I've spotted some duplicate accounts of his and notified the mods. It doesn't seem real easy to spot duplicate accounts unless those of us who are on here often help out.

Chris could probably start a new account if he wanted and be a quality pinsider but he just starts new shit with each new username. It's pretty sad.

They may be a legit manufacturer but just having JPOP involved makes people cautious (I hope). Until they produce a game I can pay for and pick up same day then I will be skeptical.

I really think that's all we have. Man I want to go to Expo.

I hope the playfield looks better than the cab. Reminds me of a Zen virtual pin.

They say history repeats itself. I'm wondering how long other high points in pinball lasted. I'm thinking late 70s/early 80s and early to mid 90s. Did those last 5 years or less before interest waned?

I'm secretly hoping for a real life Zen Sorcerer's Lair but that theme to me is more 80s children's movie than magic.

I wish I was closer.

Isn't MSRP closer to the real thing for these smaller pin makers? Spooky says $6250 and that's what you pay. Heighway's suggested price is also very close to what you have to pay. I'd say the $7K will be the price.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. First let's see this thing actually play before talking price. I do hope they bring their machine to Expo in playable form but probably best to leave JPOP at home.

I'm curious if that becomes a one time a year thing. Stern makes one higher priced pin that's "maxed out" on features per year. I know they said this is just for their 30th anniversary but they have an anniversary every year.

My area was pretty recession proof. We felt little effects of it but I know that for some people it was pretty rough.

I'm not a part of either group. I'm just an outsider interested in seeing new pinball games being made. Although I do hope people have the common sense to only buy a game that's standing in front of them. No more of this preordering bullshit, especially now that so many pins are being made.

It sounds to me that JPop working gives the people who spent their money unwisely on him a better chance of getting their money or a pinball machine out of the deal. That's the reasonable thought but I know there are some that are still emotional from the whole ordeal.

In relation to Jpop, I'm an outsider. I didn't put any preorder money down and I'm not a fanboy of his previous (or current) games. They are OK but nothing spectacular.

That attract mode is the bare minimum. Inserts on. Inserts off. Looks like there are some different colors in the inserts and the screen say Press Start. I wish somebody would have.

Anybody have any experience with those boards they referenced in the video?

That's the way to do it but who knows if that will ever happen. It's just so weird how they popped up overnight.

Everyone talks about how code is so important on Stern's games. I'm curious who is doing their programming. It's never been important for the popularity of Jpop's other games but he's never made a game in this millenium either.

Thanks Mr. Heck.

I'm a novice to this sort of stuff.

Don't forget about us in-betweeners who are reading this thread because it's like seeing an accident before your eyes. It's fascinating.

I'm not mad at JPOP but I understand why others are. I don't fully support AP but it would be neat if they succeeded despite the uphill climb.

You act surprised at the dig towards 80s Dodges but then reply with examples of good Dodges that weren't from the 80s.

Dodge (or Chrysler) had a bad rep in the 80s mainly for the government loan they received. Also their styling is pure cheese. But they did have some popular cars like the K cars and the Caravan. In fact just looking at pics of them makes me want one for the cheese.

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Ah, I see where I made the mistake. The OP (which isn't me) posted "Sterns are like used Dodges" and you asked, "80s used Dodges?" because you stated Dodges today are very well made. Well as least I got to post some pics of some cool 80s Chryslers.

I hope you keep posting pics. Are the games there?

Wasn't there supposed to be a Magic Girl at Expo?

So true. I mean was there any reason for the rushed reveal. I didn't catch even so much as here a whisper on here before a couple of weeks ago. Maybe it was JPOP's litigation troubles that pushed the reveal.

I was very surprised by that. Why put one company who just appeared a month ago and another that just seems to be a licensing firm on their shirt with legit manufacturers?

I guess it might be a nice keepsake when they fade into obscurity.

That kind of confuses me because didn't he post on Facebook that he saw their factory and it was real. Was that hackers?

That playfield displayed like that is kind of hilarious and sad.

I'm wondering if JPOP offered this game to them at a discount rate and these guys thought this would be a jump start in starting a new pin company. This makes me think they may be telling the truth that they don't know who the artist is. Maybe another reason they don't want to say who the artist is JPOP owes him money too.

*Ahem* Actually that's the color lavender, a common misconception.

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That nut is actually on the lane plastic.

Was there a RAZA playfield revealed? I thought there was just a cabinet.

It doesn't really matter.

I guess that's what they were thinking? I mean it's not like they had to travel cross country and we've already seen a cabinet. Strange indeed.

Maybe the Zidware games can be the Minecraft of pinball. They give you the complete physical game. They make a free program for your computer that allows you to create your own software and rules for it. No more #wheresthecode.

The difference there is Stern is making a ton more games and can charge less because of that. I don't how this became an argument of what Spooky is doing but they have done things the right way. Start small and simple and build from there. If you look at how Stern started it's very similar.

For a couple of years Gary Stern was just making conversion kits with Pinstar and then started making full machines with the backing of Data East. He made a few original theme games and built confidence until he got some licenses.

Spooky has already jumped in front of Stern with a contracted game for Domino's which Stern hadn't done until Pabst Can Crusher. I deeply admire Spooky for their hard work and patience. Someday I would love to support them with a game purchase. The same cannot be said of American Pinball yet and with an abundance of choices to spend money in this hobby it may never happen.

Whizbang is more like Ka-Pow. Stern is just licensing the game. Domino's and Pabst are actually the companies selling the pin, not Stern, Spooky or the distributors.

Sure CGC contracted Stern to do the assembly of MM but MM is not a promotional product. Pabst and Domino's are promoting a brand. An equivalent is getting a bunch of pens or coffee cups with your company name on them. Obviously pins are more complex.

Companies that contract manufacture an item to promote someone's product is different from licensing IP. It's similar to what companies in China do.

Next time can you turn your phone on the side?

Seven ball game?! Weird.

Even though it's photoshop I like the art. I will always prefer hand drawn art but this is well done.

The screen and backglass surround are very nice. I much prefer them over Stern's bigger speaker panel solution.

The cabinet head shape is a negative. I never understood making odd shapes with the backbox. It takes longer, makes more waste, and looks uglier.

I know it may be impossible to hit a lower price point but if A.P. (or anyone) can hit the Stern's pro price point with a future game maybe we'll see a shift in market share. For now I don't think this makes much difference.

Very impressed with the speed of putting this together. Now we'll see if they are just as quick with production. The photoshop, the backbox shape and any other negatives are small potatoes that can be fixed with future games if needed. Focus on code and producing the games quickly and A.P.'s reputation will grow exponentially and JPop will be forgotten.

Take a boo, A.P. You did a good job.

Totally agree there. I'm not interested in buying but I wouldn't mind playing it because...well, you know...I like pinball.

It will be interesting to see how well it plays for such a short development.

I wonder what the story behind Balcer's layout is. If he already had ideas to change things at Expo or started fresh. 5 months have past since Expo. How does that development time compare with Stern?