P6sH8kmwCVsiH_Ox1AdP00ZUTXugww0gYChJIweo6fBiW53MraF_5RTV6qYnT6xdTTWlrbx6nlYKEr-A4iK3k/s1600/image_zps457501a4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7oRRp8Vs-ehuN5YMCGkqlY-GnX2m9Ql15NaF4ETS3Vi1NirNwnnOI23P6sH8kmwCVsiH_Ox1AdP00ZUTXugww0gYChJIweo6fBiW53MraF_5RTV6qYnT6xdTTWlrbx6nlYKEr-A4iK3k/s1600/image_zps457501a4.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The mysterious man himself....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's some of his work:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QS_Hv_xwNjxglbwuAUFojRm3edK3Aq7t4M8L8ZSLNvC56vuvIE9LuLoMnVtpkLTLDX1zak7WjandATMraYLOhscBvS_2VERnG-f4Q6e9cB2cMOIOAUoll366V1mZ5eidvecFunXmkm06/s1600/image_zps6bb46eff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QS_Hv_xwNjxglbwuAUFojRm3edK3Aq7t4M8L8ZSLNvC56vuvIE9LuLoMnVtpkLTLDX1zak7WjandATMraYLOhscBvS_2VERnG-f4Q6e9cB2cMOIOAUoll366V1mZ5eidvecFunXmkm06/s1600/image_zps6bb46eff.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Customized Carpathian Village for <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3072">Bram Stoker's Dracula</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cwFgBxMZb6ClPU5H1RSJMXw_-SKRBXaPxs-SVv0wPDuNJl43QyKjok-Q4zhwiae-WGDRpOn9C5b9gvrHPUQLl85YnSdiqNDG6AxNkK9PHcqHRR4cZr8S5byVs2ZNMqy978zdN41ZKuOd/s1600/image_zps62e29409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cwFgBxMZb6ClPU5H1RSJMXw_-SKRBXaPxs-SVv0wPDuNJl43QyKjok-Q4zhwiae-WGDRpOn9C5b9gvrHPUQLl85YnSdiqNDG6AxNkK9PHcqHRR4cZr8S5byVs2ZNMqy978zdN41ZKuOd/s1600/image_zps62e29409.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hand painted...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSqNjzA1aSmwsDL2cYuMhhd38c3tzSWJ2R7dzKr2hZKfEUOo3IXQcSp0bsDdJCtn9GIE29EbQls1nCS-BVUOZBd24r35w-G7DSa-6UvRIRa28wtrLGldlcVYR1LY13jfrG_PBa6WPnUu2/s1600/image_zpsf2a67025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSqNjzA1aSmwsDL2cYuMhhd38c3tzSWJ2R7dzKr2hZKfEUOo3IXQcSp0bsDdJCtn9GIE29EbQls1nCS-BVUOZBd24r35w-G7DSa-6UvRIRa28wtrLGldlcVYR1LY13jfrG_PBa6WPnUu2/s1600/image_zpsf2a67025.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">...And very detailed.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aRBtFnUCwUpr-QLMDyeHOmMZIynpj7V1d5eYHqyS1i-cnXphD9g6PTd7hYxOSCG9ZcGes133pT5PV8McF39gVKRODREdBdXl2_8r7siuoxHxNxi-F7_M2a3SHmK5La0bppZPUOiMpHD7/s1600/grass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aRBtFnUCwUpr-QLMDyeHOmMZIynpj7V1d5eYHqyS1i-cnXphD9g6PTd7hYxOSCG9ZcGes133pT5PV8McF39gVKRODREdBdXl2_8r7siuoxHxNxi-F7_M2a3SHmK5La0bppZPUOiMpHD7/s1600/grass.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actual grass in a <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/213/the-lord-of-the-rings">Stern LOTR</a>!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmUT2Z7hZ5elZaja3rMedqmap9Y8r-MPwQy3jybPpy1mLq0bCo7RLYyuznslfw7C-WF9pHyidkRDWsGk68iqa5PrSRTxfOnaDFlGnriEwqLEXp5B7REFHg2qj2PWfxb7eMYMaBrBhZXa_/s1600/side+panel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmUT2Z7hZ5elZaja3rMedqmap9Y8r-MPwQy3jybPpy1mLq0bCo7RLYyuznslfw7C-WF9pHyidkRDWsGk68iqa5PrSRTxfOnaDFlGnriEwqLEXp5B7REFHg2qj2PWfxb7eMYMaBrBhZXa_/s1600/side+panel.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom sword mod for LOTR... (that is a real blade!)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciuuuetQiJHTAM0l253I3NdnVgDmj2Hk1sty3PVt0vrmMdZUt6jXn_c8lE5JxuELAfUtXj1o8ZKk4Ddkvpko3uRgNrET5Pl7B8eylk4HwF37ztqbIzfk9b9BftMJXWMrvnZ77ms8BsHjO/s1600/ttttttt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciuuuetQiJHTAM0l253I3NdnVgDmj2Hk1sty3PVt0vrmMdZUt6jXn_c8lE5JxuELAfUtXj1o8ZKk4Ddkvpko3uRgNrET5Pl7B8eylk4HwF37ztqbIzfk9b9BftMJXWMrvnZ77ms8BsHjO/s1600/ttttttt.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Space Module mod for Apollo 13...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVvbaXxWSLX7MJi-qeU241hrYSbArJYPoXlDRm3D1f44vFIKVQPnReErACmOU84f4vrTWBIZXN-HF-GkrMXgEJ-Df89tzZdMPOCouwwaBoT52GPeQYaou3ucybCH72To9b8rbNJh72S80/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVvbaXxWSLX7MJi-qeU241hrYSbArJYPoXlDRm3D1f44vFIKVQPnReErACmOU84f4vrTWBIZXN-HF-GkrMXgEJ-Df89tzZdMPOCouwwaBoT52GPeQYaou3ucybCH72To9b8rbNJh72S80/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="257" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom Lockbar for Independence Day</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJ8fUvHClImmF39bb2sFtsju5zSP5Mp96wcSXDyosrXO1eVbfeR0xgZO6YXFNku7-BQ9K5P-eMdXcPgn0mPssqOuTm5LrQgSxRdkByckWofS4d3oElDjayd7cgLyUK3Uyq6BuL5Z662q_/s1600/photo+1aa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJ8fUvHClImmF39bb2sFtsju5zSP5Mp96wcSXDyosrXO1eVbfeR0xgZO6YXFNku7-BQ9K5P-eMdXcPgn0mPssqOuTm5LrQgSxRdkByckWofS4d3oElDjayd7cgLyUK3Uyq6BuL5Z662q_/s1600/photo+1aa.JPG" height="320" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Customized <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=6060">ACDC</a> dynamite, guitar, and drum set toys...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqQ31h1IVFtYXWWRN4evK0rwF3uJWdDm47f-o0VSEVHIaRo1KUr76K1IBoMbcXdgAumYSaVbp1j8Gw8Dz-UlPHBf8ZSQOnm2aFVbX4oIReH8jzMhXm6V97tsVCx9i4g94ipxCaswO-Isq/s1600/term.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqQ31h1IVFtYXWWRN4evK0rwF3uJWdDm47f-o0VSEVHIaRo1KUr76K1IBoMbcXdgAumYSaVbp1j8Gw8Dz-UlPHBf8ZSQOnm2aFVbX4oIReH8jzMhXm6V97tsVCx9i4g94ipxCaswO-Isq/s1600/term.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom Terminator Exoskeleton mod for <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2524">Terminator 2: Judgement Day</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOwKW5HY6lurFKJk1aZ5puSf5Td6Rgo3MClHhivevV4ctkdovQCzLYeyt2PsYTPBy8Vw1lEo_zfnEfoCjNgI2icoTBYIMu98Ldv5-qJoDc7Ltr-UrwwZ48PP0KMUgml8hnNBKGH8P0pRa/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOwKW5HY6lurFKJk1aZ5puSf5Td6Rgo3MClHhivevV4ctkdovQCzLYeyt2PsYTPBy8Vw1lEo_zfnEfoCjNgI2icoTBYIMu98Ldv5-qJoDc7Ltr-UrwwZ48PP0KMUgml8hnNBKGH8P0pRa/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom lit "Warrior Souls" for the Path of the Dead in LOTR...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7PYHIsYb6o2jL-b-lwn-8IrECgyFDxAMg2SvOTgt5__v7tahBLu_JVjKiQ7XRgUpwbqeJCMVCG-0cEkpylIbqp4LOFdTYzE7rnonKu2BSz4gLCWu5mW5T7MT46FGo82VtP9SAjYAr4Nh/s1600/eeeeeeee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7PYHIsYb6o2jL-b-lwn-8IrECgyFDxAMg2SvOTgt5__v7tahBLu_JVjKiQ7XRgUpwbqeJCMVCG-0cEkpylIbqp4LOFdTYzE7rnonKu2BSz4gLCWu5mW5T7MT46FGo82VtP9SAjYAr4Nh/s1600/eeeeeeee.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom lettering, paint job, and shooter rod for LOTR...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2-2eGYnIXZbsPQFE-jQxtJ69oeQB3fa4E5pP2G7mqFvZVMxXvqf1cSvuG6saM59_Rcu5xUxAyNuBHMvaxuFZMJ_kMCG1FF1XeH-7RyZUHcOpiJTiIJoB8A8VTBw_Fzoq8HmVjOug1zE-/s1600/Chuck+and+Arch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2-2eGYnIXZbsPQFE-jQxtJ69oeQB3fa4E5pP2G7mqFvZVMxXvqf1cSvuG6saM59_Rcu5xUxAyNuBHMvaxuFZMJ_kMCG1FF1XeH-7RyZUHcOpiJTiIJoB8A8VTBw_Fzoq8HmVjOug1zE-/s1600/Chuck+and+Arch.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom graveyard archway for Metallica...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Suffice it to say I was impressed. He's very good at doing customized pinball toys, hand crafted art flourishes, along with stenciling and has a real passion for detail. Then he showed a few other things that he has done... </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqY8HzFMAmukfYsNze_zRZKA6uGyQSHUP4CSOP-aNkB0bGLhqQk8T1PzVcIKR4BQ5mqrbBmVMYekFgSMn-Sjk1Z4wEbfX0S5CE0oSh5oN256iKFDR4aYGjA0d_BmHk9hi6CFMUjC1sx0Yc/s1600/aa+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqY8HzFMAmukfYsNze_zRZKA6uGyQSHUP4CSOP-aNkB0bGLhqQk8T1PzVcIKR4BQ5mqrbBmVMYekFgSMn-Sjk1Z4wEbfX0S5CE0oSh5oN256iKFDR4aYGjA0d_BmHk9hi6CFMUjC1sx0Yc/s1600/aa+(2).JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom 3D rendered and hand painted witches castle walls for <a href="http://www.pinballsales.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=45&idcategory=2">Jersey Jack</a> <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5800">Wizard of Oz...</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">That is the upper left playfield on the Wizard of Oz pinball game. Originally those walls were flat, the texture on them a simple print. The Modfather went and made his own set of walls that give significant depth and detail. The walls look great and have become very popular and as such, he has been selling them online to WOZ owners all over the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkA0xrzqnSu9rTvUCotizDE00PPYb0GLYq3nxxr89RikrJ3PseWccvMsQp1ZellQQoc2wy9KHksZCOILFH_JXB8KyYa3aNWDbU4i8gOWJyxKj_tnLtaMYZg8DEuPvA8TsEw9MdwXB0OPsU/s1600/walls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkA0xrzqnSu9rTvUCotizDE00PPYb0GLYq3nxxr89RikrJ3PseWccvMsQp1ZellQQoc2wy9KHksZCOILFH_JXB8KyYa3aNWDbU4i8gOWJyxKj_tnLtaMYZg8DEuPvA8TsEw9MdwXB0OPsU/s1600/walls.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Wall of Walls......</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">One last thing he showed me was his new "Candy Apple" shooter rod plungers. These are custom shooters that are hand painted to match any game that uses a standard plunger.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaX-jKHjbjUNwI-mHwZ7c-2XuizbOnHKADG_zjIfdwlYVG6vc0lZ3efNtrzyddbTvL7ORN0oNr0Mei1_J4WYLHjvR0LSwb2rpPygGyABRarGXJtyX18c15T0WoY2ds0Q8beZQJc5lnL-r8/s1600/pencil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaX-jKHjbjUNwI-mHwZ7c-2XuizbOnHKADG_zjIfdwlYVG6vc0lZ3efNtrzyddbTvL7ORN0oNr0Mei1_J4WYLHjvR0LSwb2rpPygGyABRarGXJtyX18c15T0WoY2ds0Q8beZQJc5lnL-r8/s1600/pencil.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom painted shooter rod plungers...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy03_ZrkQ52dK3Ko0artMoHDygz7hGN2BzjdFRNV5TE8PNYRO79miaHdCEqFkZ9IW0jlRJmha5s9iQKwWVcpkWAJdtITELZB4QkP57oZ8tNpb62L6bZtf8vbEAStVnkdWmHM7LqtVHDGjs/s1600/balls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy03_ZrkQ52dK3Ko0artMoHDygz7hGN2BzjdFRNV5TE8PNYRO79miaHdCEqFkZ9IW0jlRJmha5s9iQKwWVcpkWAJdtITELZB4QkP57oZ8tNpb62L6bZtf8vbEAStVnkdWmHM7LqtVHDGjs/s1600/balls.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oooh Pretty!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEuTi7iqcUE7v4VNb8uulLnjnSdJ7ABVqQqam7RhuiEDj6-u4BnPbE3FuZx-S2dNLecN-PnTYlgafGLlhR0yjwQGHXlH8-ovjCFqxp_BP0OcxOx8-YAJ7MVznaMExkS6MTfM43sPPkYmt/s1600/tttt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEuTi7iqcUE7v4VNb8uulLnjnSdJ7ABVqQqam7RhuiEDj6-u4BnPbE3FuZx-S2dNLecN-PnTYlgafGLlhR0yjwQGHXlH8-ovjCFqxp_BP0OcxOx8-YAJ7MVznaMExkS6MTfM43sPPkYmt/s1600/tttt.JPG" height="267" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Plunger for WOZ</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35aOAYxipahVD05g0u5V1OndqGJbwTpddjtSap6pv5ebaC0dTqZpRrrLT3YOJWDhEA-djxmI19yS1UEifXbBfccC2wIJJm5xvZ1G1WW5KqyqgF_YZ6vYkwd3C3XdY1vLAksDTrRxQziL3/s1600/ball.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35aOAYxipahVD05g0u5V1OndqGJbwTpddjtSap6pv5ebaC0dTqZpRrrLT3YOJWDhEA-djxmI19yS1UEifXbBfccC2wIJJm5xvZ1G1WW5KqyqgF_YZ6vYkwd3C3XdY1vLAksDTrRxQziL3/s1600/ball.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looks kind of like a planet almost....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb7WzI41fMsuL2AEq_zxOGcUClEJrG1aM-4F-1Tac4B8rgjqLaFKYnA54A6p0wGK1e6lIpJS9-EWce-SC3Xg0_6CpkH8IUYebCOMLpREoGGmrf0oQTaAi13adcDEeUNXvfIXpyTRRTqJ-/s1600/paint.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb7WzI41fMsuL2AEq_zxOGcUClEJrG1aM-4F-1Tac4B8rgjqLaFKYnA54A6p0wGK1e6lIpJS9-EWce-SC3Xg0_6CpkH8IUYebCOMLpREoGGmrf0oQTaAi13adcDEeUNXvfIXpyTRRTqJ-/s1600/paint.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The paints that are used....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVW7_T5zvuT4bNQM6wcQ02AuH-KGbU9VeV5773K8ycUZi0w0VL00Ki9R65ia4hlB-4sI8OTd0ShZ4PhsLx0XcbhANlVwlKu6Z5O6a0KXW_40YIEHZpb0YdU5Jzz3vEubNwZ8kTaEjmcZyu/s1600/The+Candy+Apple+Shooter+Rod+ACDC+Edition.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVW7_T5zvuT4bNQM6wcQ02AuH-KGbU9VeV5773K8ycUZi0w0VL00Ki9R65ia4hlB-4sI8OTd0ShZ4PhsLx0XcbhANlVwlKu6Z5O6a0KXW_40YIEHZpb0YdU5Jzz3vEubNwZ8kTaEjmcZyu/s1600/The+Candy+Apple+Shooter+Rod+ACDC+Edition.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom ACDC "Candy Apple" Shooter on the game...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I asked him where one could buy his mods, and he said that you can order his work from several websites including:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/custom-shooter-rods-by-modfather-now-available">Pinside Forum</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.pingraffix.com/">Pingraffix</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.cometpinball.com/">Comet Pinball</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.littleshopofgames.com/">Little Shop of Games</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well there we are, if one is going to spend serious money on something like a Pinball machine, the least you can do is trick it out to your taste so that you love it all the more. Just like how people mod cars or boats, others mod pinball machines.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Till next time, where we see how modding has changed the look of lighting in pinball forever!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Feel free to comment below! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-27106464864385381552014-09-05T00:16:00.001-04:002014-09-05T00:16:14.991-04:00The World of Modding! - Part 1<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0C3_kFYgnWMuOxa1jd_sHUJ1KpT7Li-Q4gRkXX8rM36ZIPiVbHqauueak6jR3uXrXtLR3LE8YwSjWzIO47x0TK6Vs8tZtN72fxmkB4ncvYdyAlNtO_M91EYj8VgAASrd6xCL30rl2lVh/s1600/photo+2+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0C3_kFYgnWMuOxa1jd_sHUJ1KpT7Li-Q4gRkXX8rM36ZIPiVbHqauueak6jR3uXrXtLR3LE8YwSjWzIO47x0TK6Vs8tZtN72fxmkB4ncvYdyAlNtO_M91EYj8VgAASrd6xCL30rl2lVh/s1600/photo+2+(1).JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=310">Black Knight</a> with color coordinated <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode">LEDs</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Within the pinball universe, there is a phenomenon </span>that's<span style="font-family: inherit;"> been steadily growing over the years. It's being seen more and more in owners homes and among collections. Sometimes when you come across it, you may not even notice it, other times, it's so extreme and all encompassing you can't miss it. In many cases it can help improve things, but it can also have the opposite effect........What am I talking about?!?! Breast enhancement?!??!?!?! NO! I'm speaking of the world of Modding!!! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1cFwHSpatHCAIyLQ7zuav2Neb_gmU2CSp-sgkIWq0A40Fn5BswUn8uYGB5Y3vl0QVm49-fzbS1TdYVv3UCqFKecPzwK-DjTgwBRx-DZ2wdQS-DHWYElCE92IBO5xlCFDqJgN8pJPOQPx/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1cFwHSpatHCAIyLQ7zuav2Neb_gmU2CSp-sgkIWq0A40Fn5BswUn8uYGB5Y3vl0QVm49-fzbS1TdYVv3UCqFKecPzwK-DjTgwBRx-DZ2wdQS-DHWYElCE92IBO5xlCFDqJgN8pJPOQPx/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/213/the-lord-of-the-rings">Stern Lord of the Rings</a> with custom cabinet art </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Modding comes in many forms (lighting, artwork, software, toys, toppers, cabinets, you name it) and has been growing by leaps and bounds over the years. Years ago when the primary pinball owner was the operator making money on location (at the bar or arcade), mods were unimportant (unless to improve durability or fix a physical flaw or software glitch), but now as more and more people are personally owning games and the focus has turned from the operator to the private collector, mods have become interesting options to make games more unique and enjoyable for those that own them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKfxrV0_eCgwHDvr8mKZrGiC4WuGn85-CMg9yE92839L1-mpzjMpHREbFCGofvhZq6UYwOMeVejj0FTOi8Hr47ISCugnJ63JPDYeG8FdR368g1qj4tZ_nw1TMtrq6unyj-Zvji8pSxeLX/s1600/image_zpsf2a67025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKfxrV0_eCgwHDvr8mKZrGiC4WuGn85-CMg9yE92839L1-mpzjMpHREbFCGofvhZq6UYwOMeVejj0FTOi8Hr47ISCugnJ63JPDYeG8FdR368g1qj4tZ_nw1TMtrq6unyj-Zvji8pSxeLX/s1600/image_zpsf2a67025.