where is spooky? They've obviously made the decision to abandon ship, here, in this thread. Not what I would have expected following a willingness to be open and discuss future directions.

Has anyone heard from them per code status?

There is still so much that needs to be accomplished with the code to make this game as great as it can be. I agree that it definitely feels like they have abandoned ship. I can get that to an extent with Rick and Morty, but I don't get why Fawzma couldn't keep working on it. Maybe I'm naive, but I can't believe Charlie is going to let this last code be the final code on the nightmare castle. I just think it could be a long wait.

They just released a small update a few weeks ago.

While granted, it WAS small, it IS progress.

That was the update I referred to in my post.

Thank you for the kind words! Happy that you like it.

Oddly enough a number of the sculpts within the game seem slightly different in green/yellow and black(coverage) just to themselves so it's a bit of an 'as close as I can see, based on our Alice'.

Be well and thanks once again.

I know I’ve only put a couple hundred games on it, but I’ve only seen a couple things that seems buggy but that could simply be shitty flaky switches. Game seems solid. Haven’t been to BDB yet though.

What are glaring things that need added to complete the game?

Thread documenting various issues: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/alice-cooper-acnc-bug-and-enhancement-feedback-thread

'complete' is a hazy term. I know a lot of people would like to see more to the game/rules (though I don't know if Spooky has promised any features that haven't been delivered on in some form), but at a minimum there's stuff like adjustments that don't do anything, bugs, etc.

The game is in desperate need of graphics to accompany the collection of weapons. How about some exciting graphics and sounds when a weapon is used? The bones are all there, it's just poorly executed right now.

One the biggest changes I noticed from the old code was orbits being recognized as hit shots after a lock. Almost all the time (but not every single time) I say hit a crypt or frank lock with both orbits still lit. The game auto plunges and recognizes the right orbit as a hit shot. Maybe the intended this change, but I don't recall seeing it in the change notes with the last big code update. Overall there is a ton to the game, and I'm happy about that. But like has been said before, the code just seems to have some bugs. It seems that most of them are related to the game losing track of the ball or switches triggering when they shouldn't.

For the record, I don't consider this a bug. Because usually when you get our first Mystery Award, it is only 2 rooms to get to the monster. So you ARE advancing two rooms - it's just that two rooms brings you to the monster. I am 99% sure that if you get your first mystery award later in the game, when monsters take 3 or 4 hits, that you will actually only move 2 rooms.

Don’t the ramps light green when a weapon is available up top? That’s what I always use.

Also I could’ve sworn the music offset worked. The callouts were way too loud and I put that setting to 4.0 dB and could’ve sworn made it way better.

The settings are very minimal though, but have yet to not see one that I wanted when tweaking the game.

Seems like the bugs are relatively minor. Glad there’s nothing like game resets anymore.

I have noticed the game seems to have 2 balls in play during single ball play, but admittedly it’s hard to tell when you’re in crypt.

4 ball is weird. Haha. But at least we get Mb. My pool sharks has multiple balls and there’s no MB. Haha.

Thanks for the details on the bugs and tweaks wanted. Seems to be much better for a tournament now than it was before.

Spinner does nothing, but that’s common on lots of games.

Settings for difficulty for the rooms would be nice.

Also I’ve yet to see another mystery award except advance 2 rooms. Got three of them in one game the other night.

Every time I’ve gotten a weapon it has had a sound effect and animation.

Definitely disagree on poor execution. That’s beyond a stretch.

I'm talking about when a weapon is used, not collected. You collected the weapon... and, in what should be a special moment, the weapon is used with no ceremony. In fact, it's hard to tell it was used. Put yourself in a novice's shoes... or someone who isn't a pinhead. This is a big miss for what is billed as a key part of a game.

New podcast up...I'm just starting it, but maybe there will be some Alice Cooper updates.

A novice would never collect a weapon. Ever. But I understand what you’re saying.

This game to me is for pinheads only. That’s fine though.

I've tried to coach first timers through this game, but the fact is that it's just not for novice players. That said, it's a perfect game for a home collection because there is a lot to do and it's always a challenge. Right about the time I feel like I have the game clocked, it hands me my ass.

Confirmed that they are still working on Alice about the 6 min mark.

Yes super happy to hear there’s more to come. I think one thing that could be added would just be overall sound effects. A lot of great stuff during gameplay but stuff that makes the game feel like exciting pinball! For instant crypt multi ball is very subdued. Be cool to have more sound effects during monster battles.

Witt all of this said I’m currently trying to dial in my game in regards to flipper strength. I’ve had the strengths all the way to 50 and down below 30. It seems I’m hitting orbits easier below 30 but maybe having a more difficult time with the ramp. I also seem to remember people saying they’ve dialed down the sling shots as well to make the cane more controllable.

