I don't want to go off-topic but it seems this is also a good marketing strategy and could help bump Full Throttle sales since Alien table will fit in same cabinet as Full Throttle.

Pre-ordering without knowing the financial solvency of the company is a bit to risky for my taste. Id assume fox wouldnt give there license to just any company but that information would need to be known to me.

bemmett,

I think your twisting your philosophy into a scenario that doesn't exist and creating animosity towards Heighway Pinball. The creation of this thread and leveraging the user base shows that pinside.com is an obvious asset to Heighway Pinball. If Andrew said he won't make anymore updates here and will only update on the preorder forum that would be an appropriate time to say what you said. In the meantime your just pissing off non-preorder folks and making them pissed at Heighway Pinball.

Let them ship some games and let them be good, until then I see a pic of an empty warehouse.

The thing about the LE that has me interested the most is "Fibre Optic Ramp Lighting" which sounds similar to TronLE. If I could get a mod to add that, I think the Standard would be good for me also.

RobT, how you know all this?

Not excited enough to pre-order

Then why post there is zero chance with him leaving?

It seems like there was a chance prior, but now your going to wait till you can play it.

Just admit your contradicting yourself and move on.

Mr. Speak, Although I'm not pre-ordered I want to let you know Heighway Pinball has me pretty excited for 2015. One of the reasons is the companies communication in this forum and obviously the assets/info you've released so far. Thanks for joining and I look forward to additional details being released in the upcoming months. I think an Aliens pinball would like really nice in my office!

I hope your agreement precluded him from making a pinside account..

_{Post edited by ZenTron: nyob}

4 months ago Andrew said "The whitewood will be built within the next 2-3 weeks, and then testing will begin."

I'd say the game gets released around Labor Day..

The last official announcement I'm aware of said Aliens was shipping in April (next month). If Andrew/Heighway Pinball is so transparent they should state their revised ETA for shipping. It seems pretty obvious there is no way the game is shipping anytime soon..

No official revised release date announced makes me disagree about the communication being super great. Im a potential customer and was thinking of preordering an LE but so far i feel like im glad i didnt. Its shame that has to be the case.

I appreciate the information but im under the impression Alien isn't close to the assembly line phase so it isn't like FT is holding up its manufacturing. I don't want to come in here and knit pick but super great communication would incorporate accurate information. If a company wants to be transparent with their communication, I would just like it to be accurate. When it comes to the knit picking, I can list multiple missed milestones besides the inevitable significant delay when it comes to shipping this pin which I expect to be announced soon.

I am aware Andrew is basically the General Contractor of this pin and is dependent on a lot of different sub contractors located in different countries. These countries have different cultures, speak different languages, use different currency and celebrate different holidays. I learned all that in the good ole' public schools of the USA. I also understand there are steps when working with a licensor like Fox and Andrew has to follow there time-line. What I don't understand is why he said at Expo in October the game would ship in April. I don't expect a real answer but I think an apology and a more accurate ship-date would be appropriate. That is what I would consider to be "super great" communication.

After a few years and some titles released this SE cabinet w/ swappable parts sounds like it has some great potential with its versatility.

With the license / talent involved in the project, I don't question it has the potential to be an awesome pin. I just question why Andrew would make the statement below. Even though "everyone" can agree on a specific date there are variables outside peoples control. I don't understand why he continues to box himself in a corner by tossing out specific dates/months. In October 2014 he said the game would ship in April which caused a spat w/ Dennis Nordman. Now we have ~90 days for this "global launch". What is a global launch anyway? It sounds like a prototype that might not ship for months after. My advise would be to not state a specific date but just have transparency and show people progress. If I was in on this game, id rather a six week delay to make it better then have someone try to aim for a specific date. So the game should ship and be ready when its done.

"So what does this mean for the timeline of this game? Everyone involved with this game is in agreement that we are going to target the UK Pinball Party, on 21st-23rd August 2015 (at Heighway Pinball’s factory in Merthyr Tydfil, UK) as the global launch of this game."

thanks for the update!

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/acdc-new-original-translite-meet-helen

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/stern-star-trek-new-original-translite-decals

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/my-new-metallica-hammer-design

Since price has been mentioned, what was up with the "show pricing" at Pintastic for Full Throttle? Will we start seeing "show pricing" for Aliens?

From what we've seen, it looks like this title will ship in 2016.

So Fox said you could reveal parts of game at UK show ?

