Alien (Heighway Pinball)
Heighway Pinball, 2017Quoted from libtech:It would be nice to know what us LE buyers are getting, at this point all aspects except maybe final mounting of the new lcd you'd think should be compleated.
Im sure some guys may want to swap their order to a standard if they dont feel the LE package is worth the extra cash.
Pictures and a final feature matrix would be great.
Yeah, this is what I mentioned in a earlier post. Before I put any more money down, I'd like to see the finished LE.
Quoted from PACMAN:Hmmm. Replace airlock can with something else...maybe something nobody has seen before...something innovative...how about...another screen? Brilliant!
Is this supposed to look bad? How about Aliens on each screen that during a mode you have to kill or all the screens counting down in a frenzy mode, I like it.
I just want to play one of these. The sooner, the better. Really like what I see with play field design, toys & etc.
I've just gotta say it again,
I would totally like to play one on location at a movie theater someday!
Quoted from sevenrites:Any news on when it's going to ship yet?
April 2015, duh. Wait, no...December 2016! Wait...hmmm 
Quoted from Ferret:Progress is obviously slower than what anyone wants, but there *is* progress... a development machine has finally landed in the programmer's house! For me this counts as the start of the final stretch...
Might only be a development machine but it's great to see a physical machine in house so to speak.
From what I've seen up to this point in teases and reveals the modes and code look great so far, having a game in hand can only mean you will make the code a standout game and something special 
Quoted from Ferret:Progress is obviously slower than what anyone wants, but there *is* progress... a development machine has finally landed in the programmer's house! For me this counts as the start of the final stretch...
So, another 5-6 months to go?
Quoted from RobT:So, another 5-6 months to go?
From the code standpoint, no, not at all. All the game rules have been done for awhile and have been played in Wales and at a few shows. The two biggest things I'll be working on are:
1) Score balancing - tweaking point values, timers, etc to make things feel as good as possible from a risk/reward standpoint.
2) Choreography polish - more/better lighting shows is the big one, but also tweaking the A/V effects overall to be as immersive as we can. We all know atmosphere is a big deal for this theme.
I'm sure that I'll be fiddling with these things even after the game ships, but v1 is already quite solid today. (I've said it before, but Brian's code simulator is terrific, huge props to him. The code wouldn't be anywhere without his sim.)
Quoted from Ferret:From the code standpoint, no, not at all. All the game rules have been done for awhile and have been played in Wales and at a few shows. The two biggest things I'll be working on are:
1) Score balancing - tweaking point values, timers, etc to make things feel as good as possible from a risk/reward standpoint.
2) Choreography polish - more/better lighting shows is the big one, but also tweaking the A/V effects overall to be as immersive as we can. We all know atmosphere is a big deal for this theme.
I'm sure that I'll be fiddling with these things even after the game ships, but v1 is already quite solid today. (I've said it before, but Brian's code simulator is terrific, huge props to him. The code wouldn't be anywhere without his sim.)
i'm only a half hour away! Need any help? LOL 
Ed Z
Quoted from ezeltmann:i'm only a half hour away! Need any help? LOL
You are? When'd you move to the DC area?
Quoted from Ferret:You are? When'd you move to the DC area?
Magfest is on.
Be here till Sunday. I would love to come see the game and you if possible, but i am not counting on it . Can't wait to see what you do with this game . Knowing Brian and yourself , i am quite confident the software will be inventive and balanced.
Quoted from Ferret:Choreography polish - more/better lighting shows is the big one, but also tweaking the A/V effects overall to be as immersive as we can. We all know atmosphere is a big deal for this theme
If any requests can be made by the community Ferret, if its not already an idea or plan you have could you please see if its possible to make the games lighting flicker and strobe during the Xeno ball grab/eat?
Watching the reveal video back with that effect in mind, the darkness with flashing and strobing light effects like those used so well in the films when revealing the Alien & Aliens would make the Xeno ball eat one of the best looking scenes in any pin.
Quoted from J85M:If any requests can be made by the community Ferret, if its not already an idea or plan you have could you please see if its possible to make the games lighting flicker and strobe during the Xeno ball grab/eat?
Funny you should mention that... on our weekly status call two days ago, HeighwayPinball was specifically talking about that very effect. So yeah, I think that'll make it in.
Quoted from Ferret:Funny you should mention that... on our weekly status call two days ago, heighwaypinball was specifically talking about that very effect. So yeah, I think that'll make it in.
Yeah I may have pm'd Andrew that suggestion/request a couple times 
Great news that it's going to make the cut into the finished game, Alien just keeps getting better and better
Quoted from jayhawkai:Not too much strobe, please!
sincerely,
A GOT owner
Or at least make it adjustable. I'd like it but lots of my regulars bitch about the strobing in Winter is Coming mode on GoT.
