#80 here, hoping for a pre-Halloween miracle.

Looks awesome! I’m digging the mode select.

Just got my email. #80

#80 invoiced

#80 going on the truck today.

Could be a number of factors. No worries, it will arrive shortly.

I posted my status so everyone can kind of get a rough idea where Spooky is at. I didn’t mean to cause hurt feelings for anyone waiting for their game. Spooky is cranking them out as quickly as possible! Relax and have a cold one.

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Just talked to the shipper. #80 loaded on the truck a bit late, but on the way now and should be here in two days. Looks like Spooky is working into the 90s and then triple digits.

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That’s cool. Sean Clark is an amazing wealth of knowledge and he has a ton of cool shit. I encourage you guys to check out his YouTube channel, and he has many extras on horror blu rays where he goes back to original filming locations.

There is absolutely blood in Halloween, just not a lot. Same with Texas Chainsaw Massacre. They’re iconic ‘slashers,’ but without the gore.

#80

The night no one comes home (or goes to work)

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Game is set up!

The powdercoat is amazing and compliments the art nicely. The backglass has some subtle sparkle and the whole topper is lit up. I have about 1/2” of clearance to the ceiling at 88”.

Game shoots great, a few jumpy balls but it should calm down. No knife handle rod yet.

The Spooky crew probably had a few too many IPAs and forgot my power cord, but I’m sure Iron Maiden won’t mind if I borrowed. I called AJ and a new cord should be on the way.

This one’s a winner!
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This is a Halloween thread, but thanks! I enjoy powder on all my games.

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Things I enjoy so far:
- The lightshow is amazing
- The music and sound effects are nice and tie in with the mood
- Flow baby!
- The ball will appear where I don’t expect it, so you never really feel safe
- I actually like the animations… a fully CGI Michael Myers would likely look silly, so the Quick Time clips are fine (for now)
- The art (duh)
- The powdercoat on the ramps and other metal parts is great

Nitpicks:
- The callouts need a ton more variety… lots of constantly repeating voice clips
- The Donald Pleasance sound alike is fine, but used waaaaay too much and his voice is super loud; the PJ Soles callouts are still quiet
- One of the signs was held on with tape and fell off after 5 plays or so
- Some of the movie clips are cut short
- I’d like another way to get to the house other than blood or spamming the center ramp; seems like a huge chunk of real estate to only use sparingly

Anyway, the game is a ton of fun and Team Spooky should be proud. Just keep them updates coming!

How can you tell the code version? I’m running whatever version it shipped with, and I was going to update with the next code drop.

I don't see that, so I'm guessing I have earlier code.

Edit: The game shipped with 1.01

Copied from their Facebook page. This was the Halloween code update, so I’m not sure if this is 1.02 or 1.03.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_1ejyduH9eE3Fnq4zm6dJgDjtkWRxJY_/view?fbclid=IwAR0DWrFzr4lYEPHBew0FwdOhvNu140brnIlufKzoLfuYx4is4Rapf2OP_Qw

I’m getting some rejects on the left ramp. It seems the screws are kind of janky. Anyone else have this? If so, tips on lifting the playfield to fix?

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I meant lifting the upper playfield. You can’t access the screws to tighten without lifting some stuff.

Thanks, I’ll give it another look.

Yikes, yeah, same thing two months ago.

As an early adopter, I expect normal tweaking and dealing with some issues. I’ll fix this and move on, no big deal. But going forward, this is a problem to address.

That’s cool. I wouldn’t mind a mod that covers the servo motor.

I don’t disagree with any of it. Nicely put. Enjoy!

The topper knife kept falling off, and I didn’t have a hex wrench small enough to tighten the screw.

I purchased a Tekton wrench kit, and the right size is the long arm 0.050.

Posted in case anyone else has this issue. Easy fix with the right tool.
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Ha, I’m on 1.01, and if I hear ‘You ever done anything like this before?’ one more time, I’m gonna punch a baby!

Clearcoated direct print cabinet. $1000 add-on.

I have a ramp, power cord and LED strip on the way.

Man, lots of bugs with 1.02. I sent many to Bug, but there are a few that prevent you from progressing. Sanitarium mode won’t leave the drop target down, so the mode never ends. The house mode won’t time out, and if stacked with Bob and Linda, there’s nothing you can do but drain to get out of the mode.

