Bridgton, ME
What I believe is most important is layout and rules, if those aren't good the rest does not matter at all. A great layout can survive okay rules and an okay layout can be salvaged by great rules. But if either are truly bad, hard to think it will be a fun game, at least beyond a few plays.
Beyond that music is most important it is whats sets the tone during game play, followed by light shows and callouts, which provide the accent. Way at the bottom of the list is the display. As a player, I don't look up at the display often, but when I do, what I care about is if I can get the info I need, when I need it. I want it to guide me through game play, especially when learning the rules and objectives. If I am a spectator, I'm going to be looking at the display more than a player, and it is nice to see cool animations, but I still have more of my attention at what is going on under the glass.
what JJP has done on with the LCD on their games is pretty outstanding, they also cost significantly more money. From what I have see American pinball is giving a lot of game for the money and if one of the reasons the game is less expensive is they put less budget into the animations, I get that. Question is, would it be worth say $500 a game for better animations, or would I rather put that money elsewhere. I guess the other questions is when they are selling more machines, will they put more money into the animations.
Looking at those two multiball start screens, the JJP certainly has a nicer look and style to it, but not like the Oktoberfest one is bad, just different, and compared to the dots we used go get, there is no comparison. I guess JJP has spoiled us, but, just seems some are way too focused on what I consider the least most important part of the machine.
From those who played sounds like the game shoots well and the rules/code are fun and appear deep, so, that bodes well. Looking forward to playing it.
