That's OK. It doesn't make you a bad guy.

There are plenty of pinball enthusiasts that would ask why that should be considered a bad thing. Making a game that appeals to both the EM crowd as well as more modern pin players is a good thing, IMO.

I love both modern DMD games, and old school EM games. I have a great time playing my Metallica, and I have a great time playing my Abra Ca Dabra. The only games I touched in the free play hall at Expo were EMs. But I'm super excited about TBL.

So put me down as a "appeals to both" guy.

But I don't really want my chocolate in my peanut butter in this case. I enjoy them both for different reasons and different moods.

In theory that sounds nice. Unfortunately, Hobbit (so far) does not seem to be appealing to the modern pin players though! That's a big problem.

I don't get all the complaints that there is nothing to do. Not including targets, there are seven main shots: left orbit, left VUK, left ramp, captive ball, right ramp, right VUK, right orbit. Add to that 14 drops, three stand ups and four pop up bash toys. Also, it's very cool that you can pick which flipper you want a ramp shot to return to, as it appears both ramps are easily backhanded, even on the fly.

As a comparison, ACDC (a game highly regarded) has five main shots: left orbit, left ramp, bell, right ramp and right orbit. Plus it has 12 targets. It has several fewer shots than TH. What's the issue?

The video and sound look great and we all know the code will rock.

I agree on Smaug being not so cool - the dragon figure itself looks good, but the coins are out of proportion and therefore makes the dragon look small. The mountain sucks and reminds me of one of those spinning rides at the county fair. And that book...there is no excuse for that book. It has to be a placeholder for an LCD. It just has to....

From what I have heard the book will be replaced with a LCD.

The empty cab is the Smaug Edition. The glossy look is from a mylar-like product that JJP will be selling "separate" for both Hobbit and WoZ. I don't remember seeing anyone else post that the pitch was "decreased" to extend the game play since it was set to one ball per game. I have a short vid that I am having problems posting of Smaug turning around at the end of the game and saying: "I think our little game ends here".

Nope, I'm in like sin. This thing is going to rock when done.

People claiming no flow? Two return ramps with an orbit, plus shit loads of drop targets, targets behind that, with pop up PF shots? There are few games made that have as many shots as this machine. That, with Keith's known rules will turn this into an epic machine.

I have no worries.

One thing I don't see anyone touching on, and I would like Keith to answer if possible - where is the upper PF? I thought it was a contractual necessity of yours to have one in every game you worked on?

I'm not saying it's missing one, but this would be the first.

Seems to make sense, but to my knowledge, NOTHING OFFICIAL REGARDING LCDs OR BOOK REPLACEMENT.

Anyone know if the new PF's are screened or digital transfers? I don't think they screen anymore. Or am I wrong?

Wow, nice!

This one is pretty good and long not sure who posted it

Looks like fun to me...
I wish the kid had taken more shots at the drop targets. He pounded safe shots like he was in a tournament.
-mof

Them ramps need to be brass, 24k gold lol, or something. Granted I love the brushed stainless look. It still needs something. But I do love how the game as EM chimes... J/k Looks like a fun rig.

mummite, good video.. looks like joshua henderson was playing if i had to guess.

You think it looks better then MM?

Yes that is Joshua Henderson playing.

Correct. Nothing official.

Exclusive gameplay:

10K by tomorrow.

Is there some kind of loud "Ping" sound every time the ball hits the slingshots ?

Yep, the left one. Has to go...like the book!

The game was set to one ball. No ball save. You drain and your session is over. So I can understand wanting to play conservatively. My play time was brief.

It's even more annoying in person. Minor issue, super easy to change, but hopefully they get sick of it themselves soon and take care of it.

I wish I'd taken a close up shot of the axes, so I could show you how they really look in person.

Screen shot of my 206K score on 1-Ball Hobbit.

HobbitScore.jpg

I was not really into this game based on the stills. The video gives me hope!

I was wondering something and for what I have seen will the diverter only be responsible for the incline loop?

No clue and I also want to know how the ball gets to the left wireform back to the kick back?

New videos anyone?

There you go. Just found it on youtube.

That's more of looking at guys asses then seeing anything hobbit related lol

And what have YOU contributed today, funny guy?

It sure is nice to see a game with all metal ramps and habitrails every once in a while..