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom painted and detailed Carpathian village for <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3072">Bram Stoker's Dracula</a><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizljg_e58VRL7Qztd3f-FP38Jlj6cHWWJWySfVHkn-g9P5pGsudXHxX-BmbhSCqB-hvOtr5P71s2EnTruzQ_tMA2LH44Fgs0Yh_wuXZ_ntfyzGHwI94quvDDZMhtEW1NBq6UeyPyy-V_BP/s1600/photo+3aaa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizljg_e58VRL7Qztd3f-FP38Jlj6cHWWJWySfVHkn-g9P5pGsudXHxX-BmbhSCqB-hvOtr5P71s2EnTruzQ_tMA2LH44Fgs0Yh_wuXZ_ntfyzGHwI94quvDDZMhtEW1NBq6UeyPyy-V_BP/s1600/photo+3aaa.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom wood grained colored shooter rod</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0I4aYuN7_8tcr6gw0yWoaPFLgmLfP3beC8ObyQzUVPdjhbqH-gzr2Hfz1uj17YEUBEa6IGS5JGZfpSU4r4J8VhwxtM9Ov0DVRvpZCfrizMCeARgOZ3OvbZCId7bE4VGH7ac8gvADLPWz/s1600/aa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0I4aYuN7_8tcr6gw0yWoaPFLgmLfP3beC8ObyQzUVPdjhbqH-gzr2Hfz1uj17YEUBEa6IGS5JGZfpSU4r4J8VhwxtM9Ov0DVRvpZCfrizMCeARgOZ3OvbZCId7bE4VGH7ac8gvADLPWz/s1600/aa.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Real sword modification in a Lord of the Rings Pinball Machine</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f-dNj0GfiIcxafFB3BcnpRR2PZAM4X1IxXYcVbtnYZdNGdX1gPctdwlz5ZNVD1Y7xFHbNE5Lg9yIUhH8lXYZkTNKUFiBnqZPInuoOG_HgnzpnrwsaeS-8XAKk-jZPQHQ3QHzhENXpd5t/s1600/photo+2aa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f-dNj0GfiIcxafFB3BcnpRR2PZAM4X1IxXYcVbtnYZdNGdX1gPctdwlz5ZNVD1Y7xFHbNE5Lg9yIUhH8lXYZkTNKUFiBnqZPInuoOG_HgnzpnrwsaeS-8XAKk-jZPQHQ3QHzhENXpd5t/s1600/photo+2aa.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#Translite">translite</a> and speaker panel for <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/ac-dc/pro">ACDC</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Aficionados have modded their machines in every way possible, from the types of bulbs used all the way to super exclusive custom toys and personal software enhancements to game content like personal music and speech. These collectors have spent considerable money doing this, in some cases the mods are worth more than what the whole machine is worth stock! They obviously have a passion for it, and this passion is what I'd like to showcase in the coming weeks....STAY TUNED!!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi8-IllBj8dzlbqLZCcFeeqWmJdEexffRlW02k6Wqi801uH6t0XhzVil8l1_rufnusGyI0y-LUVMRasnFW9sR0qu0YXQ_g-EE4y3TAc4W1mvyxHVqyNI3z9Qx2zfmfbxeWmZzk5lHvQ8d/s1600/2014-06-16+17.45.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi8-IllBj8dzlbqLZCcFeeqWmJdEexffRlW02k6Wqi801uH6t0XhzVil8l1_rufnusGyI0y-LUVMRasnFW9sR0qu0YXQ_g-EE4y3TAc4W1mvyxHVqyNI3z9Qx2zfmfbxeWmZzk5lHvQ8d/s1600/2014-06-16+17.45.04.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">That is an actual 3 inch tall fully functional Tron video game, with working game and real display over the ball scoop on the <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5682">pinball</a> version.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-75138435699586008702014-08-28T10:27:00.001-04:002014-08-28T10:27:23.787-04:00Pinball Oddities...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7nNBY3Xu6Bv0QbJsAL2abhOsn4SZVzUPy8ikxd1ViJYULrSOjidnU33SRpS2yuKhdg7E6og8cItsDZY8a2gm4yo-kcU2RCNMBn8WpU__54IT8WfBtVSfBYVNkkH32dL3n7vIliSf0lK2/s1600/Collector+at+Play.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7nNBY3Xu6Bv0QbJsAL2abhOsn4SZVzUPy8ikxd1ViJYULrSOjidnU33SRpS2yuKhdg7E6og8cItsDZY8a2gm4yo-kcU2RCNMBn8WpU__54IT8WfBtVSfBYVNkkH32dL3n7vIliSf0lK2/s1600/Collector+at+Play.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Pinball Aficionado at Play</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While exploring the deep and rich world of pinball, I've seen many things. When you're a pinball aficionado and you love a hobby like this, you naturally immerse yourself and tend to notice stuff. Items like common and popular themes, or playfield elements, designer traits, sales trends etc. This also gets one thinking of stuff that's absent, or hasn't been done often, and I'd love to know WHY that is!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Let's look at some....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Right Outlane Kickback.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yep, you heard that right. Why is it that pinball designers never deploy a coil powered <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#K">kickback</a> in the RIGHT <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#O">outlane</a> of the playfield? If they do it, and they've done it a lot over the last 40 years, it's ALWAYS on the left! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQJBmWuitZSdJv4rqwu8Lw9rthaWub8jt5mnU31GEhWIg7JNmasf0XOA1pyguB2ajzv86z1Zc3PEJOjpUKrBhiQhr4XGzoVTA3fMJLqA88bX1B3ZcjxbZD-Znvwky5Nx2D_PS9HakYCu7/s1600/Left+Outlane+Kickback.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQJBmWuitZSdJv4rqwu8Lw9rthaWub8jt5mnU31GEhWIg7JNmasf0XOA1pyguB2ajzv86z1Zc3PEJOjpUKrBhiQhr4XGzoVTA3fMJLqA88bX1B3ZcjxbZD-Znvwky5Nx2D_PS9HakYCu7/s1600/Left+Outlane+Kickback.JPG" height="320" width="137" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kickback....On the Left!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't get it. I've looked, there's room under the <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#Apron">apron</a> for a kickback on the right, but nobody has ever (to my knowledge) ever designed a modern game with that. Back in the earlier EM period of the 70's through the 80's you did occasionally see a ball saver gate on the right to send the ball back to the plunger, but never a full kickback. Why? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Why didn't Gottlieb get those juicy Tommy tie in games?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DthtDjhqVOU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tommy, the Rock Opera starring The Who, or more specifically, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DthtDjhqVOU">that awesome scene</a> in the movie where Roger Daltrey and Elton John have a pin duel and Elton is singing Pinball Wizard is absolutely epic, no question. If you watch the scene, they're playing on two Gottlieb games. Elton is on <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=393">Buckaroo</a> and Roger (or Tommy) is on <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1381">Kings and Queens</a>. It seems so wrong to me that around the time of the film's release, Bally, not Gottlieb ended up releasing <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2803">Wizard</a> and <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=438">Captain Fantastic</a>, two games that launched Bally's meteoric rise in the 70's (and then coincidentally Data East ended up releasing <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2579">their own Tommy game</a> years later in the 90's). Jeez! if I had been Gottlieb, I'd have been bummed! Talk about a lost marketing tie in opportunity! So I'd love to know the story here, was Bally's head of marketing Tom Nieman just THAT good? If so, why didn't they use Bally games in the film scene? Really would love to know the answer to this one...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Why didn't Data East Pinball ever use any of the existing properties that Data East Japan owned? </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZiV0kAaoSUjX9OucoAvpgsR2GtZGqtHVqEJPxRW9Zk-8N1Th6xS1s3WyZ9SpHrNb86a_DBjH6wbNHwUwqjehxaSO2SS2vD9tZ7Vfckr9cl6qHE6QHF0-2ig41hSs0f-I0LOY0hT0QlIh/s1600/350px-Data_East_Logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZiV0kAaoSUjX9OucoAvpgsR2GtZGqtHVqEJPxRW9Zk-8N1Th6xS1s3WyZ9SpHrNb86a_DBjH6wbNHwUwqjehxaSO2SS2vD9tZ7Vfckr9cl6qHE6QHF0-2ig41hSs0f-I0LOY0hT0QlIh/s1600/350px-Data_East_Logo.svg.png" height="106" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Granted I understand, both DE Pinball and Data East Japan were not under the same roof, but they were definitely in bed together. And I always found it so hard to believe that Joe Kaminkow and Gary Stern never mined any of the vast DE properties for use or tie ins or easter eggs in their pinball games (like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karnov">Karnov</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_Dudes_Vs._DragonNinja">The Bad Dudes</a>), seems like a wasted opportunity to me. This question also applies to SEGA Pinball and to Capcom Pinball. You're telling me Sega Pinball couldn't do a Sonic The Hedgehog Pin? Or Mark Ritchie and the Capcom crew couldn't do a newer AND BETTER Street Fighter pin (as opposed to the <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2403">Premier</a> one) or even an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_vs._Predator_(arcade_game)">Aliens vs Predator Pin</a>?!? Would love to know what happened there!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On that note I go to my next question...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Why was there never a Mortal Kombat Pin???</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDk_TXkkq0TBjyIpCFEI_apLM6R0vxnBJ8xojAoGH3bL724rIu3dbDHS6FOAXk1FOOI4txP1YwX5K9D-n4WmJrA8WE5d_6Z_1yEFo-b1YvECBgLNcC5POLi80LOXSGOloSqRINwk1g003Z/s1600/300px-Mortal_Kombat_Logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDk_TXkkq0TBjyIpCFEI_apLM6R0vxnBJ8xojAoGH3bL724rIu3dbDHS6FOAXk1FOOI4txP1YwX5K9D-n4WmJrA8WE5d_6Z_1yEFo-b1YvECBgLNcC5POLi80LOXSGOloSqRINwk1g003Z/s1600/300px-Mortal_Kombat_Logo.svg.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">MORTAL KOMBAT!!!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Seriously! Think about this, Ed Boon, head creator of the video game, was a serious pinball programmer before MK came out (having worked on several pinball games including </span><a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=804" style="font-size: x-large;">F-14 Tomcat</a><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span><a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2505" style="font-size: x-large;">Taxi</a><span style="font-size: large;">) working for Steve Ritchie on the former. Steve also contributed to MK's development, having named the game and also providing the voice work for mega villain Shao Khan throughout much of the game series. Why is it that Williams/Bally/Midway (who produced MK and made all those great pinball games) never went and made a pin tie in for such a successful in-house franchise?!? They did it before with Defender, they could have done it here! It could have been huge! Oh well, mysteries like this may never be solved, but if anyone does know why, do tell!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lastly, one final thing I've noticed when it comes to pinball, is that there is a theme that has NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And so this leads me to point 5.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Why has there never been a pizza parlor/delivery pin???!?!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosl1nbbjVDTSdWxqSBN9BssjkLBymKq0tykflupZkigeNZLwtCnXrbD9p3BcQtowkQ4h2Kg7-iUcBIE01bNy0Nn75HoMPpvLueKSjc-934LhVEwfmLlHmNA2I92YGGTxPROGOOqbaHBok/s1600/PizzaPull1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosl1nbbjVDTSdWxqSBN9BssjkLBymKq0tykflupZkigeNZLwtCnXrbD9p3BcQtowkQ4h2Kg7-iUcBIE01bNy0Nn75HoMPpvLueKSjc-934LhVEwfmLlHmNA2I92YGGTxPROGOOqbaHBok/s1600/PizzaPull1.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many thanks to the fine folks at <a href="http://giordanos.com/">Giordano's Pizza</a> for this fine and tasty image!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Think about this. Pizza and pinball go hand in hand, it IS the pinball food. Many high end pizzerias serve beer, a popular pinball beverage. Pizzas are round, whirlwind playfield spinners are round, etc. There is so much you could do with a pizza theme and pinball, seriously! I was shocked to learn pizza never became an original pinball theme back in the day. Seemed like a no brainer to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If any designer would care to comment on number 5, I'd love to hear your thoughts on that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So there you go, random questions I've thought about during my time in pinball. If anyone reading this blog would care to chime in, discuss, answer, and commentate I would greatly appreciate it! Do any of you fine folks out there have similar questions on stuff you've noticed in pinball? Do tell! COMMENT BELOW!!! :D</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Till next time!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-62683584420195413032014-08-21T01:43:00.000-04:002014-10-12T13:38:21.143-04:00Pinball Aficionado T-Shirt!!!<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEynzlZJ6Awd-VP9RpGzehxKp1wFO1uOwkC1R5KK6ab6t-Hw8r-OB0unRQdow0IAB_wYt62mZR2jfSlQbtXybMWlKbqZqMYlNkWZW5zNaLQSlch-HQhOZDo-uEvBzGPMs2rSkFI0hlmnb9/s1600/Lis+with+Back+of+T-Shirt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEynzlZJ6Awd-VP9RpGzehxKp1wFO1uOwkC1R5KK6ab6t-Hw8r-OB0unRQdow0IAB_wYt62mZR2jfSlQbtXybMWlKbqZqMYlNkWZW5zNaLQSlch-HQhOZDo-uEvBzGPMs2rSkFI0hlmnb9/s1600/Lis+with+Back+of+T-Shirt.JPG" height="320" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">She's an Aficionado, are YOU???</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hey everyone! I've been getting a lot of feedback and questions from watchers and aficionados about my <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/">STERN</a> factory tour from last week. Along with the big obvious questions like "When is the <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/star-trek/pro">Star Trek</a> code update coming out?" (not sure, can't say), and "Did you see <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4032">Medieval Madness</a> anywhere in the building?" (no I did not) and "Is Jack Benson really that tall" (sort of), I got one other question from many people: "Where did you get that cool T-Shirt and can I get one!" I can now answer that question! </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I officially present the extremely rare, super awesome, highly </span>collectible<span style="font-family: inherit;">, Pinball Aficionado Version 1 Limited Edition Fan T-Shirt!!!!!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmDzYrsw3kK3D9vauUWxuOE6pay0KkOIt4tp6Xss6kSbjxhyphenhyphenAo02AKqJLAeLcF-ALVUr8SSoJDjUsuxY7zYSW20MJBOT4ZD5BtAVoAKSDqS1jFc5iE6uOGLVPdruPV9fB2hElclMtOfQq/s1600/Tshirt+Logo+Front.