Quoted from Tuna_Delight:I agree that Kaneda's pinball opinions aren't his strongpoint, but they would be more impactful if he were more of a true player. As it is, he seems to try out newer games, but not play most enough to form a fully informed opinion beyond initial impressions, casual observations, and what others report. For example, Kaneda formed a negative opinion about Pirates from playing one in a NYC bar that was one of the first locations to have one. While he has admitted to knowing nothing about its code or shots, he has always since complained about the complexity of the game (22 characters to choose from, too many inserts, etc.), which ironically, is its greatest strength for the majority of those who own one - home collectors. To Kaneda's credit, he has asked for a JJP rep or someone familiar with it to explain to him why it's such a good game. Unfortunately, until someone does, he'll probably never appreciate the game's qualities as, unlike the typical pinhead, he won't invest the gameplay time on his own into learning how to truly enjoy it.
True. I agree with your assessment. Maybe that's why I relate to him bc unlike many here, I'm not a "true" player either. I don't do leagues, I don't spend a ton of time playing pinball, I'm not very good but I love the hobby, the passion the product and everything that is developed to make it better.
The way he reacts to games is a good barameter of how the casual or standard non die hard would. My initial reaction on jjp was the same. When I had people over for Christmas I literally had someone not approach my pirates bc they were overwhelmed by it.
I think we need to think broader appeal here. Similar argument for folks who say these games are too easy. Maybe for some who are the rain men of pinball but they shouldn't represent the "pinball" player. At least they can't if we went to see this game expand.
Just like I did, he will need to actually play jjp more to understand but his point is valid which was simply out of the gate first impressions - that game is not the clearest on what's going on.