Now that Louisville is coming to a close.
TPF is just around the corner!
We have put in an order for 3 Oktoberfest Demo Games with API to be at TPF along with I believe at least one additional they are bring for the organizers of the show.
If all goes as planned Oktoberfest should have great representation this year at the Texas Pinball Festival.
We’re looking forward to seeing and playing this game as well.
Prost!
In addition to all of this and you really want to get in the Oktoberfest mood in Big D. I highly recommend The Bavarian Grill. It’s located in Plano about 15-20 minutes from the TPF. Full German cuisine, beers, Biergarten and Umpa Band. One of me and my wife’s favorite places. Definitely worth a visit!

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Maybe you just have to experience it in person. I really have high hopes for this one; love the concept!

Will there be an OKF at MGC?

Would be interesting to see how the game itself is aside from the arguments about music and art.

I don’t understand this mentality. If you’re spending 7-8k on a machine, don’t you want it to last a while? It can still be fun without having to explore every nook and cranny in every single game. The best games seem to have a good combo of some easy, some hard, some impossible things in order achieve

Code on this game and Houdini seem to take after a game like WOZ - lots of stuff you can do/ start, not linear but still deep - and you’re not going to do it all in one game

I guess.....I don't mind a deep ruleset I'm just wondering how much is too much as far as a ruleset. I think Ripley's Believe it or Not bordered on too much.....maybe it was just too difficult.....certain aspects of the game were almost unobtanium.....making it borderline frustrating. Game balancing is very important. I'm more concerned with some of the shots and the lack of time spent in the upper playfield when watching the stream. I get that you don't want the ball up there all the time but it just seemed when you did get it up into the upper playfield the time spent up there was very brief.

We shall see what comes of this title....as I said I like the theme just that the gameplay IMO looked pretty boooooring and it didn't leave me with a good first impression.

Spot on review and insight. I viewed it virtually the same as you with the same outcome and opinion. Thanks.

Was this uploaded somewhere so those that missed the stream can see it?

There's a link a few posts back, or in the key post index at the top of the page.

Thanks for the tip. Looks great!!!! Can wait to play the game.

Thanks, watching it now.

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/389302541

LTG : )

I have no idea of American Pinball's plan for the pop bumpers. The bumper car toppers are now on the video screen in the recent game we saw.

I wouldn't worry about them. If not in the bumper car pop bumper toppers. You know yelobird will be making figures for the bumper car on the pop bumpers.

LTG : )

Thanks for the feedback. I still have no idea how people judge a game based on videos, or a few plays.

Thanks for noting my opinion @Yelobird, you and your wife certainly need to have a grasp on visual design to do what you both do so well with mods!

I want API to smash this out of the park, and be right there with Stern and JJP, but there are some rough visuals that need tended to, to put them on par with those two. And those two certainly have issues with all of their animations as well.

I think POTC being streamlined without clips, allowed them to focus on a core idea, and make it as polished as they possibly could. Lord knows, Dialed-In has incredible polish in it's LCD work, but some of those character designs and animations are not nearly as smooth as those incredible skulls, pistols, flames, etc in POTC. Both Dialed-In and Oktoberfest are creating worlds visually in ways that are new to pinball, and for that I applaud all of those creators!

Pinball needs as high a production level visually in animation and font design, as any video game, ad, film, etc out there now. These companies aren't just competing with each other, but a visual standard across media industries globally.

been keeping this game on the radar and excited to see the updates which I just watched on the twitch stream. Thanks STDM!

Man I want to like this game. The shots and layout seem really fun but the audio and video package REALLY needs to be revisited. I actually didn't mind the old music but this new music package is really bad. As someone mentioned, generic rock to the max and there is def a main track I keep on hearing that really is painful. The fake german audio is really off putting too - it's so obviously off that I'm not sure if it's intended to be a joke? Either way, it just comes off as amateur. Finally the LCD - oh boy. The animation and overall quality really takes away from the experience. I really hope there is time to revisit that but I'm not holding my breath.

I for one would put mirrors on this as there is SO much going on art wise, adding more noise on the sides is really over the top.

I love the layout on this one though and those bumpers are very cool. It has a number of really nice loops too and many shots. I just feel the AV package is literally an anchor to this otherwise good looking game. Interested to see how it ends up.

+1 except for mirror on the sides (I like the existing art blades just fine).

