Yep, no shortage of comments that haven't/won't age well around here.

The fact that it was called out as BS, on post #8, of a thread that has 24,000 responses, that predates the dr disaster with 21,000 is just mind blowing that people went in on this AFTER American Pinball dumped him asap. What a bullet they dodged. Just nuts really.

I wonder how many current RAZA pre orders had no idea .

I'll post again for clarity.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/jpop-update-thread%e2%80%a6%e2%80%a6%e2%80%a6%e2%80%a6%e2%80%a6mg-raza-and-aiw%e2%80%a6

Yikes, I guess I should’ve ordered only 100 of these. Missed that forum, dang. I was rejected as a distributor too. Maybe I can start building these in my garage.

Contact RM, he could use your services! Hell, build 1 and you are 100% ahead!

Build 10 and I am way ahead.

Build 100 and I can retire.

Sign me up.

Line starts here! Lots a $$$ ready to throw down! Get in, before you can't!

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/jpop-update-thread%e2%80%a6%e2%80%a6%e2%80%a6%e2%80%a6%e2%80%a6mg-raza-and-aiw%e2%80%a6

Actually Was thanks! My son was promoted to Senior Chief in the Navy. Youngest guy to achieve that rank to date. Hell of a great day thanks so much for asking! Life is good.

That is a great accomplishment! Congrats to him and yourself, that's a hella great job.

Appreciated. Very proud of my son and all he has accomplished. Still out on a 7 month tour somewhere near Guam? Hard to see him away from his kids but he's helping keep our land free so I support his commitment. Plus I got to see a rail gun shoot a floating bouncy house so tax dollars well spent!! lol

Congrats on your son Yelo and his commitment to the country

It was a magical time to be a Zidware customer 10 years ago. I'd even call jpop once in a while, and couldn't believe I was talking to Willy Wonka himself. And then I'd be surprised how long he'd want to stay on the phone for... like, doesn't he have work to do?

I can't remember when the shine came off. It was before Expo 2014, that simply made it real for everyone.

Any word when RAZAs will be released? I thought it was supposed to be earlier this year?

You know that sign you see in dive bars that says "free beer tomorrow"?

You will get RAZA right after that beer.

Is there something in the water?

I hope not. Because we are drinking the same water.

They fracked the hell out of NYC's watershed, so it's likely benzine...

Most likely - it's troll water.

Dodged a bullet? Did you see John's fake Houdini at Expo 2016? The one he used to trick AP into starting a company? It wasn't a real game. They didn't know that until they hired Joe. Joe tried to work with John, of course impossible, so fired him and redid the game. MG-Houdini, that's a pattern, he should have been done but Robert was waiting in the wings with stars in his eyes.

AP dodged a bullet? More like took one and thankfully had a good doctor nearby.

I thought it might be from the moat!

X2 after calling JPOP to check in and spending a long while on the phone I remember being like “well shoot John I better get off of here, I have to get back to work”

but... but... but... the artwork!!!

Oh I agree Matt Andrew's art was great on the OG Houdini.

But yeah. Just acrylic BS representing toys, shots to nowhere, nonsense word inserts. That's when I lost all respect for John. He spends all this time on stuff like Houdini or KISS and it's not even a real game. More like an impression of one, and if you didn't know better (cough cough the AP owners) you'd think it was real.

The two Houdinis.

FB_IMG_1628962178008 (resized).jpg

FB_IMG_1628962184582 (resized).jpg

Shocking that they didn't have a clue, and were surprised at the expo response.

You gotta admit, functionalty-aside, that original Houdini LOOKS amazing aesetically.

Saw the og Houdini in person at expo and the art/presentation looked AWESOME. But ya, even my brother who isn't super into pinball was like 'how the hell is this shot going to work' lol.

AP should have kept John on as an art director. They surely could have used one. But the scam was probably too great a wound to overcome (plus he's un-manageable)

It does, but the new package (style aside) does a way better job to capture the essence of who Houdini really was (aaand then sprinkled Steampunk stuff on top XD).