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmDzYrsw3kK3D9vauUWxuOE6pay0KkOIt4tp6Xss6kSbjxhyphenhyphenAo02AKqJLAeLcF-ALVUr8SSoJDjUsuxY7zYSW20MJBOT4ZD5BtAVoAKSDqS1jFc5iE6uOGLVPdruPV9fB2hElclMtOfQq/s1600/Tshirt+Logo+Front.png" height="181" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Front of the Shirt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mGKS2ff5JNi02kBjfwLiRcznvMyNNDbq_iUgdQ27MqWnpacRvap4ljU5eDqjBWKLhq3fQZrWkcYYDs0chyphenhyphenmW7RLU6qweMi6M89bKQaqt0NuvPAJ3IrkaFz5Kqdxfii5GkYsEaLdio0X7/s1600/Tshirt+Logo+Back.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mGKS2ff5JNi02kBjfwLiRcznvMyNNDbq_iUgdQ27MqWnpacRvap4ljU5eDqjBWKLhq3fQZrWkcYYDs0chyphenhyphenmW7RLU6qweMi6M89bKQaqt0NuvPAJ3IrkaFz5Kqdxfii5GkYsEaLdio0X7/s1600/Tshirt+Logo+Back.png" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back of the Shirt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's a thing of beauty! This shirt is black with gold lettering (like the blog) and sports the site's name on the front and a neat, slick pinball design on the back. The design was made custom for me by the </span>in-house art staff at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/arcadeodyssey">Arcade Odyssey</a>. Like I said before, this shirt is a first edition and will be limited (will not make them for long), and once they're gone, THEY'RE GONE, and subsequent runs will be different, so this is the only chance to get this shirt.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKxeJWO0PET9f4wl5hyphenhyphen656m1VtsnjtFGxNsU1e43wNbeW-g6nq-hCRCmMR2xPl7UORhP5J9gpjg4TEaCQ4s1VG34yN5NBDyhNWtzgGfh2ke8IjIX4mRdRliJ2aEsLCRUPc1Yz6yVlV7q6/s1600/Joel+at+AO+with+Pinball+Aficionado+Tshirt+CROPPED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKxeJWO0PET9f4wl5hyphenhyphen656m1VtsnjtFGxNsU1e43wNbeW-g6nq-hCRCmMR2xPl7UORhP5J9gpjg4TEaCQ4s1VG34yN5NBDyhNWtzgGfh2ke8IjIX4mRdRliJ2aEsLCRUPc1Yz6yVlV7q6/s1600/Joel+at+AO+with+Pinball+Aficionado+Tshirt+CROPPED.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Local tournament player (and Pinball Aficionado) Joel Cohen with his shirt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0iEddJy5acr-2tEutlb-HgXiqQ17avI2F2GkZYq4MsTM2LWU0pUKNWlOuMYJDyxoeL-zEhpJOt7dYGxuPOYesv5-XaSS2pYfJyi1e5Fu2iGksvUZWn8zmND8ufHJUaE-OHZyM81dEFSe/s1600/Lis+with+Front+of+T-Shirt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0iEddJy5acr-2tEutlb-HgXiqQ17avI2F2GkZYq4MsTM2LWU0pUKNWlOuMYJDyxoeL-zEhpJOt7dYGxuPOYesv5-XaSS2pYfJyi1e5Fu2iGksvUZWn8zmND8ufHJUaE-OHZyM81dEFSe/s1600/Lis+with+Front+of+T-Shirt.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Serious arcade gamer girl Lis sporting her shirt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9doMzoalt2N_4jqhbrAeWRrLP2tl5mfR8DMp8tLxqQ7-RnstvV0UF_jfUlf-CkbAwD6Y6XutS1BlS-pEI_NAf9XSf2crVKjat0oPWFeHQqIVVp5oo2Hip6E5NYFcNc2sCGRVl2vCJ0w84/s1600/image_zps8348e0a9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9doMzoalt2N_4jqhbrAeWRrLP2tl5mfR8DMp8tLxqQ7-RnstvV0UF_jfUlf-CkbAwD6Y6XutS1BlS-pEI_NAf9XSf2crVKjat0oPWFeHQqIVVp5oo2Hip6E5NYFcNc2sCGRVl2vCJ0w84/s1600/image_zps8348e0a9.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me and Jack Benson: Stern programmer and 2014 <a href="http://papa.org/live/playerIndex.php?bracketId=10&set=Finals">PAPA C Division Champion</a> wearing his Pinball Aficionado T-Shirt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">--> **ALL SHIRTS ARE NOW SOLD OUT</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">** <--</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For every shirt sale, <b>$5 dollars of the purchase price goes toward <a href="http://www.projectpinball.org/">Project Pinball</a></b>. The amazingly great charity organization by <a href="http://www.news-press.com/story/life/volunteers/2014/07/13/project-pinball-scores-big-childrens-hospitals/12598705/">Dan Spolar</a> and the <a href="http://www.pinballasylum.com/Project_Pinball.html">Pinball Asylum</a> that uses donations to purchase pinball machines and deploys them for free in children's hospitals across the nation (WOW!). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvuUQNsHP4-KjRGlJ8h03g4vUP_X62_Nl8h2Z_bb7WgFRBcot0-1NhVs_-XN6KthCpB6YYTAtNRhaMHLhqQSfLzgJfD_LLJ5pzevgrFXW0CuZXsK0pE9RTI8apliep3x1nnMpIVePBNvb/s1600/untitled1-300x232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvuUQNsHP4-KjRGlJ8h03g4vUP_X62_Nl8h2Z_bb7WgFRBcot0-1NhVs_-XN6KthCpB6YYTAtNRhaMHLhqQSfLzgJfD_LLJ5pzevgrFXW0CuZXsK0pE9RTI8apliep3x1nnMpIVePBNvb/s1600/untitled1-300x232.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ProjectPinball">Their Facebok Page</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just last month, Project Pinball hosted over <a href="http://www.ifpapinball.com/ifpa-project-pinball-fundraiser-campaign-july-2014">30 IFPA endorsed tournaments</a> across the US, all to help raise money for the effort, and just this past week some of the fruits of that labor were realized as they installed a brand new Star Trek Pro at a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ProjectPinball/photos/a.475866085852145.1073741829.138392332932857/563270503778369/?type=1&theater">children's hospital in St. Louis Missouri</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqq0W5cYauUCGXReu6NQiv9-3Z3WT5oO2wRHTW_-3A8P_dEij2S8J-kgPThpdpPkdtMeRrLBZnb1s6cc41eRfv8y9B8WfJjnABQL7l79dj1TlCN52ixGVwIr2FzHzu6hashX4JuXZ1M4G/s1600/Crossroads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqq0W5cYauUCGXReu6NQiv9-3Z3WT5oO2wRHTW_-3A8P_dEij2S8J-kgPThpdpPkdtMeRrLBZnb1s6cc41eRfv8y9B8WfJjnABQL7l79dj1TlCN52ixGVwIr2FzHzu6hashX4JuXZ1M4G/s1600/Crossroads.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Florida Crossroads Tournament: One of the local Project Pinball sponsored events held last month</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So all I have left to say is: "Are YOU an Aficionado???"</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-77526127972566491992014-08-14T23:55:00.002-04:002014-08-21T12:19:43.750-04:00Stern Factory Visit!<span style="font-size: large;">On August 8th I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Stern Pinball and tour the factory. I was headed to Illinois to see family and had the opportunity to stop for a bit in Chicago and thought "Why Not?". </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINHqNtkLLxVuso6HFdqwI4zgDP1I3KhLU-xzNAvyfVnVWoyL1Id4jzhKgzsk7VT-9AWBs7GcQcvjiQajupi02H2LYYHADx_y6oGFa-OqN4epx3MMSOryE4a8ldvnQq8Q-ziSE2Nn7k873/s1600/CIMG3298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINHqNtkLLxVuso6HFdqwI4zgDP1I3KhLU-xzNAvyfVnVWoyL1Id4jzhKgzsk7VT-9AWBs7GcQcvjiQajupi02H2LYYHADx_y6oGFa-OqN4epx3MMSOryE4a8ldvnQq8Q-ziSE2Nn7k873/s1600/CIMG3298.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me at Stern</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I messaged the great <a href="mailto:jody.dankberg@sternpinball.com">Jody Dankberg</a> (Stern's head of Marketing, really awesome guy btw) and got everything set up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What an experience! As soon as I got out of the car and walked up to the building I see this group coming toward me:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisGjvUP1MptIt6EqTl-UbTX9gclKk-QKZdHhWgKv39ZhIxZxgO8GfY4gO4shcoR7rb1sJEjUuxUXiOdRisYdtsmQaPZPCTwLm7JJzv2KcDHjISUI0xu21LvTEcYb71eWbDBokZLsmc_lI/s1600/The+Center+Drain+Dogs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisGjvUP1MptIt6EqTl-UbTX9gclKk-QKZdHhWgKv39ZhIxZxgO8GfY4gO4shcoR7rb1sJEjUuxUXiOdRisYdtsmQaPZPCTwLm7JJzv2KcDHjISUI0xu21LvTEcYb71eWbDBokZLsmc_lI/s1600/The+Center+Drain+Dogs.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(L to R): <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregfreres">Greg Freres</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Ritchie">Steve Ritchie</a>, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/mark-weyna/47/aa7/593">Mark Weyna</a>, <a href="http://www.pinballnews.com/news/sternstaff.html">Chuck Bleich</a>, and <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/steven-martin/60/bab/366">Steven Martin</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I went nuts!!! I ran up to them, shook their hand, chatted them up and took their photo LOL. Greg is responsible for some of the <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=829&picno=55445&zoom=1">most recognizable</a> pinball art of the last 30 years. Steve R is known as "The King of Flow" for his distinctive pinball designs, Mark is a program manager and is known by fans to have helped create the great game "Scared Stiff" during his time at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WMS_Industries">Williams Pinball</a>. Chuck is the senior electronics project engineer, who used to be the electronic engineering manager at Williams for decades. Finally, Steven M is production art manager at the company, and worked on Star Trek with Steve Ritchie, Greg, and others.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After meeting that group, I went inside (some of my family was with me) and got ready for the tour. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We were herded into the company showroom/arcade where we saw the latest games they had produced. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9zeYAiclCQz-3k2KExlyN0bWpUQbXOh-HL6S4p3lqABALQ-bUnmZZOJYCvlN2LrMrnORHdSbYtGL-BzaVxZ82jQRAVvyDVH_mNJnGR35-dJnsTKnXTZALRw2nwDMtuLomG3qFDAR4xrY/s1600/CIMG3304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9zeYAiclCQz-3k2KExlyN0bWpUQbXOh-HL6S4p3lqABALQ-bUnmZZOJYCvlN2LrMrnORHdSbYtGL-BzaVxZ82jQRAVvyDVH_mNJnGR35-dJnsTKnXTZALRw2nwDMtuLomG3qFDAR4xrY/s1600/CIMG3304.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=6060">ACDC Luci Premium</a> with <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=6028">Metallica Pro</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jQjpXo7VXzb74WrWRHNPiPinXYPrJF8_XcsO4T_0gJL6v0zLc6Rk8g7nZW1o1HMw1dYcDUaCODpPBNfl0DSFbZEDjKuHBMElcT0m-Q5TuIYAzjcGdDmuRGfUB6080_HW1SEm7AxumWOQ/s1600/CIMG3299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jQjpXo7VXzb74WrWRHNPiPinXYPrJF8_XcsO4T_0gJL6v0zLc6Rk8g7nZW1o1HMw1dYcDUaCODpPBNfl0DSFbZEDjKuHBMElcT0m-Q5TuIYAzjcGdDmuRGfUB6080_HW1SEm7AxumWOQ/s1600/CIMG3299.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My nephew (and Pinball Aficionado in training) on the new <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/ac-dc/led-pro">ACDC LED Pro</a>!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijokv3B8jcUr34ZkGrVcSO4Q8_SnbRuaUgVpmC314e7gMpQXVDANeUfwEapIxKuKOSxvqKZSmk7wQXhWhXn5LzTj27DyMbPo247ZMdQ4hryRneW13C-h6xDcfUeI3_HQm7TehqETULUx2/s1600/CIMG3305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijokv3B8jcUr34ZkGrVcSO4Q8_SnbRuaUgVpmC314e7gMpQXVDANeUfwEapIxKuKOSxvqKZSmk7wQXhWhXn5LzTj27DyMbPo247ZMdQ4hryRneW13C-h6xDcfUeI3_HQm7TehqETULUx2/s1600/CIMG3305.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Stern <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3545">Rawhide</a> (the first game old school Stern produced) with <a href="http://www.classicplayfields.com/photo97.html">Melony</a> beside it...a hint of the future???</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdEaCVkLoPRYG3g4-bDRqG0evg5sEYFbIvwbBqBiapncGZPBN34afLKbMtyhv2Bd_QAwcosvvMF4wV4NvD2a-UtDO0ZS0JHFF3CNsnv0qkFb-hplrGiLdWlsoOC6PfVFIJJTSVpn1EMNl/s1600/CIMG3301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdEaCVkLoPRYG3g4-bDRqG0evg5sEYFbIvwbBqBiapncGZPBN34afLKbMtyhv2Bd_QAwcosvvMF4wV4NvD2a-UtDO0ZS0JHFF3CNsnv0qkFb-hplrGiLdWlsoOC6PfVFIJJTSVpn1EMNl/s1600/CIMG3301.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Room also had <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/mustang/premium">Mustang BOSS Prem</a>, <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/mustang/pro">Mustang Pro</a>, and <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/star-trek/pro">ST Pro</a></span><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqAVREnKF-69R5ePt6tEqbrrA_UrTc1i6zkO3xPM5cOGFLIBTLBVsu1S0a7U-mndol2y_HvzzW6Z7WRlybgMq6d-CPaD5VdB262yN1YcSyx6Je6FzJqVN7FxrokMzfipMBJPTJb5qddHN/s1600/image_zps2e140572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqAVREnKF-69R5ePt6tEqbrrA_UrTc1i6zkO3xPM5cOGFLIBTLBVsu1S0a7U-mndol2y_HvzzW6Z7WRlybgMq6d-CPaD5VdB262yN1YcSyx6Je6FzJqVN7FxrokMzfipMBJPTJb5qddHN/s1600/image_zps2e140572.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">ACDC LED Pro was real flashy, speaker panel is cool looking in person.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMybW62hUfG6ZMZ0bJHBWBI3nYuyoVDBpg5oZaA6j5UdGW5g-vdAitmQfsCnnTobliDQnhDN9QHUIhuLyoroVwLIXlVMQ_TIU316Rx6snFbBuLX0R79ffPuvzlnCrRcTm3uTb9QLFpE-z/s1600/image_zps00650817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMybW62hUfG6ZMZ0bJHBWBI3nYuyoVDBpg5oZaA6j5UdGW5g-vdAitmQfsCnnTobliDQnhDN9QHUIhuLyoroVwLIXlVMQ_TIU316Rx6snFbBuLX0R79ffPuvzlnCrRcTm3uTb9QLFpE-z/s1600/image_zps00650817.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's the new Swinging Bell toy for this version of ACDC Pro</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtMhgScz7nyO-t-hcddG6ViyYPj7lcyCLL01BFB9NrE40qRvwlQ_eCgao8kgrTG1DGiLfDtu5mMCG3cDOMIQ7l9iN_fZrDVovizat2SGiArZgxKUm7NC6y7fOYzea3aBU983OdObs-idD/s1600/image_zpsb6d7256e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtMhgScz7nyO-t-hcddG6ViyYPj7lcyCLL01BFB9NrE40qRvwlQ_eCgao8kgrTG1DGiLfDtu5mMCG3cDOMIQ7l9iN_fZrDVovizat2SGiArZgxKUm7NC6y7fOYzea3aBU983OdObs-idD/s1600/image_zpsb6d7256e.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's a simple pendulum that attaches at the base and uses the target (no optos or code revisions needed)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_NmgVnOcCV2wKQhJimBSLgumOrn-4MsHYplTrUUAPabPV2dx7WaKSlwuRcH6tzzfR1io4p3PQOmKb6pBsQyAvtVNG2G4MbfVl96BPDgl1c5_UYW0jZMW6ld3f0yN4eN5AJ-fuxb7JQrU/s1600/image_zpsd775d0c2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_NmgVnOcCV2wKQhJimBSLgumOrn-4MsHYplTrUUAPabPV2dx7WaKSlwuRcH6tzzfR1io4p3PQOmKb6pBsQyAvtVNG2G4MbfVl96BPDgl1c5_UYW0jZMW6ld3f0yN4eN5AJ-fuxb7JQrU/s1600/image_zpsd775d0c2.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shot from the top (I want one for my game now heh!)...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl616czgjq_ISoC1Ex7Adg5mThIccopYfCJQJ5xKcpaIRFfHvkyoUBNN7SN8SOkZ34EqBLfVrn4TMfuPu0KqEEsw11zbN3gIzH24r4xim_EQC2bho6liLxB1k5rumThZOh_j0_bKDZhyphenhyphenSn/s1600/image_zps82c74c2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl616czgjq_ISoC1Ex7Adg5mThIccopYfCJQJ5xKcpaIRFfHvkyoUBNN7SN8SOkZ34EqBLfVrn4TMfuPu0KqEEsw11zbN3gIzH24r4xim_EQC2bho6liLxB1k5rumThZOh_j0_bKDZhyphenhyphenSn/s1600/image_zps82c74c2c.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Metallica Pro, looking nice and BRIGHT....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGy1XC8teg3OlfLj7l2BWkA3kZb1oRzLJ-unR364DSHTl4TYTDBUWWGIjwAugBM96aOJvQ5eRH8sTheK165vY8U1LzGEplObamPfzh5CH5QjUm4CjKAdGvuEZ7_f5XJvZ_-UHy03zK3M-/s1600/image_zps43addc3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGy1XC8teg3OlfLj7l2BWkA3kZb1oRzLJ-unR364DSHTl4TYTDBUWWGIjwAugBM96aOJvQ5eRH8sTheK165vY8U1LzGEplObamPfzh5CH5QjUm4CjKAdGvuEZ7_f5XJvZ_-UHy03zK3M-/s1600/image_zps43addc3b.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gary's Stand-In watching us play...hehe</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">After we played for a few mins, our tour guide came in....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The amazingly knowledgeable and friendly <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jack-benson/22/3a4/586">Jack Benson</a>!