At least you only have to hit the ramp 11 times if it is KFP.
not like International Rescue, 19 times

I heard it was a generic surfing themed game.

Spelling 'International Rescue' is the equivalent to getting to Valinor. Such an epic journey.

Nah not really.

Has he gone bankrupt yet?

Wow. I just finished reading through this entire thread (well, I started on pg. 25, but close enough). What a crazy read! It seems like Mike was his own worst-enemy in a lot of ways. I am glad that it finally seems like everyone who pre-ordered got their games. That's true isn't it? I hope they've gotten them by now. A few things stuck out to me while reading:

1) I just don't understand how Mike could make such a poor playing pinball machine? It sounds like the shots, layout, and rules code are almost universally regarded by everyone as terrible. You would think that as someone who, in Mike's own words, fixed and maintained pinball machines for over 30 years, he would know that his game wasn't very fun to play. Most of the people who say they like Tbirds, would probably like almost any pinball machine I'd imagine. If an owner/family loves playing TBRDS, imagine how much fun they'd have with a really good pinball machine. And the thing is, no one argues that Mike didn't work hard, and no one argues that setting up that factory was a feat in itself, that's not the issue. (Although I don't understand how Spooky can finish 2 pins a day with fewer employees, and Mike struggles with even 1) The real issue is that the game just isn't really fun apparently. I feel kinda bad because someone (I assume Mike) did design the thing, and I hate being critical of another's efforts and art, but come on how could a game like this get out of the prototype stages?

2) It doesn't make a lot of sense to try and sell pinball machines to the Asian market, but then give your machine a theme that only resonates in Commonwealth countries, and with a limited number of North Americans. I don't get it. I understand the next pin will be China-themed, but why wasn't his first one? Since he stated that's the market he really wanted anyway. This brings up something else that I've been thinking about. I know the Chinese don't know what pinball is, but what about Pachinko? Its huge in Japan, so I'd have to imagine people in China have at least heard of it. What if someone designed a sort of hybrid pinball/pachinko machine. Maybe it'd be a pachinko with flippers or something. Perhaps that would be the ticket to breaking into China and Asia? Pachinko is pinball's cousin anyway, so making a hybrid would sorta be like re-merging the two games back together.

3) I know Mike stated many times he couldn't afford to / didn't want to hire a PR person. But its one of those things where having a friendly, and personally/emotionally un-invested person to handle social media and customer/potential-customer interactions will pay for itself in the long run. In the short term, you will pay more salary out, but in the long term you will build goodwill and improve your brand image, ultimately resulting in more sales and more profits and more games! A social media/marketing rep for Homepin wouldn't have make a bunch of false claims (which is apparently what Mike thinks PR people do), a PR Rep could simply take the burden off of Mike public-wise and help him build his image. This is basic business stuff, that a lot of companies miss. Look long term, not short term, when it comes to cost cuttings and benefits.

Well, those were just the main thoughts that popped into head during the 50+ pages of reading I did! I wonder if there will be any new developments to come.

I could be wrong, but not all pre-orders have been delivered

I know of one guy when last I spoke to him has not received his game. So answer is No unless he steps up here and says to the contrary.

repairing / owning pinball does not make you a good designer lol 2 completely different things!

Still pre orders waiting about 12. Mike hopes to have them ready to ship in a month. Still no word on topper or new code I was told was ready in Feb, when I air freighted mine. Who knows or cares anymore, I just hope the remaining pre orders get their games.

Btw how many pre orders were there on the beginning?

Considering the definition of pre order was changed by Mike. I think there might of been around 20 original and maybe upto another 20 preorders who came in after the original cut off.

DING DANG

30% non delivery sounds harsh

But but...didn't Mike exclaim loudly that all the preorder machines were built and sitting, ready to go...you just had to pay that freight fee?

Guess so. So that may explain the reason no supply. But I also recall the original deal was free shipping and then only when space became available on a container. Surely there's be a container or two shipped to Oz by now?

Maybe the saying "slow boat from China" is true

First (I think) image of the new Homepin machine aimed "primarily" but "not only" at the Chinese market.

Unsure if the title is actually 中国僵尸 / Zhōngguó jiāngshī (English translation: Chinese Zombies) or if it's just a description (see symbols on backglass, dmd and twice on the front) as there appears to be another, more central, logo that has been blurred out.

中国僵尸

Is that a proper flipper button?

Translation: Chinese Zombies

Because the Chinese like frivolous and expensive dalliances just as much as westerners?

https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-middle-class-is-exploding-2016-8

I doubt this is about selling pinballs to home buyers. I'd imagine operating equipment on location is an exploding business though.

Right, but someone who enjoys playing pinball would surely be able to recognize a good game from a bad one, wouldn't they? Obviously, there is always the matter of personal taste, but in the case of Tbirds it seems like most players take an instant dislike to it. I wouldn't want to attempt to design a pin myself, but I can easily tell the fun pins from the not so fun ones. There are always outliers, but pinheads seem to generally agree when a pin is really awesome or when its really not. So I would have thought Mike would have been able to tell that his game wasn't so hot.

