Maybe_Im_done_with_the_thiccer_outline_2 (resized).png
Live streams: https://www.twitch.tv/ryan_mcsquid

TLDR: I'm building a Sonic the Hedgehog Pinball machine. Why on earth did SEGA not make one? Follow my build here!

7733987bb88237fb4a48cfc17cf8b32e700e1cfd (resized).jpg
79e2de85fb3eee4ee837b6f24ede115e44062c6c (resized).jpg

If you are new to the project I highly recommend checking out the Pinball Expo 2020 showcase and rules tutorial videos for an excellent primer on where the project is more recently:

Video playlist of all development videos:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS1SajQHlXu4JjuCuWDFJREvn_rszxiX-

FAQs------------------------------------------------
Q- Is the artwork final? Will you be doing a full art package?
A- No! The artwork is concept art designed in the same style as original Sonic concept art. Artwork is being done in "scenes" that will be tie together with a background when they are completed. This is in line with many 90s games. Each scene is a placeholder that will eventually be replaced with full color HD art depicting the same subject/idea. Some of the concept art is colored where color is informationally important.

Q- Why not use colored balls? A blue ball would be awesome!
A- Yes it would be awesome! Unfortunately there is no good source of durable and functional colored pinballs. The colored pinballs that are available are not durable enough to be used in normal gameplay. Reports vary, but generally they are only expected to last 100 games. For comparison, during the on-location play testing Sonic received 92 games in a single day. These colored balls are also too expensive to be considered as a disposable option. There are some options and science experiments I will be attempting but I am not holding my breathe.

Q- Will sonic be at X Show/Convention?
A- While I hope to be able to attend as many shows as possible, a number of limiting factors are currently in place. Covid, limited vacation time, and my current vehicle being too small to transport a pin are all making touring all over the country difficult. Currently Sonic is planned to be attending both Chicago Pinball Expo in October, and Pintastic in November. I will update this if new shows are added.

Q- Can I buy one? Where do I pre-order?
A- Love your enthusiasm <3 but I will not be making any additional units beyond my own personal machine unless the game is produced by an established pinball manufacturer and properly licensed by SEGA. I am open and eager to make this happen, so if you have pinball industry contacts make sure you put in a good word for me

Q- Is this the final playfield?
A- No this is not the final playfield. While version 2 addresses many of the issues with the original prototype, has many improvements, tweaks, and additions that make it a much better game, It will still not be perfect. More tweaks and adjustments will be required. The art package will be finished as well. If you see a full art package its probably the final playfield

Q- How far along/close to done are you?
A- I am currently finishing up building version 2 of the game. As mentioned before this will not be the final version, but represents a significant step forward in the process. The game is fully playable (when assembled) and all main features are complete. The code base is nearly basic feature complete, but more modes and extras are planned. Id call the code 0.8 if I had to give it a number referencing proximity to 1.0. The project is VERY mature for its age however.
---------------------------------------------------------

Hi Everyone,
Since finishing up my dream restoration (Twilight Zone which I documented here: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/twilight-zone-restoration-2) I've decided to move on to another dream project which will be my most ambitious to date: design and build my own pinball machine.
I have been lamenting for years that SEGA never made a Sonic the Hedgehog pinball machine. Despite having pinball as a recurring theme in the main games, making a pinball video game, a coin roller, a basketball game, SEGA itself manufacturing pinball machines, placing him in the DMD shows of several SEGA pins as well as their manuals, despite SEGA allegedly doing what nintendon't and the fact that his 90s rival Mario starred in TWO pins... no Sonic. I have been a huge fan of Sonic since I was a kid. I was forged in the console wars of the 90s, and I LOVED to go FAST.

While learning to restore pins, and during my multiple projects over the last few years, the idea of making my own game was always in the back of my mind, and the theme seemed obvious. I told anyone that would listen that I would do it "someday", and would even list off the features I planned. Then one day I decided to start writing my ideas down and see where the design evolved (and so i wouldn't forget them) On a whim one weekend, I designed an 80s SS style game called "Cosmic Lady" in order to teach myself to design using the excellent free Visual Pinball digital platform. The goal of the CL project was to eventually use the new skills to someday make a digital prototype of my dream Sonic game. It was perfect. No need to buy anything at all! infinite hypothetical parts, and I could try my creations and decide when I had something worth building.

