My question is, why spend time on Sonic the Hedgehog pin if predator wasn't ready?

No shit!

I was always 100% in, but now I am wavering. What is going on here? A few pics, no video, has anyone played the game? No one reporting on game play. WTF??

I just thought I'd point out that I really hate that apron lol. I know it's minor but just thought I'd put that out there.

get centerflank to sign it

What the hell? I don't understand how they didn't put it on their website. I'm in til the end and very hopeful that my deposit and patience have been worth it.

I just got report from expo that Predator is still not working.

Don't kill the messenger, just reporting what was told to me by someone on site. I am not happy to hear this.

Here is what I was told by an unbiased friend>>>

"Nothing about it is good news at this point. The ramps rejected almost every shot, and then if you did make a ramp it would fly off the side. None of the vuks worked, he kept pulling the balls out of them with a magnet on a stick. The centers targets were getting destroyed in a hurry by direct hits. Embarrassingly bad."

apparently the game was put in to attract mode and left at that...

there's plenty of time for crying after we HEAD FOR THA CHOPPA !!!!!

predator-Anna-cry.jpg

Well that doesn't sound reassuring.

Well.

Shit.

This day just keeps getting better. I need to come up a bit. Can I give anyone $5 to kick me right in the fucking nuts?

That giant bulldog head holding the cup of coffee is me.

Yeah, well just imagine how the SkitB boys feel about it. As disappointed as I am to hear this, I'm especially bummed for them.

Brutal.

I really feel bad for those guys as well......I'm just gonna consider my $250 as a donation to pinball development and a great effort by these guys and move on, look how hard it was for JJP to get a pin out the door with a full blown factory and programmers.....I hope they have success, never give up...!

The radio silence from Skit-B is disturbing as well, although they have their hands full. I'm still hopeful it'll all come together in the end and be the game we all want it to be. They must feel some pressure to get it out the door before too long though.

I spoke to Kevin today. They haven't given up, far from it. Some shit happened the past few days that was un expected and they are moving forward. The team is working their ass off on this project. StarFox and Sonic was filler work to keep them occupied while waiting for vendors etc. Everyone knows what Jack went / is going through, this shit takes time. Am happy that I wasn't able to play Predator this weekend? No of course not I was really looking forward to it. Could they have communicated a bit better sure......but they are working on like 3 hours of sleep this week and I personally decided to cut them some slack. Their enthusiasm for pinball speaks for itself and they are fully committed.

On a side note, they are working on fixing the vertebrae so that it is lined up with the skull.

One unrelated side not Centerflunk loves beer!

Edit: the visorboy pictured is Centerflank.

20131019_200641.jpg

This is pretty good to hear. I just figured that the prototype would have been tried and true, but shit happens. Looking forward to hearing from them here at some point.

(Now, please dispose of that visor in your nearest trash receptacle.)

Cheers dude. At this point event he news about the vertebrae is calming.

The problems with Predator seem far bigger than a personal emergency a few days before expo would have created. I hate being told that I need to keep the faith. Faith should have nothing to do with it. This was the time to lay it all out there and lock it down, full steam ahead to production.

I'm bummed. bummed for the boys, bummed for us, bummed for everyone who wanted this to go another way. oh well.

2014 for sure (maybe)

From what Kevin told me yesterday when I asked about whether there were transportation issues it seems that before they put the machine together to bring to the show something went wrong and it fell off the rotisserie. I dunno what was damaged but this could certainly affect their ability to get everything working here at the show.

Riiiiight. Sorry guys.

HEY! Let's not be too hard on the boys!...remember...STERN does not have a working Star Trek LE at the show because of "issues".....just sayin'...

Trust Ted.

Man. And then my five year old busted a god damned CF light all over the carpet just now. Ever try to clean up mercury dust and powder size glass out of thick carpet? Christ on a cracker, what witch did I piss off this week?

I've been holding out for our vacation coming up in a few weeks but I think I might just knock a few back tonight. Anyone?

I'm on call and I'm drinking. Go ahead.

Also, shopvac?

Now you have your very own Superfund site.

Carpets/Area Rugs:
If a CFL breaks on carpeting or area rugs,
it can be either treated in place or
removed from the home.

