Houdini
American Pinball, 2017You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider Sebastian88.
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5 new sterns and now my first American pinball Houdini. This is the first NIB I didn’t have issues with. Feels really good and I’m a big fan of difficult shot games. Sooooo good looking too. I might like it more than my Elvira. I’m impressed. I’m glad I chose it. Although I’m having ALOT of difficulties updating code.
Quoted from rosh:Try removing the version info from the code update package so it just houdini-gamecode.pkg
also, make sure the USB stick does not have a space in its name.
if that does not work, tell me more about what it is doing
Did that all tried different thumb drives well screen goes black when it recognizes that you’ve put a stick in and then it just continues to boot up 18.5 code I formatted the thumb drive I’ve use three different ones I remove the version number as you suggested I did that last night too before I got sent the new code. If you want to call me that be great 267–9 71–2843. I am plugged it directly into the computer thinking it might be the usb cable
Quoted from pinballinreno:Are you booting the game with the usb drive installed and with the correct file name for the code? You have to rename the file on the early builds.
Or are you installing the usb stick live and powered up?
Live
Quoted from rosh:Does it ever say 'updating code' on screen?
Does it copy anything to the USB stick?
Never says. Goes black. Then boots old code. Can you put it in a USB cable while the game is on or do you have to put it in before you turn the game on?
Quoted from Sebastian88:Never says. Goes black. Then boots old code. Can you put it in a USB cable while the game is on or do you have to put it in before you turn the game on?
Nothing I’ve tried to remove the numbers from the name I’ve tried using the version numbers I’ve use different sticks I’ve tried to do with the game off I tried to do with the game on does not recognize anything. I have a Lotta games I’ve just never had this problem doing an update. But quite frankly new out-of-the-box this is had the least amount of issues out of all the games I’ve ever had so I’m pleased it’s just frustrating that I can’t get the code update
Quoted from rosh:I usually stick it in after I power on the machine, but it works either way.
If it is seeing the USB, it should put up a screen of some kind, either code updating or that logs were copied and then require you to reboot. If it is not, then the game is not seeing the USB stick.
Try what I said in my last post of doing it directly on the computer.
I can understand your frustration, but we will figure it out.
No I would never knock the game it’s one of the best games I’ve played in a long time I love difficult games. I’m very very very happy. And I would definitely buy another American Pinball company game. I’ve had my eye on it for a couple years but never pulled the trigger. I did plug it directly into the computer by passing the USB cable and it still didn’t work. Do you think I should buy a specific thumb drive. When I put it in the game when it’s powered up the screen goes blank Then there’s some words like HDMI on the screen it stays black for a while and then eventually starts booting up the code that’s already installed that’s all it does even if I plug the thumb drive directly into the computer bypassing the cable. I’ve honestly tried everything you said tell me a thumb drive that you think would work and I’ll go buy it
Quoted from Sebastian88:No I would never knock the game it’s one of the best games I’ve played in a long time I love difficult games. I’m very very very happy. And I would definitely buy another American Pinball company game. I’ve had my eye on it for a couple years but never pulled the trigger. I did plug it directly into the computer by passing the USB cable and it still didn’t work. Do you think I should buy a specific thumb drive. When I put it in the game when it’s powered up the screen goes blank Then there’s some words like HDMI on the screen it stays black for a while and then eventually starts booting up the code that’s already installed that’s all it does even if I plug the thumb drive directly into the computer bypassing the cable. I’ve honestly tried everything you said tell me a thumb drive that you think would work and I’ll go buy it
It never gives me the option to update you can tell it’s recognizing that you put the stick in because when it’s in a traction mode and I stick it in cable or the computer it goes black but never updates
Quoted from pinballinreno:Could be weak cable.
Pull off the backglass.
Stick the usb drive directly into the computer in tbe head.
Maybe pull the usb cable out first, you will see it plugged in.
If this doesnt work, your filename is incorrect on the USB stick.
The computer will ignore everything except the correct filename.
Try a smaller 8gb usb stick or even and older 4gb usb 2.0 stick
Did the direct into computer thing. My best friend Ted was there with me, he s on pinside too, he does I. T. At university of Penn. I done a the file name changes, file name with version and without, tumb drive in usb cable tumb drive directly into computer. Dave brennon sent me the last beta code today. Still nothing. Tried all of the above with 3 different tumbdrives. Will go to Best Buy and by the ones recommended. After that, I don’t know. Shouldn’t be this difficult. At least my 18.5 version seems to work fine. Played it a lot tonight. Great game. I’m not a quitter I want to fix / solve the issue.
