One word answer - COST

Of course it's easy to add almost anything you want with modern technology BUT callouts made by (as one example) one band member, can cost up to $100 PER CALLOUT and PER MACHINE!!!!

Most people have zero clue about how restrictive many licences are, they usually have dozens of things you can't do or use, mostly for their own reasons.

Keep it simple, sexy, great art and sound...gets my vote.

Not into a pinball that does selfies...

I'm going to say it, and if people's feelings or wallets get hurt, whatever: I have never ever found a Spooky game that I play over and over again. They feel.....basement built. They dont give me an immersive experience. They just dont "do it" for me. Games like TAF, TZ, JP2, or even AIQ: I "feel" that theme and world. Enough is going on and the ball is moving to where I enjoy the sounds, music, call outs and light shows.

Spooky games I just hear "clunk clunk...thud." I dont feel "lost in the game" - I feel like walking away on ball 3. Enjoying one of those games is kind of like trying to maneuver a king-sized mattress by yourself up a flight of stairs thst turns 90 degrees at least twice.

TNA doesn't count. That was an "adopted" game that was given a mass production.

It’s very title-dependent for me. AMH and RZ are great shooters, and I find them very fun to play. ACNC and R&M are closer to what you describe. I could create similar groupings for Stern and JJP. I like simple layouts because they tend to be less clunky. Upper playfields don’t do anything for me, unless they have 2 flippers. I don’t like flailing away with one flipper.

They certainly have the goodwill and a hit it with latest themes but definitely need to step up given what they are asking now.

Stern/JJP rarely use licensed talent anymore. It cannot cost too much more for the people they use to read out a few more lines.

Haven't played JJP GNR, huh? (in regards to the callouts...)

NOT in regards to the post topic, haha.

I enjoy playing the modern games with complex rules but I really do not spend any time trying to study the rules.

My personal preference is games with short ball times and simple rules.

Super deep games are like math-rock to me. Once it gets too complex it starts to lose its appeal.

I’m guessing it’s worse when it’s a custom recording for pinball. A line out of a movie probably cheaper than getting them to say “shoot the left ramp to light jackpot” which they probably won’t say in the movie.

Or you get someone who doesn't give a rats ass about getting paid for callouts and ride them like a scalded dog... take Seth Mcfarland and Family Guy... they used tons of his work from the show, and I heard he did it for almost nothing.

"Whadda ya want me to do? Whack a guy? Off a guy?... whack-off a guy?"

I want a rule set that makes me keep pressing the start button. Age of the machine or manufacturer make no difference. I am also not worried about shallow or deep rules.

Machines that have and still make me mash the start button:

Harlem Globetrotters
HS2
TAF
AFM
MM
ACDC
TWD
GOTG
Iron Maiden (Stern)
EHOH
TMNT (Stern)

I like to keep things easy. I love the game or I like the game. I also want to give the game a good go if we have it at home. It normally takes me over 500 games or so for me to work out if I like the game or love the game.

Everyone is different and that is the beauty of this hobby. There is something for everyone.

Early solid states do it for me. All pinball is great, but I choose to own those classics. Anything with deep rule sets can be found in other locations so I can still go enjoy those as well.

BSD is the only other machine that has lasted the longest with me. For those that may not know, it is a somewhat simple rule set but challenging at times and addicting to play.

I did that for 25 years - maybe that’s why I like Spooky games.

I like them because they’re different.

AMH was pretty unique. Clever rule set.

RZ was a big nod to the Gottlieb SS pins, with the exposed pops. Surprised most don’t pick up on that.

ACNC is a tough shooter. They probably should have dropped one shot and made the others wider. But as a home use pin, it shines.

R&M is a ball buster. I said the other day, I can’t remember a pin that I get so many SDTM drains on. Just kicks you in the nuts!! Over and over!! But the great theme integration keeps bringing you back for more. I can totally understand that not working on location. Hard to drop $1 for a 1 minute game ... maybe lengthening the ball savers would be a good idea for location play.

rd

I'll be honest, I don't read the rule sheets. We've had Metallica since we unboxed it brand new and I still don't know the "right" way to play it.

Ouch!

I don't think Metallica is complex. It's just more of a "shoot everything" type of game. You need to collect Sparky, Hammer, Graveyard, and Snake to light Crank it Up. That's 90% of the game. The only strategy is locking in each of those on the main shots to make collecting them easier.

And adding balls to MB, and doubling+ your CIU score before you get out...

Sure, that's part of the 10%. I still wouldn't put it anywhere close to being on the complex side of games. That's honestly why I like Metallica. It's not a game where the modes are constantly changing. I do shoot for add-a-ball, but I'm rarely good enough to double each Crank it Up. My goal is usually get in, get out to try to reach the End of the Line.

I hope your at least trying to quad those jackpots in MB. Hearing "Jack-Fucking-pot" is for sure worth it!

Sometimes, but my main goal in multiball was mostly to collect shots to reach the next Crank it Up ... End of the Line.

Miss my Met. What a great game.

Me too. I was thinking prices were just so crazy that it might be time to sell some games. I rotated out Lord of the Rings and Metallica (Premium). Between the two I certainly miss Metallica more.

This thread makes me feel a lot better about how bad I want a black knight SOR

I had fun with it for sure, plus the wife liked it too which is unusual. The rules are so simple they don't even explain them (seriously) Only thing I didn't like was the throw-back MB.

I haven't played it, which is a big reason I didn't buy one when I chose DP earlier this year. Granted, I hadn't played DP either (lol) but the general consensus was that it was a lot less risky buying DP vs BK. I'd like to put a little time in on a black knight, or find a routed one for a decent price. I like games that I can explain to my friends without their eyes glazing over and DP already pushes the limits. No regrets on DP btw other than I kinda wish I went premium instead of pro.

I think with the Animated topper, SOR would be bolted to my floor, but I always loved BK, and BK2K. But certainly not enough to pay the prices people want for that topper nowadays

Very true.

You’re definitely right about R&M if it didn’t have the theme a lot of people wouldn’t like the game! I love games that give you hell but R&M just forks you too much! I liked how hard rob zombie was but at least it wasn’t completely unfair.

In terms of code I need something more than WPC games but less than Star Math and avengers gem placement. TWDLE is my number one game closely followed by tmntle. Both Borg games both have different rules guys but both are hard but it’s your fault for losing the ball. And I think the programmers at stern are better at showing you what to do on the playfield. When I first played woz I had absolutely no clue as to what to do. None! I had to have someone explain that you had to hit the roll overs and the winged monkey targets to qualify the multiballs! It just wasn’t conveyed on the playfield at all

Brother, I have to resurrect this thread to file an official complaint.

The throwback multiball is THE multiball in BKSOR. Hearing that music changed my life. Nothing makes me jam more than hearing that old black knight music while I slap around the flippers. So many people I play with in league don’t even know about this multiball or have never achieved it.

This is the stuff great machines are made of. A solid main ruleset that shows you obvious progression towards a final boss and a few secret side goals that keep you guessing.