Doesn’t make any sense when in some videos/interviews they say it’s reliable and works great, now it’s a problem. What changed in a few weeks? Is this a joke, built to create hype??? I don’t understand

Exactly!

In a home environment which most will be, the mech would be fine.

So many good ideas thrown around to compensate for this (love Aurich's idea even if it has to be modified for magnets-love my lights) - find it ironic JJP took so much time up until now to work on the pin - and at the 11 th hour rush out the bad video by Eric that implies this is it - we are going into production.

Everyone already waited so long (compared to a Stern announce/release cycle) I can't get over why they would not take a couple more weeks to brainstorm another alternative (like some mentioned on here). Man I hope I am wrong and Eric states on the podcast they are still contemplating other paths. Just seems like the higher ups said times up - launch.

i believe he was discussing wear not reliability.

How about an arm off the spinning disk motor, operating at a different speed, with a Magnet, or Rare Earth Magnet if the Disk is thin enough....
or a Fidget Spinner with three large magnets at the end spinning?

I think something unique has to be in the game there now.....Happened with Smaug......

I like this thread. Some great ideas here. My favorite so far being a round LCD where the map was. But there’s already an extra LCD in the apron... Maybe they could move that screen to the play field and have it be the compass / map award all in one? I’m ok with the whirlwind disc but this would be a more innovative solution. I think JJP is open to ideas as they’ve shown in the past and this thread could be the catalyst.

WOW Intresting!! Ive played at level 257 a bunch and its had Zero problems that I know of. I'm going to the Launch party this Friday so will they still have the old version or bring a new table???

Whoops.

The only "fix" in my mind is put the spinning discs back in there and make it work like apparently is has been.

Is it difficult coding wise? Should have figured that out a LONG time ago.

If its a cost cutting measure then you can F me running.

This is a superb idea and should be taken very seriously by JJP.

Retain the 3 disks but instead of thinking of their purpose as imparting action on the ball, think of them only as rings that can move based on play. They are engineered to handle this slow movement.

Imagine game begins and 3 rings rotate to random positions. Then, Based on game play(!), one can rotate different rings into certain goal positions. Shooting lit ramps or whatever will move a certain ring a certain direction. Could have pops or something else switch directions of rings too.

Advantage is keeping the center mech as is (just slow), and now stays as central to gameplay! THE PLAYER moves the rings to achieve goals - this actually improves the coolness of this mech to me as the player can see the rings (when spinning they are just a blur). I don't even think of this as a step back just a different interpretation of a cool piece of hardware! This is the point, cool hardware stays so buyers will be much happier than taking it out.

If people will miss the random action on the ball then add a magnet or two.

Fantastic idea TheFamilyArcade!

Sadly it really sounds like a money issue on their behalf - which makes it a money issue on my behalf.

If they do as they announced I will spend my 12.5k elsewhere.

Most likely on a Refinery Edition of a 2018 Stern

Are you suggesting it’s might be a bait and switch?

OK started a poll - please vote:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/potc-save-the-3-disks-poll#post-4340983

JJP needs our support - somethings come off the rails and we can help. Thanks.

Why thank you. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then!

Because it costs the same. I don't think JJP wants to strip the machine, but someone else holds the wallet. They have final say, I'm willing to bet.

You bring up a good point which is on my mind now too and that is whether JJP is operating in good faith here.

The reason given by Eric for removal of the 3 disk is because of reliability. The proposed slow-turning 3-disk compromise keeps the coolness of the original design and could even improve gameplay as it now becomes more interactive instead of just spinning around.

Now if the real reason that they are cutting this is because of cost then we will find out because the simplest possible alternative has now been proposed. So if cost cutting is the real reason then we will know soon enough and I don't think the community will respond well to that.

We'll see how this plays out.

The outer two discs could move slow as described above and the centre disc could spin fast, as that could be set up as a standard play field spinner. In fact the outer rings could be below a clear window, to protect the edges as these rings are only a visual feature.

Another version would be Aurich's idea, with lights to outer rings and the centre a spinner with no lights.

I think a good fix would be: ship it with the pizza for now, continue working on the mech, and ship an updated mech to people who want one once it's prven out. I'd even pay more for it.

I don't think it even needs rotating discs or magnets.

If the solution looked better and was integrated more seamlessly with the rest of the machine I doubt there'd be the outpouring of grief, since there's so much else going on in the machine.

To take Aurich's idea further re: LEDs inserts. You could have larger, possibly ring shaped inserts, in an inanimate disc, with strips of programmable RGB LEDs. You could easily program fairly impressive mode dependent light shows - chase patterns would look potentially much better than rotating discs in representing a whirlpool.

Best of all, it wouldn't require much if any engineering time, as it'd be more of a software issue, and it'd remove any lingering doubts about mechanical reliability.

If they just leave the triple disc and spin it slowly like many others have said they could use the screen for the awards.
Its simply a bad idea to remove the current disc and will cost them many orders in the end. Hopefully they really consider this moving forward.

Except if the decision is to stick with one spinning disk.

Pizza/barf disk is a no go for me.

I hope more people put their foot down on this because it’s bullshit to pay 10k for something you were very excited for only to have end up looking like that.

That's not a bad idea... Kinda like the small wheel and big wheel inserts on Bride of Pinbot!

I wouldn't pay a penny more for a thing.

A lot of good ideas, unfortunately it looks like this thread is dead now.

3 magnets under the playfield versus a single disk that looks out of place and his little affect on the ball sounds much more interesting and fun.

lets be honest, you were never even a potential buyer from the start, correct?

Incorrect.