Quoted from BalkeBoy:

I didn't know anything then either, but it didn't feel like work smacking the ball around to start or do something. The shots were fast and not hidden in horseshoes when made. Mostly I just remember hearing "shoot the wamps to light battle" and "shoot the scoop", which was enough to start something dynamically different. The game was/is complicated, but FUN. And now we have the complaint that all bad shots still progress stuff so you're never really punished on Godzilla. Can't please everyone. I never said Scooby was bad, just my opinion that it wasn't very fun and felt unclear. After reading some more here, it's more clear and hopefully that will make it more fun whenever I can play again. I'll try harder to be less bad at Scooby, I swear!

Quoted from BallyKISS1978:

Been there since Saturday. Rep said I probably will be able to get it on the 1st when it was scheduled to be delivered and that’s when my daughters brain surgery is

Quoted from BalkeBoy:

AFM95 Aw man, I only said I'm an average player. Maybe I am below average! After 10 minutes (not 10 games) on Godzilla at Tilt Oct 2021, I put an order down for one without hesitation. Probably unfair to compare 1st impression Godzilla to Scooby though. And definitely not a Stern buttlicker. They treat their customers like dog lately and cheap out anywhere they can get away. Canceled my EHOH order and glad I did.

Quoted from rue_:

We are supposedly in the early 100's through Pinstar. Hoping to be the first in Montana to get one on location.

Quoted from rue_:

I feel like backing out on buying now. It's a shame cause I feel the same about Rick N Morty, it's got great call outs and whatever but actual play sucks.

Quoted from BalkeBoy:

I don't post much because I don't want to get stomped down on like many do for having an unpopular opinion or being buttholes but thought I had a fair opinion I could defend that someone might want to read

Quoted from BallLocks:

I liked your write up. Not every game is for everybody. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't dig TZ. I've owned three of them, and they end up going away every time. I just think it's funny how one opinion now has some folks questioning life. I mean, what did they see before that now all of a sudden, they don't? If I posted my opinion on TZ, I wouldn't expect I am going to convince someone not to get it?

Quoted from BalkeBoy:

I'll try that next time for a proper Pinside response.

Quoted from brerspidur:

just got notice that #58 will be shipping tomorrow (it just missed going out on the truck today). so to give a timeline
butter/no butter email 2/13
invoice sent 2/18
Shipped 2/28(pending)

Quoted from BalkeBoy:

jrdjhnson Maybe it was how I wrote it that got people thinking? I tried to be detailed with issues, opinions, and thoughts on how to address them without being too polarizing. If I said, "I didn't know what to shoot, nothing cool happened, and the game played like shit. Enjoy your overpriced box of ass, SCOOBY DOUCHE!!!"
I'll try that next time for a proper Pinside response.

Quoted from Jediturtle:But I have no idea how someone can play a 10-12 minute game and only lock one ball and not finish any modes.

Quoted from Riefepeters:

Agreed…if you are playing a game produced by Stern! Most sterns you can just doink into stuff which is probably part of their mass appeal.
This is spooky. Which has the boutique, curated, and intentional, je ne sais pa game play…
I guess the guy just never ripped the spinners!

Quoted from bobukcat:

Does this (ball hitting the glass) actually bother people? I think it's cool when the ball hits the glass on the White Water ramp and even on MM when the trolls slam one against it, surely this happens on The Hobbit too.

Quoted from jakedistel:

Thanks GamerRick for all the feedback! Just making me want THIS game in OUR basement more...have to say that I do enjoy the anticipation though!! All part of the experience. Kind of like a kid waiting for some holiday/birthday gift. Major applause for all the input from everyone that has been able to get to the game. Have a feeling our first experience will be making a 2 hour drive to Southland Lanes in Middleburg Heights in Ohio unless we can drive a little further to NorthEnd Pub in Lafayette, IN. Everyone enjoy!

Quoted from jakedistel:

This video appears to show the speaker lights working. Was that the case? Thank you. Watching on a phone so video is rather small or perhaps my eyes are just old. Haha.

