Uk
I wasn't really a huge Ritchie fan until I "got" AC/DC, now I completely respect his work, the guy is a genius!
(Topic ID: 43421)
Minneapolis, MN
Both are very talented at what they do; and both often re-use their strengths in games. Ritchie has very fast, linear shots and in later games mode-stacking for points. Lawlor builds an array of locations a prizes one can build, and has a family friendly leaning. I have noticed people are less upset when they leave a Lawlor game than a Ritchie game.
One game from either designer would be a good machine--even their worst machines are still alright.
Quoted from Don1:I enjoy playing Ritchies tables more, but that's because I'm not skilled enough to play a Lawlor table to it's full potential.
Ding Ding Ding. Me too! I love both designers but probably enjoy Ritchie games more because of my skill level.
Quoted from davewtf:Both. If you choose, you lose.
Barry Oursler for the win.
I'll go with Barry Oursler as well.
Lawlor has two of my favorite games; TAF and FGY. Ritchie has a hit with ACDC.
If someone came up to me and said ill give you a TAF AND FGY or an ACDC prem. which would you want? I'd probably go with ACDC!
So while I believe lawlor has a more variety of better games than Ritchie.....Ritchie will always have ACDC.
Brampton, ON
Quoted from Phetishboy:Truth be told, John Trudeau is my fav. I own 3 of his pins, am looking for a 4th, and wish he had designed more DMDs in the 90s.
+1
I hope we hear more about 'Forbidden Planet': http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/john-treadeaus-forbidden-planet
... but Ritchie does rock, and his games were ground-breaking at the time. High Speed saved pinball. No question he is the 'King'.
Lawlor is okay. Not a stop-n-go fan.
Glad we don't have to pick just one! Both are pretty great designers...if someone put a gun to my head and I had to pick I'd probably go PL only because his designs have a little more variety and creativity to them. SR is all about the fan layout for speed and flow.
EDIT: I think Dennis Nordman is the man when it comes to creative designs. All of his games are totally different.
Quoted from TheLaw:You think Gomez has had a bigger impact on Pinball than Lawlor? Seriously?
no. I like gomez games. chill out.
Quoted from TheLaw:ha sorry if that came out aggressive. I realize the thread turned into who do you like more other than the original question. no worries.
Quoted from boo32:This is mark Ritchie right?
Yeah! Firepower...............2
Steve Ritchie changed pinball forever. Firepower formed the basis for modern pin play. Pat Lawlor is a copy cat scoundrel.
no poll? I own games from both people, but I prefer Lawlor because he has unique designs. Steve likes fan patterns, which i'm sick of. Jpop is at least creative with a 2 flipper setup.
Quoted from CaptainNeo:no poll? I own games from both people, but I prefer Lawlor because he has unique designs. Steve likes fan patterns, which i'm sick of. Jpop is at least creative with a 2 flipper setup.
Both guys copy themselves a lot, really.
oh yea they do. Can't argue with that one. First games I wanted when I first started collecting, was FH, ES, TAF, and TZ. When I got them all, I realized they all felt like the same game and not much diversity. It was then I realized they were all designed by the same guy. No matter who you like. You can't have to many games from the same designer. To much of the same thing. Just like my TF and LOTR. THey are almost identical except the playfields are flipped. Luckily the rules are completely different. But I wouldn't want another layout like that in my collection. Not unless my collection was around 30 pins.
Be thankful we have as many different designers as we have. They all contribute something special to the games we love.
Add a poll!!! I like SR games better myself. I'm a fan of 2 flippers and a fan layout myself. Most Lawlor games have that pesky 3rd flipper. I'm just not a fan of it.
Quoted from Phetishboy:Truth be told, John Trudeau is my fav. I own 3 of his pins, am looking for a 4th, and wish he had designed more DMDs in the 90s.
I really like his games too.....but for this thread, I have to side with Pat L over Steve R by a thin margin
Quoted from Magic_Mike:The King of Flow vs The King of Stop & Go.
Back in 2004, Lawlor was usually considered the best.
"It's a Lawlor game", was how they said it. (showing acceptance of the title)
Seems like now that he is out of the picture and not producing games, he's kicked to the curb.
Quoted from Propaganda:Seems like now that he is out of the picture and not producing games....
I think that's only because no one can afford to pay Lawlor's salary anymore.
Quoted from tamoore:Both guys copy themselves a lot, really.
If you want a designer who doesn't do this much, go with Nordman.
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