The small amount mercury inside of a CFL
can penetrate carpet and continue to be
emitted at very low levels for a long time.
This may continue even after the initial
clean up.

If a CFL breaks on carpeting,
consider removing the section of carpet
where the breakage occurred, especially if
young children or pregnant women
frequently use this room.

If the bulb
breaks on an area rug, consider discarding
the entire rug.

Disposal &Transportation After Removal

Dispose of a carpet/area rug
contaminated by a broken CFL by
carefully rolling it up and placing it in a
large plastic bag. You can also use
several plastic bags duct taped together
to wrap around the carpet. Place it in an
outdoor trashcan right away.

If you will be transporting it to the
dump in your vehicle, keep it outside
until you make the trip. Make sure the
rug is wrapped in plastic so it cannot
contaminate your vehicle.

http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/environmental_health/eoha/pdf/cfl_fact_sheet.pdf

Never.

That spreads the Mercury all through the house.

I'm as disappointed as everyone else. Of course, these guys started this project with no funding, no deposits, no history, no employees, nothing. They have come a long way from the white wood days.

Enthusiasm does seem to have dampened a bit with many. Things have changed a lot from 18 months ago in the industry and this game still feels long away. That said, I'm sticking in the project; I think in the end they will deliver; it will just take more time.

If it ain't broke, it ain't pinball - JJP

It sucks they did not get it working until late in the eve, but there were plenty of other games shut off in the hall because they were broken too.

#10
Production #22
I'm still excited about Predator!

Bravo

Thanks for the update Kevin. Please know that although there are some frustrations being expressed most of us are still pulling for Skit-B's success and great anticipation to get the pin in our homes. So sorry to hear about your loss wish you and the family the very best. Keep your head up buddy us pinball addicts want to see you all hit this out of the park!!

Thank you Kevin!! Sets me and a lot of us at ease I'm sure.

Awesome news about the hanging body! Was really what I was hoping for.

I'm willing to wait until you get this machine the way you envisioned it.

Kevin looked so focused that I didn't even want to stop him to introduce myself, but then he stopped what he was doing to look up and say something nice to a small child who was obviously getting ready to grow up to be a pinhead. No real point to my story I guess, but I imagine it's stressful to have your game on the floor not working like you know it should, and he seemed to be handling it like a champ.

Possible to be working on Sunday?

Thanks Kevin. Sh**t happens, we all know that. Exciting times, but also hard times.

Give us regular feedback! Antonio from Quetzal is sending emails to each client every month or so. Not going into the details, but he did experience major setbacks too.

Now before you read what I am about to say I want you to know something.

I am pulling for you guys... and I want this to work. For you all, for your pre order customers, and for pinball. Its a great thing you are doing, and there is absolutely no question that you are passionate about your product. I can understand how this weekend has been frustrating, and I think you have handled it well both in person and online.

But I dont believe that there is any UV whatsoever on the playfield at EXPO.

When you were gone Saturday a group of pre-order people walked over to your game, rigged up a high power UV lighting source, and put it directly onto the playfield. I was nearby when it happened so I filmed it. And yes, I was truly hoping to see something awesome.

We saw nothing.

This light was intense, powerful, and pointing directly down onto the playfield. It was more direct on the payfield art than your lights on the side of the cabinet would have been if we ever saw them on.

UV PREDATOR-277.jpg
Full Video Link - http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/39973100

I have no problem with someone saying "Hey guys, we didnt get to it yet." or "Hey guys, its not ready". But to see you say "The UV works fine" man... its just not true.

Nothing showed up. Nothing at all.

And please... please... if I am wrong (and actually, I hope that I am) post a pic/video of it in action and say "get lost dude" and I will certainly edit my entire post for you.

Once again, best of luck to you and your team, and I really hope this gets polished out and into a badass pinball machine for everyone. It looks sick from the outside if you ask me.

I see a hand!