Josh at American pinball called me and spent approximately 1hr and 10 mins on the phone with me.... trying to trouble shoot my code update problem. It’s the computer. No biggie. So, the game plays great with 18.5 code(or what ever it is) zero issues. They are sending me a new computer. The point is.... AMERICAN PINBALL CO is AWESOME. The game is soooo good looking, difficult( which makes it more fun to play) , and those at the company reallllly care. Look , I love all pinball games for one reason or another but I’m now one of their biggest fans and supporters. My next New in box WILL be another AP pin. It’s just flat out a better built pin and they respond a hell of a lot faster than STERN. Received Sterns first ELVIRA off the line post covid, it’s a good game but Houdini is better. 5 new sterns and 1 AP pin..... time to change that ... THE GAME IS AWESOME AND THEY ARE AWESOME. End of story
I can’t for the life of me understand why that game isn’t appreciated more. I think if more people bought American Pinball they might realize how much better quality these games are. You can feel it in the game I’m not easily impressed I’ve had my fair share of pinball machines and this one is one of the first in a long time that I really really really was blown away by. And the fact that He Would spend that amount of time on the phone with me be talking pinball and trying to solve the issue was just awesome. He didn’t have to do it and I really really enjoyed the time
Quoted from RandomGuyOffCL:You guys weren’t kidding...what a solid build on this thing
Good job AP on creating this modern classic with the power switch in the right place
Lookin forward to AP4
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It’s awesome, Isn’t it? I love the fact that it’s not easy. Good looking game too
Quoted from RandomGuyOffCL:Seriously, it pisses you off and makes you keep coming back for revenge.
I can see why snowflakes melt away after a couple games on it
And is that pirate out of the hat a swipe at jjp? Hilarious!
I’m confused. I’m not ripping jjp, or stern. I’m just saying that the game is great, the cabinet is great and the service is great. It’s the first new game I’ve bought (in the last six) that didn’t have major issues. Plus , dealing with stern isn’t so easy. I love all companies that build pinball machines. I’m just saying American pinball seems like the best currently. I would buy another Mark and Pinball before any other companies game based on my recent experience. Although I have to admit, I wouldn’t mind having wizard of oz. I think that game is underrated too. All games will have issues. I get it. But American Pinball seems to be the fastest to respond. And that’s important when you care for your games the way I do
Quoted from Rdoyle1978:I dont think he was going after you dude, he was agreeing. That the game is hard makes one
Mad and keeps one coming back for more, and those that can't handle that just say the game is bad.
Oh. I see now.
Quoted from Chopper36:We think alike lol
[quoted image]
We sure do
Quoted from 27dnast:The difference between AP and Stern is night and day. I will say that my original AC/DC Prem feels like a tank... but that’s a build from yesteryear. The modern stern build wreaks of cheapness.
AP is paying attention. They’re giving buyers all the niceties they dream about... for some reason, pinball voices (such as Kaneda) have formed opinions from a far with bi actual real world experience. Too bad a voice like that can damage a brand.
Agree. Ap is the best. Night and day compared to a modern day Stern. And I must admit, Houdini does it for me... great game/really enjoyable to play. The difficult shots make it for me. If you want long, flowing, easy shots then go buy Ironman. You will be bored of it in a week.
Quoted from meSz:and this is what happened with mine. I got to the point it was so annoying I sold it! I liked the game a lot but with AP not knowing what the flipper issue is and pointing towards different things (my favorite is the voltage in your house! I say this as anyone that has Houdini and has the flipper issue probably has more then one machine and it seems Houdini is the only affected by the voltage coming into the house ) I sold it and bought another game. This also steered me away from buying a Oktoberfest for my local German Club.
Before anyone thinks I am bashing AP I am not. In my opinion Houdini is a great game. I actually like the game a lot but the flipper issue just annoyed the hell out of me. If/when they get this resolved I wouldn't mind getting another one down the road but for now there's too many machines out there that I would prefer over a machine that has a flaw like Houdini does!
Strange... my game plays a great. 5 new sterns and Houdini. No issues. ..... and I’m very observant. Just had to adjust the height of the wire form ramp with1/4 inch nylon spacers so the upper catapult would make it very time.
Quoted from Navystan:Reporting back for duty....
1. Added the following:
- knocker
- shaker
- side art
- Cliffies
2. Adjustments:
- adjusted 3 switch ball lock. Just had to bend a little. At first, I pushed whole unit towards the pop bumpers and that restricted the pops. Move back and just bent individual switches to get right contact.
- Seance scoop. After playing with power and getting no change, I just used 3 thin washers on one side and now it works 100%. So, rather than bending the scoop, you might want to try using different number of washers to adjust.
3. Complaints:
- Sound seems to be a bit muffled. Not sure I can adjust or if installing a better sub would help.
- I have updated power supply, but like others, the flippers don't seem "snappy" like Stern games. My Willy Wonka also has relatively weak flippers, but not as bad as Houdini
Overall, I'm very pleased and this pin will be staying a long time. I'm leaving room for one more pin.....Jersey Jack...
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Looks really good. My Houdini isn’t leaving. I agree with you on the flippers but all shots can be made. Just broke 2 million on Houdini with factory settings. You just need the flippers I’m mid 20’s power range, not maximum not factory setting. Makes the shots a bit easier so that the ball isn’t flying around.
Houdini is one of the best games I have ever played/or bought. Must raise back wire form ramp a quarter of an inch with nylon spacers in order to get it to work of the time. Feel free to message me and I will show you how
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Mantua Township, NJ