I’m just curious to hear anyone’s settings in regards to flippers and slings. Thanks so much.

More good news! Well ... for me at least. Hopefully others can benefit from this as well.

I set my ball save magnet back to Pattern 1 and it has been performing well nearly every time now. So nice to have this feature working again!

For those keeping tabs: I have a later build game (#435) and am not using the Pinball Life plastic core over the magnet.

This one is on 40 each lower and 15 upper and I feel that is perfect.

Agree on the crypt sounds. I don’t even know I’m in that Mb most of the time.

Also, pit creature. I know how the mode works now, but there’s really no game reaction each time you hide the ball and decrease the timer. I’d be nice to have so the player doesn’t have to look up and confirm the timer is going down.

Little stuff like that could make the game even better if they are taking one more pass at it.

I say focus on that little stuff, then if there is time left look to new features like adding a spinner mode or anything else.

Got to BDB!! 500mm game. Didn’t beat it obviously. Can someone pm me to help me with the rules? Even with my wife reading the LCD and telling me what to do, it was confusing.

I don’t want to spoil it for anyone.

True, but pinheads like rewards for their hard work... I can’t quite imagine a stern or JJP game ignoring a moment in game like that.

Sounds like Spooky has indicated they are continuing to polish... that’s great news. Glad they addressed it!

I would love to have one 'open source', community coded pin. There is so much potential. Maybe some day...

Sadly, you'll never see it on a licensed pin, sadly.

Bowen confirmed on tilt forums a new update is coming and confirmed the pit creature hurry up build up bug I noticed will be squashed. Hopefully lots of other great tweaks too!

Found another bug. I had a ball locked in crypt going into ball 3. Hit the crypt skill shot, was awarded points, but the secret passage didn’t light.

Not all skill shots light the secret passage.
Some light both - ball save & secret passage.
Some light only the ball save.

At the moment, I don't remember which ones do what.

The crypt is supposed to light secret passage.

They could improve this too by showing the skillshot awards while the ball is in the shooter lane, not only after the plunge.

Crypt definitely lights the secret passage. I always try to live catch and backhand the left ramp. If I fail at that and end up on the right flipper I backhand crypt.

Okay, I don't know which ones do and don't, just know there are differences.

Hence my suggestion to show the player what the shots do with the ball in the shooter lane.

Crypt and ramps light passage.

Orbits don’t.

rd

Oh I know. I wasn't disagreeing with you.

Medisinyl Mods are a must on ACNC - so well done!

Now you need to get the decal for the castle wall in front of that bitchin' looking lab!

Got to Billion Dollar Babies tonight - nice.

Long time readers might recall I’ve been there before but my beta code crashed. lol

Spoilers follow - so look away.

You’ve been warned ...

.

.

Billion Dollar Baby Question - I got there on ball 2 (well, ball one plus an extra ball) ... I had no idea what to do, but figured out to shoot the blue shots, not the red ones, and the green shots gave you a chance to cash out. I had it up to 450m I think, and kept going ... then the timer ran out. (I didn’t know there was a timer... I was trying to get to 1b lol)

Then the screen said “got you” or something. And the flippers went dead and the ball drained.

Then I launched the next ball - flippers were dead. And the next ball, the same.

I presume that when he “got you” then that’s the end of the game?

rd

Yes it’s game over after the mode is done. I also am not sure how you get to the billion point shot.

Danni was watching - she said I had one blue shot to go.

That’s why I kept going ... but the timer ran out. (

Oh well, I’ll have another go later.

rd

Took to pm.

Hey all!! Yes - more info on Billion Dollar Babies will be in the Deep Dive which will be launching tomorrow. I am super excited about this Deep Dive, the info makes it a lot easier to understand what is going on and makes the game even MORE fun!! Bowen and Charlie and David van Es have been super helpful with this - putting the finishing touches on it now and it'll be shared first thing in the morning!!

Ballroom info Screen (resized).png

"Upper Target With Eyes"?
I thought it was officially called the 'Vampire Standup'?

The deep dive will be very cool.
In BDB, there is a small font telling you what level you are on - starts at 19 I think? Each time you hit a green "scoop" shot you can cash out, or advance "down" one level until you get back to the foyer. That's when you get the 1 billion points. I can only get there on 4 player coop mode, very cool doing it in 2 balls! Weapons make it much quicker, so long as you find them and use the collect!
If you want to see the screen for BDB I did it on https://www.twitch.tv/videos/711508486?filter=archives&sort=time and skip to the 34:14 mark and it makes sense then. Used a few weapons on the way too.

"To reach Billion Dollar Babies you must battle all nine monsters, including Frankenstein." I thought you only had to battle 8 monsters to get to BDB and Frank was excluded.

Nope. All 9.

Huh. I thought I had it lit once without battling Frank. Must have been dreaming.