After a year of planning during long car rides and excited hypothetical conversations with friends about features and how I would design it, I decided to get started. It only took a few weeks to finish the digital prototype. I had about 1/2 of the playfield planned out, and a few more ideas to fit wherever I could. The design came together very smoothly. Unfortunately, once it was done I didn't think it was very fun. It was missing something. Then a friend of mine made a recommendation: "you need another ramp, there is no way to feed your left flipper." I looked at my design, and immediately knew exactly where it would go. After adding that ramp I swear I played my rule-less digital prototype for 2-3 hours. It was suddenly REALLY fun to shoot even with no scoring to shoot for. That's when I knew I had something worth building, and the rest of this project started soon after.
Proto1 (resized).pngProto1 and half (resized).pngProto3 (resized).pngMPF Bridge (resized).png

At this point I had the party for my Twilight Zone restoration coming up, and I decided to code some rules for my digital prototype in visual pinball. I got started quickly since I was able to copy code from my previous project. I knew that these rules should only be basic, as they would be later thrown out in favor of coding on a real platform, but I wanted to demo to people how the basic game would be played to get them excited and get valuable feedback. I ended up with around 700 lines of code (450 or so copy pasted from previous project) and a mostly playable demo. It was FUN. I loaded it onto my digital pinball coffee table (previous project) and everyone at the party enjoyed it. It was at this party that Mark the creator of Metroid pinball brought me a bunch of parts from his donor game and a surprise playfield plywood to get me started. If you haven't seen his game you are seriously missing out: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/metroid-pinball

Since then, I've been slowly collecting parts, and started re-coding the game using the Mission Pinball Framework. One of their users created a bridge between MPF and Visual pinball so I am able to start writing real code using my digital prototype before I even start building. I'm a few weeks in, and have a basic game running, one major game mechanic completed, and just finished my first game-play mode tonight. I also picked up my donor cabinet today which is why I decided I finally have enough substance to this project that its worth starting a thread. I'll write a post detailing the code I have done so far soon. In the meantime, here is the donor cab: a really rough looking but surprisingly solid Space Shuttle cabinet (Which did not end up being used).

FJIMG_20191215_174535 (resized).jpg
7733987bb88237fb4a48cfc17cf8b32e700e1cfd (resized).jpg
79e2de85fb3eee4ee837b6f24ede115e44062c6c (resized).jpg

Everything you wrote here is already a planned feature. Great minds huh? I already bought the mini LCD

We have 2 "loop" shots. The upper left flipper around the left orbit like The Getaway/Dr who, and the ACTUAL loop ramp which is on the left behind the stand ups. You shoot into the lower left most shot, and a mech like the catapult in MM kicks the ball around the loop ramp. I didn't think shooting a loop directly would work well (like gold wings) so I decided that in order to make it work the way I wanted, I needed to use a kicker coil so I could aim the shot and control the power to get it around the loop every time. If the loop shot fails, there is a one way gate system to put the ball back on the playfield, and a switch to tell the game it failed. If it succeeds, it goes around the left orbit shot and hits both spinners on the way

So I suppose its a good idea to list out the planned features of the game, and specify the placeholders that are in the digital prototype. Ive already gotten several suggestions for features that are already planned (but how would you know if i haven't told you yet!?)

Here is a video of the visual pinball demo code in action. It showcases the basic flow of the main gameplay loop. Only a single mode was programmed for the demo, (hit all lit shots) but the boss is also functional.

Placeholders:
-Spinner on right ramp is a placeholder for a horizontal spinner in the same location
-3 drop target bank in the center is a placeholder for the "door" a bank of 3 stand up targets that goes up and down (AFM, BK2K)

Planned features / toys:
- Horizontal signpost spinner on right ramp
- Dr Robotnick in the center. Same mech as Saucer from AFM
- TV monitor near the right scoop with mini LCD that displays various power up icons. Technology may limit this to a slide show, but we will see what can be done with it.
- "loop" shot on the left side of the playfield. Entry works like the catapult from MM, Kicker will kick ball around large loop ramp.