Thanks for the update Kevin. We are all disappointed but I really feel for you guys as it must have been especially frustrating and stressful.
I didn't particularly like the first pics I saw but think it's growing on me and I'm really starting to like it a lot.
The plastics look great and really give a jungle feel to it. Red trim is awesome and The skull and body better than I could have imagined,once it's fixed to sit over the ramp it will look amazing.
From what I could see from the display I think we are gonna be blown away.
Great job guys,don't rush. We can wait.Its pinball and we are in this hobby because we love and enjoy it.

UV NINJA DETECTIVES IN DA HOUSE.

I don't have a dog in this race besides being glad that there is another manufacturer on the scene with a reasonable price point to boot. That being said, here are some thoughts from an outsider:

1. Backbox art looks cool albeit a little simple. One feature that you have to have is a "blackout mode" where everything turns of EXCEPT for the red glowing of the Predators eyes. Perhaps at game start? With his clicking noise?

2. Playfield artwork looks very Data East. I don't love it but it is a nice return to the art of the hey day of pins.

3. The art on the plastics should be much more creatively done than just tree branches. Throw some monkeys in there, maybe a plastic of Arnold and Apollos arms locked from that famous scene. I dunno. Break it up besides the shrubbery.

4. Back of the playfield seems to have an awful lot hidden from view. That always sucks for a player.

5. That spine and skull should be wrapped around a functional wireform or something. Just sitting there is kinda lame. If they are "functional" my apologies

6. Lastly, if I may throw this idea out there...what about a 5 ball captive ball set of scoops. Each one you hit stops the predators wrist timer for a few more seconds.

Anyway, those are some thought from a guy on Ambien at 6am

A shrubbery!?!

Thanks for the posts Kevin.
I was having mixed emotions this week at expo.
On one hand I was really disappointed to not see the game at all on Thursday and then further upset at not being able to play it before leaving early Saturday for the 9hr drive back to Toronto.
However, I was pretty happy with the progression from the last build in Allentown (that I did get to play).
Of course a few things still need massaging and refinement. Matt across the aisle was also a big help in answering a few questions while Kevin was away.

I had a great time playing it earlier this year, so I can only assume this build is better.
We only got to talk for a couple of minutes before the SkitB seminar, but I have to admit that Kevin appeared to be taking everything in stride and handling the stress pretty well.

And Kevin, thanks for bringing those parts for me. I know you had a lot on your plate. I appreciate it.

Adriano

Kevin, speaking from my own perspective here. I think there would have been a lot less disappointment if there had been more communication over the last 6 months+. I nearly made the trip to expo myself with the big reason being to play Predator. I am sure there are others that went there for that reason too. The spring update was kind of dusted off and everyone was waiting faithfully in the dark for this to be the 'big reveal'. Delays don't bother me because this is a tremendous undertaking and everyone with any common sense about pinball knows sh** happens and things don't always go as planned. Just keep us in the loop! We may be able to handle the bad news better than you would expect and it's always better that it come from you than from random observers. I'm still hoping you guys can turn this all around.

On another note, yes, I did think the red trim looked pretty good. If you are going that route instead of stainless, how about adding some matching red t-moulding to the front of the backbox? That would be a super easy addition that would really make the game pop!

Brian

Kevin >> Looking forward to the big reveal from home base and lots of pictures to dispell the UV coat stuff. I feel for you guys and am sorry for your loss this past week.

Bakuspam >> I hope Kevin is able to put you in your place because I am rooting for them.
On the topic of all your ustreaming >>I know many people liked your video taping because it kept them up to date on expo, but stuff like this is pretty shady and I doubt the viewing public knows how you were going about it. I saw numerous times where you were videotaping and talking to people while holding your phone up videotaping and recording them without their knowledge. I suggest announcing to people FIRST and asking if you can 'interview them' before just doing it.

I love the plastics, really gives it that jungle feel.

The blood on the skull above the flippers should probably just be erased. No other problems with the art IMO.

The 'PREDATOR' text on the back of the playfield is redundant. The translight is plenty.

On a related note I would love to see a high quality helicopter toy. Maybe a helicopter that sticks out of the back of the playfield? Like only the front half emerges. If I had any art skills I would post a paint pic.

Hmmmm. Interactive or not, I really like the idea of a "choppa" toy.
Has nobody thought of this yet???
I'm sure it's in the thread somewhere... amidst all the ponies and boobs