You mean Meatloaf's classic 90s action flick: BLACK DOG

Spooky did say there was an Easter egg nobody had mentioned yet...

They should award us for finding it

Never noticed this. Will check it tonight.

His name is Robert Paulson.

Currently at Spooky HQ

I_Think_I_Forgot_Something (resized).jpg

To take your mind off that, here’s a challenge for you ….

I’ve had the game two weeks, here’s the high scores. The GC was set in qualifying for my monthly tournament last week by NZ #2 player, Mitchell Stewart. I set the HS1 today. Can’t speak for Mitchells GC game, but my score had earned 3 extra balls during the game.

Game is stock, latest code, 3 balls, no adjustments at all. As it came out of the box.

The challenge is to play your game hard out all weekend, and beat these two scores.

Go hard!

rd
IMG_3397 (resized).jpegIMG_3398 (resized).jpeg

I could set it at 6 balls and still not be able to beat those scores

Egg, confirmed!? Upper Michael hedge.

20230519_223642 (resized).jpg

I need a strategy as I’m lucky to get 50/60 mil on the latest code on mine!
Plus I don’t cradle, maybe I should start doing that again. Stopped after cradling on my old LOTR LE as it nearly caught fire lol

You gotta cradle. And sharpshoot your shots.

If you just slap the ball around, she’s all over pretty rapidly.

Use the right lock to hold your ball - if you drain you’ll get a ball back. That’s a great resource. Also that shot is a great spot for super jackpots.

Play either modes - or House. Or Sanitarium. Focus on completing them. Don’t stack stuff or you won’t finish them.

Bring in a MB to complete the modes if you’re having trouble completing them. Always a good plan (on every game!) to start a mode before starting MB. Doubles your points and completes the modes.

Winner!

rd

Yeah I love hitting that right lock shot, I will cradle for a sharpshooter type quick shot but not on multiball normally. I try to put balls into the subway etc to give me time to work things out.

I do pretty ok on most games, just this one I need to try harder and drink less lol
My excuse is I’m holding out for the finished game code

Well - in light of that - the weekend challenge is revised.

Take a picture of your high score now — then beat it this weekend.

Post both pics up when you’ve done it. Easy!

Happy flippin!

rd

I would post my score from todays play but it was pretty pathetic. I certainly haven't cracked 100M yet, but I'm getting closer.

I changed my pc the other day and it’s only got low scores saved now up to 35 mil ish I think (my best on this code only 60+ mil), low compared to above lol
Was drinking all day yesterday so I don’t think I will be playing any games today

I will be trying to break the 100m this week though

There are a lot of sheep this way lol

A151A37E-1D57-4C70-863C-7C779DDB5BC2 (resized).jpeg

Just let the record show.... I seen it first!

New code out yet?

Get this man some swag

I'd try to beat it but mine has crashed 3 times recently deep into games, so I'm waiting on the new code. I think they were all during Sanitarium MB with a mode stacked, but I'm not positive. What's the record for number of super jackpots in House MB on the latest code? I think I had 6 prior to one of the crashes. That's harder than before because the drop target goes back up after each one. You used to be able to get a nice 2 ball loop going.

Halloween last night started kicking out two balls and would jump into a mode (can’t remember which one) immediately. Not sure why that started happening. Hopefully we see a code update at some point.

I didn't think I was going to be posting in here, but this usually happens when I ask someone in my family to play me. And is why no one else likes pinball.

20230521_202335 (resized).jpg

What a PITA swopping the habitat rail was, it came longer than it should be which meant I had to cut and bend the end to make it fit. Also getting those cables routed wasn’t easy.

I fitted the metal gear servo’s (MG90S) but they seem to be not as smooth as the originals although now thinking about it at least one was doing this but that was intermittent with working or not. Almost like they are shaking/vibrating fast as they move. They are all moving in and out like they should, is there a special way of putting the cable back to stop this or is it just those servo’s and normal?

Took hours today, one of the new MG servo’s blew its case apart and was doing the fast shaky shaky thing straight away luckily I had an extra. Never had Servo’s before, cheap for a reason?

184A577F-1780-4B58-8820-6256D6E990C9 (resized).jpeg

A901F354-EEB8-4D56-B193-E06D72B6998C (resized).jpeg

Why did you have to remove the whole thing in the first place?

Because it came too short, the two prongs that fit into the holes at the top would not reach so we’re hanging out plus the bottom end was out of shape. No adjustment could get them in, looks like these are cut to each machine and someone cut them too short. I can see why mine was made wrong but come on man QC missed that and the wrong decal was fitted on the backbox so mine has no kid Micheal clown and the same two Michaels. PC has also been changed, I can see why people get upset.