Quoted from BalkeBoy:

I played about 10 games at Tilt on Sunday (that ball stuck by the blue robot was thanks to me!) and was waiting all weekend to get there right at opening to make sure I could get some time on it.
This was the game that ALMOST got me buy NIB without playing one. In the late 90's, I was hired by WB in high school to be a costumed Scooby for Mall-oween promotion of that Zombie Island movie. I have a Scooby and Shaggy costume that we break out when we need funny Halloween costumes in a pinch. I have massive love for Scooby and the gang. All that to say (massive grain of salt)...
This game felt like WORK. Shots were easy enough to hit without being gimmes but still needing some aim. I got to start quite a few different cases (liked the intro videos!) and don't think I completed one? Hit those horseshoes over and over to collect clues or go up to get some more air on the upper playfield over and over. I'm probably an average player, but I was just chopping wood, hardly ever getting anywhere. On my last game, I finally locked ONE ball for mystery machine multiball. ONE BALL on at least a 10-12 minute game and had no idea how I finally qualified a lock. I tried staying up in the upper playfield and wailing away at all the lit Cutler shots and never started that multiball either.
Balls would land on the apron dongs and slowly squirt back to the flippers. I'm sure I'm missing knowledge and learning the rules would make things more likely to happen. It was mostly just hit some shots until I was told to head to the Mystery Machine to start a case, I'd start a case, and then just fart around hitting whatever was lit, hoping to finish it. It wasn't fun or exciting to get more clues. The music didn't ramp up, I never really knew if I was close unless I peaked and saw 5/6 clues on the screen.
That upper playfield is SLOW. It's almost like playing pinball in water (which maybe works for Cutler up there?) Lean into it and put some effects to change the music to sound distorted like you're listening under water or something kooky because I don't think that will change unless you juice up those flippers. Loved the bookshelf catching the ball option.
I never knew why I needed to go for the double drop target rows. I liked the drop ball saver feature. That will be a hit with family and friends.
You just keep hearing that same background song over and over. No variations of it. Even Munsters has a different spin on that same stupid theme for each ball so you don't feel like you're going insane. Could each character have their own theme or spin of that "looking for clues" slow theme plays? Something?
This is a family friendly kids theme. It's a party game with FIVE CHARACTERS. I'd be very into a game like this in my house. But maybe not this game. I know we all want depth and challenge and modes for days so we never tire of these games (like I'm tired of Munsters). But there's no progressive challenge to the game so friends, family, and KIDS can see and do some fun stuff. I watched multiple kids walk up and play many games because it's bright eye candy. Didn't look like they were having much fun, or laughing, or telling their dads what happened. Because nothing happened. Just that slow "dun dun dunnnnnnnn, da da da da da dunnnnnn" over and over with some callouts thrown in (I do love those!)
Could there be some tiered-level of difficulty modes, where the first one or two cases are noob friendly and you can actually clear through them, maybe fumble into a multiball so people can hear that classic Scooby Doo theme song (which will eventually drive the good players nuts like Blue Oyster Cult on Godzilla does)? Maybe your first mystery is one of two or three easier ones to get through and you can be rewarded with a fun multiball, then things get progressively harder? You got tons of villains on there, no one is angry on Godzilla you start with picking out of the same 4 battles every time. Maybe Scooby is the easier mode character to start since we know that's who kids will want to be and Velma and Fred are harder because they're the bravest and smartest?
Another ball fell off the right side of the upper playfield and got stuck up and inside the Mystery Machine behind a wire (where I saw ANOTHER ball already stuck there from a previous player!) so there is definitely some need to add more plastics, don't make owners and modders create stuff to do your work.
It looks like I'm dumping on this game. And maybe I am. I just felt "whelmed" playing it. I'm still hopeful that this will be a great game and be a boon for Spooky after the Halloween Ultraman poopsplosion. I left Tilt not feeling a big desire to play that game again anytime soon until the code changes a bunch. I wanted to keep playing it to give it another shot, like maybe I'm missing something. But it was never all that fun.
Spooky is a small town hero gone big time. They're not the underdogs anymore as much as apologists will make us think that. I'm ready to see them step up and make this a fast, funny, great time that we know it can be. I will have faith they are far from done on this game.