So the Ice Cold Surfers game still going?

When is the official unveiling of this new abomination?

In that case the most logical name for the company would certainly have to be Homepin.

Are they taking pre orders for the new machine?

Pachinko is gambling, like slot machines or video poker in the U.S. and is only popular in Japan, not other parts of Asia. Gambling is also illegal in China (with the exception of places like Macau and HK), so trying to introduce something like pachinko into China wouldn't be prudent.

It's something Jiangshi. Jiangshi is the traditional Chinese folklore equivalent of a vampire zombie that jumps around

First of I'm glad he keeps his business running. That means he'll still eventually ship those Thunderbirds preorders.

Second I'm happy that someone tries to cater themes targetting outside the US market, so we get more variety and choice...

...saying this I'd thought he'd do a Kung-Fu (Jackie Chan?) machine. Or some Anime.
(So something that is not US centric but would still be bought from a lot of western people.)

Not too sure about his one.

Lol...still using a DMD!! Idiot! Even Haggis...(the real and only Aussie Manufacturer) is using a LCD!!

Finally got onto one of these today. It looked very lonely and unloved at Melbourne Flipout. Only game without a player let alone a queue. I got bored very quickly, not as quick as Timbo who walked off half way through my second ball. Weird game, flippers felt like an old Williams 25volt system with a built in delay. Like the artwork I guess.

Better good DMD then shitty LCD.

What?

Yeah...but have you seen the game mate!! Lol

but it took him 5years, 4months, 3 weeks, 2 days and 1hr to start delivering game one and then more time for fixes and was going to do a code update but that has gone quiet

at least Deeproot hasn't taken people's money, Mike did and still hasn't delivered

It is worth a reminder that the millions they're burning through did come from somewhere. It's likely inevitable that people will be hurt financially if they have no viable business ... and certainly it's not a good look for the pinball industry, if that happens.

Have you actually seen what's on a Thunderbirds DMD?

Mike said lots of things.....most were lies.

Imagine THAT on a LCD.

Played TBirds for the first time yesterday at Melbourne Pin Expo, what a steaming pile. I've been hesitant to be too critical, but wow, there simply are no redeeming features on the pin. Played two balls and walked away, glad I finally got my hands on one, but no thanks!! Kudos to Homepin in making their very first pin, but they have a long long way to go to match the quality of other small/boutique companies. Build quality seemed decent, I actually don't mind the theme, but gameplay was terrible. And the flipper buttons? The one thing that connects the player to the machine... terrible decision. Hire some legitimate experienced people and maybe theirs hope, but not when there are so many better options out there.

Yeah, I think a big part of the problem is that Mike is literally the only guy at Homepin who's into pinball, or who even knows anything about it. At least that's the impression I got from watching the factory-tour video that he did with that guy on youtube. Usually at boutique/startup pinball companies almost everyone on the team is a pinhead.

And to make matters worse, the only real pinball machine that the factory workers have access to, and can compare TBirds against, is The Getaway. And while I personally like The Getaway quite a bit, if I could only show someone one example of a modern pinball machine, I don't think that'd be the one I'd choose. I would think that you'd really want a selection of a few different pins, at least one of which was made in the 21st century. In order to help his workers wrap their heads around pinball.

And the sad thing is, based on what I've seen, Mike really has been putting everything into this project/company. But without any experienced people on his team, this is what you get.

I think its a smart move to tackle the chinees market with a chinees pinball machine.
If he is lucky he can make it for years.
For the chinees pinball is new just like us 70 years ago.

Most pins at Flipout had between 600-1,000 games played on them TBAG had 26 all weekend
but 100 games Started

That speaks volumes right there. It offers zero enjoyment. Playing through a full 3-ball game is a feat in mental and emotional endurance. By the time you drain the second ball you're left with an overwhelming desire to hug your kids and tell friends and family that you love them. That explains your audits.

Looks like a generic pinball you get from AliBaba.com

Any news on the ICB clone ?!

Yes it comes with a Free Thunderbirds Pinball

Last of the preorder pins have finally left the factory. Now have to wait for them to all be delivered before Mike will start on our toppers. Sadly no new code on horizon, usual bs.

Posting here rather than in a FS thread. Doug you might like Mike’s attitude but from a customers point of view it sucks. No point going into details but he has definitely burnt his bridges with me and many other customers. I like Spooky’s attitude, they alway put their customers first, their customer service is fantastic whereas Mike picks emails to respond to and constantly justifying his forever changing position. I hate the “it’s everyone else’s fault but mine” attitude.

Gavin can you please supply the cargo ship and tracking as i am very interested in this part of the journey! I think it was 2 years ago things were at this stage for the preorder supply!