Cincinnati, OH
Quoted from Euchrid:Geeez, I'm truly surprised that I'm alone on this one, that I think there is nothing random about pinball. I find it an interesting topic, I'm not hating at all. Random being defined as proceeding, made, or occurring without definite aim, reason, or pattern. If hit the exact same way, within the exact same environment (i.e. the same game), the pinball will do the exact same thing every time.
If we take this to the logical extreme, you're describing predestination... NOTHING is random; ever since the big bang everything that has happened, is happening and will happen are doing so based solely on the unbending laws of physics. All future is already determined by the current status of all matter and momentum in existence - even this post was predestined to happen by the result of all actions up til now.
Me, I prefer randomness.
However, this part: "If hit the exact same way, within the exact same environment (i.e. the same game), the pinball will do the exact same thing every time." is not true. Tiny variances in the voltage delivered to the wall socket and caused by oxidation on connectors.. differences in air pressure as weather moves through, differences in humidity changing friction, the breakdown of the playfield, pinball and rubber surfaces, wear on the flipper parts.... no flipper stroke is the exact strength of the prior one when you start looking into thousandths of a volt differences... it is basically impossible to exactly replicate conditions in a pinball machine from play to play. One dimple changes everything...
Sydney
Toronto, ON
