I just put a deposit down on a second one too. Sold the first one a year ago, but as you said, the newer titles just haven’t moved me. The Houdini machine is stunning, and has enough gimmicks and gadgets to keep it interesting. I hear another run may be on the line at end of year or beginning of next year. Hopefully another software release will accompany it as well with any tweaks he’s thought about over the last year…

With Josh gone is anyone actually working on Houdini code? Maybe to put some final touches on something he had ready before he left possibly but I doubt anyone else there has been doing any real work on Houdini, we know it's not getting Scorbit from the Expo panel.

Unless they have something else planned other than their announced "classic" version nothing has been said about altering the actual gameplay. They will move to a more standard cabinet, eliminate powder coating and probably some of the nicer sculpts like the lock and chains on the pops (the last part is speculation on my part based on what they are doing with LOV Classic) to reduce cost. Other than changing what the default difficulty settings are even further I can't think of what they could do to the game to make it easier without major design changes. I guess you could change the milkcan shot into a standup instead of the mini-loop but that would be too easy for a PF multiplier in my opinion.

Actually, speaking on behalf of Scorbit and not American, Houdini will likely get Scorbit eventually, it's just a question of whether or not it uses a built-in wireless capability or require a Scorbitron to do it. We aren't focused on it at the moment with all the development going on.

96 years ago Houdini died on Halloween at the age of 52.
Today hold your Seance and play your game to honor him, and bring him back from the dead.

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My Stage Mech Servo Motor has apparently died for the second time in less than two years. The first time my game was on loan to my club and they took care of it. I'll be asking more questions about that. My question for the forum is: Am I alone here? A quick search didn't reveal similar complaints. This seems like pretty low reliability to me.

I have 2017 build. My stage motor still going strong.
So my instant thought was something may be binding it's clean open/close function. Thus burning it out quicker.
AP will hook you up with new motor. They never gouge on parts to owners, always reasonable prices.
When you go to replace double check the track movement area for debris, something may be in there to cause this.

I have an upgraded power supply hooked up and it has an idle fan noise. It’s not bad at all just noticeable. I only ask cause I know there are at least 2 models of the power supply out there and I wonder how others have faired or have delt with this as a potential issue?

The API store usually has it in stock for about $60... but before you swap, I would recommend doing as the previous reply states: Check the whole area and make sure the new one won't bind or get caught on a bent bracket or other obstacle.

I just replaced my curtain servo this past Friday. Before the curtain stopped opening I had a ball get stuck holding the curtain open a couple of times, it may or may not have been related. AP sent me the new servo for $50 plus shipping and they have a really good video that walks you through the replacement process.

If this happens often enough that it was worth making a video, I'm thinking that must be pretty often.

Thanks for mentioning the video. There are quite a few; I wasn't aware. "Houdini stage curtain testing and calibration" appears to be out of date. At least, my game behaved differently from the video. I was excited about "Lockbar adjustment" as mine has always been loose. Still looking for the sweet spot there.

You would think it would have end point setting like tmnt.

Need to be 12v. There is a key post on this.

Sorry, working quick post above.
Those 2 lights(coin slots) are part of the coin door power which is 12v.
I know, well...because I melted a set of lights a few years back myself. Lol

At exactly 1M?? That's very weird and sounds more like corrupted code than a power supply issue. What version are you running? I mean you want to install the new supply anyway but in general the power supply issues are not related to resets.

Anyone else notice this from Pinball News?

https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2022/11/03/american-pinball-visit-2/

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If it happens again, check the welds on the stage assembly. Mine broke, causing the stage mech to bind, taking out the servo. Probably not likely, but maybe worth a look.

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Off the bat... I see no screen for the stage... Obviously side art is gone... And the planchet looks wierd

I noticed those things too. Kinda surprised it still has lollipop rails. Just could be an old cabinet tho. If the the stage is missing, I wonder if it just goes into the subway?

From the story narrative:
"American Pinball recently announced their new ‘Classic’ version of their current title, Legends of Valhalla. This involves replacing some of the custom moulded playfield parts with flat plastics and making some of the cosmetic enhancements such as the Magic Glass and interior cabinet artwork optional extras. Where appropriate, this approach is likely to be applied to earlier titles such as Houdini."

...it would appear that API will introduce a lower-end, reduced cost/price version of their originals. But it's confusing because they already have the base model and the deluxe models of Houdini, so I think they might actually mean a 'value' model would be added to the mix, priced below the current base model.

But somewhat confusing to be sure...

Wow, I was thinking of buying a Houdini on the next run...... I'm not buying a cheaped out Houdini Jr.

What a dumb idea!!!

The stage being just a hole going to the subway makes sense as the ball just goes to the kickout hole 98% of the time anyway. It surely would save money and would remove the mech with the newton ball. Although it is pretty cool when the ball comes back out of the stage on certain modes.