Hopefully the next update with address these bugs. I thought 1.01 was pretty stable.

Awesome, that’s what I figured. I know they’re all over it.

https://www.pinballlife.com/interior-cabinet-protector-blade-set.html

Rules flowchart is up. Code is still 1.02. Maybe tomorrow…

https://new.spookypinball.com/game-support/

Is there a spare 12V connector in the backbox or cabinet? I was thinking of adding lit flipper buttons, I just need the molex and spare connector.

https://www.pinballlife.com/britemods-store.html

Check inside the cabinet towards the front. I have a USB extender by the coin door so I can update from there.

Installed the new ramp. Roughly 10,000x better. No rejects.

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Just two screws at the bottom. Easy off, easy on. You don’t need to remove anything.

Awesome, congratulations on multiple fronts! Even if you get an old ramp, you could probably hold your breath and change out the new one without a problem. All you need is a screwdriver. Remove four screws, remove the ramp, install new ramp, install two screws, and play! Nothing to remove.

Now, tweaking the demogorgon in Stranger Things about put me in the asylum...

Send a picture. If it’s the old style, you’ll need a new ramp.

Sorry, I meant the left ramp.

News on V1.03? You can’t progress past Sanitarium with the current code.

I like the current direction, though!

Theme integration is great, and the team behind the game is passionate about improvements. They also listen to the community. I won’t be selling mine.

However, if IE Pinball was running 1.02, I understand. There are modes (Sanitarium, House Attack) that will not let you progress. If you make 3 center ramp shots, you’re stuck unless you drain. If you start Sanitarium, you’re stuck unless you drain.

I know future updates will squash these bugs, but they’re unfortunate and put a damper on an otherwise great experience.

To end Sanitarium, you have to go through the scoop… but the drop target won’t stay down.

1.01 was great. No huge issues. 1.02 introduced some serious bugs.

I don’t want to bash code, though. I really like the game and it will get better. As an early adopter, I expected this. All part of the journey.

The lower LED strip went out. Spooky sent a replacement, easy install. Took me maybe 20 minutes to remove the old one and install the new one. The most time consuming part was the new zip ties.

The LED strip is adhesive, but secured with zip ties. Once installed, you can’t see them.

I’m sure Spooky will get you going. Sucks, but congrats on the game!

I have this one on Elvira. It’s cast resin and hand painted vs a flat plastic. And it’s cheaper than the other one! Lots of options if you like this stuff.

https://backalleycreations.com/collections/elvira-house-of-horrors-pinball-mods/products/red-dripping-blood-shooter-housing-mod
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Ha! Fun fact… Back Alley Matt is the guy who molded the toys on Halloween. So, support the guy that made the peek-a-boo Michael!

My $3 pingulp mod!

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God bless Etsy. Get the 5” version, though you’ll need to trim a little.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1086652939/michael-myers-decal-sticker-sticker-for?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=michael+myers+sticker&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&tr_rank=4&organic_search_click=1&pro=1&variation1=2222697930

Ha, that was a gift from a family friend. She hand painted a white cabinet with some Kiss pinball stuff on it. I keep my random pinball shit in there.

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Same. Game rebooted mid-game. That’s never happened before. I also drained with a ball in the ball lock and it didn’t release. Ball search didn’t clear it.

I like the new instructions, but I wish House Attack timed out. Three shots to the center ramp and you’re in House Attack. There is nothing else for you to do other than drain or complete the mode.

And, if you knock down the drop targets to start a mode but you’re doing something else, a shot to the pumpkin starts Mode 1. Not sure if that’s intentional.

Yup

It should be flush. That’s not right.

Don’t forget to grab him a beer.

V1.04b is up.

FIXED mode select could start while ball was on playfield.
FIXED judith lock would not release ball on last ball drain if you let the full lock animation play out
FIXED mid playfield drop target unnecessary resets
FIXED upper drop target resets on ball start

That’s awesome! I was sweating my ceiling height, but fortunately, I had plenty of room. At least a good 1/8”.

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The mode is actually called ‘Death in the Driver Seat,’ which I think is a typo.

It should be ‘Death in the Driver’s Seat.’