Main game play loop:
- The goal of the game is collect the 7 chaos emeralds. Emeralds function similar to cities in AFM. The difference is, you need to beat a Zone in order to fight the boss to collect the emerald.

- Each Zone consists of two similar Acts. Finish act 1 and hit the signpost (horizontal spinner on the right ramp) to advance to act 2. finish act 2 and hit the center to open the door to the boss Dr. Robotnick. Robotnick functions like the saucer in AFM with some planned twists in later stages. The player is always in a Zone/Act/Boss. The next mode automatically begins when the previous is completed.

- Speed system: All mode scoring AND mode PROGRESS is multiplied by Sonic's current speed. Speed is built by hitting the spinners, and decays over time. Modes are not completed by hitting X number of shots, but by gaining X number of progress points, which are multiplied by speed. If Sonic is going fast, its possible to finish modes in 3-5 shots. If sonic is going slow, it may take over 10 shots to finish.

Extra features:
- Rings: Rings will function somewhat like Diamonds in Congo. They will be collected when shots with the ring lights are lit. Rings may re-lite each mode, or be infinitely lit in others. Rings will provide end of level (not ball) bonus, and lit other features in game. Rings are lost when a ball drains.

- Elemental shields will be collectable at the scoop. Water, Fire, and Lightning shields will each have their own unique properties and abilities.

- in addition to the 7 zones and their acts, 3 Special stages will be playable: Pipe run, Slot machine, and Blue Sphere stages. Wizard mode will be a secret, but should be obvious.
Choose your "game" - at the beginning of the game the player will be given a choice of which classic Sonic title they would like to play. (1,2,3, &K, 3DB, or M) this will change all of the games level titles, backgrounds, and music to match the selected game. If you beat the game, you will be able to choose another before continuing on.

Ive been discussing this with my cabinet guy (im outsourcing the cab work) If he can build one from scratch im sure we can modify. I figure worst case scenario I install a modern playfield mounting solution, and get extra tall back legs / levelers to get the lost angle back. Or ill go back to the drawing board and find another cabinet. I was lucky enough to get this one for free so no sunk cost limitations.

In addition to the "looping" shot, There is indeed a "vertical loop" ramp on the left side of the playfield behind the stand ups. its tough to see on the visual pin but its there and will be there in real life. You don't shoot it directly. it works like the catapult from MM. a kicker kicks it around the vertical loop.

watch the video at 0:26

Yeah it doesnt work too well in visual pinball so I had to crank the kicker power and the result is you cant really see the ball go around the loop. It will look/work much better in real life I hope.

Big update.

I spent a good portion of the holidays knocking out some of the more difficult code foundations. Going to focus on physical build for a while now. I realize I never updated this thread with any of my previous code versions. This will catch you up as to where Im at:

Previously:
- Basic game. Flips. tracks 3 balls. game over. repeat.
- basic attract mode
- 2 zones with 2 acts each completed
- boss mode completed
- speed system complete including scoring and progress multipliers
- basic display with a few animations: sonic running animation changes with "speed"

New in this version:

-Stage select is complete.
-Main gameplay loop is complete minus shows (Act1 >Sign> Act2> Boss> Repeat) Sign is going to be absorbed by Act1, First shot of boss (door) is going to be absorbed by Act2
-Multiplayer implemented with only a few minor bugs
-New display layout
-New playfield inserts/insert layout
-Music (buggy) added, a few sound effects
-a few new attract light shows

Gameplay Video:

New insert layout:
Proto4 (resized).png

In addition, I spent this evening stripping the cabinet for pickup by my cabinet restoration guy.

