I was wondering how the prospect of remakes would affect the high end restoration guys. The thing is, nobody really knows if MMR will be one and done with no other remakes right? I suspect that we could see MB as a remake, but who knows right now? I do wish all you guys (yourself, McCune, HEP, and others) luck, as you guys really put out some works of art.

Enjoy your retirement.

knitting.gif

Maybe you can start a career as a new-pinball-machine unboxer...if you can clean up your language.

Robert

Never know, MMR could be a Bally Fireball Home Edition.

I would still value a top end restore of an original game substantially over a remake. JMHO, of course.

147975.gif

ROFLMAO +1

You’re not alone, just had a customer cancel a MM project. I’m surprised to hear someone would back out of a MB though.

All I know is that I have a really solid player AFM. It was in line for a refurb. Its not anymore. I will just play and enjoy.

I've already got people calling to get their MMr creamed out, so I'd say the high end business will continue on, one way or another.

funny-retirement-money-comic-job.jpg

Ive seen McCune's work first hand with RobT's MB and AFM. I just dont see a remake matching this quality. I suspect there will still be demand for restorations from high end collectors as you can't remake all the old classics. Also, i would imagine true high end collectors would want an original classic that looked and played better than new and was still an original. All this is heresay though until remakes are actually released to the wild and compared to their counterpart originals.

I wouldn't worry. If more remakes are created, other pins that aren't as valuable right now will take their place in value and in restoration need.

My opinion also, without being humble!

pinball designer? can you create 3d cad models or silicon molds?

The new collectibles are Sterns ! I don't want to restore Sterns . I geared up to restore W/B games .. Oh well.

Even if PPS doesn't re-make any other titles besides MMR it still has a huge effect on the high end restore market. Before the announcement it could be justified to pay $10-15K on a MB or AFM restoration because MM was $15-$20K and they felt like they were being smart with their money by spending less on a game that is of comparable fun/collectibility. Now that everyone and their brother can buy a brand new MM for $8K I think there will be less people willing to spend that kind of dough on a game when the Grail of Grail pins can be found for far less. Sure there will always be some people with unlimited cash that can fill a gameroom with restored games, but I think this will get rid of a lot of potential buyers that are happy with just 1 or two expensive "Grails" in their collection.

This is confusing me. I'm not sure what it's in reference to...

Silicon is a semiconductor used to make transistors and computer chips.

If you are REALLY a pinball designer, you make make your own ASIC chips....I guess.

I'm not sure that PPS will remake MB. Yes, Rick has licensing rights to reproduce parts, but how would Universal feel about reproducing an entire MB machine? I'm pretty sure Universal would want royalties based on the machine's selling price, not just the parts used in the machine. Also, if MMr is successful I'd think the next remake would be even more expensive because PPS will have proven they can deliver. Anyway, I can see unlicensed themed machines being done, but why pay 10% (just guessing at this number) of your profit to Universal if you don't have to. There are plenty of unlicensed themes to reproduce first (CC, AFM, CV, TOTAN, etc.).

I've had the same thought. I can see LOTR, SM, IJ, TAF, and others going up in price in the long run.

Sound like you'll have more time to drink beer and PLAY pinball there Bryan...

Jaz

Go and spend more time with Charlie!

Universal is in the business of licensing.

That is how they make their money.

This is all BS. There will always be a market for high end restorations. Maybe not the same titles as those currently in demand, but anyone that thinks the restoration is going to tank because PPS may remake a handful of titles is delusional.

Sorry to pile on, but did he just say you were delusional too?

I get that, but I think you're missing my point. Why would Rick make MB when he could make another game (an unlicensed one) and make even more money? For example, let’s assume Universal wants 10% of the total sales price in royalties. So, if PPS sells MBr for say $8k, then Universal would get $800 per machine. So, if PPS reproduced 1000 machines they'd end up paying Universal $800k (of course this all depends on the actual percentage Universal would really want). My point is why spend money you don't have to. Sure, PPS could remake MB, but why not do an unlicensed themed machine and make more money?

If MMR is a success I'd be very surprices if AFM is not next in line. Equally high in popularity, but with some of simplest mechanical features. Hence, a very doable task, compared.

It is almost an insult how primitive that game is constructed. Or, when looking at it the other way around, it is some of the best game design, sound and DMD. To be able to overshadow the playfield features.

CC, on the other hand, is very heavy mechanical wise. Complicated. And when not complicated there just is a lot of them = cost. And then there is the whole issue of it not having a "job completed" feel.

has anyone seen vacation america?
bryan you have nothing to worry about. the new MM reissues will be crap.

obvious to me... he wants a dirty south profile girl repo

Maybe he meant Manufacturer but you have to put out a game before you can be called one.

Agreed and this is why I don't see Cirqus Voltaire being re-made along with some others. Re-tooling the Ringmaster and Boom Balloon would be enormously expensive. Medeval Madness was the perfect storm and I don't see many other titles that fall into this category.

I think high end restore guys like Bryan will continue with plenty of work after a brief lull and the market settles from the exaggerated rumors and knee jerk reactions presently going on.

Bryan, why don't you consider doing some of the classic older games such as Fathom and Centaur? I see a market for that. Or perhaps it's wishful thinking on my part.

Kim
http://www.WrongCrowdProductions.com/

Baracora ?

Guys, guys.....It's In reference to Brian talking about not knowing what to do now after he retires. So John was suggesting picking up pinball design, instead of knitting.

.........or as well as knitting, you never know..........

.......how about knitting blankets of pinball playfields? Best of both worlds!!

I think he should retire and do charity work. I have a Funhouse that could use a lot of "charity" work

Ahhhhh, now it's all becoming clearer!

This was my first thought when Rick said who was actually building the game.

This was my first thought when Rick said who was actually building the game.

Because the $3000 market and $8000 market are exactly the same?

They are a contract manufacturer with a long pinball history. I don't think you can judge their one attempt to make an original machine as a testament to their contract work. It really comes down to how much direction and money PPS is sending their way.

Here is an article on them from 2002. Take notice of the designer who finished their pin.
http://www.pinballnews.com/news/churchill.html

Rick better be keeping a close eye on that. If we get VA quality on MMr, there are going to be riots on his front step...

Jaz

I agree Jim. I've done a couple of Sterns and they are a nightmare to restore, the parts are cheaply made and they are just a mess, not to mention the fact that I have been collecting parts for WMS / BLY games for over a decade.

Name some games that customers will be willing to pay $6K to restore then. You can't say AFM, MB, CC or MM as those are arguably the next remakes. I think alot of the guys that had these high dollar games restored did so with the belief that they would be able to get alot, if not more than what they put into them back when they sold.

How many times does it need to be said that Roger Sharpe has to sign off on the game before it goes into production? Does anyone actually believe that Roger would sign-off on a substandard remake of one of Williams' most highly regarded titles of all time?