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaBLPnNvEbafhPHTGh1GTK6EQp3s2Ixr7XlXepLhaNQF1BgH7tL-9rzOrP9dbiMiJMrciI8_t0awqXE8BIZLk8NsOaH0gF9FsLvMIb2VkmsWBvOIOrYGwR76YzpAFf80TcqWQYizLjBQV/s1600/CIMG3311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaBLPnNvEbafhPHTGh1GTK6EQp3s2Ixr7XlXepLhaNQF1BgH7tL-9rzOrP9dbiMiJMrciI8_t0awqXE8BIZLk8NsOaH0gF9FsLvMIb2VkmsWBvOIOrYGwR76YzpAFf80TcqWQYizLjBQV/s1600/CIMG3311.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Heeeeere's Jack!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Jack was awesome! He is one of Stern's newer programmers (his first project was coding Mustang...wait what?!) and now he's busy working on the ST Code update, holy cow! He knows a TON about pinball and was the best tour guide as we proceeded to go through the factory.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4roSidV_XaOWAYzC1lZ-3MflQLBCliC6KKecYGetP_wUOl1ipBUnwVC5IG0BVS-vz2V8GtvPdXklT61-qL0NQEmmz1y6KMPwqz6OanweaSr32idaPOYTtBUnu3YMXk38-RBpoAnMTiYg6/s1600/image_zps2197d491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4roSidV_XaOWAYzC1lZ-3MflQLBCliC6KKecYGetP_wUOl1ipBUnwVC5IG0BVS-vz2V8GtvPdXklT61-qL0NQEmmz1y6KMPwqz6OanweaSr32idaPOYTtBUnu3YMXk38-RBpoAnMTiYg6/s1600/image_zps2197d491.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Star Trek cab waiting for its playfield...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I only got a few pics in during the actual tour, as Jack was telling us everything and I kept asking him questions and we were moving fast. The two principal games that I saw being made was a ton of ST Pros and several <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/iron-man-vault/iron-man-pro">Iron Man Vault Editions</a>, (there were a few ACDC Pro's and a Mustang Pro getting completed, but ST and IM just dominated the line it seems).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrohD-7a4ZYSCzb1ZA9ubIM8A3zkDzebLHwkArMCIKfQOhTDo60SfxgZWlZWg4oKzYcTtohvdykR1OnNdK2OH9ygiKYidX4mimfqtZrt4jWbAYG6uumgFggRsN8LrC_kKa90OC1E4PlLU/s1600/image_zps421c5142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrohD-7a4ZYSCzb1ZA9ubIM8A3zkDzebLHwkArMCIKfQOhTDo60SfxgZWlZWg4oKzYcTtohvdykR1OnNdK2OH9ygiKYidX4mimfqtZrt4jWbAYG6uumgFggRsN8LrC_kKa90OC1E4PlLU/s1600/image_zps421c5142.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Iron Man getting ready to kick ass...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdougGsdkF0b_Bhk3Kem-VZcaa-7CUA3ExSF9aHbfXjX5ONrHkU677MZefsrt4ad5oedVMPI7UTEkSQU0bCFMBer1V-8LsPcY5X-4HM-4b384FmE_GedtNeuuIfoFIwNo-5fnh0wp0xi6/s1600/image_zps2110e42a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdougGsdkF0b_Bhk3Kem-VZcaa-7CUA3ExSF9aHbfXjX5ONrHkU677MZefsrt4ad5oedVMPI7UTEkSQU0bCFMBer1V-8LsPcY5X-4HM-4b384FmE_GedtNeuuIfoFIwNo-5fnh0wp0xi6/s1600/image_zps2110e42a.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Miles and Miles of wire....................... ;)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5P5s3Chv0IkMHISv9fQ_2OZnpZPCaOqIgcYbJXeMeJAaJU7NzEIcpwT-0UmnYb2bpKBEtW-geZSMoQUOhAvOzFYs6KJBnPHUhALUkajdxl7TJhYESVnDNm5Sg434frZ6XCDJYZvj-MHY/s1600/image_zps0be5ff32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5P5s3Chv0IkMHISv9fQ_2OZnpZPCaOqIgcYbJXeMeJAaJU7NzEIcpwT-0UmnYb2bpKBEtW-geZSMoQUOhAvOzFYs6KJBnPHUhALUkajdxl7TJhYESVnDNm5Sg434frZ6XCDJYZvj-MHY/s1600/image_zps0be5ff32.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Mustang Pro nearly ready...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2HuWX1rvY5MibALttMv9qxR-32CBI3YGlME_WiJNsbJDd5PzouW8EnbO0yDoD10rDBCL6DDZXhi9YSmfZwj8r6zvvWBpeXCc-phl7GH1EG1OUDw2dL4pvAKqbIpU0-6F4b94Y_mH17ZR/s1600/image_zps50aabc9f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2HuWX1rvY5MibALttMv9qxR-32CBI3YGlME_WiJNsbJDd5PzouW8EnbO0yDoD10rDBCL6DDZXhi9YSmfZwj8r6zvvWBpeXCc-phl7GH1EG1OUDw2dL4pvAKqbIpU0-6F4b94Y_mH17ZR/s1600/image_zps50aabc9f.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">ST Pro playfields getting ready for insertion...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtLHzQ6c-7yl6v16OWEo1RdJPbAQmNlF-h90-qFLfVT9kBbriThRZH6MFBOGZBKGtg7oJhdlu0KiIoxWTXkJp6rGlLxDHxNnmqMTDIIFyOZX9fA4AyU4z7hpUB506LnszmFOJYv3cFWr3/s1600/image_zpsc04e9918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtLHzQ6c-7yl6v16OWEo1RdJPbAQmNlF-h90-qFLfVT9kBbriThRZH6MFBOGZBKGtg7oJhdlu0KiIoxWTXkJp6rGlLxDHxNnmqMTDIIFyOZX9fA4AyU4z7hpUB506LnszmFOJYv3cFWr3/s1600/image_zpsc04e9918.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">ST Pro being worked on...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UloStS5yXx4MAoaXbRw9ir4HM0MtHh851B1ouMb48ajX_gmJNACRF42KR04M72_m8mwC1wIQVpKtw_MZBSKltA0Z3mWeoUwPuIXquiIUDwScaUsaGJVy6aT5wKYXNHsGd17uvLvZULLY/s1600/image_zpsfbd3814de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UloStS5yXx4MAoaXbRw9ir4HM0MtHh851B1ouMb48ajX_gmJNACRF42KR04M72_m8mwC1wIQVpKtw_MZBSKltA0Z3mWeoUwPuIXquiIUDwScaUsaGJVy6aT5wKYXNHsGd17uvLvZULLY/s1600/image_zpsfbd3814de.jpg" height="320" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A ST Pro Playfield...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After the tour, I thanked Jack and gave him a <a href="http://pinballaficionado.blogspot.com/2014/08/pinball-aficionado-t-shirt.html">Pinball Aficionado T-Shirt</a>...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdCFqEO_3qpm1EtH49_Hh65cLMjatxGsSS2BDWq8o4rGqhyphenhyphenQ-vsnT9fAhDuJPvIkPjm6AoYUl4E6dq6ml8iALjaBRo3TtIZcCViFh0H2_RCCFDBC5QSRzLqoRirxVwyUtFGStoEP-cYY5/s1600/image_zps8348e0a9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdCFqEO_3qpm1EtH49_Hh65cLMjatxGsSS2BDWq8o4rGqhyphenhyphenQ-vsnT9fAhDuJPvIkPjm6AoYUl4E6dq6ml8iALjaBRo3TtIZcCViFh0H2_RCCFDBC5QSRzLqoRirxVwyUtFGStoEP-cYY5/s1600/image_zps8348e0a9.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">He's DEFINITELY an Aficionado! Are you? ;)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">After the tour Jack took us back to the arcade room and then told us to wait a minute, and next thing I knew, my jaw hit the floor! George Gomez, John Trudeau, John Borg, Mark Weyna, all legends of modern pinball design stopped in and we chatted, it was surreal, like a dream!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugqswF-EA5s7CSA2IsONs_VuqMKlkYjpve8X-mmh6Q0Y0aclYJDbRFfX57RL_HcNo9UG70zP4zqIJgqNS0xOdZjIDnTt6-FV4kZZxyTA0RzDlOALmRIMLpQYRWsA3gn2Z4iPdFRDOaue_/s1600/CIMG3325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugqswF-EA5s7CSA2IsONs_VuqMKlkYjpve8X-mmh6Q0Y0aclYJDbRFfX57RL_HcNo9UG70zP4zqIJgqNS0xOdZjIDnTt6-FV4kZZxyTA0RzDlOALmRIMLpQYRWsA3gn2Z4iPdFRDOaue_/s1600/CIMG3325.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gomez">George Gomez</a>!!! (Vice President of Game Design)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Aw3sUXK-EsMzyABlgTiIEtHsaCy08eK7-3W_0vyG264NVGaGlVh_8WyyOV7vLFUaPM8E2IpCdbcbLYMvkpCYIVj18vO-LbGswaxZgXcoCYpPj-FWRLkucRfWUn-AYe4H-RiiC6lgPB_1/s1600/Chicago+2014+trip+226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Aw3sUXK-EsMzyABlgTiIEtHsaCy08eK7-3W_0vyG264NVGaGlVh_8WyyOV7vLFUaPM8E2IpCdbcbLYMvkpCYIVj18vO-LbGswaxZgXcoCYpPj-FWRLkucRfWUn-AYe4H-RiiC6lgPB_1/s1600/Chicago+2014+trip+226.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://pinside.com/pinball/archive/john-trudeau">John Trudeau</a>!!! (Senior Game Designer)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIq7k9_CrNsPmV1d9BCRomI3EJWmbmtOrr13tEqCVfqJgGoANx4jFmcOcT6sIVeC1UTmufD_LRveOtsJnjfjhOAEZH6uaHKTYYN1MiHDQ4y5xUDrOvUlqbrh3_42koALtJKsanMLfmaIw/s1600/CIMG3340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIq7k9_CrNsPmV1d9BCRomI3EJWmbmtOrr13tEqCVfqJgGoANx4jFmcOcT6sIVeC1UTmufD_LRveOtsJnjfjhOAEZH6uaHKTYYN1MiHDQ4y5xUDrOvUlqbrh3_42koALtJKsanMLfmaIw/s1600/CIMG3340.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://pinside.com/pinball/archive/john-borg">John Borg</a>!!! (Senior Game Designer)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We started talking to all of em, and it was great, talked about game routes, operating, collecting, arcades, bars, design philosophy, their time in the industry, it was great, really really great!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">These guys, and their teams, and everyone they work with are responsible for some of the greatest and most respected pinball machines of the last 30 years, and it was so gratifying to meet them, the minds behind these great games!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After that, they all had to get back to work (bummer.......) and we were escorted out to get back to the rest of our trip.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkLPpCJ2g8kZYHIljOiqj4gjo1h3s-cKZPjL-tCnQS46Wt0N40oZxdaXhOPTHhRbE8aLwtKJPhHBJmE66jKDxo2sbYW1IR8qYpPffpgufdvMfz6qa6SunmD7gIxI7odV1uY-94p-6efB-/s1600/Chicago+2014+trip+234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkLPpCJ2g8kZYHIljOiqj4gjo1h3s-cKZPjL-tCnQS46Wt0N40oZxdaXhOPTHhRbE8aLwtKJPhHBJmE66jKDxo2sbYW1IR8qYpPffpgufdvMfz6qa6SunmD7gIxI7odV1uY-94p-6efB-/s1600/Chicago+2014+trip+234.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stern Pinball</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a great time at Stern, and I want to publicly thank everyone that I met and made this visit possible: Jody Dankberg for making it happen, Steve Ritchie, Greg Freres, Steven Martin, Mark Weyna, Chuck Bleich, Jack Benson, George Gomez, John Borg, John Trudeau, and though I didn't get a chance to talk to him as he was busy, I'd like to thank Gary Stern. Finally, I'd like to thank all of Stern's very hard working employees on the shop floor for keeping pinball manufacturing alive and well in Chicago, to all of you, from the bottom of my heart: THANK YOU!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-85488820534160316732014-08-07T11:00:00.000-04:002014-08-14T13:06:07.262-04:00Pinball Showcase: Ripley's Believe It or Not!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Just Hanging around Mon!"</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> --</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shrunken Head</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was talking to someone the other day who loves pinball (has owned games, and maintains games on location) and yet she told me that she'd never had the chance to play "Ripley's Believe it or Not" before. That made me sad, as it's one of my favorites from Stern Pinball. That gave me the idea to do this showcase (which we'll do for a random game every now and then) here on <a href="http://pinballaficionado.com/">Pinball Aficionado</a>. This is not a review, just a showcase, taking a look at a game you may or may not know about, so that if you ever come across one in the wild, you might be more inclined to play it.</span><br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">With that, let's look at our first showcase ever: </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ripley's Believe It or Not!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxMSEcWP_WxWpDMQleX4XoglEV3Tn6PRXHGbVGySDVYkknuR74yKLvzi-X0an0-T7E_k0vwi1_Dm65W17ZDpghAcqVOne0lhPv6ePRD5aWFZAfA-_3rkz8FSGt3sWwHO6knCyZqern4f2/s1600/RipleysatHome_zps3c8e9744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxMSEcWP_WxWpDMQleX4XoglEV3Tn6PRXHGbVGySDVYkknuR74yKLvzi-X0an0-T7E_k0vwi1_Dm65W17ZDpghAcqVOne0lhPv6ePRD5aWFZAfA-_3rkz8FSGt3sWwHO6knCyZqern4f2/s1600/RipleysatHome_zps3c8e9744.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4917">RBION</a>!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ripley's was designed by <a href="http://www.patlawlordesign.com/">Pat Lawlor</a> and his design team, and released in Spring of 2004 by <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/">Stern Pinball</a>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbPIiPmElFXgx5liWpkUp2ODpnj5VlEtl_iTtY_WIPPoiCt0z6tcfbv4lyPnmqz3z6xhjDurhkRl3-V1f2bBkhyphenhyphenEf_nbJ7I8oy73Mpj0jsIpgWFxMFLhX7SAqbzjYJYjSga7HfTXeVdYf/s1600/image-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbPIiPmElFXgx5liWpkUp2ODpnj5VlEtl_iTtY_WIPPoiCt0z6tcfbv4lyPnmqz3z6xhjDurhkRl3-V1f2bBkhyphenhyphenEf_nbJ7I8oy73Mpj0jsIpgWFxMFLhX7SAqbzjYJYjSga7HfTXeVdYf/s1600/image-2.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Stern 2004 sales flyer front (thanks to <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/search.pl">IPDB</a> and <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/230/rip">Stern</a> for this image).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Z1tbv96BKOodVWT2oTgS_6KBZdENuIcKzqNIcuXyTPPv8c1bMzqbZ09ohgqzWLEcwjiiMGhKH3Q6TTgNcA-r0WmhlilnhZx5aZ66TWqCPI7rOP5zqmw5xFSJbWUhuFtMfi9tQaPSJOEa/s1600/image-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Z1tbv96BKOodVWT2oTgS_6KBZdENuIcKzqNIcuXyTPPv8c1bMzqbZ09ohgqzWLEcwjiiMGhKH3Q6TTgNcA-r0WmhlilnhZx5aZ66TWqCPI7rOP5zqmw5xFSJbWUhuFtMfi9tQaPSJOEa/s1600/image-3.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">The Stern 2004 sales flyer back (thanks to <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/search.pl">IPDB</a> and <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/230/rip">Stern</a> for this image).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The game is chock full of material (talk about a loaded playfield)! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83VMeg7f5ctmdxvTEzAxJ4-1PJ2u2gcGZCDd72oQZ8aoDQe-iSHDUaOrbyKy-HnCYCETTEnlXmwRplTFbjEjjxLNUNhZzW_E6N6y4EZ9z-6_XRs0okBy7vlqWoYshYLa7ZX3obG-PGFDl/s1600/image_zps9da8c553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83VMeg7f5ctmdxvTEzAxJ4-1PJ2u2gcGZCDd72oQZ8aoDQe-iSHDUaOrbyKy-HnCYCETTEnlXmwRplTFbjEjjxLNUNhZzW_E6N6y4EZ9z-6_XRs0okBy7vlqWoYshYLa7ZX3obG-PGFDl/s1600/image_zps9da8c553.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ball view of the Playfield...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It features not 1, not 2, not 3, but 6 <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#Bumper">POPBUMPERS</a>, two playfield <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#Playfield_Magnets">magnets</a>, multiple <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#Diverter">diverters</a>, 6 <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#Standup_target">standup targets</a>, 3 <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#Flipper">flippers</a>, a shrunken head toy, a secret temple device with it's own built in dot display, two ramp systems with 5 ball paths to three separate exits, 2 <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#playfield_spinner">spinners</a>, 3 <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#Scoop">scoops</a>, including one with an old school <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#Vari-target">vari-target</a> and <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/glossary.php#VUK">up-kicker</a>! Phew! That's a mouthful. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyKITD9u5XpXQHlH0HIC8F5qjCxEHew6loSQl965GLmmkD6503XmdnYUOPEQjGzLm2z_qz-xaHd3ylOSdIIwmnfziJqaYEIhgoJLbs7duaeuanBzcsoQpGRouEiOeWwqAvHGkC4isR_fT/s1600/image_zps14b1fede.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyKITD9u5XpXQHlH0HIC8F5qjCxEHew6loSQl965GLmmkD6503XmdnYUOPEQjGzLm2z_qz-xaHd3ylOSdIIwmnfziJqaYEIhgoJLbs7duaeuanBzcsoQpGRouEiOeWwqAvHGkC4isR_fT/s1600/image_zps14b1fede.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Vari-Target and the upkicker with its wireform...