All this talk about CL and I may need to throw mine back in and play a few games. Frankly, I beat the Kraken the first couple days I had the game and have not put that game back in since.

Maybe I need to try for PERFECT and stuff like that.

Hmm...didn't know about any of those settings. I'll certainly check it out now. Sounds like it could breathe some life into that game that I didn't know about.

I was wondering when you'd FINALLY announce the backbox display. I'm 100% in on that! Question on the new artwork though. I really dig the new art style, but does this mean you are changing the models in-game? They don't appear too often, so I guess it wouldn't be TOO hard. I was always confused as to why Lexy looked completely different on the translite versus in the game. The cabinet art has changed and now she has a 3rd look. Just curious if you'll be syncing up the art styles.

Kudos either way, and have a great show!

Did multiball get removed from CCR? We haven't played the game a ton, but it seemed to have less "features" than the old stream from last year.

It seems multiple rule/feature/mode decisions were made with the sole/primary rationale being to "align" with the racing theme, and I think the results are unfortunate.

I had always hoped there would be modes that were used to qualify races. Then the races themselves would be the "safecracker-style" infinite ball thing the game is now. However, the mode-less style was a specific design decision because they were trying to mimic a 100% kart style game (all racing). Too bad, there are a ton of missed opportunities in my opinion.

They just don't feel like modes though, and everything is so linear (to the degree things are even different). There could have been a ton of potential. Not only "open" play to qualify races, but there could have been a real risk/reward thing with building up your cart before starting a race. Accomplish certain optional side goals to trick out your ride and make races easier/worth more. I know Gerry's priority was to make a cart racing game, but most racing games have an rpg element where you're improving your ride and you choose certain upgrades over others. This could all have been part of the between race aspect. Instead, there's very little diversity as it stands.

There are also a lot of cool things they could have done with the upper playfield with the magnets and the lighting. It's a shame the ramp colors are connected to your cart, because it means you see only green (and white). The playfield looks cool when they use the rgb on the ramps, but this never happens. If colors weren't tied to cart positions, they could do cool things with ramp colors. Imagine there was an "upgrade your cart" segment, and each category was a different color. You could make each ramp/loop those colors and this would turn into a mode select. Hit the green ramp to enter the increase your engine's top speed mode. Hit the Red ramp for a mode to increase the handling. Whatever. Afterwards you have dilemmas of whether to start a race or upgrade your cart some more. I love games with major risk/reward aspects.

Plus, I've always thought a cool mode would be hitting a shot to cycle colors (red-white-green-blue-red-white-green-blue). In this case, maybe a certain configuration for your cart. Green here, red there, etc. The mode could start with shots the same color and the point is to match the specified configuration. So, you need to get a certain amount of shots to get everything lined up. Hit a shot one too many times, you need to cycle it back through. Adding to the number of shots in play or the number of colors could alter the difficulty.

And this doesn't get to what they could have done with the ramp magnets. I'm one of Gerry/P3's longest and most ardent supporters, but CCR left so much opportunity on the table.

I'm sure I speak for everyone that owns a P3, is thinking about owning a P3, or was involved in the creation of the P3. Good luck with the development of a 3rd party game. I can't wait until there's a thriving ecosystem of P3 games, especially software-only games that leverage existing playfield modules. The vision of the system has always been a multi-game platform, so the more users can squeeze out of each playfield module, the more it justifies the P3 concept.

I can't wait for this. I thought the idea of CCR was kinda cool, but was not executed in a way that we found fun at all. I'm OK with non-traditional games, after-all, I've had Safecracker for 15 years. But they got caught up in letting the theme drive the experience, which in my opinion took the game from mediocre and made it worse. For example, they had a multiball in the game that featured a cool staging of the balls on the ramp. They removed the entire multiball because they didn't think it worked well with the racing dynamic.

I applaud doing something different, but as presented, this game never did anything for me (yes, I own it). I'm excited to see how the new version plays. I think the layout has some potential, but the original release just wasn't fun. Hopefully they've figured out how to up the fun-factor.

