Alien (Heighway Pinball)
Heighway Pinball, 2017
Full Throttle
Heighway Pinball, 2015Quoted from libtech:My guess it would need a code update to support the different hardware. But it depends what its running on now, what does it run on now?
http://www.compulab.co.il/utilite-computer/web/utilite-overview
I tried to find one online but they are not available from usual sources and seem to be out of production. Not a good sign. It would be good to have a backup solution.
Quoted from libtech:But it depends what its running on now, what does it run on now?
From what I gather, the FTH CPU is ARM based, whereas the Alien CPU is x86, both run some form of Linux. To get FTH running on the x86 CPU wouldn't be too hard, but again it's development time that might be better off spent doing something else.
Right now they don't sell playfield kits, no one is buying FTH, so there's no real financial incentive to get FTH running on the x86 board.
Quoted from Sonny_Jim:Right now they don't sell playfield kits, no one is buying FTH, so there's no real financial incentive to get FTH running on the x86 board.
I have bought an Alien kit, so I need the new CPU. As do all Full Throttle owners if they ever want to buy a kit.
I recall reading somewhere the computer used in alien can be used in full throttle but you need the SSD drive and SDcard for the Linux boot/game specific code. Certainly tech support should help you with this and get the parts you need, unless the company is on total freeze with no employees, which doesn't sound like the case
Quoted from Sonny_Jim:From what I gather, the FTH CPU is ARM based, whereas the Alien CPU is x86, both run some form of Linux. To get FTH running on the x86 CPU wouldn't be too hard, but again it's development time that might be better off spent doing something else.
Right now they don't sell playfield kits, no one is buying FTH, so there's no real financial incentive to get FTH running on the x86 board.
Quoted from Sonny_Jim:From what I gather, the FTH CPU is ARM based, whereas the Alien CPU is x86, both run some form of Linux. To get FTH running on the x86 CPU wouldn't be too hard, but again it's development time that might be better off spent doing something else.
Right now they don't sell playfield kits, no one is buying FTH, so there's no real financial incentive to get FTH running on the x86 board.
That's right. Full Throttle uses the Utilite, Alien uses the Zotac. Internally the code is organized differently, and software update is hopefully a little easier than before.
I've already ported the Full Throttle code onto the Zotac platform. I've been running it on my game for months now. The packages have been sent to the UK factory and final testing started. Obviously that has slowed down and I'm not sure where it stands on releasing it.
If you order an Alien kit, you'll be able to ditch the Utilite and just use the Zotac for both games. The SSD holds both sets of game code and you can switch between them with a simple menu change. If you aren't ordering Alien, but want to update your Full Throttle to the Zotac, there should be an option to do so - not sure about pricing or priority on that right now though.
So theoretically one of these guys with broken utilites could order one of these and get the image from Heighway tech support and get their Full throttle working? Are you using a 32gb SSD?
https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-Quad-Core-Graphics-Barebones-ZBOX-BI323-U/dp/B01N8WA35O
Quoted from bcd:That's right. Full Throttle uses the Utilite, Alien uses the Zotac. Internally the code is organized differently, and software update is hopefully a little easier than before.
I've already ported the Full Throttle code onto the Zotac platform. I've been running it on my game for months now. The packages have been sent to the UK factory and final testing started. Obviously that has slowed down and I'm not sure where it stands on releasing it.
If you order an Alien kit, you'll be able to ditch the Utilite and just use the Zotac for both games. The SSD holds both sets of game code and you can switch between them with a simple menu change. If you aren't ordering Alien, but want to update your Full Throttle to the Zotac, there should be an option to do so - not sure about pricing or priority on that right now though.
Quoted from Whysnow:Hopefully it is not too loud and you can hear some of your amazing stuff in real life action
Tommy and his crew from Nitro were great at the show. Day one the volume wasn't up but that was fixed for two and three and it was "Let's get it on" as Hudson would say.
Quoted from libtech:Thats good news for the guys above! Mine has a 30gb ssd alien image seems around 7gb, ft is a few?
Right, Full Throttle only uses about 2GB so there's plenty of room for both, plus future titles on the same 32GB SSD.
Quoted from bcd:The SSD holds both sets of game code and you can switch between them with a simple menu change.
Nice! Thanks for the update. Now we just need the company to actually exist and start functioning again to get these guys with issues back up and running. I'm in for an Alien kit/PC upgrade as soon as the "new guys" show they are delivering products.