Boy the WOZ does look good sitting there.

This game looks incredibly lame. What does that dragon do? Does he just sit there and open his mouth? That's the big "toy"? Is it interactive? I have to play this one....but it looks like a huge bummer. I had high hopes for this game...

I think pinball got too complicated for the casual player. On location this minimalist appearance may help gain players. Flippers and targets to knock down. Simple. I agree with Jack that pinball can have a place in the outside world. If that is true the home buyer may not always get what he wants at the right price.

The more video I see, the more I don't want it!

This is why we all came back from Expo saying what we did.
By the way this also what the folks around the game looked like after the first hour. Everyone drifted off to see all the other new stuff.

After now owning RIBION I am looking forward to Pats new game.

For me it is the opposite effect. The more videos I see, I see the big potential this game has. Put in a few more bling in the back, so it will look good and try to imagine what Keith will do with the droptargets, the diverters, pop ups......

And I still think now after what we heard from JJP, this game will be a hit.

Yes Jack always said it would be a very different game to WOZ. This machine should really let us know what the market wants. Home buyers I don't know but I'm confident with TH on location. I think it will beat WOZ and that would be very promising.

Here is another NEW video I have not seen in this thread. In all the videos the right ramp always seems to reject the ball where as the left ramp seems to have better flow. Maybe its just a leveling thing, anyone else notice this?

My 2c and I did not like the layout or gameplay so that is right out there. All these early games at shows that are beaten up for ramp shots, weak flippers or leveling are being misjudged.
At your home you would tweak a 100% finshed product to perfection. These are protypes to show and the games are shoved in a big room.
We need to let the tiny crap that will be adjusted go and focus on design and shot layout etc.

I'm fine with the rotating, talking Smaug - but really hope they upgrade the sculpture. It's just not up to snuff when you see it sitting there right below the impressive footage of Smaug on the video screen. The style of Smaug is consistent with the other playfield models and I know it would be hard to change at this point, but hope they can do something to improve the detail so that it ties in better with the overall art direction.

Am writing because there have been so many negative posts about aspects of TH lately, that it tends to color and overshadow what you see.

So to anybody who has already cancelled or is thinking about cancelling their Hobbit order solely because they didn’t like some of the artistic elements from Expo - you sure that’s what you want to do? Have you watched any of the video links above? Even with some basic programming in place, this game looks very fun and it is easy to see potential greatness that the rules will make. Rewatch these two recent ones if you get the chance. Pay attention to lcd, or to scoring, or to shooting, or to the popups, or to music et al. Both guys playing look to be immersed. imho - this game is very good at this stage and is only getting better every day.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/ynPVwstcw5s?autoplay=1&rel=0

http://www.youtube.com/embed/lqntE3K58D0?autoplay=1&rel=0

all that stuff is great for the person watching the player but the play itself sucks do far.

Boshie!! Just everyone walked away at expo bored and shocked at this brickfest. Have you even played it or is this all boshie!!

Haven't played one and basing comments entirely from watching videos. Tried to clearly state this in original post. If this game doesn't impress you (not you specifically) then I don't know what will. There is a ton of stuff going on, and even if you liked pins x and y better, it would still be better than your pin z. If you were to say this pin looks bad (what could be worse than NGG artwork) or that there is no redeeming value to playing one, then there is no convincing you (not you specifically).

Looking forward to seeing some adjustments based on feedback gathered at Expo and further software development. If you compare this pin to the others being produced, you may notice the talent depicted so far by this team and the depth of the game being developed. I appreciate the efforts so far and will probably be pleased with the finished product. If they do a better job, it will be a welcome addition. If they hit it out of the park, it will become a keeper.

At some point you have to ask what you expect out of a pinball machine. It is either a means to earn quarters or a toy for your home, depending on your perspective. It won't solve all your problems nor substitute as a partner. Seems to be hovering at a little less than average at this point. Your individual level of enthusiasm and tolerance for risk colors how much potential you believe is still locked inside.

I played it and saw it I person. As did many here here that went to expo. How can you keep making comments on a game you have not seen??

I opened a WOZ this weekend. Granted, I upgraded the code to 4.1 before I played. But the play and flow of the game had no similarity whatsoever with any of the many videos I had watched prior. The live game was so much better.