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhVAjStl_r3rdPXlFPRTIIG-LO6y3Wr5h8SmcYOxG7UzoXL22whUJbUINtn1E6xrfFEW57FjsnEb3x_mCXY_EcP6owLAViDpzgeOlzgVBMD6QFvItK-_piQbM_iiXD6kbZ6asrs5GDnLK/s1600/image_zps00a9a398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhVAjStl_r3rdPXlFPRTIIG-LO6y3Wr5h8SmcYOxG7UzoXL22whUJbUINtn1E6xrfFEW57FjsnEb3x_mCXY_EcP6owLAViDpzgeOlzgVBMD6QFvItK-_piQbM_iiXD6kbZ6asrs5GDnLK/s1600/image_zps00a9a398.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Shrunken Head...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VpjMeRTFtUn6w55H6sS2MDQPRzYUzxuNe8T7EuxStBPy0U68z121nmg6F3YnIEmjeCOQxO5HIKnFO-hLjD6TE7Sq-bd4H5l5fSW737rv5hgyRLIlJgM2yNt6bvDRU5_Y22HJtZJIicHI/s1600/image_zps1c92ed6e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VpjMeRTFtUn6w55H6sS2MDQPRzYUzxuNe8T7EuxStBPy0U68z121nmg6F3YnIEmjeCOQxO5HIKnFO-hLjD6TE7Sq-bd4H5l5fSW737rv5hgyRLIlJgM2yNt6bvDRU5_Y22HJtZJIicHI/s1600/image_zps1c92ed6e.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ball Return with one of the exits at the bottom...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you look at the layout, it's similar to other games designed by Pat Lawlor (I guess it's true, there's only so many ways a ball can get to its destination lol). Many have compared the layout to his <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=2684&picno=5276&zoom=1">Twighlight Zone</a> game from 1993 (that game also had some similar scoop, ramp, flipper, and pop bumper placement).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1kDSM-44ANHuIbG4aXzH6hyphenhyphenDUuUUvDriOZVBTiZnt61fFPeLgPdXRARp1zSwGJGd6DRQt2-pINr0YW6udGgH5MUJhykGjmxr6poO8IsUhFLaW4fwUhqWly1ifF0CqO05qpJFJi3mCRt_/s1600/image_zps7b327573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1kDSM-44ANHuIbG4aXzH6hyphenhyphenDUuUUvDriOZVBTiZnt61fFPeLgPdXRARp1zSwGJGd6DRQt2-pINr0YW6udGgH5MUJhykGjmxr6poO8IsUhFLaW4fwUhqWly1ifF0CqO05qpJFJi3mCRt_/s1600/image_zps7b327573.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A shot of the Secret Temple (with its screens) in the back, and three of the pop bumpers in front...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Artwork on the game was by <a href="http://www.johnyoussi.com/pinball.html">John Youssi</a>, Lawlor's main artist guy on most of his collaborations. The artwork evokes an almost 1930's adventure theme, with exotic and mysterious locations and items featured in a dazzling array of comedic colors. Interestingly, the game's look was pulled from the Ripley's source material and not the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218787/">television program</a> that was popular during that time period with Dean Cain and Kelly Packard; I for one am happy with that decision, as the original source is more iconic and not as fleeting as a reality TV show. By the way, could this mean, in some roundabout way, Kelly Packard was technically screwed over by them <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=4383&picno=17236">twice</a>? (For those that are unaware, she was going to be featured on Golden Cue in 1999 but the game got a re-theme and she was dropped) Eeesh, oh well, regardless glad they went with the hand drawn artwork for Believe it or Not!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovDugdHi7z8zAmBNppvB8jOrJb_h1fbls1kqP-Tce5PC-upzaVFuQxlQ0rX57Y9U6DCqNODXbBW4jqHJAGWTwBDwZX0gMhmU8IiTBkpl1Ozw911UDC_1NNzSd4NqPX3v2B-7GAfzzsaQ9/s1600/image_zps01ae198d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovDugdHi7z8zAmBNppvB8jOrJb_h1fbls1kqP-Tce5PC-upzaVFuQxlQ0rX57Y9U6DCqNODXbBW4jqHJAGWTwBDwZX0gMhmU8IiTBkpl1Ozw911UDC_1NNzSd4NqPX3v2B-7GAfzzsaQ9/s1600/image_zps01ae198d.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whoa, stuff looks pretty big from down here....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ripley's has some very funny sound effects and quotes thanks to the efforts of <a href="http://www.cgmusic.net/credits.html">Chris Granner</a>, sound guy extraordinaire. The shrunken head comments on your play, the idol makes farting noises, game has planes, boulders of doom, even slot machine sound effects. Did I mention the fire walker screams when he burns alive (wha?!?!), tons of fun for everyone I say ;)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rules were done by both Lawlor and <a href="http://www.giantbomb.com/louis-koziarz/3040-100261/">Louis Koziarz</a>, and it's mode based, meaning you need to complete all 7 continents (modes) on Robert Ripley's quest to reach the secret 8th continent of Atlantis (final wizard mode). It's a classic Lawlor mode setup, with the added feature of the secret temple toy. This toy employs a great tic tac toe system where certain ramp shots light a 3 by 3 grid and completing tic tac toe unlocks certain awards that can really help you along. Game also includes the Believe it or Not feature, a neat twist, where a novice player can side step certain requirements and get later game goals faster, and more easily.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Coming out right after the release of both "<a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4674">The Simpsons Pinball Party</a>" and "<a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4858">Lord of the Rings</a>" (two of the most beloved and produced machines in modern Stern history) people expected lightning to strike thrice and yet Ripley's had the unfortunate experience of falling short of those two giants in the eyes of many pinheads and pinball aficionados at the time. This was because the rules, while deep, were not as complex as those two previous games, and the ball movement wasn't as "flowey". This lack of flow was not helped due to a purposely weak right upper flipper (as originally <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rec.games.pinball/Qt3THM9DwJY/eszR_93F_aAJ">intended</a> by Pat Lawlor). Though its strength was improved upon with a code update, by then it was too late, and as a result of the weak flipper and lack of flow, the game got a bad rap in those first crucial months, and sales flopped. The game would be closed out by Stern, and distributors were left with many unsold units in their warehouses. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Years later, thanks to a resurgence in pinball, and a chance inclusion of this game on <a href="http://www.pinballarcade.com/">The Pinball Arcade</a> app for console and smart phone, it has been rediscovered, and people who had bashed it 10 years ago, and had not played it as it's somewhat uncommon, are realizing how solid of a game it really is, and so prices for the title have been up.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWzKZ2kSPjgZ5MpylGC_jG9Wy6YkeCJBU-a_Kpx__wEBI_W0cUiIqDtx-dtDq2KBhfDbfhNchisiGvSIzMRs8st_u6_inYp5y_0U-RvBxifzPBSilwxlYjX6PIq-39Me5C6sRBSHH1aNW/s1600/RBION+Pinball+Arcade+Iphone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWzKZ2kSPjgZ5MpylGC_jG9Wy6YkeCJBU-a_Kpx__wEBI_W0cUiIqDtx-dtDq2KBhfDbfhNchisiGvSIzMRs8st_u6_inYp5y_0U-RvBxifzPBSilwxlYjX6PIq-39Me5C6sRBSHH1aNW/s1600/RBION+Pinball+Arcade+Iphone.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">RBION on the Iphone...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As this is not a review, I'm not going to grade the game, just want to say that it is a solid game and if you ever see one, be sure and try it out, chances are you won't be disappointed!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>FUN FACTS</u>:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ripley's Believe it or Not began as a newspaper feature in 1919 and evolved into comics, radio programs, books, television shows, and 32 "odditorium" museums all over the world! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKx5hq8zDQQbT65OfNdY86NulYNCt1lfRvvGhBQhEi3aksV7PUtPwvpVj_LKQPae-oHlYwAjzQsSHCW20w6pQlfZZWGaQ6zEu3veHzuFfmrEp1dHoSbBI5OZhFmABugSe-7wwmBA2BRMyC/s1600/image_zps8df3db80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKx5hq8zDQQbT65OfNdY86NulYNCt1lfRvvGhBQhEi3aksV7PUtPwvpVj_LKQPae-oHlYwAjzQsSHCW20w6pQlfZZWGaQ6zEu3veHzuFfmrEp1dHoSbBI5OZhFmABugSe-7wwmBA2BRMyC/s1600/image_zps8df3db80.jpg" height="318" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Original Ripley's Believe it or Not comics from the 1970's...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ripley's is one of <a href="http://www.ifpapinball.com/player.php?p=1">Keith Elwin's</a> favorite games, if you don't know, he is currently considered one of the best, if not the best, pinball player in the world. He loves it so much, here he is doing an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghtDxTljex8">hour long tutorial</a> on how to master the game and get the highest score possible for <a href="http://papa.org/">PAPA</a> (The Professional and Amateur Pinball Association):</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ghtDxTljex8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In 2004, "Hand's on History" a TV show from the History channel visited Stern Pinball headquarters and did a behind the scenes look at the making of this game from start to finish, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZm8_fAvqtQ">check it out below</a>!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/zZm8_fAvqtQ/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/zZm8_fAvqtQ&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/zZm8_fAvqtQ&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When Ripley's was included in The Pinball Arcade, the increased exposure of this sleeper gem caused more people to take notice and resulted in a marked increase in aftermarket price (here in FL, prices rose from around $2000 in 2009 for an excellent example, to near 3000 in 2013) here's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIN77hO1aFY">gameplay footage</a> for Ripley's Believe It or Not on Pinball Arcade:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/LIN77hO1aFY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-14873976564039107852014-07-31T00:30:00.000-04:002014-08-14T13:03:10.754-04:00Spiderman Shop Job Part 3<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*Sweating...* "Man cleaning playfield parts can be tiring!" </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC4OxjH9zjsc0KJuKee3WY-ZSJoEXZUaWDkGaDGuvWNIZnw1TsOkEVnP1I6bonnyQflFxJanPRVWL2K8Gwzf8ZcXsnYfbvh5NtnPucZkzGrWqAO9oWi_ocvHwrc_FYz58FQfdiGNY7Dkl/s1600/image_zps5c298a6f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC4OxjH9zjsc0KJuKee3WY-ZSJoEXZUaWDkGaDGuvWNIZnw1TsOkEVnP1I6bonnyQflFxJanPRVWL2K8Gwzf8ZcXsnYfbvh5NtnPucZkzGrWqAO9oWi_ocvHwrc_FYz58FQfdiGNY7Dkl/s1600/image_zps5c298a6f.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A dirty part about to be cleaned!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Last time on <a href="http://pinballaficionado.blogspot.com/2014/07/spiderman-shop-job-part-2.html">Pinball Aficionado</a> we were looking at a routed </span><a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5237" style="font-family: inherit;">Spiderman</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> that my buddy had picked up and decided to </span>shop<span style="font-family: inherit;">. We followed a plan of attack where we had taken photos of everything, then </span>disassembled the playfield components, and kept them organized in clusters around the room. We then took a breath ("phew!), started cleaning the playing surface (and all the components) with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Walgreens-Isopropyl-Alcohol-91%25-32/dp/B00A2OTRSA/ref=sr_1_4?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1405648949&sr=1-4&keywords=91%25+alcohol">alcohol</a>, and then after everything was clean, we went and polished the playfield, and some of the components with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/NOVUS-Plastic-Fine-Scratch-Remover/dp/B002UD0GGS">Novus 2</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqMAcbCNGgjcX3YZKk7kLICmEecVHxZYUu6E8T1_OwPGkgZw9o91Sip1mpRD-KmJ0eMvj7Qbto0KUJzkIafamuaR_XaBsoVVcJmip2rSE5jLbEBFaBHsGcRC3PSM8Mo4adXM6iIX2jvA4/s1600/image_zps0b7f00f1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqMAcbCNGgjcX3YZKk7kLICmEecVHxZYUu6E8T1_OwPGkgZw9o91Sip1mpRD-KmJ0eMvj7Qbto0KUJzkIafamuaR_XaBsoVVcJmip2rSE5jLbEBFaBHsGcRC3PSM8Mo4adXM6iIX2jvA4/s1600/image_zps0b7f00f1.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cleaning up that playfield! ("Spiderman......Spiderman...Does whatever a spider can".....oh sorry :D)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TGh57Ahy63I8U_isdlsS3Acg_9FN7JnfoR4a3ApmsgM53-24JXFXRUIcu29C6k0AwCS_3aPpus7PI5eRkkh1VUnYQg7IPyHSrWzH2NmwoB-Ji0hKmdcIjTeADERnWa8-qw-DFIhclt6J/s1600/image_zpsddcfed44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TGh57Ahy63I8U_isdlsS3Acg_9FN7JnfoR4a3ApmsgM53-24JXFXRUIcu29C6k0AwCS_3aPpus7PI5eRkkh1VUnYQg7IPyHSrWzH2NmwoB-Ji0hKmdcIjTeADERnWa8-qw-DFIhclt6J/s1600/image_zpsddcfed44.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Working on a pop bumper...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQAQ-Vjx9c-gydKtGtiLplQ_jLBdPiYLscSYhJo2XWw2-0UGvueNfZP5tbPqvIt4KX1FXHAFmh5U2IQ2BTUJFbliSafx88YJK4HsJCTQ1Kk6vFF617rfDim1LqUw-CuvBeO78dx8eg0Qe/s1600/image_zps895bf8b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQAQ-Vjx9c-gydKtGtiLplQ_jLBdPiYLscSYhJo2XWw2-0UGvueNfZP5tbPqvIt4KX1FXHAFmh5U2IQ2BTUJFbliSafx88YJK4HsJCTQ1Kk6vFF617rfDim1LqUw-CuvBeO78dx8eg0Qe/s1600/image_zps895bf8b6.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pop bumper progress.....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now after all that (about 6 hours in), the real fun begins....REASSEMBLY!!! (Duh duh duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh!!!) This is typically the cringe-worthy moment, the "put up or shut up" the moment that you gotta put everything back in order and when you're done it all has to work! The thing about modern pinball machines, is that typically, due to their complexity, parts have to be reassembled in a specific way. You can't just put stuff in when you want to, things are placed with other things in mind, and if it's done out of order, certain things will no longer fit properly (can't screw in a plastic after a ramp is in if that plastic belonged below it for example). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LW95GeZ6QlmXIPDUyRq1NOpDpcThoHXBxp0csSDf3xYlHA0xtjcBpETNxr1QjhOPK6lVIn_4b-0sOg9_bco5w3RmZ2NoIC8rHJC5WdDZa3vhSO4djd1g6-h6YXhBjtf9HIM2Aa_JnIEz/s1600/image_zps9c8e9511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LW95GeZ6QlmXIPDUyRq1NOpDpcThoHXBxp0csSDf3xYlHA0xtjcBpETNxr1QjhOPK6lVIn_4b-0sOg9_bco5w3RmZ2NoIC8rHJC5WdDZa3vhSO4djd1g6-h6YXhBjtf9HIM2Aa_JnIEz/s1600/image_zps9c8e9511.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Almost there!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I should take this time to mention that during the cleaning portion, we took a look at the playfield underside and cleaned and checked the major components down there (magnets, coils, solenoids) and replaced or repaired any worn parts. My buddy also insisted on installing </span><a href="http://www.cometpinball.com/" style="font-size: x-large;">LEDs</a><span style="font-size: large;">, and we did that when all the above board parts had been removed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTRiP1RiQvBaQHquvDkYdKTlsvkpazICHl_yZ75ZiO6Vd-eV8WRtq2Iiy0aasHNmngHfdLG8MC1UGbqJ-f3p3uyHG4BD7gmOrN46fId72mpW_vO2WuN3_q5-WWQG9JWEIQGc6nWgx0xFe/s1600/image_zpse09b7fb5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTRiP1RiQvBaQHquvDkYdKTlsvkpazICHl_yZ75ZiO6Vd-eV8WRtq2Iiy0aasHNmngHfdLG8MC1UGbqJ-f3p3uyHG4BD7gmOrN46fId72mpW_vO2WuN3_q5-WWQG9JWEIQGc6nWgx0xFe/s1600/image_zpse09b7fb5.