We feel the same way about ours. Phenomenal in the home environment

Non refundable deposits before showing much of the game have played a huge roll on tanking it’s value IMO. If people could have just cancelled…or if spooky would have showed more of the game there wouldn’t have been a race to the bottom to get out. It was a really anti consumer practice that also hurt Spooky in the end. People are gonna think twice before lining up for the next one.

People should think twice about ALL releases from every manufacturer. I don't feel sorry for anyone who buys day one, never played it, then regrets it and tries to sell before they even get it. The code continues to improve, bugs are getting worked out, and the owners/players are starting to change the early negative narrative to reflect how cool this game is. And please don't defend the BS about Spooky not showing it before people bought. It was their decision. Those same buyers would be sticking it to those who didn't get one day 1 if it would have been the greatest pin ever. I'd like to ask the haters and people who regret buying day 1 - "What did you learn?" Sad thing is they probably moved on to TS4 and bought an CE day 1 too..

People will probably regret the panic selling once the run is done. Spooky is cranking them up every week pretty quick now so the inventory seems plentiful at the moment. But there is lot of competition. The code keeps getting better and with the upcoming update to the animations and new stuff coming, the value and perspective will change eventually no doubt.

Pinball purchasers have changed their buying habits in the last 10 years. And the manufacturers have changed to better suit the demands as well. Preorder and gotta have it in my home or FOMO or whatever they hell people want to call it is real with pinball. From my experience and for the majority of new pinball owners, they don’t seem to play their games enough to justify owning them. If I don’t play a game I have set up in a couple weeks, I put it on the chopping block. What is the point of it taking up all this space, especially if there are literally 5 other places I can play it in my town or a neighboring one? It can make people lazy since pins don’t ever loose much resale value these days. I also realize Covid changed this some but “I’m never selling this” is really such a stupid concept. It means nothing.

I will never understand pinball people. Never. So many games today are absolute crap cash grabs and have no soul. Spooky is getting better but honestly, they are not tying hard enough or not spending enough on designers or some combination of production delay things. Some of the games look and play like they are designed by children and then “gone over by dad” to force them to work right. The games just don’t click with the majority of pinball nerds. No idea why and frankly, I don’t really care. I am glad they have customers that love their games. Maybe some day they will make a game I can’t live without but I doubt it. Halloween is actually the only theme I ever really liked with Spooky but the game, man the game is just ok and feels thrown together to me.

The thing is also how limited this pin was. It sold out in the first few hrs it was put up for sale and folks had to decide early to nab a spot. FOMO will lead to lot of excitement and folks buying a pin without really knowing if they can afford it when the time comes, if they will change their mind a year later, something else comes along, so much can happen that will get folks to simply change their mind when they have such a short window of buying opportunity.

Glad to see there's a lot of people passionate about HWN. Fact is, most games are like this. It takes a long time for code to get up to "modern" standards. People pre-order and then bail out, or dump the game way before the code is done. (remember Elvira's HoH? Look up how much that was trashed at first and how much they are selling for now)

Spooky is working with a much smaller infrastructure than Stern, who ALSO initially puts out games with code less than half finished. Spooky seems to have done a lot right - the layout is innovative, the theme is well-represented, the art and toys look phenomenal. AND they are listening to the community. This can be a double-edged sword, as the community thinks it knows best, but can turn on you in an instant.

Anyway, the things that you can't change - they've knocked it out of the park. And they're repeatedly communicating that code will be worked on for the next 6-12 months, with a dedicated developer. Time will tell if they live up to that, but I certainly hope so. Code can be changed, the physical stuff is locked.

Spooky gave people an option, which is great. If it wasn't an option you liked, that's ok. They could have said "You'll have to buy it when it comes out". But instead they offered to take non-refundable deposits. That's how small pin companies fund their operations. If someone offers me something and I don't like the offer, I just don't take the offer.