They also have a new "feature" game coming out that sounds like it could be really cool. I haven't heard the timeframe for either, but I'm looking forward to both.

I've referenced Safecracker a bunch as a gameplay style comp for this game -- unlimited number of balls toward a time-based objective. While they each take the opposite perspective on how to handle multi-player games, they unfortunately both don't work. Safecracker switches players after every drain. News Flash: you drain ALL THE TIME in Safecracker. So, you might be switching every few seconds and it's impossible to get any flow as a player. CCR waits until the end to switch, which leaves people standing around forever. The reality: Neither game really works for multiple players. Now, CCR was designed with the ability to play simultaneous multi-player with linked machines. I'm guessing this may be fun, but what home environment has 2-4 machines linked up?

More than anything, I'm ready for Multimorphic to stop making diverse games for the express purpose of showing the vast capabilities of the platform, and focus on just making kick-ass fun games. Given the innovations in this venture, there's been a lot of walk before you can run, and with that, Gerry has felt the need to display the diverse capabilities of the platform, so that people understand what it can do. I think we're as much there as we need to be at this point. Gerry's view of building a platform is that not everyone will like every game, but there will be some games for everyone. This is great as long as lots of people own the platform. As much as I really like Lexi, the biggest limiting factor for the P3 is a killer game that people can't live without. Gerry understands this (we've talked about it).

Here's hoping the next full playfield game it what everyone's been waiting for.

I know they were working on a new game / playfield, that was originally slated to be ready in roughly this timeframe. So, I'm really hoping / expecting them to show off the new game here. I'm also hoping they have the new CCR rules implemented and ready.

FYI for any P3 owners, and in particular, anyone who owns or is interested in CCR:

A public beta version of Cosmic Cart Racing 2.0.2.0 is available for immediate download from the Multimorphic site. (CCR 2.0 requires the presence of the Cosmic Cart Racing playfield module.)

Cosmic Cart Racing 2.0 features an entirely new gameplay option called "Career Mode". Career Mode delivers a 3-ball, mode-based gaming experience that rewards fast gameplay and good strategic choices. Gameplay has you traveling to different solar systems, where you'll need to earn money to upgrade your cart and enter local races. Win the race and move on to the next solar system. Win all of the races to become the Cosmic Cart Racing champion!

This release re-introduces the ramp locks, allowing you to lock balls on the ramp during gameplay before starting Meteor Shower Multiball. Other features include time-based score multipliers that increase when you hit RPM shots, an inner loop mini-mode, a progressive "Jobs" mode that earns you money, a garage where you can upgrade your cart, mystery awards, hurryup awards, and more. Most of the features can be stacked, allowing you to strategically maximize scoring potential. Tip: To score well, avoid holding the ball on the flippers for long periods of time!

That's actually really sweet! I could use a couple of those. Do you or your friend have the measurements / plans to build our own?

Too bad. Shipping those would kill the value for me.

Actually, each rectangle is a pair: one "scoop" and one wall. They can all be raised individually and each wall / scoop can be lit individually with RGB LEDs. If the game raises one scoop, that flat rectangular piece raises up and you can shoot the ball into it. Each scoop also has a vertical wall in front of it, which is used to create barriers that block segments of the upper playfield.

For example, there's a mini-game called ROCS where all the scoops and walls raise up. This keeps the ball trapped on the lower playfield and you are tasked with hitting virtual targets on the LCD. Once you complete your objective, one of the walls lowers and you need to shoot the ball into the exposed scoop. Similarly, there is a mode in Lexy where you're in a warehouse and you need to smash crates and collect the contents by rolling over them on the LCD. All the scoops are up and 2 are exposed by lowering their corresponding wall. One scoop leads to the next room, and the other allows to you go back the prior room, in case you left before collecting all the parts.