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Installing LEDs................</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">During assembly is where all the photos came in handy (note to self, video can be good too). I took so many pictures during the breakdown that we were able to piece it together backwards and know what components went off first, then second, etc. If you know the order of how you took it all down, then it's easier, as most parts only fit in their respective spot on the game (duh! that's how they're designed). So using the photos, having all the newly cleaned parts organized around the work area, and using the game's manual schematics as a safety net, we went and reassembled it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHic4Avc2fOO9wLyyjo2jT_eXzMeUlO6wrqbUtzJ2liXpkG3USBIvwCOvGS2IR8-Am6C3-849c3CsznxDSzZihnshQo8gvpoXdBuVHt9kNiL2R30D27gva87UAPycRPEAyd5SKGuNtDUEg/s1600/image_zpsa47a6a0a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHic4Avc2fOO9wLyyjo2jT_eXzMeUlO6wrqbUtzJ2liXpkG3USBIvwCOvGS2IR8-Am6C3-849c3CsznxDSzZihnshQo8gvpoXdBuVHt9kNiL2R30D27gva87UAPycRPEAyd5SKGuNtDUEg/s1600/image_zpsa47a6a0a.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finishing touches....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">........................................."7 hours later"......................................... </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We managed to complete it!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6OOShLxf931YmOkG7HkUX593UcxNt08mQwJ4nb9cJnGOVQGtBWCao7D94ZjYGLSYiHEryZyN9wT2I2rLSnEaDt00pwqhTbVRaSo3OGvGQh8H2jgQDwYnQ6dsEefwWO8hGrskyeIZmuHh/s1600/image_zps7a398bd7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6OOShLxf931YmOkG7HkUX593UcxNt08mQwJ4nb9cJnGOVQGtBWCao7D94ZjYGLSYiHEryZyN9wT2I2rLSnEaDt00pwqhTbVRaSo3OGvGQh8H2jgQDwYnQ6dsEefwWO8hGrskyeIZmuHh/s1600/image_zps7a398bd7.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">..........Aaaaand Done!!!!!!!!!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So the moment of truth arrived and it was time to turn the game on, and..........................IT WORKED!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8HxVSS031WGNjLkmWG08PydJIzvjEcc5y7-ZNld4FCYFxxQ82U_qWIVKO9zuajmGuoUQboYVrHO9WQio1nh3dK8Kgq47VACSc94rtaOo9ygUw7JJZs6JaSkY4SLTviwqxwgipiMxgLk7/s1600/image_zpsad974f59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8HxVSS031WGNjLkmWG08PydJIzvjEcc5y7-ZNld4FCYFxxQ82U_qWIVKO9zuajmGuoUQboYVrHO9WQio1nh3dK8Kgq47VACSc94rtaOo9ygUw7JJZs6JaSkY4SLTviwqxwgipiMxgLk7/s1600/image_zpsad974f59.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ooh Shiny!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We played a game and it was great. I guess you could say.........THE DAY WAS SAVED!!!!!! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My buddy later decided to operate the game on his route at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/arcadeodyssey">Arcade Odyssey</a>, in Miami FL. You can see two videos (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t13R6ZoFcEU">Game View</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seiybwMVydA">Demo</a>) of this very Spiderman below:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/t13R6ZoFcEU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
View of the restored, working game today</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/seiybwMVydA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Game being played...</div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Fun facts: the total shop job took just over 13 hours, which we accomplished during 4 sessions. A few playfield plastics were broken but we found replacements, all the major underside mechanisms worked after they were cleaned, and once it was finished, the game was good as new. Some people online have given grief as to the durability of Stern games, but I gotta say, in this case Spiderman seems a very durable title that cleaned up very well, one might even say......SUPER well! (har har har) ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Till next time!!!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-18377453138715537162014-07-24T09:40:00.000-04:002014-07-24T09:40:31.998-04:00Spiderman Shop Job Part 2<span style="font-size: large;">Ugh! I think that stuff is still on my hands........ </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, if you're just joining us Aficionados, in the last entry (<a href="http://pinballaficionado.blogspot.com/2014/07/spiderman-shop-job-part-1.html">Spiderman Shop Job Part 1</a>), my buddy picked up a routed (what an understatement) <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5237">Stern Spiderman</a> pinball machine and invited me over to check it out and help him clean it. Turns out this game was extremely worn and dirty and there was so much soot and filth that we both thought it might be beyond salvation.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZ6mnn9JMxa4s36e9AZ7O9SrzwXK0yNwM2V9I7AFmVmie9A5SrdPMDjXwXwXlgo5LWIelu3ifrgjeawmmWQn9mfn92BYnV4m61Sv_B2dzwBGMpdHDEGkKZwTzR2-vyPN9cH7kWpWkaBCe/s1600/image_zpsf541f9f3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZ6mnn9JMxa4s36e9AZ7O9SrzwXK0yNwM2V9I7AFmVmie9A5SrdPMDjXwXwXlgo5LWIelu3ifrgjeawmmWQn9mfn92BYnV4m61Sv_B2dzwBGMpdHDEGkKZwTzR2-vyPN9cH7kWpWkaBCe/s1600/image_zpsf541f9f3.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dirty Parts to Disassemble...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Despite that, we carried on. I grabbed more towels, more <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Walgreens-Isopropyl-Alcohol-91%25-32/dp/B00A2OTRSA/ref=sr_1_4?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1405648949&sr=1-4&keywords=91%25+alcohol">alcohol </a>and got the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/NOVUS-Plastic-Fine-Scratch-Remover/dp/B002UD0GGS">Novus 2</a> ready. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVpbM4rDkzC1qV0pIoYcBcfO7T7Qc-3p8_83-yIfGR5gYt8lrVCK62Xepbm6dgXlLQylX6GRExKFXXAmvpG0dtgAvRsRag_FqOJCFUIP-lpvfZCxCTWLgFrveZoDf8rXy-fZ3-7zXqqAo/s1600/image_zps11943616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVpbM4rDkzC1qV0pIoYcBcfO7T7Qc-3p8_83-yIfGR5gYt8lrVCK62Xepbm6dgXlLQylX6GRExKFXXAmvpG0dtgAvRsRag_FqOJCFUIP-lpvfZCxCTWLgFrveZoDf8rXy-fZ3-7zXqqAo/s1600/image_zps11943616.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alcohol to the Rescue!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We continued to disassemble the playfield (which we detached from the cabinet and put on a workbench), and got a system going where he would unscrew a part from the wood and I would separate it in a cup or a spot on the floor with other parts from the specific playfield area where it came from. Mind you I took over 100 photographs of the playfield from every angle, and then took photos of areas of the game right before we would remove parts, all so that a record of positions would be available to help in the reassembly.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE62SYQCFe0rMRUvKVwrzkhFjHz1xnEelZ0xhbQrTj4ChBUPEAku6JIzElcTXXtBxpthR_Gbeyw3lB9HQGjbxmI4Z2p48RfOueVZxIEvV6F2aHCwkG_x2cCEk8_7M47AbH4ZbJFag5BJpt/s1600/image_zpsc8b36bc8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE62SYQCFe0rMRUvKVwrzkhFjHz1xnEelZ0xhbQrTj4ChBUPEAku6JIzElcTXXtBxpthR_Gbeyw3lB9HQGjbxmI4Z2p48RfOueVZxIEvV6F2aHCwkG_x2cCEk8_7M47AbH4ZbJFag5BJpt/s1600/image_zpsc8b36bc8.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Parts were everywhere!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After everything topside had been removed, my friend and I proceeded to take the alcohol, apply it to the shop towels and then began to clean the filth off the surface. It's important to wipe it away onto the towel and not rub it into the wood, as that will only make things worse. The crap came off in huge quantities. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHMZt4XsvwGEu_MP29sEPl6oUj1r98gCnjT_bmnr-2u6tsVVh5DS-ZFtcf2cOYvrFS2Hpo2EgYm8qz5bIjOX35Q_aiqGZMf7h58eHcnVUUr_cx8IvOOKX8IIM2BoQXgLBkZDqyYkNf9lx/s1600/image_zps05044150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHMZt4XsvwGEu_MP29sEPl6oUj1r98gCnjT_bmnr-2u6tsVVh5DS-ZFtcf2cOYvrFS2Hpo2EgYm8qz5bIjOX35Q_aiqGZMf7h58eHcnVUUr_cx8IvOOKX8IIM2BoQXgLBkZDqyYkNf9lx/s1600/image_zps05044150.jpg" height="320" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wiping the playfield's backboard with Alcohol...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFgtvjSP3l2U4vmFeh3wRpIc6WRPdcpb-_4EJnSHh16MO52AS27zHRlXIHA_aaB4NhZzT7WupS8R9uWvN3UGU6-YptznG4GcrVz0pMwR_k0PtZwiRnzKrz42_Fpf0RsiwDbRhNCQxgMrx/s1600/image_zpsdbb00612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFgtvjSP3l2U4vmFeh3wRpIc6WRPdcpb-_4EJnSHh16MO52AS27zHRlXIHA_aaB4NhZzT7WupS8R9uWvN3UGU6-YptznG4GcrVz0pMwR_k0PtZwiRnzKrz42_Fpf0RsiwDbRhNCQxgMrx/s1600/image_zpsdbb00612.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eek! Look at that crap come off!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At this point he and I were sweating, swearing, badmouthing the previous owner, it involved a LOT of elbow grease to say the least. He took a towel, I took one, and we were double teaming the surface (you know, that sounds kind of "dirty" har har har), anyway after a bit we started to see the original color of the art again. You know, while we were badmouthing the previous op for his horrible maintenance, I gotta take this moment to thank and praise <a href="http://www.steveritchiepinball.com/">Steve Ritchie</a> (the game's designer) for making a game that was done in such a way to have easy access to all the major areas for cleaning and straight forward disassembly. We weren't in a "<a href="http://www.ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=2768&picno=5260">White Water</a>" situation here where we had to disassemble layers upon layers of playfields and ramps to get stuff off. It wasn't that bad, and that kind of thought toward maintenance seems to be a Ritchie trademark.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After it was cleaned, we took clean towels and applied the Novus to them and then we polished the cleaned wood. In this case we rubbed the Novus in so that the polish would work its magic and after a ton of polishing, the game's art looked amazing!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspNZpcCYW347IyBzfRUmwQxbVK2qGuQZRuh0rlh35wLd0JEiIs8bO-6q9dEnnvdyKGieInSAUl6Z-WQNwt5_9r4mXHehZhI2_sgBEJuSLq7UXpUHfOS26_9UbAL5FsUo9uO-XQG7FheHE/s1600/image_zps4d8111f2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspNZpcCYW347IyBzfRUmwQxbVK2qGuQZRuh0rlh35wLd0JEiIs8bO-6q9dEnnvdyKGieInSAUl6Z-WQNwt5_9r4mXHehZhI2_sgBEJuSLq7UXpUHfOS26_9UbAL5FsUo9uO-XQG7FheHE/s1600/image_zps4d8111f2.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rubbing and wiping the playfield with Novus 2...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Despite all the dirt and soot that had been on the wood, the playfield came back to a shine that made it look new again. It was incredible! Stern's factory clearcoat is pretty impressive stuff, despite all the crap that had formed on top, the original art had been protected underneath and after the clean and polish, it came out to shine once again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now............Time to clean all those disassembled parts...........oh boy.............</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPMMuCNL0t7711QY-xjlGC2k6ApqtMaiegEJFNp3Vfg_aFhpy97jFAyWwAOFrbzVYGCOOZbuEDNZmQKB48Um7PaatOs0-51ExWynvB0sPATA3qYMYOuhn0MVsvR72wiybUeBl730vknLm/s1600/image_zps3c34db83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPMMuCNL0t7711QY-xjlGC2k6ApqtMaiegEJFNp3Vfg_aFhpy97jFAyWwAOFrbzVYGCOOZbuEDNZmQKB48Um7PaatOs0-51ExWynvB0sPATA3qYMYOuhn0MVsvR72wiybUeBl730vknLm/s1600/image_zps3c34db83.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dirty plastic to be cleaned...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOQR8MdE9i1Ur_iO_wEzgnV2BF15OcNaoXbaa2BTEFENvfLQ38g85JEOyoJPQj8HaR7ItSNvrHvw6IpvOzESkQNG-dCyrIxzsB2lzW_AondlbB6deJWhyr_-JlTplN77NQ23UN7cKcYyI/s1600/image_zpsdf199a02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOQR8MdE9i1Ur_iO_wEzgnV2BF15OcNaoXbaa2BTEFENvfLQ38g85JEOyoJPQj8HaR7ItSNvrHvw6IpvOzESkQNG-dCyrIxzsB2lzW_AondlbB6deJWhyr_-JlTplN77NQ23UN7cKcYyI/s1600/image_zpsdf199a02.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">That's one dirty ramp!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeQVARIqXIQOeHnZF84lvBy4JeuJ3VfIyIyCr_UDJ2WTzgPE4mft6OS6dfoGzC0tYN2CDV5WdToCqcZF1-9jB2sewxbUb7SqsdYgXmSBDblPWl__460zZ_BgUtbQxU5TESK1AS6qZEwKD/s1600/image_zps3d774762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeQVARIqXIQOeHnZF84lvBy4JeuJ3VfIyIyCr_UDJ2WTzgPE4mft6OS6dfoGzC0tYN2CDV5WdToCqcZF1-9jB2sewxbUb7SqsdYgXmSBDblPWl__460zZ_BgUtbQxU5TESK1AS6qZEwKD/s1600/image_zps3d774762.jpg" height="320" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Doc Ock waiting to be cleaned and re-installed...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgrQkcBAT9lNunXOMY-dibrqq4D5mSVtZ4WZp0S0gZ8YsgZm7K-lmmXBSJC2Xa9tceZDTM3p4bwVu8zxYVsBnE-v8IfYY2jbHF-CafpOCpNmtg_kZIn3_QHYLuJl9R5BOrYW4H2e_PgZt/s1600/image_zps1a1d85d7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgrQkcBAT9lNunXOMY-dibrqq4D5mSVtZ4WZp0S0gZ8YsgZm7K-lmmXBSJC2Xa9tceZDTM3p4bwVu8zxYVsBnE-v8IfYY2jbHF-CafpOCpNmtg_kZIn3_QHYLuJl9R5BOrYW4H2e_PgZt/s1600/image_zps1a1d85d7.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sandman waiting for his turn to be cleaned and rebuilt (that does NOT look like <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=wings+lowell&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=_W3QU67PJ4GbyAS5o4KADQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&biw=1570&bih=753#q=lowell+mather&tbm=isch">Lowell</a> to me somehow...)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Next time we'll see how the shop job ended up......................</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7azLDjBAhYRpposAeazHr6xgOLOEPbtZmRAmjuu91ymBV0Q7aMRLN83XIivaSa6RN9uCM1Vnw52DyzlnTw2o8tysRWiiAzpT1f5H9e1qVc236LHuH5YpJxAQ_BpN7xYiSJn8ap0B8Ovh/s1600/image_zpsfd1df55b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7azLDjBAhYRpposAeazHr6xgOLOEPbtZmRAmjuu91ymBV0Q7aMRLN83XIivaSa6RN9uCM1Vnw52DyzlnTw2o8tysRWiiAzpT1f5H9e1qVc236LHuH5YpJxAQ_BpN7xYiSJn8ap0B8Ovh/s1600/image_zpsfd1df55b.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yeah!!!! Coming together................</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-24108204531335428042014-07-17T23:39:00.004-04:002014-07-18T01:09:24.558-04:00Spiderman Shop Job Part 1<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A friend of mine recently picked up a Stern </span><a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5237" style="font-family: inherit;">Spiderman</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> from an operating location that was looking to change up their machines. He called me to tell me about the deal and I asked him if the game had seen a lot of use. He replied "</span>Uhh<span style="font-family: inherit;"> yeah." (turns out it had over 100,000 plays on it over 7 years and the operator had never really maintained the game in all that time)! I went over to look at the game and my mouth hit the floor, it looked like someone had taken the playfield, thew it on a dung heap and then proceeded to slide it down a muddy wet hill. It was BAD, like HOLY CRAP BAD! The playfield surface was </span>greasy<span style="font-family: inherit;">, blackened, worn, wear spots in places. The toys were black with filth, the cabinet was black on the inside, like magic marker black! Blackest night black, you know! I just stared at it and was like: "So......... um, where should we start?"