You can't really compare the two until Halloween code is considered complete.

Hold up, we got JimWest in here?!

Typo alert!

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ugh

Spellcheck?

I’m not seeing it?

Edit… aah - “serias”. Spellcheck is tough for writing code. Not sure if Bug has established a dedicated variables file, makes checking strings a lot easier

Series, not serias

Not what I meant but ok.. Regardless of your appeal of Wonka they as they exist today are simply not comparable. Animations are not comparable, code is not comparable, etc

It is not well laid out or organized. Some cables are longer than others. It is just like R&M. I understand that this is inside the game and not seen by anyone except when working on the machine. I was really hoping that the wiring would be better in Halloween. It is kind of like this. Both work but one looks much better!

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Wonka is a great shooter, but . . .

The thing that I think kills most JJP machines is code. They need better coders, hands down. For example, I've never shot a jackpot on JJP machine that made me feel like I accomplished something. Many modern machines suffer from this overkill coding. Take a look at Alien Poker. Shooting the cards in order is SO FUCKING FUN. It's so simple too. TZ door mb jackpot. Not crazy hard, simple design. I still feel it after playing the game 100s of times over just under 30 years. How 'bout that Wonka jackpot you scored? Thought so... you don't remember shit 'cause the code licks pouch.

JJP also has the slot machine sound guy they hired - cringe worthy. Even GnR has slot sounds everywhere. They are the worst in the history of pinball. I'd rather turn off the sound and listen to orbitor 1.

Disagree with you - I enjoy the jackpot call out in Wonka. After you hit a few it sounds like the call out gets a longer jaaaaccckkkkpppooottt.

Also like the guy doing the call outs - your comment sounds recycled. Slot machine blah blah

Give it some more plays… or don’t. But your missing out.

I think their coders are great.

I don’t like the RULES.

(Two separate things)

Most of the games are MB after MB after MB. I get for a lot of people multiball is “cool” … but not for me. I find it tiresome.

Compare to Lymans TWD rule sheet .. yes there are a couple of multiballs but there’s big points (and great moments) in single ball play.

Horde is maybe one of the best modes in pinball ever - shoot the shots and get a ball added in. You really need to be a good single ball shooter, and you get rewarded. So good.

ACNC is like that - a couple of MBS, including the 2 ball crypt you can bring in if you want it (it’s helpful in a couple of the modes) but mainly it’s about single ball shot accuracy. Which is what pinball should be about. IMO.

rd

Man I want a Horde type mode in this pin so bad, gets the blood flowing!

This is so true regarding multiballs - I don't know about GNR because I haven't played one, but I have played Hobbit a bit and where the game is pretty damn spectacular, it just seemed like MB after MB... It just became too much, and it didn't really feel like I was going for it specifically, it was just happening. I'm not an owner though, and perhaps with more time on it you can learn to avoid starting MBs and be a bit more strategic.

In any case, and not to pick on only JJP machines, multiball is best used sparingly - sometimes for a killer moment of chaos, or definitely as something you prep for certain modes to stack and blow up your score. I now have an ACNC on the way (cannot wait), and if it's more of a single ball shooter I'm gonna be very happy.

I would agree with this. I might even take it a step further. Most can write decent rules for game modes. Games that tend to stay in my collection the longest have rewarding shots outside of modes.

I did a stream tonight. Here's the VOD.

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1237301990

Hey nobody said programmers were great at spelling lol. I will let Fawzma know.

New bug (on 1.04b)? I went into the pumpkin scoop and it was quickly alternating between the blood drop store and wanting me to select a mode. I couldn't do either, and it eventually only showed the mode selection screen. I could cycle through the modes, but couldn't select one and had to power off. I had just been in the blood store a few seconds before going back into the scoop so maybe that had something to do with it.

Good point. Their coders are great. I've not seen many issues with coding. It is the rulesets.

I think multiballs need to be simple, challenging, dramatic and rewarding. Shadow has great mbs. Iron man's monger mb is pretty good. STTNG is EPIC, maybe the best - prob my fav... Even my Pinball Magic has way better mulitballs than my Dialed in. JJPs are mb heavy, and if the mbs are just "shoot all the shots for jackpots and maybe there will be a super when you're done with those, oh, and they'll sound like you're in a vegas casino" it's just . . . lame.

Again, a lot of modern machines suffer from not designing mbs well, even some of Elwin's games.

I own an Avengers IQ - which is an awesome flowing game, but Iron Man and Thor multiballs to me are such non-events. You basically sigh if you start them outside of a mode/gem quest... Maybe if you manage to progress through them there's a huge payoff? If so that's my fault for for being such a poor player.

Here are some pics with and without the wood. Let me know if this helps you out.

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So I had an annoying problem where I could only make the center ramp shot from the left flipper when the diverter was pointed towards the house (right side path). I checked to see if the guide plastics were installed as others had mentioned to me. The guides were there so I figured it had to be the diverter placement. The first photo is where the diverter was set at the factory. The second is where I moved it to. After the fix I can easily make the shot with my right flipper. I doubled my high score the first game after the fix.

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I am taking my time with this game and plan on providing some detailed thoughts but to summarize, this is the scariest pinball machine ever made. Turn the lights off, and let that sound just take you away. Just look at the size of the sub that comes stock with this game. No need for external sub imo and I use them for all my games.

To get what this game is going for, you NEED to love Halloween. If you think the music is monotone and annoying, this is def not the game for you.

and it's so refreshing to have a game that plays different. It feels great too - flippers are so nice and snappy but doesn't feel like stern either. Hard to explain but it just feels very good to play. And it's gorgeous. More to come.
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This.

Great to have people thinking outside the square.

Can’t wait for the NZ games to be made.

