(Topic ID: 257224)

Do you really care about theme that much?

By Shredso

4 years ago


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  • 139 posts
  • 85 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 2 years ago by Mr_Tantrum
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    There are 139 posts in this topic. You are on page 1 of 3.
    #1 4 years ago

    I see so many posts here with people living and dying over themes. I don't get it. Sure, I love a good theme as long as it goes along with a great game. I also don't care if the theme isn't something I care about if the game plays great.

    Let's review some possible themes... Without seeing or playing the games, how would Pinside react to these? For the record i like all of these games.

    Let's base a pin on a comic book that wasn't really very popular that had a movie based on it, but we won't use anything from the movie. Judge Dredd

    We'll make an original theme about bringing a robot chick to life and fill it with inappropriate sexual innuendo. Bride of Pinbot

    How about we make another non licensed carnival themed game, but this one will have a talking dummy that insults you! Fun House

    You know that show that was popular in the 60's and was resurrected by a flop movie? Let's turn that into a game! Addams Family

    What if we made an unlicensed Aladdin sort of game with genies and a magic lamp? TOTAN

    Monty Python's holy Grail was cool 20 years ago, let's make a game that really rips it off, but doesn't use the license! MM

    I could go on for days. I think if any of these themes that a lot of us think are amazing were introduced here, they would be chastised. There are themes I'm looking forward to, but I certainly would never dismiss a game purely based on theme. I think we need to be a little more open minded. Personally, I'd rather see a non-licensed game with the licensing fees going to more game features and a better quality build.

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    #2 4 years ago

    Yes. The majority of NIB purchases are made based upon themes in 2019.

    It’s beyond dispute.

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    #3 4 years ago

    Yeah it’s basically a dollhouse hobby for middle-aged men.

    #4 4 years ago

    Themes are important to me, but not everything. For instance, I like movies a lot. 3 of my 6 current pins are movie themed.

    A great game is great regardless. An awesome theme just takes it over the top.

    #5 4 years ago

    Oh yes theme makes a huge difference for all of us,There are some themes I love and there’s some themes I just like

    BTW- Thank God judge Dredd was based off of comic book not the movie

    #6 4 years ago

    For the most part, yes. Theme is what draws me to a game. However If game play is bad. I'm out and vice versa if a game plays really good but theme is something I'm not interested in I will still play it.
    One thing people seam to misunderstand is. Even if it's a non licensed theme or an original theme it's still a theme.

    #7 4 years ago

    sometimes. I'm a huge Iron Maiden fan, but couldn't really get into the game (!). heresy, I know. I bought Dialed In. I bought Houdini, I have Oktoberfest on deck. I would love to get some earlier SS games (maybe F14 or HS?). Theme isnt' everything - but it does help a LOT where it brings with it a whole lot of back story. That is tough to do on an original game. Somehow JJP did it with DI though.

    #8 4 years ago

    Baywatch, plays frickin awesome. not a fully pleasant theme for most

    #9 4 years ago
    Quoted from Rdoyle1978:

    I would love to get some earlier SS games (maybe F14 or HS?)

    Most people wouldn't exactly consider system 11 games "earlier, " but if that is the era you are into, check out pinbot, diner, and whirlwind.
    If you are really going for early SS pins, Bally is the best imo. Paragon, fathom, flash Gordon, or eight ball deluxe are great ones to look for.

    #10 4 years ago

    Theme is everything, when it comes to:

    1. Interest in game (home or location).
    2. Longevity in the home and location earning ability.
    3. Holding value in resale market.

    Almost nothing counts more than the theme. Look at interest in Rick and Morty. Only theme has been revealed to date and interest is sky high.

    #11 4 years ago
    Quoted from yancy:

    Yeah it’s basically a dollhouse hobby for middle-aged men.

    Ha! You got that right.. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard “can’t you just be happy with only owning one machine”. Nope I want all of them.

    #12 4 years ago

    No. I only care about game play. Still want a Slayer pin though.

    -1
    #13 4 years ago

    Great pinball theme but bad gameplay = great looking woman but bad kisser and no rap.

    #14 4 years ago

    Buyers were 20-30 years younger when these popular non-themed machines came to Market. Now it takes a Boost or pound over the head with nostalgia, fandom or infatuation so Theme is paramount. Symptom of the times.

    #15 4 years ago

    Theme gets me excited, but gameplay and rules get me to open my wallet.

    #16 4 years ago

    I initially thought I was going to hate the theme for Dialed In, but after I tried it out I loved it. So the theme has to draw me in, but it's gameplay that matters. I prefer no IP personally.

    #17 4 years ago

    Yes if it's a crappy theme I won't buy the game must be a theme I like and a fun game to play.

    #18 4 years ago

    My favorite pins over the years...