Also adjusted the lifter flap again while I was there as that would stick up quite a bit.

Just about to pour an ice cold beer and have a few games, I better break the 100mil lol
Maybe the 3 Michaels will look smoother after a few drinks

Had a few quick games, going for hedge and Judith lock/shot and managed 50 mil on ball one, still no 100m plus though but tomorrow’s another day!
Turned the Micheal wave off as tested enough so less annoying, just need to adjust the balance on the shaker motor next

Alright, this is the week right?

Let’s hope so! I played a few games tonight and still love this machine!

I was just reading the Scooby Doo forum and it seems they are having some quality issues at this time. I wonder how much time it gives them to test the new code before they do an official release? It seems like resources could be stretched out right now.

Where did you get those beer shade mods?

They were given to me by AFM Lighting in about 1999 when I was working for them doing tv and film lighting, can’t remember why though was smoking way too much back then lol
They even put my initials inside them
Made by Dunlop

Wow, I really hope it's this week... I'm dying for this code! I just hope it's gonna be a huge one this time to get the game on the home stretch - a lot of the bugs squashed, perhaps one or two more clips/callout and maybe the First Kill mode plus the final main Wizard mode (not that I will ever get to it)? I think that's asking too much, but Matt did a lot of code refactoring during the last update window, and all of that would be so awesome.

I'm kind of reluctant to really get back into the game now until this next code drop is here...

I've had many good games ruined by a bug, such as diverter not closing and others. Makes me not want to play when I feel like I'm getting cheated out of my score or if it's going to give me wrong results.

Yea I do feel the game is getting close to a more finished state, it just needs the final pieces. Smoothing things out, polish, it's so close

I stopped playing a while back due to waiting for code, just want to get into the finished game now instead of shooting practice which is what I have been doing.
Also the annoying bugs which I think is why it’s taking time for the next update, hopefully getting a good testing so they get squashed. Bound to be new bugs introduced with new stuff they need to work out too.

Good things come to those who wait (fingers crossed)

I see there are a few of these for sale cheap, could be bargains if this code drop smashes it.

There is no update... only Zuul.

I hope so. Even us steadfast owners are running out of patience. Can we send Gunny Sergeant Hartman to Benton?

Really ... hoping... for a release before this upcoming holiday weekend...

Remember when we were all excited and expecting new code in time for Halloween? Yea good times.....

Photo of Matt trying to make sense of Fawzma’s code and clean it up. And after a thousand where the update posts.

IMG_4910 (resized).jpeg

Maybe last minute bugs found, it's been a couple weeks since it was in testing and tweaks phase and coming soon.

Really has me wondering how jacked up the fawzma code was… and if we are getting beyond that or more clean up required

That is actually exactly how it looks

rd

IMG_3447 (resized).jpeg

Ok I finally think I solved my ghost missed skill shot I blew some air on the optos and I think so far it’s ok ,
After some tweaking I am finally able to enjoy my machine and

I must say this game is a masterpiece !

Had a coffee instead of a beer this afternoon and it’s a glorious day out there
100mil soon I think now I’m actually playing it with some passion.

4DDF48CC-FC18-4BA0-9E59-5565D82A2E4B (resized).jpeg

If that is the case we really are never getting a decent code. Spooky said code support for a year but it is almost June and we have seen very infrequent code drops. If there was some problem with the way the original code was written and now the problems need to be dealt with then i wish that was communicated. I feel owners have been more than patient at this point and at least some kind of roadmap as to what they are hoping to put in and a bit of a time frame would certainly be appreciated.

I don't think a company is going to come out and say that their code is a mess out in public. Such a thing would haunt them forever as a quote that will constantly be tossed in their face. At best we can hope they get through it and get things working if that is the case.

Developers hate roadmaps, cause it's putting down a plan in print that they are forced to meet and when they often can't, it again is thrown in their faces and just makes people mad. And plans constantly change and shift, a roadmap sets in stone a plan that often can't be met 100% and puts extra pressure on everyone.

I am just worried about the lack of coders Spooky has. Matt is really the only one working the code for us now. I hate to say it, but him leaving Spooky is likely. Retaining coders is tough. They are in high demand and Spooky is a small company. I know my company has a tough time keeping coding talent and we are 100x bigger and pay better.

Open source it!

Matt's an owner of Ultraman as well, Im sure he wants to give it his all and have faith in him.

This is no joke. ChatGPT will not solve this either (although it may push salaries down, which is another whole story). I just got an offer for a 2 year contract at 170% my current salary, and I know I could stay there longer if I wanted to. I don’t have too much pressure now so I’m not likely to move, but I’m thinking hard…