https://sternpinball.com/game/the-mandalorian/

Are you in the right thread?

Definitely correct there!

I guess here, it just adds to the jarring lack of harmony and balance presented in this GUI.

but hey, it is !

Or the hot wheels and floating eye in Demo man.

Not so funny tho, that demo man floating eye, once plentiful was pulled as a choking hazard, so now they only sell the big floating eyes, ergo, no longer easy to replace :/

Moral of the story, is I should have bought out those cake toppers while they were cheap.. no doubt the Amazon algorithm is doubling the price any time now

I figured it was a continuation of the cake topper blues.

Pinmonk you are right in what you say, but from my perspective as a JJP customer the story is very different.

WOZ was my first ever pin. I was a huge advocate for JJP at the time and their vision to transform pinball. The quality, the vision, the team, the super deep code, the mechs, etc. It was all off the charts. I was not really a Stern fan at the time, their games just didn't seem to compare.

I bought Hobbit and loved it (still do). After Hobbit things changed... DI was a genius design but the theme sucked and turned me right off (I've since played the game a lot and have warmed to it). Then there was POTC which is well documented. I've played the original 3 wheel design and the other one, I don't rate the game at all (again just my opinion).

Then Wonka which was a dream theme for me, an insta-buy. But it fell way short of the potential so I bailed. This release was also important as it felt stripped down compared to what had come before. Then came GNR which I detest, despite the playfield issues it felt like a very boring game. Then the present day with the debacle that is TS4.

What's ironic to me is that Stern on the other hand has transformed themselves in the face of some competition. Some good themes, code is much better, good multimedia/screen, Elwin has developed some classics, they are handling warranty issues, etc. A few years ago you would not have bet money on Stern games having more tech under the hood than JJP, yet here we are.

I'm sure the change in company direction is not by design. JJP started with a vision which has had to adapt to keep them in business. Perhaps their current model of stripped down games with high polish will keep them afloat against the Stern mega-machine, only time will tell. But for me it's a case of all fur coat but no knickers.

I get the feeling that the distributors are playing games. Saying the CE's are sold out and having a long waiting list. The three I tried also said that to me. But I also got call from two of them already saying they got a spot opening up and if I was quick I was able to get one.

Making good use of fomo but unfortunately for them, for me the value is not there. Prices have risen too much for what the games are worth. I do not doubt the game is fun but I think it will not be as good long term as previous JJP offerings. This raise of price does also not feel like inflation correction but just a raise to see how far people will go. Price for a CE here is over 19000 euro with shipping.

My guess is that the CE's are mostly gobbled up by flippers or collectors/flippers (I know three guys that all three ordered two CE's) and when the dust settles and the fomo wears of, I think they will be quick to cancel their double orders. I even think they are not sold out at all by the distibutors, they just say so to be able to convince people that when they have one we should quickly buy it even at ridiculous prices.

Why can't we just be a bit more patient as a community and stop those flippers from ruining the hobby. Also do not pay over MSRP. If we all stop doing that, prices will drop and games will be available eventually. It is not like you can buy a CE now and get it tomorrow anyway.

Stern? More tech under the hood? Aside from the better-integrated insider connected, to what do you refer? Magnets? Newton balls? Coil-operated toys? Servos? Elwin has used old pinball chestnuts in new and clever ways, but what is this new tech you speak of? Stern doesn't even have bluetooth support for wireless headphones (or an included wired jack) or a camera. They're hardly the tech leader except for insider connected and their magical flipper heat management tech.

I may decide Toy Story 4 sucks, but we'll see where I end up when it gets here next week and I've had some time on it. I've owned every JJP except Wonka, which I have played enough to know I didn't want, so I have plenty of JJP-specific perspective. I don't really see the need for lamentation and the wearing of sackcloth and ash over what's been seen so far, but it fits with every single JJP launch to date, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Just go to the source. $2-4 a set on Alibaba.

Sorry tech probably wasn't the right word, maybe innovation was right as you suggested. But yeah, fresh ideas, something that felt exciting. The first time I played AIQ I had no idea where the ball was coming from, it felt great. The TS4 reveal sunk me... a tablet to play a poor version of the real thing, 2 spinners, hit a target during multiball for jackpot (really?!). Theme integration is also terrible. There is nothing about this game that captures the heart and essence of the Toy Story universe, they have been reduced to fluff.

My point is that I was a staunch JJP fan and they have totally lost me. I was ready to 100% buy Wonka and TS but alas... Good for them if they are selling games though.