CCR uses these 1 or 2 at a time to create blockages to the ramps or as a special hurry-up shot to hit. Heist! uses them in different ways as well. If you watch Gerry's stream (which was on Dead_Flip's Twitch channel) it shows multiple creative uses of the scoops and walls.

An IR sensor grid.

IR (resized).png

Here's an old article by Pinball news that steps through lots of detail about the platform: https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2017/12/31/p3-in-depth-review/

Definitely make sure the latches are catching first. This is required and easier than trying to track down other issues. Once you seat the tabs under the latches, give the playfield a tug upward to make sure it is secured. If that hasn't been done, it should fix the issue you're describing.

If the tabs are engaged and you still have a height issue, definitely contact support before you go further. I was in the initial run, and as a result, I had a multitude of issues that manifested in what you're talking about.

It's possible the scoops/walls are not level. There are adjustments for these, but they are somewhat more than a minor pain to tweak. The other thing that was a problem on more than one of my playfields was that the side tabs (that get secured by the latches) were not as "level" as they should be. I was instructed to bend these tabs to get the right height on the playfield.

Again, definitely contact support before you do either of these last two fixes. The P3 is a different animal than other pinball machines, so you should certainly get the lay of the land before you start randomly attempting fringe tweaks.

PLUS...their support is AWESOME, so no worries about getting top tier assistance with any issues. Both Gerry and TJ have been amazing with any issues I've consulted them about.

I responded to your post within an hour of you posting it, and while I was typing, 2 people from Multimorphic beat me to it...on a public forum. At 10pm on a Friday no less. Did I mention their support was awesome?

Gerry and TJ need to get a life!

One of the most underrated games. Never played any pinball game before with so much diversity between the modes. Definitely P3's best use of the ball tracking.

Definitely both great options. If I had to pick only one playfield, it would be tough. I think Lexy is one of the most underrated pinball games available (not just P3). It's probably my favorite P3 game. Mode-based gameplay where each mode feels totally different and uses all the different P3 tech. Also has an AFM-like kill the aliens track. If it was game vs. game against just CCR, I'd pick Lexy hands down.

BUT...

The CCR playfield offers up a lot of fun beyond just the base game. CCR 2.0 is a huge improvement over the initial release. Career mode is the CCR bread-and-butter at this point, and the Arcade mode (racing only) is a fun break, which also includes the online racing option for when someone organizes a race party.

On top of that, the CCR playfield has Ranger in the Ruins which is a basic game, but it's the best bang for the buck on the P3.

And...a little birdy has hinted that there may be more fun to come for the CCR playfield.

So, Lexy has one killer mode-based game. CCR has a variety of fun non-mode-based games.

I'd pick based on your desired playstyle.

Lexy is a mode-based game. The modes are fun and HUGELY diverse. One mode raises the walls and is all about hitting virtual targets with the ball, then moving to the next room through an open scoop. Super fun. Another mode kills the flipper hold, so you can't trap balls. It's just rapid-fire target shooting. It also has the alien attack ladder, which has an AFM (shoot the middle) vibe to it, and it has a physical 8-ball lock. Really fun to try loading up the entire saucer for the 8-ball. But good luck keeping them all going if you do.

The multiball is a fun risk-reward because you kill(?) more agents per jackpot with more balls in play, so not cashing in on 2- or 3-ball multi can make a big difference. Given that the saucer shot (where you start multiball) is one of the easiest in the game, it has you actively trying to avoid the gimme shot to try and light more locks. Because, if you don't get all the agents in multiball, each subsequent multiball requires more hits to light the lock, so there's definitely some strategy on how/when to go for it.