(Get onto it Luke!)

rd

... or the Australian games! Man I have this, Alice Cooper and Alien coming next year, it's gonna be incredible.

After a shipping delay.. He's home! 162

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Is there a setting to turn off the auto plunge. When you start a game it auto plunges the ball. When you drain and a new ball is put into the shooter lane it auto plunges again.

This review gave me pause. It is concerning to hear that you NEED to love the theme in order to enjoy the game. Even Iron Maiden didn't require that. I look forward to playing one

Odd, this is how I judge games to begin with. If I'm not into the theme, then no reason for me to even play the game... To each their own on this one for sure.

Jeff

Old news for about 180 of you, BREAKING news for another 1,300 or so... #199 (Morgan) email received & answered today! I'm thinking I might be playing my HW CE (no butter) as my 2022 New Year's hangover subsides... Planning to take a few aspirins either way - to help my aching head or back! Merry Christmas!

That isn't normal. The only time a ball should autoplunge is on a ball save or multiball. Off the top of my head, I'm not sure what would cause an instant autoplunge. Maybe a stuck switch somewhere? I would recommend contacting Spooky tech support. They will get you fixed right up.

I love this game, but I am also a huge fan of the theme. I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way, but for someone who isn't a big fan of Halloween or horror in general, I would probably recommend Ultraman instead. I think the campy, giant monster battle theme might be more universal or at least "neutral" than Halloween. It's probably easier for non-fans to follow the idea of fighting monsters (even if you never heard of Ultraman) than the specific scenes from Halloween.

Lift the play field and reseat your connectors on the board that is mounted to the underside of play field. I had same problem and it was a loose connector

I heard there is something very exciting that will be added to Halloween very soon. Should be announced around the Holiday update they are putting out. Can’t wait to hear what they have in store for us.

yeah - I own Iron Maiden and absolutely hate the theme. For me that game plays so well that I was able to appreciate it even despite the terrible theme imo.

With halloween, the layout is deliberately odd as it makes you feel like you're battling it a little to stay alive. Very much like the tension of the movie. It all works so well with the theme. Even the uppers - it's you against the machine trying to put the ball into certain places but gravity and everything else is not on your side, so you drop back down and Michael now has the advantage with your health going down. There are even target shots on the 1st upper to get your health back.

It's hard to explain but this game couldn't be more diff than IMDN. For someone to truly understand it, IMO, you need to get why Halloween is legendary. Someone with no knowledge or appreciation can still enjoy what's there but you would be missing a lot of what makes this game special.

Def not a full review of this game as there are areas that need to be enhanced but overall, very happy and fits really well in my lineup.

Thanks I lifted the playfield and reset everything on the main board and still nothing. I called spooky and they couldn’t figure it out. He said to play with the shooter lane switch. When I go into stuck switch’s it only shows the ball troughs as being open. If I push the shooter lane switch down it shows active then when I let it go it say’s inactive.

What a damn mess. Not easy to get to.

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Just responded to my email as well. #198. I've opted for the regular cabinet as this will be in a line-up anyway. Can. not. wait. I played the game at Pintastic and didn't feel I needed to be a horror-con super fan to enjoy the game.

Not saying it is the problem, but maybe seat this better?

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Im not a super fan and didn't buy specifically for Halloween, but rather it's an adult theme that is going to have off the charts immersion in a home use. Low lighting and tense gameplay. Yea it's going to rock.

I’m stoked for this game and I’m not a fan of Halloween. In some ways, I think it is comically bad. I actually find most outdoor screens very distracting w/ California architecture (even outdoor classroom doors) and weather (even palm trees) with a few shipped in leaves from the Midwest.

However, the movie is great at building suspense and the soundtrack is perfect for adding to that tension. I think that is perfect for a game in a dark basement with friends. I also really like the unique layout/gameplay for variety. Plus it doesn’t hurt that it is one of the best looking pins I’ve ever seen. I think it will be a really good contrast to my fast/funny R&M. Honestly, I’m a Spooky fanboy so I was pretty much ready to buy whatever they put up for pre-order.

I get bored with Stern layouts after awhile and don’t trust JJP quality/service… So Halloween it is… until Spooky announces Pee Wee’s Big Adventure in 12 months.

Didn’t work. And while trying to reset the connectors I lost the flashers on the bottom half of my playfield some how. Called spooky they put me on hold for 45 minutes then I hung up.

Well that's not cool. I will be speaking with the service guy. We will get ya taken care of. I'm guessing a jam opto issue

Please if someone can assist me.

Where is the exact route to check the code version.
I have supposedly updated to 1.04 but cannot find any visual clue that I have updated.

What menu do I need to go on to check this. Please if someone can provide me with the exact route, button combo.

At a friends house checking this and would like to resolve now.

Thanks

Open the coin door. Push the menu button. The code version will be listed at the top.

That is what i thought. But i see this.
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Ok after a 2nd go at updating it now shows the new version (not in this pic). All good
Thanks

Your game ships tomorrow

Just in case anyone else runs into this, a menu without the code version listed on this screen is a few versions out. It's an earlier code and not very playable or enjoyable game code wise. Anyone with this will want to upgrade to the latest.

HWCE #142 is coming home!

This was purposely delayed due to my last minute request to change to butter and very pleased with the response from all all involved.

I had received my final payment invoice on 11/21/2021. I wasn't sure about upgrading to butter on HW but I do have it on our ACNC and it's gorgeous. So... after a week, on 11/30/2021 I inquired through Nitro and Morgan from Spooky got back to me right away. She said that it wasn't too late but that I would be delayed a couple/few weeks and that she would locate a butter cab for me. Fast forward to last night and I got the 'delivery' notice, he ships out today!

I guess the burning question now is should I release one of my other pins back into the wild to make room?

#159 is nestled safely under/ or beside the tree for Christmas

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