It's not the end of the world. They lost me on Wonka (another Lawlor), but just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in with GnR, which I really like a LOT. In the end, it's only pinball, and there will be another one shortly.

when I thought i was out they pull me back in.gif

Great game. Curry is superhuman and the best shooter of all time and Wiggins seems to be the new splash brother. He's picking it up as Klay works to gets his consistency of rhythm and shot back. Next year could be a repeat if things could continue on this trajectory.
Really great and long comeback from earning the worst in the league after their 3rd 2018 (?) Ring.

I really think this game will push a lot of home collectors to the locations and barcades. I feel like this game is going to crush it on location. And the high traffic places can most certainly pay $12k for an LE and still get a decent return on investment. For sure, there will still be the home customer. But, more will choose the option to play on route with the current price tag.

This game doesn't have to have a ton of mechs and creativity to earn well. And a kid or barcade patron doesn't care it says "4" after Toy Story. The theme, glow of the machine, and energy will make it print some money.

I chose the option to cancel my CE order. But, I absolutely cannot wait to play it at Tilt Pinball Bar. And maybe someday I will pick one up. Just doesn't have to be RIGHT NOW! Just awesome to have a new pinball release no matter what.

Cheers everyone. And happy Friday.

Brian

Hope the operators have the same enthusiasm you do. Having to pay 5k more compared to a Stern pro is a lot.

I also tip my hat to JJP for not releasing some bullshit LE+ that includes the topper just days after selling out of the CE...... Or magically finding a couple extra hundred CE's that they forgot about somewhere hidden in the corner they could sell!!

All depends on how heavy the cash box is and how long that lasts...

I think it’s clear that many are disappointed, including myself. What’s really interesting is the flip market. It’s going to be hilarious watching these fools go lower and lower as the market continues to realize what’s going on here.

Take ThirdFlipper - guy lists his flip attempt lower and lower each day. Started 25, now 16.5. Prob 15 tomorrow so he’s not stuck actually losing money as this market will flood. What was telling yesterday too was GAP selling their CE at cost. Look at their ads/sales history and they’re hardly the boyscout in the group when it comes to pricing.

Remember - TS4 sold through to distributors and flippers but what about to actual customers? Time will tell but when the flip market is this soft, prepare for some nice pricing during the next year as customers, who truly bought this game to play, get bored as well. I’ll predict LE 9500 within 6-12 months.

No corners cut on that CE @15k! The best are guys continuing to convince themselves this game is worth that much when in their gut, they know better. Only in pinball does someone hold on to a 15k+ expense like it is a badge of honor. It’s delusional. Credit to MaxIsDead for breaking that trend and using his brain and speaking with his wallet.

We deserve better

This additional points scoring display feature can be turned off in the settings.

With respect, I think you're wrong and totally out of touch with what the majority of kids/teens want. They would rather play a claw machine than a pinball machine.

I agree with the kids. I was going more with locations that serve alcohol but also allow kids during the day. But, the barcades are all about nostalgia for adults. Casual players put money in these machines strictly because of a theme that they connect with. I see it every day. Star Wars by Stern kills it. Iron Man kills it. Most of the people don't know what a packed playfield even is. And as long as the flippers flip on the game and there is some theme integration... They are happy to put in another dollar...

This is true. I have two kids, 10 and 13, and they can play pinball here all they want but never do, but when they see a claw machine they really want to get the "prize" from one of them.

Also all my pinball friends with kids that own pinball machines say the same. Wife and kids mostly not interested.

You are talking crap, Commercial Coin Operated Products are not Covered Under Consumer Law. And last discussion with High up ACCC reps, if that was to change the price of the machines would increase or they would only be sold to ABN Holders at a cheaper price.

Add me to that. This is the game I’ve been most excited about for a couple of years, on the CE list forever, and I canceled the one in my cart as well as the subsequent confirmed CE from my distributor. Apparently I was the 7th CE placeholder to cancel with this distro. Why did I bail? It isn’t the Toy Story universe I was hoping for, there are a surprising lack of toys in this game, and it is the most expensive JJP, with the least in it imo, to this point. Is the CE as packed as a $12,500 Lebowski, or a $9300 GZPre, or a $9200 CCrLe etc? Not for me, and I wish more people would do the same and pass, to help slow down the insane pricing for games with so little in them. Having said this, I’m sure it will be fun to play, just not to this price for me.

And this will earn back 12k + profit? Sorry but no.

This is so true. I have two pins and a homemade claw machine. When the neighbor kids come over, they only want to play the claw. They don't care about the pins at all.

OK, shame on you, now that gave me the idea of doing the same, next to the DIY Arcade.

You are wrong.