Now you are saying they should have kept him? I'd think you would give them a little respect since they dumped JPOP once they learned if his toxicity and have a similar rep for service after the fact, much like Spooky. Also, a very attractive entry price point. HW is fun, but I also like the theme and cars....

Like Spooky they are growing and have a great rep.

AP's biggest issues are bad theme choice and shitty artwork. John could have solved both those problems but he poisoned the well with the Houdini scam. (Balcer told me the whole story at TPF 2017 cigar night, was hilarious. I miss hanging out with Joe)

Guess I chalk it up to "missed opportunity" but in the end, was John writing checks his games couldn't cash. He could have helped AP but was just looking for his latest bailout.

Anything positive to say about any pinball company other than Spooky?

Oh, the secret blog! That is the comedy gold right there. That was some good times. Shows you how far we have come when 7 years later these guys are right back to talking about the possibility of getting s00per s33krit info out to all the owners in a private manner that surely won't be leaked, and will definitely prove games are going to be built. Right back to square one, fellas.

Are you talking about the Mitchell secret Facebook/litigation blog?

7 yrs later and the litigation still ensues with NADA to show for it. He’s still having secret discussions with the lawyers.

How are you gonna get anything out of judgment proof John? Lol

Bennie loves him some Bennie. Just ask him! He’s pre gaming for his big launch coming up.

Hey I’m anxious to see it myself.

GNR is awesome. Jurassic Park also really really good. Mando... Meh.

The Stranger Things projector works quite well in person. It's a very cool idea I hope Stern or other explore the concept more. (demogorgan shot sucks though)

I think projection mapping is a whole new area that could be an enhancement to existing playfields or to new games; I’m really looking forward to seeing innovation on that angle

Goddamn, what I wouldn't give to hear some of these stories.

I like the original Houdini art more too bad JPOP can’t stick to art and not be the poison he is to anything really being accomplished.

Standby Raza owners maybe Deep Root does a Phil refund play like Dutch Pinball. Anything is possible in this saga of pinball production is easy.

The problem is he doesn’t do the art either, the art is always commissioned. I mean, credit for finding good artists, I guess?

I agree he picks interesting art

How about a short what-if game for > anyone with a deposit or more with deeproot?

* What-if email was sent to Owners and a public notice posted that said ... deeproot has decided to reopen the window for issuing refunds. Beginning in one day and lasting for two days. Any Owner can request a refund of monies they’ve paid and refunds will be issued within one day of asking. deeproot will make an electronic deposit, issue money order, issue company check or whatever is easy.

* And nothing else is provided. No explanation if dr is still in business. no comment on the future of RAZA’s nor why did dr take down communications? You can only either choose to take action and request a refund or you can do nothing and nothing will have changed from where it sits.

** Question - if you have a deposit in, would you take this offer?

(disclaimer - this is only a hypothetical question, no such offer has been made)

I just read the old JPOP thread, and 7 years ago Iceman said they were going to make 125 RAZA's.

Hmmmm.... and DR officially said they "sold" 123 games 7 years later?

Very odd coincidence.

I read that as Ice just being wrong. Again.

Seems like a bated what if to cheer a convert or further slam a buyer. I’ll bite, I’m still in thanks.

^^ perfect. Keep them coming. The aspect of question that makes it interesting to me is that no new info will be known. It is based on whatever a person knows right now.

And I think it should be offered to anyone involved in litigation too. If you take the money you lose claim to a game and your participation in a lawsuit is null and void. Because you are getting paid.

I prefer ICEGELLAN! Lol

You didn’t really read all 25k posts in that beauty of a thread did you?

There was going to be 99 regular edition RAZAs and the 25 Cointaker specials and out of those Ben and Jpop were going to come to your house to assemble your game for another $1k I think?

One of the dumbest ideas ever and you can’t even fly/hotel/meals for 2 for $1k. Lol

The only “special” Cointaker received thus far has sadly been the BOHICA burrito