The CCR playfield is all about flow. Seriously, Steve Ritchie ain't got nothin' on how this layout flows. Really fun, but almost no stop-and-go, so you need to like that style. All current games on this playfield take advantage of the layout by not really having modes, or anything that would require the ball to stop for long. CCR Career mode has the shop where you can upgrade your cart, but honestly, I just quickly click through it and get back to the action. Namely, because I don't think this is implemented all that well. I never have enough money, and when I do, I spend it on race entry fees. I've never felt hampered by not upgrading my cart. I also don't feel like the character you select matters much, even though they have moderately different stats. When I hit shots, I win races. When I'm bricking, I don't. Cart stats (starting or upgrades) aren't very noticeable to me, and I'm honestly not sure if I wish they were or not. I guess I probably wish money was more plentiful (jobs paid more) and upgrading carts was more necessary. Until then, I don't worry about it. Just let her rip. Playfield can also lock 3 balls magnetically on the ramp. Way cool!

And I can't state enough that EVERY owner of a CCR playfield needs to own RitR. It's just a mini-game (sorta), but the vibe and music are so perfectly implemented. It's a 1-ball game (at least by default) so it's quick and fun. It's all about finding and discovering new items. This is the only game where I have purposely avoided watching anything streamed because I didn't want to spoil figuring out the various items. Super fun.

So, TOTALLY different types of layout and style of games. Hopefully there will be some software-only games on the Lexy playfield as well, but either way, prioritize based on how you like to play. Modes, and risk-reward multiball - or fast flow for days.

No, he's actually talking about tabs that set the height of the upper playfield module in comparison to the scoops/walls. Look at your upper playfield and see the relative heights of the following:

-upper playfield
-walls
-scoops
-metal blocks at the sides of the playfield (next to the scoops)

All of these should be essentially the same height, and there are a few means of adjusting things depending on what you find.

Reading is a skill and I should try it once in a while.

I had problems with the ball hopping and not making the ramps. Occasionally it would sort of spin in place right on the metal ramp entrance flap. My issue had to do with playfield module height relative to the rest of the lower playfield items. Sorry for the off-topic troubleshooting if this had nothing to do with your symptoms. That said, my post is still relevant for others that have airball problems. I had to go through a series of adjustments to get the upper, lower, walls, and scoops into alignment.

Isn't starting crane multiball about collecting enough money? There are already settings for changing the volume and value of the dollar bills, which I think I was the impetus behind. I wanted aiming for the bills to be more purposeful. I think a few high value bills is more fun than a cloud of cheap bills. It forces you to aim for the bills when they're there versus knowing your ball will roll over most of them and the rest aren't valuable enough to risk shooting for. Heist doesn't really use virtual targets much, so this seemed like a way to incorporate it into the gameplay a bit more.

That said, you could crank up the volume and value of money to be whatever you want to make crane easier to start.

This is in line with why I requested that the money dispersed on ATM hits be configurable. Right now, a cloud of bills floats down every time you hit the target, and individual balls are not worth very much. I don't know how many (by default) or how much they're worth; let's just say 10 bills worth $10 each. That's a large enough cloud that the ball is going to roll over a good portion of them by you just flailing around at whatever you were otherwise shooting for. As such, I've never thought that getting to crane multiball was particularly difficult and never felt overly purposeful.

On the other hand, lets say you changed the money settings to 1 bill worth $150. Technically, ATM hits are worth more, but you would be forced to aim for the bill before you lost it. You're much less likely to roll over it by chance, and at $150, it is comparatively worth way more. Due to this, you're much more likely to interrupt what you were doing to focus on the bill flittering down the screen.

Considering that this is essentially the only virtual target aspect to Heist, I think this philosophy rounds out the P3 experience. By adding the settings for bill volume and value, this is configurable along a wide spectrum from easier than stock, to much harder. Regardless of where individuals set it, I would encourage fewer bills worth more money to add the risk reward aspect to collecting money.

Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting making the multiball easier to achieve, although the settings allow you to do that. I'm merely suggesting that the current ATM configuration doesn't create an incentive to shoot for the money cloud, it just happens. If you're supposed to collect money after hitting the ATM targets, make it something you have to actually shoot for rather than achieve by continuing to shoot what you were already shooting.