Quoted from sandersj:Or at least make it adjustable. I'd like it but lots of my regulars bitch about the strobing in Winter is Coming mode on GoT.
Strobing on say AFM is just right.
On GOT sunglasses are needed 
Quoted from Shapeshifter:Strobing on say AFM is just right.
On GOT sunglasses are needed
That's what my eyes say too.
I'm a bit more willing to blind the player when the ball is out of play, like when the Xeno is eating it. IMHO it's not fair or fun to blind the player when they're trying to make shots (ala GOT).
Quoted from nephasth:How does the GOT strobing compare to the Pinbits lightning bolts in AC/DC?
GOT is worse - much more overwhelming.
Quoted from ezeltmann:Magfest is on.
Be here till Sunday. I would love to come see the game and you if possible, but i am not counting on it . Can't wait to see what you do with this game . Knowing Brian and yourself , i am quite confident the software will be inventive and balanced.
We have a alien kit on order for our full throttle at the Sanctum Ed. Should be here in February. I'll let you know when it's on so you can come by and try it.
Quoted from Whridlsoncestood:We have a alien kit on order for our full throttle at the Sanctum Ed. Should be here in February. I'll let you know when it's on so you can come by and try it.
Thanks! .. same applies to you if i get mine first!
Quoted from ezeltmann:Thanks! .. same applies to you if i get mine first!
Awesome. I need to make it to one of your events one of these days.
Quoted from Ferret:Progress is obviously slower than what anyone wants, but there *is* progress... a development machine has finally landed in the programmer's house! For me this counts as the start of the final stretch...
whats up with all those screw heads on the left return ramp? in the pic it sticks out lie a sore thumb
Quoted from rcbrown316:whats up with all those screw heads on the left return ramp? in the pic it sticks out lie a sore thumb
When I first looked at it, my thought was that it was intended to look like rivets on a duct to simulate crawling through a duct with a flamethrower. But maybe that's just me rationalizing.
Quoted from Shapeshifter:On GOT sunglasses are needed
You misspelled 'Welding Glasses' 
Added over 7 years ago: And I misspelled 'Welding Helmet'!! 
Quoted from Ferret:Progress is obviously slower than what anyone wants, but there *is* progress... a development machine has finally landed in the programmer's house! For me this counts as the start of the final stretch...
It's missing the 2main toys and the sling toys?
Quoted from j69:It's missing the 2main toys and the sling toys?
Joe has everything he needs to do what he needs to do. We are taking care of the rest at the factory.
Quoted from HeighwayPinball:Joe has everything he needs to do what he needs to do. We are taking care of the rest at the factory.
Stop me from buying a woz, by giving me a reliable release date. I'm weak.....not sure I can hold out much longer and I can't afford both.
Quoted from tp:Stop me from buying a woz, by giving me a reliable release date. I'm weak.....not sure I can hold out much longer and I can't afford both.
No offense, but what could possibly be conceived as a reliable release date at this point? After being almost 2 years late, and having missed (I've lost track of how many) release dates to this point, how could anything other than "we're shipping today" be considered reliable?
I really like Heighway, and I will be purchasing Alien and Full Throttle, but I've learned to completely ignore all promises about timeframes. You need to determine whether you'd rather have WoZ or Alien and ignore that one is available today and the other is still an undetermined amount of time away.
Quoted from Cheeks:how could anything other than "we're shipping today" be considered reliable?
"we are shipping the first batch and here are updated photos" would also be cool
always love seeing the photos as things come together.
Quoted from Cheeks:After being almost 2 years late,
The Game was only announced 2 years ago. Quit exagerating
Quoted from way2wyrd:The Game was only announced 2 years ago. Quit exagerating
at least he didn't say it was three years late 
Quoted from way2wyrd:The Game was only announced 2 years ago. Quit exagerating
It was originally supposed to ship in April 2015, not that any of us really believed Andrew on that one. I would consider that almost 2 years at this point. Would saying 21 months late make you feel better?
Quoted from Cheeks:Would saying 21 months late make you feel better?
maybe
I think you made my point tho. noone in their right mind believed it was going to be April 2015.
I know at least in software development 3 months is a lifetime n a product cycle
Im sill hoping we hit february
--Jeff
Quoted from Cheeks:It was originally supposed to ship in April 2015, not that any of us really believed Andrew on that one. I would consider that almost 2 years at this point. Would saying 21 months late make you feel better?