Quoted from Aurich:If everyone makes a run on the bank and asks for refunds I expect the game and company to collapse. The few prototypes will be collector's items of what could have been.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Is what it is, just gonna make the costs of pulling this off too much, that's a huge instant cash drain. Doesn't mean everyone shouldn't do whatever they please, but all this crying and shaming over the new owners trying to keep people in is stupid. Of course they are. They're fighting to keep the game and company viable.
I'm already going back to the don't give a f*** mentality to be honest. I'd rather the whole thing collapse than deal with months and months of bellyaching and headaches and bullshit, I've had enough already.
It's known as a "recapitalization" and they should be able to find short term hard money if they are truly within weeks of production ramp up. I just wonder what exactly went wrong that stuck Heighway in the mud until his collapse. This unknown is the greatest risk to the entire project/company. The larger factory thing is what I think sunk the ship. Unwind that error and chop the ongoing overhead and they have a great chance of long-term viability. If they continue to do the same, I would expect more of the same results.
Quoted from Homepin:I have said from day one of this project that Homepin pinball machines WILL NOT be re-inventing the wheel - that they will be standard DMD machines.
The "God's gift" bit is your spin on things - I am unsure why you are so negative? Jealousy perhaps?
With all the time spent berating potential customers, it seems pretty obvious that Thunderbirds must already be shipping. Are there no production line problems to attract your attention? These posts seem reminiscent of some in the thread that spawned this one.
Quoted from SadSack:If they continue to do the same, I would expect more of the same results.
Well if by "continue to do the same" you mean "not ship games", then yes. I don't think the larger factory is the issue. If they get it maned and start shipping games they will be fine. People want this game and they will sell whatever they can ship for quite some time (couple years). Now if they want to keep the train going they will need a viable #3....and 4...and so on. (My guess is they already have plans for at least 3 & 4 but if they are smart we won't even hear about those until they are nearly ready to ship). I'm not convinced yet that they are that smart...for some reason manufacturers get stuck/confused about the "hype train".
Quoted from insx:I thought I'd check out the Homepin website, it made Heighway's website look world class.
Funny.. I did too... And it's broken. Nothing seems to load right.
Quoted from Radius118:Funny.. I did too... And it's broken. Nothing seems to load right.
Are you trying to view it on a PC with an LCD/LED or a DMD-based display?
Quoted from Oldgoat:Are you trying to view it on a PC with an LCD/LED or a DMD-based display?
Yes.. Why?
Quoted from Radius118:Yes.. Why?
Quoted from Homepin:I have said from day one of this project that Homepin pinball machines WILL NOT be re-inventing the wheel - that they will be standard DMD machines.
It was my attempt at a bit of humor given the derailing that took place. I admit it was not nice and for this I ask forgiveness from Robin, moderators and Homepin.
Quoted from Oldgoat:It was my attempt at a bit of humor given the derailing that took place. I admit it was not nice and for this I ask forgiveness from Robin, moderators and Homepin.
Oh got it.. I completely missed the joke. My bad. 
I like what Homepin is doing.So not a basher when I say that was funny and put a smirk on my face.It helped lighten the mood in here.
-Mike
Quoted from insx:I thought I'd check out the Homepin website, it made Heighway's website look world class.
The Homepin website is currently being upgraded. I took the advice of several commenting on here and commissioned it to be done. It will be a few days before it is working correctly again.
back to alien! I can't wait til the new owners have all their shit together and start pumping these pins out! Played one a few months ago and the potential is just too much for this game alone! Never mind what ever else comes out. And obviously I think they gonna make all the FT owners happy and repair all them "bricks" out there..just my opinion, but I got a good feeling about how this will turn out and can't wait to call Tommy@nitropinball to order a standard edition someday!!
Quoted from libtech:For Aliens, its a Zotac BI323 which are easy to find and cheap. I just bought another in case I need it and think it was about $120usd new. Figured it would at least be a month or two before I got one from Heighway, and want to get my game going.
Update - got the new zotac, no dice though, must be the hdd or data, still no contact from heighway about an image file 
What happens if this company makes 100 games, folds, and then there are hardware problems again?
It sucks not being able to get parts.
thats why I wasnt too worried about having a spare pc, in case they go tits up and cant get parts in the future..