So you're OK with folks who haven't pre-ordered and just attended the UK show getting to see features of the game when folks who pre-ordered don't?

They can't blame licensing restrictions on not being able to show the game but then show it to folks who attend a pinball show at their facility. That contradicts what they are saying and should be a little concerning.

I do think it was advantageous to show folks at the show some progress, especially if you can get some new buyers.

One contradiction is that Andrew says on 8/19 "Realistically, we are targeting UK and USA events in October as launch events." You say yesterday: "I'll be at Expo. Dunno what if anything we're showing from Alien" I'd just recommend you guys figure out whats going to be revealed at Expo if anything and communicate this on a united front.

Aurich, I appreciate and respect your response.

In "sought of" related news I saw your full alternative Star Trek graphic set for the first time in person on Saturday. My friend in Columbia, SC picked up a brand-new ST Pro and his other friend bought your kit as a gift for him. I know its cliche but the pictures don't it justice and it looked fantastic in person. Having you part of the art team working on this pin was definitely a good move on Andrews part.

For the preorder folks:

If Heighway removed the playfield screen but gave you the small screen in backglass as an included feature but offered the large screen as an upgrade, would this be a deal breaker?

My dad saw pic of pf art yesterday on andrews phone and said it looked awesome.

If i got Aliens it would be on location so i'd get large screen. If its sitting in your basement I can see opting for small one or none on backbox.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/qYc9lY8rCOo

I have a feeling when artwork is released the LE's will sell out fast.

From seeing your work in person and from my dad getting a glimpse of some of the art from Andrews phone at Free Play Florida i doubt that will be the case. I think the LE preorder folks will be thankful they dont have to stress about getting an LE.

For me personally im looking forward to seeing the standard since id put it on location.

What are thoughts on the gray armor shown on the standard? I think black would be better

The two obvious ones Andrew would want and the most hardest, not sure this is a suggestion but happy friday!

66 new posts of nothin'

I hope SFGE is one of the shows

I'm sure if you had money in on this game and were skeptical Andrew or a team member can show you some teasers via Skype. Obviously recording would be prohibited and/or an NDA would need to be signed. A private showing doesn't constitute a public viewing and would be within the guidelines set forth by Fox.

Other folks like me who have no money in this are just whiners tbh.

1) Insulting someone's collection is sad
2) Insulting someone's collection in an "Official" thread is even sadder .

From the snippet in video the game looks awesome. We have one on order paid in full to go on location here in Charlotte, NC, can't wait!

left bullseye insert still doesnt line-up with the green stand-up target like the right one does.

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For $8150 the LE pic on the website shows the big screen in backbox. Has a feature matrix been released yet?

.

Please correct me if I'm wrong and im writing this as constructive criticism.

1) heighwaypinball.com makes no mention of CoinTaker as a distributor. Both JJP & Sterns website has links to their distributors.

2) heighwaypinball.com doesn't have a single sheet (pdf) feature matrix for Alien. JJP has this for Dialed In! and Stern has this for BM66

3) heighwaypinball.com is showing the LE with a large LCD in backbox although this is an upgrade. JJP and Stern shows pictures of their pins with standard features. Also, why show the standard side art on the LE at this point if upgraded side art is a differentiating feature of the LE.

4) heighwaypinball.com is more fragmented/confusing then JJP & Sterns website imo.

I'm not sure why Andrew felt the need to mention that a CPU upgrade will be required for Full Throttle owners at this point when the game isn't shipping. There are other details of higher importance that could of been shared.

When purchasing a Heighway pinball they don't have a personality application process and some customers will take things differently. Some people will panic when they just spent $6000+ on a pin and are told the CPU's are obsolete. Some people will take "production" as about to ship.

I don't understand why Heighway has such poor communication. If someone tells me they are a new company, this a poor excuse. Andrew has ran multiple businesses in the past and has JJP and Stern to mimic what works and doesn't work.

Andrew should publish a features matrix and a rough timeline of whats going on with Aliens. He can have weekly updates on twitch where folks can ask him questions until the games ship. JJP showed Dialed In! on Saturday on Twitch, answered questions, called up Pat Lawlor etc. A pinhead near Andrew with a camera rig can't set something up on twitch that occurs once a week?

Andrew, Are you able to release a feature matrix or are there still changes which might occur which is prohibiting you from releasing one at this point?

With this crowd im not sure if it would be advantageous to release one that says "changes might occur up until shipping" or hold off for a final version.