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnhU7AnyaRvd8GZmQsQwY5U7xFrQUecfUn72k8ShNqq1JuAuFJiFoF9VIwIROzViUtBRzXdthvK8mK4nJRRZ3Iz1QMFKtJH201djgUp7kNm_iDI3ezRFPiErbPcCqwKZbb5dy156BNQ2L/s1600/image_zpsc9b051e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnhU7AnyaRvd8GZmQsQwY5U7xFrQUecfUn72k8ShNqq1JuAuFJiFoF9VIwIROzViUtBRzXdthvK8mK4nJRRZ3Iz1QMFKtJH201djgUp7kNm_iDI3ezRFPiErbPcCqwKZbb5dy156BNQ2L/s1600/image_zpsc9b051e2.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Top area of the dirty playfield</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdN74VjHeXhEpyYK6qxZbUTZsv_3sr0p1DXH5SCR0kfKkP2OpMV60XgRV47-6wU72nWa27oYFTbdMHxu1li32bclYmEaajHB4iIfH9Cb_ozzToToThND4Iu93uWLBSHpjP37jZjFIsb62/s1600/image_zps44b443ced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdN74VjHeXhEpyYK6qxZbUTZsv_3sr0p1DXH5SCR0kfKkP2OpMV60XgRV47-6wU72nWa27oYFTbdMHxu1li32bclYmEaajHB4iIfH9Cb_ozzToToThND4Iu93uWLBSHpjP37jZjFIsb62/s1600/image_zps44b443ced.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">7 Years of service and filth</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCCTvONejq8eZ1fuuSeTyVaScyjgpQGRwp2ctRHk9veFC55RiviCuL3n2rM32XXrbI-Bi2hyM3OChR9iuV_ewRQQ_3sEnq9FkNfpF4cPQYD8yMamI3xXCrJ5XCoJ2ZMHu6mDcDSSceb2W/s1600/image_zps2afcb441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCCTvONejq8eZ1fuuSeTyVaScyjgpQGRwp2ctRHk9veFC55RiviCuL3n2rM32XXrbI-Bi2hyM3OChR9iuV_ewRQQ_3sEnq9FkNfpF4cPQYD8yMamI3xXCrJ5XCoJ2ZMHu6mDcDSSceb2W/s1600/image_zps2afcb441.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yuck!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He and I then proceeded to shop the game out. "</span>Shopping<span style="font-family: inherit;">" is when one takes a pinball machine and cleans it, fixes it, and replaces worn or broken rubbers, balls, parts, and toys. Good operators might do a full tear down shop job like this once a year. While a collector might only do something like this when he's about to sell a game. In this Spiderman's case, a job like this was LONG overdue!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We got some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Walgreens-Isopropyl-Alcohol-91%25-32/dp/B00A2OTRSA/ref=sr_1_4?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1405648949&sr=1-4&keywords=91%25+alcohol">91% alcohol</a> (higher concentration is better, but this worked fine) some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Clean-Eraser-Cleaning-8-Count/dp/B001339ZMW">magic erasers</a>, about 20 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Clark-Scott-Towels-75130/dp/B000TRQHXS">lint free soft shop towels</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Novus-Plastic-Polish-Oz/dp/B000RT6RUG/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1405647755&sr=1-1&keywords=novus+2">Novous Polish #2</a>, and went to work.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We started by taking LOTS OF PHOTOS of the playfield and then formulated a plan of attack. We decided to start by taking the entire populated playfield apart to the wood (this means every mechanism, ramp, plastic, screw, even the washers and posts). I grabbed some cups and labeled them by area so that pieces wouldn't be lost (there's hundreds of parts on a populated playfield, not counting everything else in the game cabinet). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoIqgJilaMT2CgUSeijsii4Yjg6cdD4SfOJk49KkSnhEj-N5Tgi4sT4AWRmTyL0lTIbY0lclc0Kf5TSkOMh6CUsC6I0pxvZdnvE9vaqFsjosAiEaeCi8qcbbpsHT5p8M2xE1l5Whdp3AM/s1600/image_zpse7f1ecb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoIqgJilaMT2CgUSeijsii4Yjg6cdD4SfOJk49KkSnhEj-N5Tgi4sT4AWRmTyL0lTIbY0lclc0Kf5TSkOMh6CUsC6I0pxvZdnvE9vaqFsjosAiEaeCi8qcbbpsHT5p8M2xE1l5Whdp3AM/s1600/image_zpse7f1ecb4.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">These cups were a lifesaver!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then the plan was then to clean everything that could be salvaged, take note of things that could not be, so that replacements could be located later, clean the wood and polish it as much as possible, and then reassemble everything!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Easy right?!!?!?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDADxMMi3pFHSEzqegC_rnlra5TiDi4uk1yUal1du9sq9tqePAlgNYWFLRrSdMJ3smrQHFXGm_dekur601N2RcVycxgD6VbOyxC-WQBHs3Ce8sbEgHYniN8bEF13cb5n6p6RUUsyItJ8s/s1600/image_zps9bea06af.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDADxMMi3pFHSEzqegC_rnlra5TiDi4uk1yUal1du9sq9tqePAlgNYWFLRrSdMJ3smrQHFXGm_dekur601N2RcVycxgD6VbOyxC-WQBHs3Ce8sbEgHYniN8bEF13cb5n6p6RUUsyItJ8s/s1600/image_zps9bea06af.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Errrrrrrrrr..........</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OugeXtBgR6W_PgyOsIgSn3wKRfVVFmfHg9JTekzJ1L8oJl6B-QGD-XyxrakKoKwHRY-GOTSnn9ZZ6LzxVXyZF1rB0krqgtpsZje22Bi9-NxS_w4I_RciyLpNhig4cV-FP2-inUAt6O_T/s1600/image_zps3954d4d1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OugeXtBgR6W_PgyOsIgSn3wKRfVVFmfHg9JTekzJ1L8oJl6B-QGD-XyxrakKoKwHRY-GOTSnn9ZZ6LzxVXyZF1rB0krqgtpsZje22Bi9-NxS_w4I_RciyLpNhig4cV-FP2-inUAt6O_T/s1600/image_zps3954d4d1.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Uhhh, hmmmmm.....Where did these......</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12xKydDdFon2HYlRWDWHGhmh7KX7DG9Wd1X4-kULXkvJ-Kf4E8h6luMaiiW6xV0QeOOGtXooszB707nSmJsv_aDe68hBVAuTIwJgiW1sjVMsOxxMS4uvRCeIByY0I6-IihMSRIETyVtCd/s1600/image_zpsb55bc7ac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12xKydDdFon2HYlRWDWHGhmh7KX7DG9Wd1X4-kULXkvJ-Kf4E8h6luMaiiW6xV0QeOOGtXooszB707nSmJsv_aDe68hBVAuTIwJgiW1sjVMsOxxMS4uvRCeIByY0I6-IihMSRIETyVtCd/s1600/image_zpsb55bc7ac.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gah!!! It's on my hands?!?!?!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpk3QRflR0npuSgiReZoekB-zmxVpmxZaYRUYeFhTrOfNPmkVoSmgJbwsEC-XWMmRgHkSJ5P9eOoWs5Hr87JHrku4FjrChHKr4UyQgL_Rj_yYKlhkF57EZlnvQN9BQlL5NhQvFxUU_r7W/s1600/image_zps98ab0fb8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpk3QRflR0npuSgiReZoekB-zmxVpmxZaYRUYeFhTrOfNPmkVoSmgJbwsEC-XWMmRgHkSJ5P9eOoWs5Hr87JHrku4FjrChHKr4UyQgL_Rj_yYKlhkF57EZlnvQN9BQlL5NhQvFxUU_r7W/s1600/image_zps98ab0fb8.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gross!!!!!!!!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_f_OBLAIb8#t=12">Julian Noa</a> style discombobulated announcer voice: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Are Eric and his friend way over there heads? Will there be enough shop towels to finish the job? Will they be able to put everything back in its place??? Will the machine catch fire before everything is said and done?!??!? Find out on our next episode...I mean entry!!!"</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-34305627735709394232014-07-09T19:59:00.001-04:002014-07-09T19:59:34.132-04:00What Makes a Pinball Shot Feel Good: The Answers!!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilk-FRSAlkgOr07KStPc9XkPQoJDC-RSMdkI9HenT6mrTY7sQghi2X7WWv4_jhIYRiSjjj66jC67eeq2MXxm6QzkhFv9LQFnnUQF8kfbNiHGzQrPLGPp86W9jneXFHP1pcV5c-zxWN_mR-/s1600/ST+Ramps.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilk-FRSAlkgOr07KStPc9XkPQoJDC-RSMdkI9HenT6mrTY7sQghi2X7WWv4_jhIYRiSjjj66jC67eeq2MXxm6QzkhFv9LQFnnUQF8kfbNiHGzQrPLGPp86W9jneXFHP1pcV5c-zxWN_mR-/s1600/ST+Ramps.JPG" height="218" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of the Shots available in Stern's <a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/games/star-trek/pro">Star Trek</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Wow! Well after throwing that question out there (<a href="http://pinballaficionado.blogspot.com/2014/07/what-makes-pinball-shot-feel-good.html">What Makes a Pinball Shot Feel Good</a>), I was blown away by the response. Answers poured in from aficionados all over the pinball community. Tournament players, novices, collectors, operators, techs, designers, even the VP of Design at Stern Pinball chimed in!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some of their responses:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"The best shots are the ones that can be dialed in by the player to be made with regularity and therefore be satisfying."</em></span><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>-- Marcel Gonzalez (Showrunner - <a href="http://www.floridaape.org/">Florida Arcade Pinball Expo</a>)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>"Feedback- its all and only about feedback- the choreography of the event , the things you see, hear, the emotion evoked by the realization that you have: advanced, achieved a goal, completed something, incremented score, heard or discovered a piece of the story, evoked an emotion from an opponent whether real (your buddy) or virtual( the animated 3d Hulk toy you just hit). The smooth transition of the ball is a visually and aurally perceived event. Feedback- like all games is the magic."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>-- George Gomez (<a href="http://www.sternpinball.com/">Designer, Stern Pinball VP of Game Design</a>)</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><br /></em></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"It's about satisfaction. It's such a relief when you achieve it, like a weight is lifted off your shoulders and you're on top of the world. (Especially those difficult, timed shots worth a ton of points)."<br /><br />"It feels similar to scoring that winning goal/basket/TD/Home run/KO punch and getting a rise from the audience. <br /><br />Same with golf, pool or bowling. When that ball rolls a strike, or falls in the intended hole/pocket, it evokes the same visceral reaction as scoring a super jackpot."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<em>-- Joel Cohen (Tournament Player)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"Pinball does an amazing job of letting you know that YOU are the one in control...but it also does a great job of letting you know that YOU screwed it up...love a great shot, but I also like the feeling of great ball control. To me there's greater satisfaction from a solid live catch/drop catch/cradle separation followed by a tough shot."</em></span><br />
<br />
<em>-- Carlos Porta (Tournament Player)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"The best shots are not too easy, not too hard, and have good feedback so you know you did something cool, or that you pushed forward in the rules of the game."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<em>-- FLECOM (Operator/Tech/Collector)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"Not an easy question, I think a pinball design is not about one shot... its how all the shots, flow (up & down), rebounds, bounce, rest, jumps, timing, and many more factors. I guess ultimately for me a "shot" is part of a larger composition...and it is all related in some fashion."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<em>-- John Popadiuk (</em><a href="http://pinballinventor.org/welcome.html"><em>Pinbal Designer</em></a><em>)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>"What makes a good shot for me is that it puts me into a Peak Experience. A peak experience is that sweet spot my mind gets into when it faces a desirable challenge, a challenge that is difficult enough to not be boring but not too difficult where it puts me off. It’s at a specific level where I have to focus at the peak of my ability. When I get into a good flow of making shots and keeping the ball alive who I am and what I think about diminish and only the pinball and the field exist. Sometimes I get so lost in that flow that the boundaries between my fingertips and the flippers disappear. When I keep shooting the shots I need to hit faster and smoother than I can think normally is what makes pinball extremely enjoyable for me."</em></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"></span><em><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">-- Joshua Fay (Pinball Enthusiast)</span></em><br />
<em></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Wow, so from most of these responses, it would appear that the key is not so much in a particular shot, but the many things that the player experiences in tandem during a good game. Factors like challenge, rebounds, flow, feedback, sound, choreography, all play a part in making pinball feel good. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So going back to the original question, I guess that the reason why a shot might feel good even if the ball leaves your direct control lies not in a single shot alone, but in the overall design and its impact on the player and how it makes him or her feel. The beauty lies not in the single tree, but in the forest it calls home.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To sum it up, here's an amazing video that I feel encapsulates all of the factors mentioned. It's called "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpkc2NooEUQ">The Last Empire</a>" by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdOXKj8NNn_jnxF-mWKACjA">Adrian Seifert</a>. Check it out!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hpkc2NooEUQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<em></em><br />