To be totally honest, I'm not as hot on purchasing an Oktoberfest as I was prior to the latest stream. Hopefully, major improvements with the music and animations are still forthcoming. I also watched various segments throughout the stream, but never caught a single ball going into the barrel or a beer barrel multiball in action. A little concerning. Finally, the new Greta replacement (in the animations) looks a bit scary as well.

Thanks to AP and SDTM for the stream and I continue to look for big things in this game as it has so much potential!

AP desperately needs an artist/animator with experience in art direction, preferably in video games. There's no way around it. The only question is, how long will they put it off, causing titles to sell less than their potential before they realize it's costing them more than they're saving.

It’s a bit like the warp ramp on sttng. You gotta find it.. and it takes a few games. It’s a tough shot, but not because it cheats you or anything.

You have to specifically go for it. It’s not going to just happen. It’s a two step process to hit that shot, and it’s very hard. There was probably less than 5 people at that show that knew how to get setup for a shot on the side ramp.

It will happen more once people know the game better.

It’s like trying to setup and make the whirlwind ramp during MB.

This looks real promising!

But, have they change the voice of ...Otto? The callouter. I seem to recall in early code he had a real spoofy german english accent. I miss that! Now it seems very ordinary. I remember especially when he pronounced pale ale it was hilarious.

I really want to like this game but something about it just seems off, not sure if it’s the lack of a German accent in the callouts, the music mix not being Bavarian enough to feel like Oktoberfest or video quality.... hoping it evolves more!

Especially true considering that trademark filing which suggests they're continuing with non-licensed themes.

It is on a different spot on the flipper than you think from looking at it, once I figured that out I could hit it semi-reliably with the mag nab helping. I spent most of my time on the game trying for the Corkscrew MB and hit it a few times over the weekend, when I decided to work on the Beer Barrel multiball yesterday my skills in general just completely left me and I couldn't hit a thing on any game. At these shows there's usually a long wait to play a new game like OKF so you can't get in a lot of games and you have a lot of time between those games so you have to re-find your shots each time.

To back-up your comparison to the warp ramp on STTNG, mine was there all weekend and I saw very few people hit that shot and I don't think the Borg lock was hit once all weekend based on the credit dot that was there due to that. I tested it and could hit it but I play that game a lot, most people at the show don't.

Good its not only me thinking this

I will say that I hit the side ramp a couple times where I thought it should’ve went but stopped short. Might be a flipper power issue not sure. But that can obviously be adjusted. Or I just flat out missed it. Not sure.

Try when it gets all the way up to the top and the bend.. and then comes back. That hurts

It's steep... no lie. But it's not flawed - its a hard shot. That's allowed in pinball... but the original quoted armchair critic just wanted another bit to throw around to enlighten us all with about flaws in the game he knows, but no one else does yet.

I caution anyone from drawing conclusions about the music and voices from watching the stream. I think the feedback from those at the show, hearing it live, has been quite different. We are still adding two more main tracks, one of the current tracks is in the process of being modified, and some modes don't have the real music for that mode yet. Most of the changes will be done prior to TPF. BTW, I believe the voice of Otto is a native German voice actor, located in Germany.

The ramp is quite makable, I hit it consistently. It does take a bit of time to get the timing and right spot on the flipper (close to the tip). I can hit it when it is moving fast around the orbit, after the magnet stops and releases it as well as if the ball just finds it way near the flipper. Yes, the strength needs to be set correctly, but as always, you don't want it overly strong. When it comes around the orbit with speed, there is way more than enough power. Also watching the stream you can see how many folks are not even thinking about the upper flipper and going for the ramp. I kept trying to flip it for them while watching, which made wife think I was developing a nervous tick or something.

Good comparison, I hadn't played Whirlwind in a LONG time and it took me a long time to find that shot on the one there this weekend. Still couldn't hit it reliably once I did and of course it's even harder during MB.

LOL - It's like the passenger-side invisible brake pedal to use a cargument.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but it looked like super bands were on the flippers? If so, I bet a traditional black flipper rubber would greatly increase accuracy. From my personal experience, super bands suck donkey balls on upper flipper shots like STLE or X-MEN.