Much was said and discussed about Andrew's very aggressive April 2015 release date, when he announced it at Expo October 2014.
He doubled down on it many times when questioned about it. When Alien is out the door and this is all behind us, I'd love if we could get a run down of what all happened between October 2014 and "X" 2017 when it finally made it out. That would be a good podcast interview for someone.
Quoted from way2wyrd:maybe
I think you made my point tho. noone in their right mind believed it was going to be April 2015.
I know at least in software development 3 months is a lifetime n a product cycle
Im sill hoping we hit february
--Jeff
Unless you are Stern. 
First post here - Table looks great and hopefully Heighway will start shipping Alien Pins soon enough but...
How comes no-one is talking about the very specific "Alien" artwork on the sides and Backboard of this table? After all this table is for both Alien & Aliens movies and I would think if it had to be one or the other a lot would prefer the Aliens Artwork on their table - but it seems like no-one is too bothered about this?
I know for the backbox it might be a little awkward trying to integrate the two movies into a singular artwork package, but at least on the side inserts it would make sense to have the Alien Logo on the left and Aliens on the right.
Maybe LE buyers will be able to get Alien's specific artwork inserts as well as the Alien ones currently shown. I mean the artwork i'm talking about has been made purposely removeable so that you can swap the artwork in and out - so why not give us both?
Alien is the franchise name, so it makes a lot of sense. Similarly, Stern Ghostbusters doesn't have "Ghostbusters 2" stuff on it even though (very small) portions of the game reference the second game.
However, I could certainly see the viability of an "Aliens" art package for the cab.
Quoted from BrewinBombers:Similarly, Stern Ghostbusters doesn't have "Ghostbusters 2" stuff on it even though (very small) portions of the game reference the second game.
And I think maybe that is where the difference lies? I imagine that the Aliens portion of this game will be just as big if not bigger and more focused than the Alien portion of this pin.
A lot of people might go straight into the Aliens portion of the game and I think it's a little strange for their to be Aliens movie clips playing etc. when the table does not promote the second film aesthetically and is heavily Alien associated (at least on the outside) - I know the art package on the actual board is a lot clearer representing both but I think that for people watching someone play / on the side etc. they will pick out this omission almost immediately
GB2 was a mixed bag with the fans, however Aliens is very much the opposite and could be regarded as the most popular perhaps even most associated movie in the franchise. So that's why I have brought this up because it... well it just simply sticks out.
But I understand what you are saying about Alien being the actual franchise name. And I wouldn't be surprised if this is due to some sort of licensing restriction.
Quoted from Cheeks:It was originally supposed to ship in April 2015, not that any of us really believed Andrew on that one. I would consider that almost 2 years at this point. Would saying 21 months late make you feel better?
C'mon guys. In life, the anticipation is almost more fun than the realization anyway.
I'm sure we'll see Alien shipping soonish, but getting cranky about it isn't going to change anything. 
Quoted from BrewinBombers:Alien is the franchise name, so it makes a lot of sense. Similarly, Stern Ghostbusters doesn't have "Ghostbusters 2" stuff on it even though (very small) portions of the game reference the second game.
However, I could certainly see the viability of an "Aliens" art package for the cab.
I'm glad to see that Heighway is having dedicated modes for Aliens in addition to those for the first film. Being able to play through modes from both films sounds like a lot of fun and is a big draw more me as I'm a fan of deep mission based rulesets.
I think Stern dropped the ball with Ghostbusters by not featuring the second film in the games scene modes. As a result players are not only limited to playing modes based off of scenes from only the first movie but also having to play those modes in the same order over and over again...ugh.
If Ghostbusters incorporated both films into the games scene modes, each in their own ladder (like Alien), and had them all player selectable the game would be way better and more fun.
Quoted from Fytr:C'mon guys. In life, the anticipation is almost more fun than the realization anyway.
Do you really believe what you are saying???
Quoted from take2-take5:How comes no-one is talking about the very specific "Alien" artwork on the sides and Backboard of this table? After all this table is for both Alien & Aliens movies and I would think if it had to be one or the other a lot would prefer the Aliens Artwork on their table - but it seems like no-one is too bothered about this?
There was plenty of talk about it earlier in this thread when the cabinet artwork was revealed.
Start reading Aurich's posts from here: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/alien-pinball-official-game-thread?tq&tu=aurich#post-2744933
Quoted from take2-take5:I know the art package on the actual board is a lot clearer representing both but I think that for people watching someone play / on the side etc. they will pick out this omission almost immediately
I disagree. I don't think many (if any) would pick up on this. People are just getting more and more nit picky with the longer this pin takes to be officially "finished".
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