Wha...huh? Here’s another place where Gerry will mock me, but I’ve been a P3 owner since the first batch and I didn’t even know there was a leveling program. LOL. The little level meters below the flippers are pretty jumpy as you describe, and as such I kinda question the accuracy, but I had no clue there was a leveling app in the settings.

That said, I still haven’t set up profiles for me and my wife, so I’m a crappy P3 owner anyway. Come to think of it I need to do this. Hey Gerry, do any of your games have that co-op thing? : )

Yeah, I was actually joking about this. The P3 system started the whole co-op thing years ago, but many people who played TMNT think it's a new idea Stern stole from TNA.

TNA has it because they're using Gerry's boards. Scott Danesi popularized co-op because TNA is such a hit and seems made for multiplayer (competitive / co-op). However, if memory serves, Gerry was showing off a version of the profile system and team-based play back at shows (remember pinball shows) before the production version of Lexy was officially released.

So, however you cut it, Gerry is actually the OG of co-op play.

Possibly the most under-appreciated game in all of pinball. There literally isn't another game with as much mode diversity. Great use of the walls/scoops and the virtual targets in certain modes. I love the nods (whether intentional or not) to AFM. The alien modes are like killing saucers and the lights out multiball reminds me of AFM's strobe multiball. I can understand if rednecks turn you off, but the voice acting is better in Lexy than Heist.

Congrats!

Technically true, but Spooky had been using Ben’s board for RZ and they said it cannot handle co-op (or maybe could but wasn’t worth figuring out - I forget).

Then they switched to P-ROC and Gerry had already figured out and implemented this. The rest is history.

How much causality there was between each step, I don’t know from the outside. But anecdotally, this is generally how things progressed, and Multimorphic was the first I know of to have co-op (not counting the old “team play” where the machine added up player 1 and 3 vs 2 and 4).

Buy RitR immediately. Best bang for the buck on the P3. bingopodcast crushed it. Super fun.

Thus far, I have not really cared about score. It’s been all about finding unique items and trying to figure out what they do.

My wife is a trooper. She plays games with me and puts up with all that comes along with having a large collection of nerdy man-toys. She’s a casual level player at best, and for the most part doesn’t care which games we play when we go to the basement for a night of adult beverages and pinball.

That said, she’s super into RitR (not at all to take away from how much I too love this game). The clear and concise objectives make it easy for even the most basic players to jump into. The music is amazingly selected and visuals set the mood. Using the CCR playfield was brilliant because of the LED light shows, but also because cranking combos at full speed makes it easy to lose the ball quickly. I definitely recommend people keep things set to 1-ball games. Drain and done is definitely part of the roguelike charm.

But beyond all that, we’ve totally nerded out and created a pen and paper log of the items we’ve found and what they do. We’re still far away from finding all the items and even farther away from knowing what they all do. For anyone who thinks this sounds interesting and fun, do yourself a favor and just play the game without watching streams. The magic comes in the hunt for items and their functions.

Will the game lose some of its appeal once we find/decipher all the items? I’m sure. But it will have been the best $150 I’ve ever spent in pinball.

P3 programmer by day...
P3 carpenter by night...

What *can't* bingopodcast do? That is the question.

Seriously Nick, thanks for the breakdown. I've been wanting to create something like this. If that slacker GERRY doesn't come up with something formal, that also covers the playfields from dust, then I'll definitely be mimicking your build.

8 years on Pinside and you haven’t realized it’s totally acceptable (expected) to throw questionably appropriate jabs at people you barely know?

Does this fit between the legs from the front? Do you have the height clearance to add casters instead? Did you use the measurements that Nick provided or figure out your own design?

Seriously, what is your issue? Geez! The guy didn't roll in here calling the product a POS and telling Gerry he needed to fix his game. He humbly came in and said "if anyone might be able to help me with an issue on the Multimorphic P3-ROC..."

I literally don't understand why anyone would jump all over him for this. I've got a Full Throttle with an issue and since Heighway is out of business I'm gonna be humbly searching for help anywhere I can think of too.