    TSPP (never watched an episode)
    WPT (not a big poker fan)
    FT (gone fishing a few times but nothing serious)
    TZ (I dig the old episodes somewhat)

    Seems like I don’t need to love the theme to enjoy the game. Shots, rules, sounds, and artwork seem more important to me.

    But everyone is different.

    #19 4 years ago

    At 4K, I don’t care about theme very much.
    At anything over 7K, I care quite a bit about theme.

    #20 4 years ago

    With so many pinball options, why not love the theme and the game play....
    Why settle?

    #21 4 years ago

    Yes, in a world of cost cutting, theme is all that matters because it’s it’s one of the few ways you get value for your money.

    #22 4 years ago

    For new games, yes. For old, cheaper games, no.

    #23 4 years ago
    Quoted from Shredso:

    You know that show that was popular in the 60's and was resurrected by a flop movie? Let's turn that into a game! Addams Family

    Adam's wasn't a flop.

    As far as your actual question, no I don't care about theme all that much.

    #24 4 years ago

    A bad theme can be overcome by a really good game. I have BSD and XM. I would never have bought them if they weren't fantastic games. I would consider an IMDN, which I wouldn't normally be interested in.

    I also own a SW. It would probably be out the door if it didn't have a great theme. So a great (integrated) theme can help boost a game.

    I'm also currently resisting the urge to put my name in on Rick and Morty without seeing anything first. Pinball is weird.

    #25 4 years ago

    I find playfield design and sound are more important to me than theme. For instance I LOVED the Munsters as a kid but I'd definitely take The Adam's Family over the Munsters pin. I'm also a hardcore Star Wars fan yet prefer to play Star Trek Vengeance over any of the Star Wars themed machines. Then there are pins that I just unexpectedly find enjoyable such as Total Nuclear Annihilation. There isn't a themed machine I'd purchase without ever having played it before.

    #26 4 years ago
    Quoted from Shredso:

    Do you really care about theme that much?

    When it comes to buying games?

    Yes - ABSOLUTELY!

    #27 4 years ago

    reading Pinside one gets the impression theme is very important and licenced themes are clearly preferable. That most new games are licenced would heavily suggest the manufacturers also see this as their customers preference.

    I personally find licenced themes a turn off because they detract from the artistic vision and turn a game into a piece of merchandising.

    #28 4 years ago

    Not for me.. I go after pins I enjoy playing and can pretty much understand the rulesets and code. After that anything I like is just a bonus.

    #29 4 years ago

    Theme must be interesting and gameplay Good, as long as both criterias are met its a great pin.

    #30 4 years ago

    Definitely Theme , especially when buying NIB for home use . Gotta smile while looking at the machine when it’s off

    #31 4 years ago

    On location nope, buying for home hell yeah!

    BM66 is a perfect example, not the most exciting layout but Lyman absolutely knocked the coding/theme integration out of the park, it’s easily one of my all time favourites to play.

    #32 4 years ago

    ORIGINAL THEMES PLEASE

    YES I AM SHOUTING LOUDLY!!!!!!!!!!!

    #33 4 years ago

    I'm more interested in new ideas not theme... or big license

    Pinball world need new Ideas\innovation not new License (or expensive Topper)

    IMO

    #34 4 years ago

    Theme for me takes a back seat to game play. If a game is fun I can overlook theme, it's just the package my fun came in.

    #35 4 years ago

    Theme can make or break my interest in a game.

    There are some games I have no interest in what-so-ever regardless of gameplay reviews due to the theme.

    Think of it this way; theme makes up a 1/3 of a pins attraction with gameplay and sound making up the other two thirds. A great pin will hit on all three points for the player.

    #36 4 years ago
    Quoted from Shredso:

    I see so many posts here with people living and dying over themes. I don't get it.

    What don't u get? Who would put a pin in their house with a theme they dislike? That would be the strange thing. On Location I'll play anything at least a few times but I'm not going to buy a game with a theme I'm not into, this thing where "I hate the theme but it play great so I bought it" is crap. Maiden was great, but if I didn't enjoy the music no chance I'm dropping 10k on a Pre. Theme is just as strong a factor in the appeal of a pin as game play. Theres a Rick and Morty pin being made right? its not a show I watch and the one time I did it just wasn't funny to me, no matter what they do with regards to layout and toys and gameplay its not happening, I'll play it but I'll never own it.

    #37 4 years ago

    Choosing a game you like is a very personal formula, and theme is part of it. I own games like MET that took me years to buy. I didn’t want sweaty old guy band themes, but the rules and gameplay changed my mind. The theme grew on me, and now I love it. I don’t have examples of the other direction though. I guess the closest was Game Of Thrones, where I bought it too early because the play was “good enough” and I loved the theme.

    So I’d say gameplay (physical and rules) wins over theme. But if theme is a hard no, then that can win.