I like this idea to keep costs down hopefully the savings being passed to the consumer and make them aggressively priced. Otherwise I don’t see the point in doing this to Houdini, you may as well just retire it from production.

I have my "stage Eject" working really well after the coil enhancement was installed.

So, the stage can really do more if you take a look at it and possibly enable the stage eject feature, if it works.

I disagree, you hit the stage door to open the stage, if it's always just an open gobble hole how does that work, each one is a hit to the door? - That would be like playing AFM without the 3-target bank that lowers - f'n lame!. Also many times a shot to the closed stage door will get you to the Magic Shop hole which also adds an Escape letter / starts Escape or it can get you into the pops for Handcuff escape. Getting rid of the display would suck because it's how you tell what illusion is next up so you can stage your flipper shots to be the one you want and it's an easy place to see the countdown timer on modes. The game is now five years old, how many more can they possibly hope to sell at a slightly lower price point but stripped down so far? Hopefully it's just cosmetic changes like getting rid the nicer 3D sculpts on the Milkcan, Planchette, trunk and pop-bumper toppers, basic powder coated trim, etc.

I am hoping API is going to create their own three levels of machines: like Stern's now famous PRO, PREMIUM and LE, where the existing two variants would map to the PREMIUM and LE capabilities, and the new value engineered one would become their "PRO"

Was this just wishful thinking???

At the risk of repeating myself, I disagree. They don't have the engineering resources that Stern does and should have a two-tier level with cosmetic and add-ons (shaker, magic glass, knocker, etc.) added to the Deluxe but not stripping out game-play features / functionality.

I hear you, but I am trying to resolve the new narrative of a 'value' machine in the works in my mind. I 100% agree that stripping out the EXISTING base model would be weird. And they already also have a DELUXE model, so we have two models today. Not to make more work from them, but if they want to stay with two models only, they would have to discontinue the existing base model and strip it down to the VALUE edition. (Folks that want the stage and small screen would need to buy their current deluxe edition). I guess I look at their current two models as the two-tiers they should stay with, but if they want to stay with two models and one is going to be the DELUXE version, then there is only one real way to get to the other one (bye bye Stage and 4-inch display)...

Oh wait, JOSH/ROSH is gone. Who will delete all those lines of code for the VALUE Houdini??? 8-)

What have folks' recent experiences with AP customer service been lately? I emailed a question two days ago and followed up today. Am I wrong to think it's about time for a response?

Sorry, you misunderstood. The stage door would still be there but the mech that elevates the Newton ball wouldn't need to be there. Once the stage door opens up, it would allow you to hit the gobble hole inside.

AP should should stick to what worked, the first version of the game.
Everything following that version has cheapened the game and the brand.
Houdini as introduced is a master piece and by the way Dennis the box back design is a big part of that.
I would suggest Houdini, as the first released should remain the flagship game, please stop lowering its value.
just my 2 cents,

Okay, that makes more sense. Sorry (not sorry) about my rant but as you can probably tell I'm pretty passionate about this game, still one of my all-time favorites.

With Dave leaving, not everything has been seamlessly switched over, not sure what email you used.

Email me directly with the question

[email protected]

Waiting on a NIB Houdini from the next API run, and ordered up the Mod Couple Water Torture mod (looks sweet). I just ran across this 3D model for a custom made bracket to make it easier to mount without needing sticky tape in the back right corner.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3589514

Just had it printed in PLA-Wood for $15. I'll store it with the mod to use whenever the machine arrives...

Can anyone tell me the length of the Houdini shooter rod? I have a bunch of old vintage looking knobs that would make a great themed shooter, but I realized that the exposed portion of the rods available through the common sources vary in length. If anyone knows how long the Houdini specific factory rod is, please let me know. Thx

https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/20-9253

Has anyone had their stage curtain break? I don't mean stop functioning, I mean physically break apart. See photo; top and side have separated. Now I know why I've had two servos burn out.

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Yes. It's fairly common. I had mine replaced as well. The stainless weld can break, then the door frame will "unspring"

I got my replacement part and am having a hard time seeing how to remove the original. Any ideas?

Thanks.

The stage assembly?? brenna98 posted a YouTube video on how to replace it, have you seen that?

I've watched his video on replacing the curtain servo but can't find anything about replacing the stage itself.

My bad, I thought he did one on removal of the whole thing too. I didn't save any of the pictures when I had to replace mine but I don't remember it being particularly difficult or tricky. If you are stuck I'd call them or send [email protected] an e-mail for assistance.

I had a technician replace mine, so I'm not sure. I also thought there was a video for the curtain, but I guess not. I can't find it. I would email American and ask for instructions.

Barry has sent me some tips. These are deeper waters than I expected to get into with a nearly new machine, but I guess it's all part of the ownership experience. The main point is that the curtain has to be removed from below.