You need the new image for this board along with the game code. I imagine Brian has a sdcard image and an ssd hard drive image, but it sounds like tech support will have to send them to you.
Quoted from libtech:Update - got the new zotac, no dice though, must be the hdd or data, still no contact from heighway about an image file
Quoted from TVP:What happens if this company makes 100 games, folds, and then there are hardware problems again?
It sucks not being able to get parts.
This is my concern. I want Alien and Full Throttle badly. But just getting Alien out the door is still a risk for buyers. Unfortunately I'll probably hold off on either title until I see the company has some legs and the product can operate reliably.
Quoted from Cheeks:This is my concern. I want Alien and Full Throttle badly. But just getting Alien out the door is still a risk for buyers. Unfortunately I'll probably hold off on either title until I see the company has some legs and the product can operate reliably.
I'll be happy to make you a deal on my FT. It's in the marketplace. Works 100% and is in very nice condition. I would like to fund a Dialed In or Star Wars.
Quoted from Homepin:My final post in this thread as I think it has been derailed enough:
Naw...
There is always room for Derail...
Also, why not add a derail-o-meter to threads Pinside?
....progress....
Nitro graciously loaned me the Alien that was at NWPAS. I'm testing the s*** out of it. There are issues that are being fed back to Wales to insure that when production resumes these games will be robust. Of course I am having my first chance to review the sound package while flipping. I made some good judgments and I missed a few (first try). This is to be expected. I will be addressing these as fast as I can. While doing that I am also reviewing and testing the entire package and giving notes back to the team. This refinement stage can only be done with a machine. In the very near future all the dev team will have dev machines and this will speed the enhancement process.
If you have liked what you have experienced so far we expect that you will be even more pleased with the finished package.
ddt
Quoted from daudioguy:....progress....
Nitro graciously loaned me the Alien that was at NWPAS. I'm testing the s*** out of it. There are issues that are being fed back to Wales to insure that when production resumes these games will be robust. Of course I am having my first chance to review the sound package while flipping. I made some good judgments and I missed a few (first try). This is to be expected. I will be addressing these as fast as I can. While doing that I am also reviewing and testing the entire package and giving notes back to the team. This refinement stage can only be done with a machine. In the very near future all the dev team will have dev machines and this will speed the enhancement process.
If you have liked what you have experienced so far we expect that you will be even more pleased with the finished package.
ddt
Thank you David. Keep us posted 
Quoted from daudioguy:....progress....
Nitro graciously loaned me the Alien that was at NWPAS. I'm testing the s*** out of it. There are issues that are being fed back to Wales to insure that when production resumes these games will be robust. Of course I am having my first chance to review the sound package while flipping. I made some good judgments and I missed a few (first try). This is to be expected. I will be addressing these as fast as I can. While doing that I am also reviewing and testing the entire package and giving notes back to the team. This refinement stage can only be done with a machine. In the very near future all the dev team will have dev machines and this will speed the enhancement process.
If you have liked what you have experienced so far we expect that you will be even more pleased with the finished package.
ddt
Hope everything works out and this machine gets out into the wild soon. I had cash in hand to buy from Cointaker during Pinfest. Maybe in the near future.
Quoted from daudioguy:....progress....
Nitro graciously loaned me the Alien that was at NWPAS. I'm testing the s*** out of it. There are issues that are being fed back to Wales to insure that when production resumes these games will be robust. Of course I am having my first chance to review the sound package while flipping. I made some good judgments and I missed a few (first try). This is to be expected. I will be addressing these as fast as I can. While doing that I am also reviewing and testing the entire package and giving notes back to the team. This refinement stage can only be done with a machine. In the very near future all the dev team will have dev machines and this will speed the enhancement process.
If you have liked what you have experienced so far we expect that you will be even more pleased with the finished package.
ddt
David is a class act and true professional. Hopefully production can come tegether and work out for all. I think there is a lot of lurkers looking to buy one of these when they're available cash and carry/ship.
Quoted from daudioguy:....progress....
Nitro graciously loaned me the Alien that was at NWPAS. I'm testing the s*** out of it. There are issues that are being fed back to Wales to insure that when production resumes these games will be robust. Of course I am having my first chance to review the sound package while flipping. I made some good judgments and I missed a few (first try). This is to be expected. I will be addressing these as fast as I can. While doing that I am also reviewing and testing the entire package and giving notes back to the team. This refinement stage can only be done with a machine. In the very near future all the dev team will have dev machines and this will speed the enhancement process.