Maybe I am, I would be happy to be wrong. But have you been reading replies from operators on this pin? Those opinions plus my own kids and experience in arcades say otherwise, not discounting issues like rising cost of living/energy adding pressure.

Please keep believing that operators can afford to spunk $12k on a childish pinball machine that kids don't want to play. JJP have obviously have this as a cornerstone to their sales strategy.

JJP is not gonna fuck you bro, quit simpin. Thanks for the cool 80's casino sounds though. Great point.

To be fair GNR was almost universally praised when it first released. It wasn't until later people started griping about too many multiballs and it being a box of lights. To be more fair, this might go even further to prove your point.

Theres obviously plenty of people who think toy story 4 is a stinker right off the bat without playing it, and thats not surprising to me. I think the majority of people are like me though. I have no doubt the game will be fun and good. Its just the theme and price that are 2 major misses. The toys in the game leave a bit to be desired as well, particularly the tablet is stupid.

Also of course the CE's have (likely) sold out. Not necessarily because the game is popular but because theres still no shortage of people who think they can flip it for money, or they buy everything regardless hoping the value goes up. I don't think the CE's "selling out" is really an indicator of a whole lot. Lets not forget that LoV sold out pretty quick too. This could easily become the game where that trend finally gets bucked, but we'll see

Facts are facts. It doesn't sound like a slot machine. Saying an untrue thing over and over doesn't make it so.

If you don't think I can be critical of JJP, you're wrong. They just haven't disappointed me yet (aside from playfield issues which is technically their vendor)
I just really like the way they make and structure games, especially from the code/rules standpoint.
They are the ones that have resonated most with me so far.

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Yeah, all the pinballs that I know and play in Dallas on location are in BARcades. Emphasis on Bar. As in alcohol. Where they make their money. With games set on free play.

Rush and GnR work really well in that setting but Wonka usually just sits there collecting dust because the alcohol drinking BARcade customers aren’t really into kids themes. And while they are open for < 21 during the day, it’s dead. The market for parents with kids driving to barcades during the day doesn’t exist.

*grabs popcorn while grown men purchasing $10k+ toys debate how childish TS4 is*

It does though. They are all ringey dingey and tadaaaahhh You apparently haven't played any slots lately. Giving an example of how slot machines sounded like in 1994 does not prove your point.

That maybe your neck of the woods - but that’s why they call it anecdotal evidence.

Breweries do exactly what you say doesn’t happen / because in many areas breweries can’t have late hours

Yeah, I’m sure that it’s a hit in breweries where 10 year olds hang during the day enjoying a sampler of craft beers.

True and a fair point. I consider slots to be ATMs in reverse.

Stop simping

There are some breweries that have learned to cater to “families” and have a restaurant/food and schedule entertainment/events/ and games….not all breweries are just a tour and a drink.

So yes when they have family themed events/activities scheduled they can be a place for a family to go.

What do you have against talking potato's?

So if I get a faulty television I should blame the parts vendor of the defective part, and not LG? lol It's still their product and they are responsible. I have had horrible CS from JJP in the past. However, I will say I sent and received an email same day this week about my POTC not starting up. Problem resolved. So let's hope this is getting turned around with them.

Should be a banner over every casino

The slot actually has better sound fx and way better use of actual assets. I'd buy the slot but still pass on the pin. And Wonka was my dream theme.

Did you have to jump start the PC? If it starts randomly rebooting look at swapping the PC power supply.

JJP is 100% responsible for every part that goes into their machines.

*adds a side of fries with the popcorn*

I watched the Jack Danger stream, and the sound fx reminded me of being at an arcade full of redemption games. Nothing sounded cohesive.. just dings and bings blending with carnival music. just my opinion.

I think you’ll find over time the team will reel it in and it will improve greatly

I was at a brewery on a Saturday, middle of the day. Probably 50 adults, they have about 25 pins. I played for an hour and a half and I think I saw maybe 2 or three others play a game or 2, Taxi and T2 and DE SW. GZ, EHOH, Mando, all sat unplayed. The shuffle bowler was played more than the pins! I was a bit surprised.

Put down the shovel dude... it's a scene clearly you don't understand.

In most locales Breweries operate under different ABC laws than bars - hence they tend to have very different 'product' that they put forth. Breweries and wineries often cater to open, casual environments. Picnics, dogs, kids, parties, etc. Couples bring their kids and the kids play while the adults adult. In this area, they are one of the most popular places for adults to go and know they can bring their kids too. Most are busiest on Weekends during the DAY - not your typical after dinner bar hours.

See this pac-man and driving game in the background? That's just the start of a whole line of vids and other kiddie focused games in this brewery.
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