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I sent you a PM but i know you're busy. Do you think you will have any type of formal "release party" for folks buying the pin and will have it on location? Heighway would provide swag and would list the sites etc.

thanks

Last I heard games will be shipping December/January so I would assume February/March.

We'd love to at our location in Charlotte, NC

The issue with taking their time is that they dont have cash coming in from sales as the pre-order money can only last so long.

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Fiber Optic on Full Throttle:

Instead of folks saying the beacons look bad why don't we ask Andrew if its possible they can be changed prior to shipping?

If they've purchased 1000 sets and they are non-refundable you can say they look like crap all day but they're going on the game.

tldr: Don't commit to shipping pins during Chinese New Year..

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/alien-pinball-official-game-thread/page/214#post-3581395 ?

.

Andrew, you to slow!

Congrats!

Your feedback is fair but I'd wait for more games to ship and a post ship software update or two before making a final decision about purchasing this game or not.

In a perfect world Im sure Heighway would want to be able to use all the actors likenesses and any callouts from the two movies and keep the price the same. Obviously we live in an imperfect world but I think Heighway will do the best to balance what they have licensed and integrating it into the pin. The gameplay video shows the pin has a lot of shots , good flow and lots of potential. It also doesn't hurt that the owner, audio engineer, programmer, artist and other heighway folks are interacting frequently in this thread.

When it comes to the center post, should be an easy mod to make a post with flat top to replace it.

So, in 2025?

If you get LE with LCD in backbox you still get the translite if im not mistaken. Just use it as wall art.

I cant wait till the LEs and SEs are shipping in quantity and the 3rd game is announced. That will be the real Alien Day.

.

People wouldn't have to ask for refunds if they had their games. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Maybe Andrew got accepted to appear on Shark Tank ?

Same investor group that allowed this train wreck now has majority control.

Criticizing a Mod is against ToS, open a mod feedback thread.

Andrew also pissed away a good amount of time and money coming to different expos in the states when he should of got his factory line running.

If Heighway Pinball didn’t have the funds to produce Aliens without pre-selling, they should of never started the company.

So, its everyones fault but Andrew?

If he personally didn’t run the company into the ground, he wouldn’t have to come on here and defend himself under AndrewH.

I just hope people who have money in get their money back!

The perception I have is that unless an “official” announcement benefits the investors financially you wont see anything.

Has anyone who lost money contacted their CPA to see if they can claim a loss and/or their attorney to see if there is any legal recourse?

You guys think a new thread should be created called "Heighway Pinball is Bankrupt" or the like since this thread is called "ALIEN PINBALL - Official Game Thread" ?

From the perspective of someone coming to pinside there isn’t really an indication that Heighway is out of business. We just happen to be discussing it in an Alien thread which we cant change the topic on.

People who have a game in their possession are going to be biased. They’re not going to say the game was compromised as they don’t want the value of it to decrease.

The bottom line is that the game design, license and manufacturing was compromised since that was done in UK. There seems to have been some significant restrictions on the art from the license but the code/sound seems to be highlights of the game.

We can debate and argue about this till we’re blue in the face though.

I would of liked Dennis Nordman to of designed the game from beginning to end. I would of liked Sigourney Weaver in it and i would of liked some more freedom with the art. It might be built like a tank and it might be “good” but it had potential to be “great”.

Im not aware of anyone knowing the exact reason why she wasn’t licensed. Obviously there is a cost but was the money that could of been used pissed away by Andrew? If that was the case, what your argument is, is whether there was enough value in the fee to license her. I don’t think either of us could or care to perform a price analysis on this though. What i will say is that she could of been used in the art, the video and the audio. If Andrew did license her i dont think you’d tell Andrew it was a mistake as she only has two quotes and he wasted his money. What you’d do is have some additional options with integrating her into the game.

Well, we don’t have a version with or without her to compare. What if the version with her was superior but mishandled funds prevented that from occuring. The game would be compromised at that point, thats all im saying and this is in response to a post i made yesterday.

The idea of getting $500-$1000 off a deeproot pin after showing proof of loss seems like good marketing/business strat. They’ll still make some profit and provide some good will.

The only bit of skepticism would be the time period this is being offered is before any pins are shipping and possibly before they’re shown. This would only be of concern if deeproot is requiring payment to receive the discount. If its just a period of time they’ll review cases and provide the discount, that woud be cool.