What more logical place would there be for this guy to take a chance that someone might be able to help? Some of the bitching on this site is absolutely beyond me!

There's only one person that does.

I'd start clamoring about when we're going to see it, but then I remember I still have a survey to fill out.

Can anyone tell me where in the podcast this discussion is? I jumped around and found a discussion about Scott getting a P3, but they didn't mention his involvement in an upcoming game. I've heard lots of Scott on other podcasts talking about TNA, etc., so I didn't really plan on listening to the full 2+ hours. But I'd love to hear what he says about his P3 involvement.

I can't wait to see what you have cooking!

itmoved (resized).jpg

Hmm...I wonder if there's a reason the CCR playfield is the one being shown in this teaser?

Meh...different strokes. RITR is awesome!

Wait, what?!? You're designing a physical playfield module for your next game? Talk about taking the next step!

Time to Ruin some Rangers, bro!

Yeah Scott, time to go online. My wife still clings to the fact that she beat Gerry in an online CCR race. She LOVES the music in TNA (who doesn't), so it would just be another feather in her cap if she could defeat Mr. TNA-beats in a race too. Make it so...

Geez, you guys are gonna need to issue Scott a restraining order. Danesi's creeping into ROCs now too? Dude's straight up stalking you!

The problem is the price. How a pitch and bat on the CL playfield costs only $100 less than Sorcerer's Apprentice, which is a really cool FULL game makes no sense. GSR is literally the only P3 game I don't own. GSR should be priced more in the range of Nick's games.

Yeah, I know. I didn't say it was on Gerry. I know the history and timing of the release of this, but it doesn't change the fact that today, the value prop on GSR is out of whack with literally everything else on the P3.

*blush*

Fair, and probably the correct perspective. You can keep GSR overpriced if you promise to continue providing the most underpriced games on the market. Sorcerer's Apprentice was the fastest and most no-brainer $500 I've spent in pinball. Sorry Nick, now RitR is only the 2nd best bang for your buck on the P3. (So don't go lowering GSR as an excuse to raise other stuff. )

I thought for sure this sentence was going to end with a comparison to topper prices (not that $399 even gets you a topper these days). Hell, you could cost justify just about anything if you compare it to what people pay for stupid toppers.

I'm not really sure why GSR is where I've chosen to put my foot down and "vote with my wallet," because I've certainly made many more frivolous and expensive purchases. I think as more great-value content comes out, the current GSR value prop won't age well. Just my opinion.

Geez guys...get a room!

Yeah, the linear comment made NO sense. I understand that the gateway to everything is the same 5 crew jobs. But you can do whichever one(s) you want, and there are then Heists (mini-wizard modes) for each size crew, which adds a diversity and risk-reward to the gameplay. And as you say, there are the various jailbreaks, multiple multiballs, etc. If you don't like the game - fine. If it's too hard/easy - fine (although there are a ton of settings for that). But linear - no way.

*ahem*

Here are a few posts I've made in the past detailing my thoughts as an early adopter, and some considerations about the other 3 main playfields. Just note that the first link is older, before Sorcerer's Apprentice came out.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/multimorphic-p3-club/page/12#post-6151650

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/heist-or-cosmic-cart-racing-what-to-pair-with-weird-al-on-p3#post-6798367

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/heist-or-cosmic-cart-racing-what-to-pair-with-weird-al-on-p3#post-6798733

As for mini-games: if you buy CCR - you have to buy Ranger in the Ruins. Great, cheap mini-game. But even before that, any CCR owner should also buy Sorcerer's Apprentice. It's not a mini-game, it's a full-on new game (rules, graphics, etc.) for the CCR playfield.

ROCs is awesome, and works on any playfield module - it's Asteroids with a pinball. Really fun. The rest are more niche games that may or may not fit your style.

Come on man, don't over think it. Get a step stool for a few bucks and be done with it. I have exactly this one...

https://www.amazon.com/Folding-Step-Stool-Lightweight-Bathroom/dp/B014WOXB6O/ref=sxin_15

It makes a huge difference.