<em></em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-13890192319033944282014-07-02T19:43:00.000-04:002014-07-02T19:43:40.193-04:00What makes a pinball shot feel good?What makes a pinball shot feel good?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2HqOmzoIsK06Q9X8Php6KZba9vrJ6w8RhlgcyEGkWgNSkG_BYIcHGGzz1KDeMNq5oOul3PbMfN9QFk5NXhoCt_R8n8Lo80_WRyWx6ni0aC3zRXnbEOXIcIN5WofmXKZn0AFnjueifMjK/s1600/Rockin'+Spinner!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2HqOmzoIsK06Q9X8Php6KZba9vrJ6w8RhlgcyEGkWgNSkG_BYIcHGGzz1KDeMNq5oOul3PbMfN9QFk5NXhoCt_R8n8Lo80_WRyWx6ni0aC3zRXnbEOXIcIN5WofmXKZn0AFnjueifMjK/s1600/Rockin'+Spinner!.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Screamingly Great Left Orbit Spinner on <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5767">ACDC</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The game of pinball centers on the physical interaction of the ball, how the player manipulates that ball, and how the ball interacts with the playfield. Because of this physical interaction (along with sound effects and scoring potentialities), not all shots are the same. Along this same line, if you ask players who are flipping the ball, they may tell you: "This shot rocks!" or "This shot sucks!!!." How is that possible? You're flipping a ball through a predetermined path on a piece of wood and after the ball leaves the flipper it leaves your control until it reaches its destination. How does that action equate to "feeling great"?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">To solve this grand query, I would like YOUR opinions on this phenomenon and am also in the process of asking a slew of people from throughout the pinball universe to see what they think about the question. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So let's see what you pinball aficionados have to say??? Use the Comment form below or the Contact form on the left. Send in your input and let's see what we find!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Thanks for your info!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-47028616176265105882014-06-26T14:58:00.004-04:002014-06-26T14:58:47.471-04:00Pinball: by Santiago Ciuffo<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo1hCTSPugBWm6EGghmRhMQwNMBnbi8FyIGFKmoeabdc5ixUa2RkcAG0VeLHfxBqknONlQwSqrN49S-Zk5Vv3BQ2lHsba3s2xCmaM7JcvSV4HpANlGLPF0l795sc8xDIkwN8rDH5hyphenhyphenQhO/s1600/Pinball+Book+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo1hCTSPugBWm6EGghmRhMQwNMBnbi8FyIGFKmoeabdc5ixUa2RkcAG0VeLHfxBqknONlQwSqrN49S-Zk5Vv3BQ2lHsba3s2xCmaM7JcvSV4HpANlGLPF0l795sc8xDIkwN8rDH5hyphenhyphenQhO/s1600/Pinball+Book+2.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pinball by Santiago Ciuffo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I recently received my copy of <a href="http://pinball-magazine.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=54">"Pinball"</a> by Santiago Ciuffo and was fairly impressed. It's a coffee table style book, with large glossy photos of older EM (Electromechanical) and early SS (Solid State) machines that are located in Argentina. While not too long on text (it includes a nice introduction on the state of the pinball hobby in Argentina and its history, in several languages), it does have some amazing photos, which span 95% of the pages within. These pictures showcase machines in relative chronological order, starting with several pictures dedicated to Bingo machines, then leading into shots of EM pinball machines from the 50's-70's, and finishing with pictures of pins from the early 80's. The photos really showcase the art well. The pictures and their subjects seem to jump off the page. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Having seen this book, I'm reminded of other pinball photo books, like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marco-Rossignoli/e/B001IQZI02">Marco Rossignoli's</a> many works, the books that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Shalhoub/e/B001ITVR68/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3?qid=1403724723&sr=1-3">Michael Shalhoub </a>released, or the seminal tome that Roger Sharpe and James Hamilton <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pinball-Roger-C-Sharpe/dp/B000JD59AE">released</a> way back in the 70's. But in regards to those texts, Ciuffo's work here feels more like Sharpe's than the others. I feel this way because many of the images in the book also show the pins as part of a larger landscape or display: whether it be a game sitting by its lonesome in a stylish hallway (almost like a girl ready for her partner to go out on a night on the town), or as in another, showing the backglasses and heads of several older pins sitting together on the top shelf of a barn, looking like a bunch of old friends sitting on a porch talking about exciting days long past. Ciuffo captures the games in a larger scene, which is something Hamilton also pulled off in that earlier work. One difference though is that Hamilton was photographing games that at that time were new, fresh, in their prime. Ciuffo on the other hand, conveys in his photos, games that are old. That sense of age, of nostalgia, is, I believe, a core undercurrent in this book. All the pins showcased here are older (very few DMDs are featured), the pictures convey wear, having been played, having been enjoyed after many many years of faithful service. All the games in "Pinball" by Santiago Ciuffo show a type of patina, like the patina of a life, one that seems was very well lived.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So as for my verdict, I say <a href="http://pinball-magazine.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=54">GO GET IT!</a> It's a wonderful piece of Pinball art, Ciuffo's photography is top notch, you won't be dissapointed! The author is an artiste and a definite pinball aficionado in our book!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I also want to say that if it weren't for the efforts of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PinballMagazine">Jonathan Joosten</a> and <a href="http://www.pinball-magazine.com/">Pinball Magazine</a>, the book would probably not be as easily available as it is, so thanks Jonathan!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">More Pictures!!!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbfDvVoN46AngKR1jY5jP97dQYuT5cAFDjEaN5WOKzPzz1nU8n-UcIVLzOe0fQNgMNjCQL-JZ1qeezAl_khLHiKmdp3ujpelbLTMg1WpOCVDBCAo8bi9_WnV6SEWCj6xQaScvFIB2SvCz/s1600/Pinball+Book+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbfDvVoN46AngKR1jY5jP97dQYuT5cAFDjEaN5WOKzPzz1nU8n-UcIVLzOe0fQNgMNjCQL-JZ1qeezAl_khLHiKmdp3ujpelbLTMg1WpOCVDBCAo8bi9_WnV6SEWCj6xQaScvFIB2SvCz/s1600/Pinball+Book+1.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Awesome!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOzn9gYzi40KO54LZoDaCR981fiw25XfqvvIVrn4R85X19ZI0tIFoZlFCCe4EcM9bd0XRXCjbWV2lGU_FmuWiNl-2Z5O_f_q9CqAis051ezu_stTJlbTXvjgDFmezwl78AKEt-8uhxVR5/s1600/Pinball+Book+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOzn9gYzi40KO54LZoDaCR981fiw25XfqvvIVrn4R85X19ZI0tIFoZlFCCe4EcM9bd0XRXCjbWV2lGU_FmuWiNl-2Z5O_f_q9CqAis051ezu_stTJlbTXvjgDFmezwl78AKEt-8uhxVR5/s1600/Pinball+Book+3.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ooooh a Miami Beach Bingo!!! (You can read more about Bingos <a href="http://bingo.cdyn.com/">HERE</a>)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-26htbESagPEwFTfhGDa-sf4kUEzr8qF7wF4tGeC0WoXZ9c0c2er3mNzjx_bcEOoVrglD_09H5SnSLo6e78Xc3KAyaUPUnJzEg23i-Oa2Mrm5AkOdfNwxfFw3Chaxki4RVUpa45wpHFAC/s1600/Pinball+Book+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-26htbESagPEwFTfhGDa-sf4kUEzr8qF7wF4tGeC0WoXZ9c0c2er3mNzjx_bcEOoVrglD_09H5SnSLo6e78Xc3KAyaUPUnJzEg23i-Oa2Mrm5AkOdfNwxfFw3Chaxki4RVUpa45wpHFAC/s1600/Pinball+Book+4.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Broadway</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK9RqjX67ggxHSkMlqh94AxtQPhjO6QDg-eQc9cQwB7kDAMvvVhUVVABsUkrElOCxEvinqDMYYSbwH-cC3KWyh45P1vchpA5MX0kcv2_3-dbIv1fei1YmCmrEoL5TQvAiWiEOZ8zEkB7y/s1600/Pinball+Book+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK9RqjX67ggxHSkMlqh94AxtQPhjO6QDg-eQc9cQwB7kDAMvvVhUVVABsUkrElOCxEvinqDMYYSbwH-cC3KWyh45P1vchpA5MX0kcv2_3-dbIv1fei1YmCmrEoL5TQvAiWiEOZ8zEkB7y/s1600/Pinball+Book+5.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Glossy Photos</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3ZanN_BcK0MsdqbElJf0Qk72aXn-tL8jhX7MPC4cbxMseBKJRNvXQK7aRtUpGi3r4gw4LrjrgalqWieXl27Db2WiPomARtn7AqtywIM6qGpTrgShHTCH1SmYJMsR8EUDx0AsLPGZJ-LI/s1600/Me+with+Pinball.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3ZanN_BcK0MsdqbElJf0Qk72aXn-tL8jhX7MPC4cbxMseBKJRNvXQK7aRtUpGi3r4gw4LrjrgalqWieXl27Db2WiPomARtn7AqtywIM6qGpTrgShHTCH1SmYJMsR8EUDx0AsLPGZJ-LI/s1600/Me+with+Pinball.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's a great read!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Santiago Ciuffo also did a little <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJR21uEdYo0">Commercial</a> for it that looks pretty neat!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-53065335539826618262014-06-19T16:59:00.000-04:002014-06-19T16:59:03.201-04:00The World of Pinball Collecting: How to Buy Your First Machine Part 2<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Following up on my last post, (<a href="http://pinballaficionado.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-world-of-pinball-collecting-how-to_11.html">about buying your first machine</a>), my buddy also asked me about how old the games are and how you can tell an older game from a newer one. The difference in age comes down to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">what we pinheads call EM and SS or Electromechanical and Solid State. Electromechanical refers to games made before 1975 or so, which comprised of relays, bells, score reels, basically lacking any kind of </span>micro-circuitry<span style="font-family: inherit;"> or circuit boards. These are the kinds of games you would see in old movies in the background of old bar or diner scenes. These are the types of games you see Elton John and Roger Daltrey playing in that famous <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DthtDjhqVOU">Tommy Scene</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAko5gbev9Y4FR7Rls9MMGqPYsvQQB09PsxWGVBeXRsiGI-4HIJK-nCz4rl2p-XNydjmw3Mt2oj79ctzGCO2ErkE9fXgyNgDT_8cXVP6-z9v0ko_X-g3eEBglWc3E5yaz9DeeuUeViwJRz/s1600/DSCN8025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAko5gbev9Y4FR7Rls9MMGqPYsvQQB09PsxWGVBeXRsiGI-4HIJK-nCz4rl2p-XNydjmw3Mt2oj79ctzGCO2ErkE9fXgyNgDT_8cXVP6-z9v0ko_X-g3eEBglWc3E5yaz9DeeuUeViwJRz/s1600/DSCN8025.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1802">Example</a> of an EM Game</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Games made after 1975 were made with printed circuit boards and computer logic. This allowed for more complex rules and paved the way for digitized sound, and later, more advanced scoring displays. These are the kinds of games that are made today.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5rt_iw_lb1okeFyd9EXpyHiw_bYNPGavxO9qxK-QZHSK9_nJjfxrypp3se_DLVEymQZPbK5sk2KdExFziiAlOvs_blcA9TC0V4N-cPcTJWsDftKUaj6hETy_h6dqaHqkeqMss48cgWEz/s1600/The+Beauty+of+Design!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5rt_iw_lb1okeFyd9EXpyHiw_bYNPGavxO9qxK-QZHSK9_nJjfxrypp3se_DLVEymQZPbK5sk2KdExFziiAlOvs_blcA9TC0V4N-cPcTJWsDftKUaj6hETy_h6dqaHqkeqMss48cgWEz/s1600/The+Beauty+of+Design!.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An <a href="http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5767">Example</a> of a modern SS Game</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As for </span>maintenance, that is a constant when it comes to pinball ownership. Gotta remember, that silver ball is flying around that table between 4-6 MPH and is striking everything in sight. This means things can break, fall out of alignment, the rolling of the ball can leave tracks, wear on the wood, and of course dirt and soot can build up and gunk assemblies, targets, and saucers. Because of that, games need to be maintained, at the very least the playfield needs to be cleaned regularly, preferably waxed and polished often. Issues and malfunctions need to be fixed and the owner needs to either become handy, or know who to call* to fix things when issues pop up. </span><br />
<br />
*Note: if you're located anywhere near South Florida, <a href="mailto:flecom@gmail.com">FLECOM</a> is a really great tech!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now if you're new to the hobby and want to buy a machine and any or all of the maintenance aspect is scaring you, don't fear!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While this may look scary:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdlQxlP2jm_bgkrhIUfMdn49GyZFAodtc2aq40cgsfpOrdv5FcpUaoAvuNQurOkIsC5Pe88qW8-4kyow-GcmJkO4y3nUTaPpg-iOgg9Xe9gZaf-ZNyoFFX8Q_2CNoMjkJyOSP6uFr1_M-/s1600/image_zps8bf852fa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdlQxlP2jm_bgkrhIUfMdn49GyZFAodtc2aq40cgsfpOrdv5FcpUaoAvuNQurOkIsC5Pe88qW8-4kyow-GcmJkO4y3nUTaPpg-iOgg9Xe9gZaf-ZNyoFFX8Q_2CNoMjkJyOSP6uFr1_M-/s1600/image_zps8bf852fa.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yikes!!!!!!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In reality it's not that big of a deal. Everything in a pinball machine is designed to be maintained and games usually ship with manuals to help the owner out (it's not rocket science, honest!). Also, no one person is expected to know everything, so that is why pinball aficionados come together on web forums like <a href="https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/">Pinside</a>, <a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/rec.games.pinball">RGP</a>, and on more <a href="http://www.floridapinballforum.com/smf/">local</a> forums to help each other out. Local forums also facilitate how to find nearby techs that you can call to help when you're in a real bind and don't know what to do!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After telling my buddy all of this, I thought his head was going to explode, thankfully it didn't and he's more excited than ever for his family to get their first game!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now it's your turn! What other tips can you think of to tell my friend on buying his first game?<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6481091406821036928.post-88334226123083940852014-06-11T21:47:00.000-04:002014-06-13T12:06:37.267-04:00The World of Pinball Collecting: How to Buy Your First Machine<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">While on Facebook earlier, I was contacted by an old friend who said his family was interested in buying a machine and had no idea where to start or how much it cost. I then proceeded to describe the landscape of how to go about this and afterward, felt it might make a good post, so here it is:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>"When buying a game, how much it costs all depends on the game you want to get and the condition that it is in, that's the long and the short of it. Price wise, for a working game (regardless of condition), you'll pay from 300 dollars up to and including 20,000 dollars depending on the title in question. The going price for a new game, as in, a game made at the factory in the last 12 months and sitting in a crate at a distributorship, sells for between 5000 and 8500 dollars depending on model and trim.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>You buy pins from either <a href="https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/">Collectors</a>, <a href="http://www.arcadeodyssey.com/">Operators</a>, or from <a href="http://www.littleshopofgames.com/Gallery/stern/stern.html">Distributors</a>. No real coin operated pinball machine is sold at a regular department store. Collectors are people who own machines and keep them at home or in a private collection. Operators are those who own machines and use them for revenue generation (as in routing, as in public play), and distributors are those who are authorized sellers of new pinball machines that come from the factory (New in Box). The distributorship system is how it's done, has been since the 1930's."</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Next time I'll talk about different machine ages and where to go for pinball repair.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilahC_mid-YIIeQSsmBRGcg4Y1pWPwPJAFf6EW39k9njgKndsimrHJHj1Qio1krcQiPB3jw2my0W1d4yC1Q_K49DExA1HV6BNnG6BrX0tgbDOkHRimgGOW-1NBe6PnvixASsaIGxU4lBAd/s1600/NIB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilahC_mid-YIIeQSsmBRGcg4Y1pWPwPJAFf6EW39k9njgKndsimrHJHj1Qio1krcQiPB3jw2my0W1d4yC1Q_K49DExA1HV6BNnG6BrX0tgbDOkHRimgGOW-1NBe6PnvixASsaIGxU4lBAd/s1600/NIB.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">An Example of a New In Box (NIB) Stern Pinball Machine</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171101633306604029noreply@blogger.com0