My biggest issue continues to be that the house mode puts the game at a dead stop. Even starting a mode during house attack keeps the house music going, making you feel like that’s all there is. There’s no timing out of it.

For future updates, I’d concentrate on how the game handles stacking and improving the on screen display instructions. The font is way too small, and callouts don’t offer instruction with some modes. It’s a little disjointed now.

Having said that, I love hedge multiball and the incidental modes. It’s a shooter’s game, definitely.

Typo alert!

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Series, not serias

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

Awesome, that would be welcome. I’d love a better way to stack, frenzy mode, earning an extra ball, etc. Everything seems to be coming along nicely, though.

Updating now, perfect timing!

Early thoughts:
Stalker mode is awesome! I have no idea how I started it though. Love the music. I also appreciate the end of mode score summary. No drop target resets after the skill shot, thank you!

Bugs? Sanitarium timed out on the screen, though the mode kept going.

Great update, the game is starting take Shape.

Ha, yeah I watched the video and finally figured it out. I wasn’t sure what to expect when the pumpkin started flashing blue, so it was a pretty neat surprise.

Same. I'd like to pick up the powdered plate when the knife handle arrives.

I was having some issues with the three center drop targets either not dropping all the way or not dropping at all with a solid hit. No issues with the other drops.

I pulled the springs and discovered the center drops have a shorter spring than the other three separate drops. I switched springs and sure enough, the single drop springs worked great. I reached out to Spooky for new center drop target springs.

There was a similar issue with the Scolari brothers drops in GB fixed with new springs.

Edit: The good spring, as confirmed by Spooky, is a 10-364.

https://www.pinballlife.com/williamsbally-flipper-extension-spring.html

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Thoughts after two months of ownership:

Things I don’t like:
- Modes don’t have memory. I have to start from scratch if I fail a mode. Frustrating, not fun.
- Some modes time out, others don’t.
- LCD animations. I’m fine with the static frames, but the font is way too small. Instructions are difficult to read on the fly.
- Not all the shots are utilized in each mode. I enjoy games where every shot will lead me to a goal (IMDN, EHOH). This is a sharpshooter game, for better or worse.
- Many of the transitions are sloppy (Hedge multiball).
- The three Michaels on the left. It’s redundant. One would have been cool.
- Lit shots are unclear sometimes. Is purple good or bad? Is green good? Red? I don’t know.
- Dr. Loomis sound-alike. He’s fine in small doses, but he’s always talking. When I drain, he congratulates me on my survival. Hmmm.
- The Easy mode (II) is really tough, and the Hard mode (VI) is super easy.

What I like:
- The music is totally immersive. It puts you in the Halloween movie.
- The mechs are good, especially the house ramp to the magnet. Very satisfying.
- I’m fine with the bare LEDs. I think a diffuser would help, but they’re integrated well.
- PJ Soles callouts. She was in the movie, and I’d like more callouts from her.
- Stalker Mode. Nice touch.
- The flow. It’s unique, not ST flowy, but a nice mix of smooth and stop/aim.

What I love:
- The art. My God, it’s gorgeous.
- Spooky’s passion to make the best game possible. They’re responsive and own their mistakes.
- The powdercoated speaker covers, ramps and wireforms. Nice attention to detail.
- The topper. It’s the first thing I show everyone.
- The payoff after Mode II.
- The RGB lighting. Fantastic lightshow all around.
- The joy of playing as a true Halloween fan. You can tell Spooky are fans as well and want to make this an amazing experience.
- Spooky’s response time to any issues.
- Did I mention the art? Stunning.
- The sculpts. Kudos to Back Alley Matt. The pumpkin, tombstone and Michael figures are top notch.
- This game is loaded. Four flippers, four scoops, six drops, multiple subways, magnet, four ramps, two spinners, two upper playfields, RGB lighting, the list goes on.

To anyone waiting on their game, you’re in for a treat. Be patient, it will only get better!

Fair, but that’s 100% personal preference. HWN is a sharpshooter game. I enjoy game games where even if I miss a shot, I’ll move towards something (Gappa Angry in EHOH, Super Ramps, Super Orbits in IMDN, etc).

Not a knock against the game at all, I just don’t like wasted shots.