Theme I *hate* I'd pass. I've been in "buy everything they make mode" but I think I'm over that too.

I was not excited when I heard the Weird Al theme, but jumped in anyway because the playfield looked packed (and I had every other playfield to date).

Unfortunately my instincts were right, I'm just not connecting with the theme and the gameplay hasn't been enough to overcome that for me. It's the first time I've ever thought of selling one of the P3 modules, and I've been on the system since the VERY beginning.

I'm not a theme whore either - example: I have Stranger Things even though I don't like the show. That game is AWESOME. I have Iron Maiden even though I kinda hate their music. That game is AWESOME. For some reason, beyond my ambivalence for Al, I'm just not feeling the new game.

For what it's worth, my ranking of the "main" games is:

Heist
Lexy


Socerer's Apprentice



CCR




Weird Al

Cannon Lagoon

I'm holding onto Weird Al hoping they pull a Sorcerer's Apprentice and put a second major game on the playfield. If I knew for sure they weren't ever going to do that, I'd probably look to unload Al.

I'm really hoping for something darker and adult themed. EVERYTHING from Multimorphic has been exceedingly family-friendly. It's time to cater to a different crowd. I'd lose my shit for the Matrix on the P3. I know that's too big of a license, but that playfield screen makes P3 the perfect platform for something epic like that.

All that said, I'm eager to see the 2 new titles this year, and I hope I want both. But I'm probably done buying no matter what.

Oof. To each their own. These would all be hard passes for me.

That said, I'm not jazzed about any of the rumored themes from the major players either.

Venom - Foo Fighters - Godfather... LOL

Depends what you're looking for and what style games you like.

For what it's worth, my ranking of the "main" games is:

Heist
Lexy


Sorcerer's Apprentice



CCR




Weird Al

Cannon Lagoon

I think Lexy is one of the most underrated games I've played (P3 or not). It's a fun mode-based game that truly has unmatched diversity in the modes. It uses all the tech available in the P3. If you like AFM at all, there are a lot of nods to that game. It's way more complex than AFM, but there are both gameplay and tonal ties to that game. Also has great risk-reward multiball trying to build up the 8-ball physical ball lock.

CCR/SA(/RitR) is definitely the best bang for the buck, but you have to like super flowy playfields. Seriously, Steve Ritchie ain't got nothin on the smoothness of the shots in this game. If you get it going, it's a combo monster. CCR is pretty light in story, but is still fun. The career mode is mostly where it's at with this game. SA is much more story driven. VERY cool (but difficult) multiball dynamic. You collect spells in modes, and then need to use specific spells to earn jackpots. Flippers use one set of buttons, you change spells with another set of buttons. Requires some finger gymnastics, but is such a cool and unique approach. Both games are very hurry-up oriented.

As you can see, I'm in the minority not really digging Weird Al. I think the mechs and different ramps/ball paths are really cool, but I'm just not into the theme or most of the mode execution. A lot of modes are "hit this, but not that" where the things you're not supposed to hit are 10x easier than the things you're supposed to hit (I get MURDERED in the Home Team mode every time).

I'm an OG on the P3 platform, so let me know if you have any specific questions about anything.

I *REALLY* hope Multimorphic has software-only re-themes as part of their business plan going forward! It's amazing how different CCR and SA feel, even though they use the same playfield.

I like Heist a lot, but I'd love to see something else full-featured on it. I think something like a modern-day version of Bally's WhoDunnit would be cool on this playfield. Something that randomized the who, what, where, how of crimes and you had to solve them as part of the playing strategy would be cool and fits within the cityscape (complete with jail once you convict the right suspect). WhoDunnit was a cool idea, but I didn't love the playfield, and the "mysteries" were the same things every time. This platform could bring you into something that was different every game, and required a lot of strategy and critical thinking on top of the pinball playing.

I'm sure Weird Al sold enough on its own, but I'd love to see another theme on that playfield too. Lots of cool stuff on that module, I hate that I don't love the theme.