    #38 4 years ago
    Quoted from Hazoff:

    Who would put a pin in their house with a theme they dislike?

    Well that I can see if it's in your home. I was more or less looking at it from a pin in the wild scenario. Still unless it was really horrendous (Baywatch comes to mind) I think I could deal with it for a while at least.

    #39 4 years ago
    Quoted from RWH:

    Well that I can see if it's in your home. I was more or less looking at it from a pin in the wild scenario. Still unless it was really horrendous (Baywatch comes to mind) I think I could deal with it for a while at least.

    Yeah but in the wild whats the first thing that's gonna pull someone in, especially those who aren't into pinball. Theme. I just sold my JP, very fun game and the theme wasn't great to me but also wasn't shit. Something like Wonka however? no chance sir. So there's levels and they are all relative to the individual. Here's my question to the OP or anyone else who wants to answer. Who cares if people are obsessed or not with themes in this hobby? Seems to me to care about it is due to the fact that ur not getting the themes (og or licensed) that u want so full circle complete.

    #40 4 years ago

    I feel the theme just as important as game play. Why buy a green car that drives good if you can't stand the color of green? Just find a good driving car in the color you want.

    #41 4 years ago
    Quoted from Hazoff:

    Yeah but in the wild whats the first thing that's gonna pull someone in, especially those who aren't into pinball

    Definitely for those not into pinball because for me all I need to see is the pin in the wild and I've got to play! Once I pull that plunger nothing matters but the sounds and the flash of that little silver ball.

    #42 4 years ago
    Quoted from Hazoff:

    What don't u get? Who would put a pin in their house with a theme they dislike? That would be the strange thing. On Location I'll play anything at least a few times but I'm not going to buy a game with a theme I'm not into, this thing where "I hate the theme but it play great so I bought it" is crap. Maiden was great, but if I didn't enjoy the music no chance I'm dropping 10k on a Pre. Theme is just as strong a factor in the appeal of a pin as game play. Theres a Rick and Morty pin being made right? its not a show I watch and the one time I did it just wasn't funny to me, no matter what they do with regards to layout and toys and gameplay its not happening, I'll play it but I'll never own it.

    Sort of sums it up...Not just NIB, btw...Across the board...

    11
    #43 4 years ago

    Unless the theme is amazing, I don’t buy it. Case in point:

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    #44 4 years ago
    Quoted from chuckwurt:

    Unless the theme is amazing, I don’t buy it. Case in point:

    What's the case in point ? - are these good themes or bad themes ?

    #45 4 years ago
    Quoted from branlon8:

    What's the case in point ? - are these good themes or bad themes ?

    Amazing themes. If they weren’t, I wouldn’t own them.

    #46 4 years ago
    Quoted from Thunderbird:

    Theme is everything, when it comes to:
    1. Interest in game (home or location).
    2. Longevity in the home and location earning ability.
    3. Holding value in resale market.
    Almost nothing counts more than the theme. Look at interest in Rick and Morty. Only theme has been revealed to date and interest is sky high.

    100% this. Also, in modern games, theme determines music. This why I don’t own Metallica or Maiden, each considered among the best games of there time by many pinball fans. In the case of those two, points one and two apply to me, but not point three.

    This thread needed a poll.

    #47 4 years ago

    Theme schmeem, make a great player like Iron Maiden (or Archer)

    #48 4 years ago

    Theme I love AND great gameplay are both requirements and equally important. If I’m going to have a huge expensive machine in my home, you bet the theme must be something I am into.

    #49 4 years ago

    I wasn't an AC/DC fan but I really liked the layout enough to buy the game. I'm now a fan of the music too (theme didn't matter). Like the gameplay of Iron Maiden but can't stand the music, will probably never own (theme matters). I guess you can say I'm all over the board.

    For EM games I couldn't care less about the theme or art, it's all about gameplay. My Grail pin is Gottlieb 2001 and its theme is people riding flying triangles through square tubes (but what a great playing game).

    #50 4 years ago
    Quoted from chuckwurt:

    Unless the theme is amazing, I don’t buy it. Case in point:

    Case in point is theme importance does take a sideline if the game is a B, or C title or priced below a certain threshold. I do believe pricing is definitely a factor. I have Barbwire, High Roller Casino, and Gladiators as my 'I don't care about theme-because they are cheap and play awesome' clause. If I am going to spend $5k plus on a machine, then I will definitely want a theme I can relate to and hopefully it becomes a keeper in my collection.

    Am I going to spend $9000+ on Elvira-Emmmmmm-No
    Am I going to spend $6500+ on R & M Ahhhhhhh-No
    Am I going to spend $9000 on a Stern Led Zeppelin LE-Uhhhhhhh-Maybe

    There are 139 posts in this topic. You are on page 1 of 3.

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