No fuse. You have a bad LED strip. My lower one has gone out twice, and I’ve replaced it twice. Reach out to Spooky and they will send you a new one.

The LED strips are just normal RGB strips with a 4 plug connector. They’re cheap, and it’s kind of a roll of the dice if you get a bad one. If one light goes out, the rest after go out.

It’s an easy replacement, maybe 15 minutes and a few zip ties. Annoying, for sure, but not a biggie.

I thought that was a bug as well, but I believe it's intentional. You raise the three drop targets by hitting combos.

Meaning, you start and finish a mode. The center drops don't automatically raise *unless* you hit a certain number of combos. The combo amount goes up after each completed mode. I think I've missed this because my ball times have been shit and the center drops raise with each new ball, but I had a decent game last night with multiple completed modes. I was only able to raise the center drops by hitting combos.

Anyway, I'm sure there's someone smarter than me who can confirm.

You can barely see them. The LEDs have adhesive, but the zip ties add stability. You can always remove them if they bother you, maybe 15 seconds of effort tops.

#80 here. No knife handle shooter rod. Spooky, please put me at the bottom of the list, because after careful testing, the game plays fine without it.

Okay

I have an extra ramp with no screws. One was mistakenly sent to my old address. If you pm me your address, I’ll send it to you.

10-364 is the spring number you need. I wouldn’t bother them with that, just the ramp fix. Just pick up a few 10-364 springs from pinballlife with your next order, they’re $0.39.

Yup. The adult mode leads to the payoff after Mode 2. I won't ruin it for ya, but Lynda may ask if you see anything you like.

There’s a bunch on Etsy as well. Just type Strode Realty and you have your pick.

Open the coin door.

Press the green button to get to the menu and select an option. The black buttons cycle through your options. The red button will exit.
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No

I’d go into switch test. Hit the menu button and get to the below screen. Take a pinball and roll it over the flaky switch. If it doesn’t register, get underneath the playfield and adjust the leaf switch. Meaning, there should be good contact when the ball rolls over the switch.

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Yes. It’s possible you have a loose or flaky switch, or the gap is too wide to detect a fast hit. Or, the ball is somehow catching some air before the switch. If you can get the switch to work during test, it’s not the switch. You should be able to narrow it down from there.

My experiences have been similar. I also agree that this will all get sorted.

To reset the center drops, I believed you needed to hit a certain number or combos. I’m not sure that’s accurate now after trying the same thing after a few games.

If you’ve played a mode and then started House Attack or Sanitarium, you’re kind of stuck unless you drain.

Halloween II?

Halloween III?????!!!!

Ha, anything less than all 36 Halloween movies, remakes and reboots crammed into the game will be a crushing disappointment. I’ve got my action dolls ready!

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Got my shooter housing today. Looks great and a perfect match. Up to you if it’s worth the $$$, but I’ll have the game for a while.

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Here ya go!

https://www.lanezcustomsteel.com/collection/halloween-color-matched-shooter-rod-housing

Finished product:

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Normal cup holder and a $3 Etsy decal.

Backalleycreations.com. Matt is closed right now, but Cointaker should have most of his stuff.

The pumpkin scoop. It's a tough ass shot from the flippers, so a common technique is to get the ball to the upper playfield and let it drain to the scoop.

The only non-invasive fix is to slightly bend the scoop protector. This may allow for an easier shot from the flippers, but it's still a tough shot.

I have mini SuperBands on the upper flippers. They fit perfectly.

I finally installed 10-364 springs in the center drop targets to fix the rejected hits. Well, the new springs were too powerful and the drop targets wouldn’t fully engage back up. I tried to loosen the new springs a bit, but that didn’t work either.

What I wound up doing was snipping about 1/8” from the old springs to keep the diameter but increase tension slightly.

So far, this seems to work. Drops go down when hit, pop back up after each ball, etc. YMMV

Yup. Mine does this also. I just cycle the power and all is back to normal.

No. I’ve had the lockup issue maybe 10 times, a power cycle does the trick. The game will lock up if it’s been on for a few hours.

I wasn’t hugely concerned with it, and figured it was another gremlin that would be squashed with future updates.

That’s 40 plays a day, every day!

Ha, no that's great. It also likely gives Spooky some great data on long-term issues and problem areas. Play on!