I'm gonna double-down on my own idea here...

"As of Jan. 2023, the world's greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes, has fully entered the public domain."

A "licensed" detective theme without needing a license. Gerry, you can make all royalty checks out to Cheeks.

This has nothing to do with those crappy movies. Sherlock Holmes the entity is now public domain and does not require licensing.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/sherlock-holmes-classic-tales-and-songs-enter-public-domain-in-2023

Yeah, the "DLC" on the CCR playfield is Ranger in the Ruins. Best $150 you can spend in pinball. Super fun 1-ball mini-game.

Sorcerer's Apprentice is a FULL FEATURED game on the CCR playfield. And news flash...it's better than CCR. It's the best $500 you can spend in pinball.

None of these 3 games are my favorite game on the P3, but the sheer amount of quality content makes CCR an extremely compelling module that everyone should probably own.

Favorite game on the P3? I've posted this before, and while all the new Weird Al people will disagree with me, below is how I rank the FULL games. Theme has a lot to do with this, but also the rules and diversity of gameplay. I think there's a chance Final Resistance could jump all the way to the top for me. TNA 2.0? Yes please!

Heist
Lexy


Socerer's Apprentice



CCR




Weird Al

Cannon Lagoon

To understand maybe...but the finger gymnastics required to change spells while shooting jackpots in multiball is anything but easy!

But I love it, there's no other game like it.

I've gotten FABULOUS support when opening a ticket on their support site. Sometimes it's Gerry himself.

This is exactly the opposite experience I have with other people. I introduce everyone I can to the P3, and there hasn't been a single person that was in favor of the split buttons. Veteran players don't want to learn a new control scheme for a single machine, they find the extra buttons awkward. New players just ignore them and never use the upper flippers.

Ultimately I set the games to single-button, but then the upper flippers lose strength and are easily knocked down by the ball. I'm all for having the option...but it should be an option. I'm one of the earliest P3 adopters, so I'm as supportive as they come. But I just don't understand why the games don't support a fully-functioning one button setup (which includes upper playfields and equal "strength") in addition to the split buttons. Everything about the P3 as an ecosystem has been about being inclusive to all types of players. To ignore people that expect to control this game like ALL others seems strange.

Even Turner pinball (), as much of a joke as their situation is, had a single flipper game next to a split flipper game at expo. They were completely tone deaf to most of the feedback regarding their "innovations" but only needed a day or two to realize that everyone at the show preferred the single-button setup. Since the P3 *could* have fully functioning versions of both options, it makes no sense to me why you wouldn't want the best experience for the most amount of players.

This!

The reason SST works is 1) you don't need to use the second button, and 2) if/when you want to use it, it's right underneath the primary flipper button, so your middle finger rests on it ergonomically. If the P3 had a button box with the secondary button positioned like this, I could see people *FAR* more likely to adopt it. Sticking to your index finger as the primary control and easily using your middle finger for secondary control would allow people to still use the main flippers the way they do on every other game. This would make the split usage much more intuitive.

For people that use the split buttons currently, I assume you are using your middle finger on the primary button and your index finger on the upper button? Or are you trying to move your index to use it for both buttons?

I really wish they'd make an alternate button box where the upper flipper button was just below the standard button. This would be a MUCH more comfortable positioning, and it would allow you to use your "normal" finger for the primary flippers. The biggest complaint about the split buttons is having to learn to use a different finger. If you could use your index finger for the main flippers, like you do on EVERY other game, the learning curve would be much less - and I think they'd get a much higher adoption rate by players new to the platform.

Someone created a homemade version of exactly this, but it would be really cool if there was an official one from Multimorphic - especially since they used to publicize that the button boxes are easily swappable.

LOL - what he said...

I'd certainly like to try this too, but the ergonomics of the existing button positions are not ideal. I agree with you that it would be better than it currently is, but ideally I'd love more naturally positioned buttons that accomplish what we're both talking about.