Awesome. Would love to see an AFMr (CGC) version. Also, availability to customize/personalize animation would be really cool (maybe a must for me). Of course price is a consideration as others have mentioned.

Okay, I'm really chomping at the bit on more info about this. I know you probably can't commit to an availability, price, ability to customize video, and other details yet, but can you please let us know what platforms this would work with? Selfishly, I'm interested in the CGC games (AFMr in particular).

There is also a similar option for Stern SAM/Spike systems.

https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/520-5XP5-12

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Why, did you just drop $2200 on a 24K gold leaf Indy topper?

I'll make it easy for you . . .

Thread | https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/new-topper-from-elite-pinball-topper

Video Review | https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/new-topper-from-elite-pinball-topper#post-6335720

I agree, but it is pretty awesome, IMO.

Sorry @vimtoman, didn't mean to stray off topic of your great animated launch button mod.

I would tend to agree, but really I think the mod is more for the observers than the player as personally I don't stand so close to the start button to actually see/read the front of it while playing. However, I love the idea of animating it with theme integrated eye candy.

BTW, this sort of reminds me of a Nest thermostat. Function isn't really changed by having the screen, but offers more visual feedback (mesmerizing for those of us attracted to shiny objects).

Love it!

Will have to see the rest of the animation, but bottom arc might look good as Mars (similar to my backboard decal).

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That is looking sweet!

I think others would have interest in the 3rd CGC pin that also uses a large launch button - Monster Bash.

While a cool animation, doesn't that title have a traditional plunger assembly and not a launch button?

@vimtoman, I'm I correct and thinking this mode will only be for pins that natively utilize the 2" launch button, or do you have other plans?

Potential games I can think of that utilize a 2" launch button (by no means comprehensive):

- Attack from Mars (original & remakes)
- Medieval Madness (original & remakes)
- Monster Bash (original & remakes)
- Rick & Morty
- Alice Cooper
- Indy 500
- X-Files
- Dr. Who
- Harley Davidson
- Demolition Man
- Dracula
- Johnny Mnemonic
- DE Star Trek
- Maverick
- Popeye
- Champion Pub

Might be worth it to Vimtoman to explore if start buttons have correct hole size or if they would require additional boring. Also, there may be an issue of how close to the edge of the front face of the pin, graphics, and other obstacles it might be on certain titles. Either way, I'm sure he has his hands full now with his initial mod.

Looking really good. I would suggest having the UFO travel up and to the center of the foreground (thus you can make it grow), then it can beam up a larger cow in a larger beam.

What is the patent number? Patents are only as good as the claims within them, and variants can exist without being in violation. To deem that SH has some patent without actually referencing the specific patent doesn’t really do much for anyone.

Did you hit a wall with this project?

We appreciate the creativity and effort. Unfortunately, not every idea can come to fruition.

OP discontinued the mod (actually, never released it), but I'll let him comment on the reasons why.

Love the bowling ball!

I just received my animated AFM launch button, and it is pretty awesome . . . Vimtoman delivers again! Installation with the included instructions was a breeze, took me less than 10 minutes, and no cabinet modifications were required. The only thing to be aware of when installing is to mount the controller pack high enough to where the cable extending from the button will reach its port. As far as the mod itself goes, the parts are all high quality, everything fits perfectly, all connectors came pre-installed, and the installation is really clean. There is one really long cable that goes to the shooter lane switch, and it is long enough to allow for cable management and full playfield movement.

In addition to the animations, the button also flashes around the perimeter (red in my case) signifying to push the button to launch ball. Below are the three animation sequences on the button.

Here is the animation when the ball is in the trough awaiting launch.
AFM - Launch Ball.gif

Here is part of the animation during game play. Basically, all the search lights going, saucers come into view, center saucer's tractor beam is searching, then a cow is beamed up.
AFM - Game Play.gif

This is what it looks like when a Martian Bomb is ready to use.
AFM_Bomb.gif

Here's a look at the front of the cabinet with the button installed.
IMG_9891 (resized).JPG

It only took me 14 minutes to install mine

Just realized that two of your first buttons are alien themed.

That is what I was initially thinking too, but once I received mine for AFM I realized all of the engineering that has been put into this mod. It is quite a complex system, and doesn’t lend itself to modding/hacking. Besides, the animations included along with how they are triggered are top notch.