There was no option at the time if you wanted the game…they created an environment where you had no choice but to immediately put a deposit down. It sold out in a couple hours. Not to mention they made you join a club for like 40 bucks to even have the ability to order. Yes - in hindsight it ended up being a total dud and you could get a significant discount at someone else’s expense, but nobody knew that on day one since they really didn’t show much of the the game. Whether or not Spooky makes great games, it’s not consumer friendly to show 30 seconds of a limited production game before selling it with non refundable deposits. That practice needs to stop and I suspect if they try it again they will not have the same level of success.

You're suggesting they don't allow you to do something? I understand your frustration, but I think MORE options are better, not less. You could jump on the FOMO bandwagon, or you could wait. I'M not jumping on that wagon, but if others want to, have at it. I think Spooky forcing us to wait and removing our choices is anti-consumer, not GIVING us choices.

I preordered mine right away. Was my very 1st nib pin. Mine is a tank and the spooky crew treat you like a friend more than a customer. I regret nothing and yes this pin will be pretty sought after down the road. Pinside is like high school, if a couple cool kids dont like it, the rest follow suit. But its understandable. Some folks want it out the box pretty complete (usually stern games) They (spooky) are different. Thats good. Breath of fresh air really...I hope they stay true to themselves and not try to emulate stern or jjp. No knock on them either... Love my godzilla

This pin reminds me so much of Twd,sth, and GOTG when it first came out. So many people bashed those games and sold for so cheap then as the code developed the game rose in popularity. Now those 3 are well sought after. I’m so happy with my Halloween!

I thought the layout sucked. Code wount help

Here's a video of latest code. Game has come a long way from launch where people's first impressions were formed. Spooky promised another year of code development and new animations coming in a couple months.

1:40 Death in the Driver's Seat mode
3:12 Sanitarium mode
4:22 Escape the Kitchen mode stacked with Sanitarium
5:08 Judith Tombstone lock
6:50 Counting Bodies mode stacked with Sanitarium
8:23 Sanitarium multiball
9:16 Sanitarium mode complete
9:25 Tombstone multiball stacked with Sanitarium multiball
10:28 Jack O' Lantern multiball with Don't Fear the Reaper
12:55 Hedge Multiball
14:49 Bob and Linda's Demise mode
15:13 House Attack mode stacked with Bob and Linda's Demise
16:45 Let me in mode

Sound design needs some work. Callouts should NEVER be interrupted and cut short. Allow them to play in their entirely, regardless if another mode or feature has started.

OK Mr. Analytical, thank you for your insight.

I think that's why it's called a diamond in the rough. It, too, is rough. What you're pointing out is just one of many rough edges on this machine. It's fun, and unique, but its issues are comically odd.

I’m not familiar with what Spooky’s using to create the game framework, but they are clearly prioritizing certain things over others. Some of the cutoff audio is a little distracting, so it might help to smooth that out sooner than later. But they are also adding in new animations - so which takes priority?

I so close to pulling the trigger on a CE , what's keeping me from doing it was how much IMO Alice cooper sucked . I have Rick and morty and love it and loved TNA regret selling that one for sure.

To get Halloween JP2 would have to go , I know opinions are just that and you need to really play one first, the only one to play here is a long ass drive to get to.

Driving me mad watched pretty Much every video on YouTube and read most of pinside even watched the movie today , still undecided ‍♂️ Think if it wasn't for the fact JP2 has to go this would be a lot easier.
There it is , so what's a better game JP2 pro. or. Halloween. CE?

Going to be hard to beat JP2 with any game, GZ beats it barely IMO. I think HW is a better true theme and the rules/layout is good enough but sacrificing a JP2 pro would only make sense if you plan on getting a premium back someday.

Keep JP2, watch Halloween.

Halloween is actually pretty fun but let's not put it up against Elwin pins

If you have had your fun with JP2, it's not a "keeper" or "dream theme", sell it and get a new game. Whether it's for Halloween or another new game. I think Halloween is a ton of fun. I play it the most out of CCr, MMr, AFMr. My wife hates it. She thinks it's too hard. There seems to be no in between on HWN. People seem to either love it or hate it.