If you have liked what you have experienced so far we expect that you will be even more pleased with the finished package.
ddt
Though it may be more of a video issue, the only thing I've noticed is when the mode "Combat Drop" is failed, the audio during the back & forth between Hudson ("How do I get out of this chicken isht..." and Sgt. Apone ("secure your isht Hudson") is out of sync compared to how their lips are moving in the video. I'm on 0.94.
Quoted from Agent_Hero:is out of sync compared to how their lips are moving in the video
good catch
yes I noticed this at NWPAS. keeping everything in sync is like "like nailing jello to a tree" sometimes.
it will be fixed.
ddt
Quoted from daudioguy:good catch
yes I noticed this at NWPAS. keeping everything in sync is like "like nailing jello to a tree" sometimes.
it will be fixed.
ddt
Thank you for all the hard work ahead.
Blessed be...
Patience and time.
Quoted from sed6:10 weeks
It's been 12 days since the "new" guys were forced to announce here before the legal stuff was even taken care of...I'd start the clock a week ago and keep emailing the new guys.
Quoted from sed6:Ugh, today marks 10 weeks since I've received any communication from Heighway...
congratulations ... 
Quoted from luvthatapex2:You need the new image for this board along with the game code. I imagine Brian has a sdcard image and an ssd hard drive image, but it sounds like tech support will have to send them to you.
I think alien is just the ssd image, no sd card, that was how ft rolled, we'll see. They should just be able to host it somewhere and send me the link. Havent heard anything back from heighway though yet.
Quoted from Wickerman2:It's been 12 days since the "new" guys were forced to announce here before the legal stuff was even taken care of...I'd start the clock a week ago and keep emailing the new guys.
Well by good fortune Daniel did PM me today! He offered me the same assurances as others have posted. I will continue to be patient and optimistic.
I love pinside but I'm not a fan of threads that get super crazy & emotional. I also prefer to stay on the sidelines - versus post - but I have an update I thought many would appreciate.
I was one of those guys that did a full payment pre-order for Aliens. When the news broke about the health of the company, I was frustrated and worried. Same as everyone else. I resented the fact that I wasn't a customer of Heighway Pinball, I was really an investor in Andrew's start-up. Without my knowing it, I had all the risk of an early stage investor with none of the upside.
I personally decided to ask for a refund. I needed an emotional break from this drama and to someone else's point, the investors should rescue this company on their own dime.
I'm happy to report that I've emailed & spoken with two of the investors and expressed my concerns. I received my refund in full today.
I can't speak to the investors' abilities - or how they will succeed while Andrew failed - but I can tell you they were open and ultimately stayed true to their word. In my limited experience, they were honest and have integrity. That is more than we got with Andrew in the end.
I'm sharing as I hope it makes some of you Alien pre-order customers feel better. I still would love this pin and really hope they make it.
Quoted from Deluxodave:I love pinside but I'm not a fan of threads that get super crazy & emotional. I also prefer to stay on the sidelines - versus post - but I have an update I thought many would appreciate.
I was one of those guys that did a full payment pre-order for Aliens. When the news broke about the health of the company, I was frustrated and worried. Same as everyone else. I resented the fact that I wasn't a customer of Heighway Pinball, I was really an investor in Andrew's start-up. Without my knowing it, I had all the risk of an early stage investor with none of the upside.
I personally decided to ask for a refund. I needed an emotional break from this drama and to someone else's point, the investors should rescue this company on their own dime.
I'm happy to report that I've emailed & spoken with two of the investors and expressed my concerns. I received my refund in full today.
I can't speak to the investors' abilities - or how they will succeed while Andrew failed - but I can tell you they were open and ultimately stayed true to their word. In my limited experience, they were honest and have integrity. That is more than we got with Andrew in the end.
I'm sharing as I hope it makes some of you Alien pre-order customers feel better. I still would love this pin and really hope they make it.
great news and thanks for sharing!
First solid good news I have heard in some time, I hope this trend continues. I look forward to buying one when they are in stock and available.
Quoted from Deluxodave:I received my refund in full today.
a handful more of these posts and all the negativity will evaporate and they can focus on delivering their game to everyone.
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