Quoted from GamerRick:

I always worry it’s going to shatter and I’ve heard that a shattered pinball glass is a nightmare you do not want to experience.

Quoted from Aurich:

The magic of tempered glass is it's very strong across the face, where the ball strikes. The weakness, and the way most people have glass explode on them (hi, I'm in the club), is putting it down on the edge or corner wrong, on say concrete. Don't do that!
A clean piece of tempered glass inside a machine is very safe.

Quoted from Aurich:

The magic of tempered glass is it's very strong across the face, where the ball strikes. The weakness, and the way most people have glass explode on them (hi, I'm in the club), is putting it down on the edge or corner wrong, on say concrete. Don't do that!
A clean piece of tempered glass inside a machine is very safe.

Quoted from CoolCatPinball:

Aurich is 100% correct. I feel like this video is once again appropriate. Enjoy!!

Quoted from BalkeBoy:

GamerRick I think you missed the part where I worked as Scooby Doo for one of their movies and own a Scooby and Shaggy get up for couples costume emergencies, so it’s not easy to dismiss it wasn’t my theme.
I like challenging games with difficult shots. A Houdini is sitting in my living room and I like Black Knight Swords of rage quite a bit. Like I said in the end, I’m glad to give it another go and hope the game grows on me as the code grows too!

Quoted from transprtr4u:

Best wishes for a full recovery for your daughter... we lost our son to brain cancer last year...
Hoping for the best outcome for your family .

Quoted from Aurich:

The magic of tempered glass is it's very strong across the face, where the ball strikes. The weakness, and the way most people have glass explode on them (hi, I'm in the club), is putting it down on the edge or corner wrong, on say concrete. Don't do that!
A clean piece of tempered glass inside a machine is very safe.

Quoted from Pugster:

One thing is for sure, I won’t be watching any streams from tournaments, for any game I’m interested in. Thanks to the operators for putting it up, just not my jam. I’d way rather watch a group of friends crush a few pints have a laugh and have fun. Some of the players (not all!) that I watched looked like total fun sponges.

Quoted from CoolCatPinball:

There ya go!! Right there. 100%!! Honestly, I didn't realize the game was set up super hard, and this latest stream was a tournament environment. I'd also much rather watch a Jack Danger style stream. Yeah, I'm aware he's kind of busy right now....lol.

Quoted from lpeters82:drop targets are spawning Scooby Snacks,

Quoted from lpeters82:

I don't think most will struggle with knowing what to hit, at least for the basic stuff. There are some layers of complexity, but everything has a callout, plus there is on screen text that will always display your main objective. If all else fails just shoot the flashing shot(s). We use three speeds, plus some special lightshows; but the faster it's flashing the more important that shot. Also for the most part in base gameplay every shot in the game is doing something: drop targets are spawning Scooby Snacks, standups are qualifying your ball save drop target, orbit shots are leveling up members of Mystery Inc., bashing Captain Cutler is qualifying Captain Cutler Multiball, spinners are qualifying Mystery Machine Multiball, etc.
Qualifying the first mode is 1-shot in easy, 2-shots in medium, and 3-shots in Zoinks. The number of hits does increase +1 for each mode you've previously completed, with a hard max of six shots to qualify any mode. I may look to change that to +1 per mode completed per ball at some point in the future; at least for the easy mode. Once you're in a mode there is always text during the introduction, plus a callout as the ball is ejected from the mystery machine. Once again, it's also going to be whatever is flashing the fastest. Mode progress is always accompanied by a lightshow, video clip, and on screen text. The number of clues does vary by mode, but once you complete the number listed as X / Y in the magnifying glass; you're on to your trap and unmasking shots.

Quoted from cooked71:

Anything else planned or already in there for the drops. I think I saw a skill shot, but any other modes/mini modes using the drops?

Quoted from GamerRick:

Thank you to you and the rest of the Spooky team for coming on here and updating us and giving us great info like this post and for making changes based on feedback from those that have played the game. It takes guts to come on Pinside. Kudos to you for doing all of that. I’m eager for my #494. Now to butter or not to butter, that is the real question.

Quoted from lpeters82:

, I have quite a lot written for that area.