I played this at Louisville, mostly because my son wanted to be on the stream...lol. But I have to say, I really enjoyed it and would like to put more time on one. I really wished they had gone with a different theme, because I liked the layout and rules. Liked collecting the steins. It was like choosing your mystery award. Really wanted to hit the far right ramp, but drained as soon as I got it to drop down. Long lines and my kids made it so I couldn't return back to it. Unfortunately, for me and my family a beer themed pin does not fit in. I think this pin will suffer for theme as it will likely divide folks and put off others before even approaching the game for what it is. Good job on the layout and rules. But theme is a solid "F" for this family.

Oh man, I LOVE the theme. Probably not for kids and I'm sure kids aren't the target market. I am starting to waiver given all the above, though. I was going to make a deposit but I may wait for it to be reviewed and rated. I'm hoping that it's great in person; I just won't have an opportunity to try it first.

They use silicone I believe. But until they get nice and dirty they are hard to line up shots too. I’m more than used to them though and still had a hell of a time making the shot. Keeps me coming back though.

I’m moving over to this game from ACNC

Love what I saw from Chuck’s stream

Is the beer barrel and corkscrew implemented more into the code now

I have to ask: why? Oktoberfest (the event) is in fact a family event... it’s not just about drinking beer. Ditto Oktoberfest (the game). Here’s a little subtlety about the pin: at least with adult mode turned off, it never tells the player to drink beer. Sure, it dances all around that topic. But we’re not trying to instruct some kid to chug beer, and I don’t think we do. If we missed a spot, we’ll fix it.

IMHO, Oktoberfest is as family friendly as, say, Corvette or Indy 500 (even though, y’know, kids can’t drive cars). Or as family friendly as the Super Bowl (which I think many families watch despite it having lots of beer commercials).

If Oktoberfest doesn’t suit your specific family, I’m very sorry to hear that. But I think most families will find its theme to be fine when they give it a good look.

Really hoping for some fun Adult mode!
Wink ,Wink....

I think the best review and rating is yours. Spend time on the machine in a public or show setting. Reading a rating or review on pinball is like watching MSNBC or Foxnews...depending who gives it, you will get a different perspective and opinion. If I listened to reviews/ratings, I wouldn't buy any pins. Christ, people trashed STLE when it first came out and now its generally regarded as great. Again, play yourself, make your own opinion, then decide to buy.

First gameplay of Oktoberfest: Pinball On Tap

Pre-order yours now at Flip N Out Pinball
847.778.4876
[email protected]

I think the male voice is fine, some of had some NSFW jokes about how the female says "corkscrew" but that kind of juvenile stuff will be found in any game by me and the people I hang with.

From a shots perspective the one I think could still use some work is that 'flip' ramp shot on the right, I got a lot of rejects from that one.

8:32 for example of mag-nab and beer-barrel lock combo.

While I generally agree with you, I just don't see myself having an opportunity to play it. If I did, I would pay zero attention to reviews. Fact is, reviews are important - just ask Yelp and Rotten Tomatoes.

Thanks. I'm sad to say that I just watched 12 minutes and that repetative guitar rif will be in my head for days. Not much going on - maybe just because its new to the player. Zero corkscrew shots - I'm not even sure where it is.

Took the words right out of my mouth. That LCD is hard on the eyes and the audio is an absolute assault on the ears. It’s a shame because everything else seems really well done.

Totally agree on the animations and music.. It makes the game feel dead even though the playfield design and art package is very impressive.

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There are multiple instances of Corkscrew locks and several Corkscrew MBs in that video. You light the lock by spelling OCKTOBER and FEST via stand-up targets above the left and right out/in lanes. Then the ramp drops down on the left and what would otherwise be a left loop shot is now up the ramp and locked in the corkscrew lock in the middle back of the backboard. This shot was very difficult to make on the game back in November once the game had been played for a while - I never had that problem with the game this weekend so that has definitely been fixed.

I'd would like to think i just helped AP make a sale for an Oktoberfest. A local Arcade bar owner reached out to me about finding something kind of beer related for a event and for his place and I directed him towards Oktoberfest. I know he reached out to our local distributor here in GA and also sent a message to AP because he would like to have it by April 24th for the event on the 26th. Will April 24th ish be a problem for delivery?

Well done!!

I’m looking forward to playing and watching a lot of okf at tpf. While trying not to judge the music from the streams, it’s hard to feel that it’ll be too different. I’m really hoping the music additions/fixes include adjusting the “in your face” repetitive rock, which seems more apt for a “hurry up” part of a mode, rather the the main theme...but we’ll see in just a few weeks!