These are two very different games. I can't see how you can put one of the highest rated Stern/Elwin games up against just about *any* other game on these forums and expect anything other than people chiming in to vote for JP2.

LED strip glare from 3-6 feet away. Anyone know why they decided to go with exposed leds strips like that?

I'm in the camp of being a lover of Halloween. I can't stop playing it. It's a top tier machine for me. The layout is so fresh with the multiple different levels and I think the code is pretty challenging. Code definitely needs some polish but I'm confident that spooky will get there eventually. I don't understand the hate for the game.
1. Game shoots great
2. Art is gorgeous
3. Theme is incredible
4. Rules are really fun.
5. Spooky customer support is top notch

It's the whole package IMHO. I think the majority of the hate is coming from flippers that weren't able to get a profit off this. Impulse buy in a desert of options. Now is a great time to get one as most owners love it and one day it will be recognized for the greatness it is.

I think this looks awesome. I love how intense the effect is. Just gorgeous how it sparkles. Does it hurt your eyes?

The glare doesn't bother me and I think Pukstadiums are the worst thing in pinball.

Not when playing it. Just seeing the glare off the glass from a distance. Sort of a reverse Monet effect.

I agree strongly with this post. I have an 8 pin collection, and Halloween is one of the best in my collection.

The gameplay really rewards control, and the sound design is very immersive. This is going to be a cult favorite people seek out in 10 years.

I love the risk reward of the code with having to really have skill to hit the shots. The ramps are fair and easy to hit but the big points end up at the hedge, scoop or balcony and it's so damn stressful to try and nail them and super rewarding when you do. I love it so much.

Many pins nail that first part. Few nail both.

Yeah, it's not a game you can multiball your way through. You need the skill to hit what you want, when you want.

If you like playing with a control playstyle, Halloween is the best game I've experienced for that.

When is the full code going to be complete?

I play Halloween just as much as I play my GZ premium. It’s an amazing pin.

I forgot to mention the sound. My son won't come in the basement he's so scared by the music. He says the boogie man is down there. It is so damn immersive and intense. So perfect.

I'm thinking the big upcoming update is going to be bringing this close to completion. But there is still a wizard mode missing.

I like the game, it's very unique but it does feel like it needs polish to really shine. As noted there is lot of little annoying issues that feel like some tweaks will fix and I think they are on the way eventually. Like hedgeball multiball unlock used to cut off the audio of the video clip. They fixed that in last update, so there is lot of little things like that that need some smoothing out it feels. It's one of the most gorgeous looking machines, but the actual software needs some more TLC to really elevate this pin

Ok, I OWN a Halloween, and I LOL'd

When was the last update? Weren't they supposed to change all the graphics for some reason?
Need to catch up in that thread

Many are guessing next update with new animations and wizard mode coming on 10/31.

Oh I bet they are; sounds like the May 4th crowd mentality.
I don't really understand the hatred for the graphics personally.

The Sanitarium one is iffy to me just the way the shadowing was done but the rest are fine with me.

Personally the low resolution video is more of an eye sore for me than the animations. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll take anything we can get but please up the resolution on the video clips.

Yeah that macroblocking really looks bad, why is it so compressed on some scenes. Hedge has it the worst.

Now that's something we can all get behind

Yeah I don't understand why the hedge scenes look like the quality of dial up porn. Need to upscale that for sure.

Sanitarium mode is the worst also because it's on the screen for so long often, just seeing the same two animations and terrible looking art repeating.

Some of the pumpkin mode visuals are also kind of rough, like the couch stabbing scene one, where you got this goofy looking out of scale Myers just weaving back and forth. Theres decent art and some fine animations in it but it's just inconsistent and that needs smoothing out.

As others mentioned too, the movie clips are oddly not consistent either, some seem to play at low resolution or have macro blocking present at start of clips, while some clips play and look fine.

The transitioning of modes and clips also is awkward at times, stuff cutting off things in weird spots. The whole presentation feels like it can use some tweaking

In the beginning, presale days, there were some complaints about how that would look (raw LED), and so they said they would be adding a diffuser, I'm guessing they just forgot.