After a walk....

By juleshoddy

August 18, 2008


15 years ago

Even from an early age, I’ve always enjoyed the odd game of pinball when finding one in an arcade, bar, or wherever they may be.

I worked in the videogames industry for about 6/7years as i loved the rise of the SNES / Megadrive years. I loved it so much i decided to get myself a job in the industry - if you gonna work, you might as well do something you enjoy!! Anyway, who could resist those days of Street fighter, Mario kart and contra wars!? Bloody great days...and late nights too!!

In 2005 i was a bit disillusioned with videogames. Even though they went to 3D, looked great, and sounded better, I found I was still pushing a lot of buttons, or pushing a lot of crates around! Even with the latest machines you’re pretty much doing the same things you did back in the 90’s!! I left that industry soon after and moved on.

About 4 months ago I was out walking with my girlfriend and we talked about pinball, and all the games I’d played back when. I remembered, years ago, trying to play an early version of pinmame, but with not much luck. Maybe I didn’t have the inclination to get it working back then? Anyway, we got back home from the walk and I immediately started searching for pinmame and future pinball stuff. I spent the next 6 hours downloading various tables and playing them until my eyes went stupid! I was hooked from then on!!

Since then, I’ve built a dedicated pinmame / future pinball standalone machine at my home and have been enjoying the recreations people have created. I still wanted a “real” machine though so I found a mint TOM and bought it from a guy who was a bit sad to see it go!! I love my TOM and plan to buy at least one more. Possibly a TOTAN (if I can find one?) or new stern machine. Even though people can be a bit scathing of the latest sterns, they are the last real pinball manufacturer and I would like to support them by buying one of theirs in the future.

I’ve been playing pinball nearly everyday and haven’t even turned on my PS3 to play the latest game. Personally, I think they’ll be a resurgence of pinball in the coming years!! Maybe see you at the 2008 UK pinball show if you’re going!!?

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Comments

15 years ago

Yes I'd have to agree I also feel pinball will make a comeback in the future.
Whenever I go into a pub I'm always looking for a 'pin' to play.
-cool story

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