Quoted from RikeIsland:

Spooky can y’all please start making banners for your games? I would love to put an Ultraman and Scooby Doo next to my Stern banners.

Quoted from lpeters82:

You can complete character collection and some mini-modes there now already, but they are more placeholders at this point. It gave us an opportunity to add some more scoring potential and clips at launch; but they will get more flushed out. In terms of future plans, I have quite a lot written for that area.

I was here long before starting with Spooky, so it would be a shame to quit now. That said it is stressful at times. For my own mental health, I do occasionally have to take some breaks.
PS: Heady home from Spooky HQ now. Have a good night everyone.

Quoted from RikeIsland:

Spooky can y’all please start making banners for your games? I would love to put an Ultraman and Scooby Doo next to my Stern banners.

Quoted from dnaman:

SDCE [no butter] #145, final invoice sent this past Saturday (Nitro)

Quoted from Wizpin17:

Is there anyone on this thread that is waiting on one to deliver to their (location) not home use in CA with an eta for delivery? I really want to try it after seeing all the videos of gameplay, with the exception of the continuous theme song lol

Quoted from randomlogin:

dnaman oooo wow, I'm #159 so I shouldn't be far behind. Woot, getting excited. I better get busy making space!

Quoted from lpeters82:

I don't think most will struggle with knowing what to hit, at least for the basic stuff. There are some layers of complexity, but everything has a callout, plus there is on screen text that will always display your main objective. If all else fails just shoot the flashing shot(s). We use three speeds, plus some special lightshows; but the faster it's flashing the more important that shot. Also for the most part in base gameplay every shot in the game is doing something: drop targets are spawning Scooby Snacks, standups are qualifying your ball save drop target, orbit shots are leveling up members of Mystery Inc., bashing Captain Cutler is qualifying Captain Cutler Multiball, spinners are qualifying Mystery Machine Multiball, etc.
Qualifying the first mode is 1-shot in easy, 2-shots in medium, and 3-shots in Zoinks. The number of hits does increase +1 for each mode you've previously completed, with a hard max of six shots to qualify any mode. I may look to change that to +1 per mode completed per ball at some point in the future; at least for the easy mode. Once you're in a mode there is always text during the introduction, plus a callout as the ball is ejected from the mystery machine. Once again, it's also going to be whatever is flashing the fastest. Mode progress is always accompanied by a lightshow, video clip, and on screen text. The number of clues does vary by mode, but once you complete the number listed as X / Y in the magnifying glass; you're on to your trap and unmasking shots.

Quoted from lpeters82:

I don't think most will struggle with knowing what to hit, at least for the basic stuff. There are some layers of complexity, but everything has a callout, plus there is on screen text that will always display your main objective. If all else fails just shoot the flashing shot(s). We use three speeds, plus some special lightshows; but the faster it's flashing the more important that shot. Also for the most part in base gameplay every shot in the game is doing something: drop targets are spawning Scooby Snacks, standups are qualifying your ball save drop target, orbit shots are leveling up members of Mystery Inc., bashing Captain Cutler is qualifying Captain Cutler Multiball, spinners are qualifying Mystery Machine Multiball, etc.
Qualifying the first mode is 1-shot in easy, 2-shots in medium, and 3-shots in Zoinks. The number of hits does increase +1 for each mode you've previously completed, with a hard max of six shots to qualify any mode. I may look to change that to +1 per mode completed per ball at some point in the future; at least for the easy mode. Once you're in a mode there is always text during the introduction, plus a callout as the ball is ejected from the mystery machine. Once again, it's also going to be whatever is flashing the fastest. Mode progress is always accompanied by a lightshow, video clip, and on screen text. The number of clues does vary by mode, but once you complete the number listed as X / Y in the magnifying glass; you're on to your trap and unmasking shots.

Quoted from SpookyLuke:

Have not got a chance to get into the banners yet but it's on the list. I did however print up a whole bunch of backglass translates from scooby and all of our past titles all the way back to AMH. Ill be bringing them to shows to sell! Reach out to [email protected] if your interested in purchasing any of them she can also ship them right to you.

Quoted from Chippewa-Pin:

Will you be at the Allentown show?

Quoted from SpookyLuke:

Indeed!