My entire Christmas list was parts for this project. I have a massive shipment coming in tomorrow. I'll post another update then!
FJIMG_20200101_173955 (resized).jpgFJIMG_20200101_191058 (resized).jpgFJIMG_20200101_194225 (resized).jpgFJIMG_20200101_195455 (resized).jpgFJIMG_20200101_202735 (resized).jpg

Merry Christmas to me

No going back now.

3x flippers
Pop bumper
Autoplunger
15x stand up targets
2x slings
Appearing post
Lane guides
15x rollover switches
15x star posts
Kickback assembly (for loop)
Strongest general use could I could find (A-22-550) for loop
Punch arm (for saucer/robotnick)
Shooter rod parts
Trough coil bracket
Silicon rubber kit
FJIMG_20200102_124804 (resized).jpg

Attempting to learn some Fusion360 so I can get my first whitewood playfield cut. Just ordered inserts.

I was provided with an excellent "lower third" file to start with so I know all the typical bottom measurements will be correct. I layered my VPX blueprint over it to add the inserts. This is basically the same approach I was going to do in real life (print up the blueprint and stick it on the wood) so this might actually save me some time if I cut out more with the CNC using this method. even though things don't line up perfectly, they are pretty close, and will probably produce results as accurate as me measuring and cutting things on my own. Then the next time I want to make a playfield I can just adjust everything in a relative way. (move that post 1/4 inch from where it is now, as oppose to, post is 13 inches from the edge instead of 12 3/4)

I've had some people offer to help me with coding already, but if anyone is particularly skilled in fusion 360 or CNC routing wants to hop on board with this project, I will welcome the assistance.

fusion360forcnc (resized).png

I have considered the background. Scrolling It's been put on the back burner but I hope to implement something like it in the final product. Sonic is also going to run from the left to the right side of the screen as a mode progress bar, but I'm having issues with animations and switching images for run speed. So that feature is commented out for now.

I put the second spinner in as an experiment and really liked it with the 2 spinners on a single shot. make it a looping shot and I fell in love.

Spinners are awesome and I feel they aren't made important enough on modern games. Tying the spinners to the central multiplier mechanic makes them pretty damn important

Bye Space Shuttle,
When you return no one will even recognize you.

FJIMG_20200107_113704 (resized).jpg

I did get some of those flipper bats from pinball life yes

I'll release the VPX demo when the whitewood debuts. Hopefully at Pintastic in June

Getting a little better with fusion 360. I added the circle inserts, switch holes, and some GI holes where they seemed to fit. I still need to get the triangle and rectangle inserts in there, and measure the playfields in my basement for some switch holes. Definitely gonna cut one/two out of cheapo plywood to test fit things before the real thing. but I might get to start building soon.

FB_IMG_1578546051493 (resized).jpg

I might be ready to get my first playfield cut. I probably made mistakes so we will ruin some cheap plywood first. I decided that no matter how good I am at printing up the blueprints, it probably wouldn't be as good as overylaying the image in CAD. So Instead of just doing the lower 3rd and inserts I did all the other major holes. I'll probably change my mind again and add post holes and skip the blueprint overlay step all together.

fusion360forcnc3 (resized).png

First draft PF ready for cutting.

fusion360forcnc4 (resized).png

currently waiting on CNC test piece. So working on other stuff in the meantime.

Robonick center bash toy.

Original model by WinderBlitz.

now in .STL and ready to be 3d printed after mounting geometry is added.
robotnick mesh2 (resized).pngrobotnick mesh (resized).png

Test cnc piece is on the way! we shall see what fits tomorrow

84533146_733756949023_6594370603048763392_o (resized).jpg

CNC test was a huge success. Only a few minor issues that are easily fixed. Doing one more test piece, then we will be ready to cut the whole PF

FJIMG_20200206_145933 (resized).jpg

Once you get it up and running yes its pretty easy to use. I'm going to attempt to improve the existing documentation and examples to help others have an easier time setting it up in the future.

Yup this is it. Placeholder for the emerald shaped ones on the final product. Gonna have to make those myself. Pretend its a top down view til then

working on clipping some LCD animations. I'm happy with the way this logo came out.

Code update 6:

New in this version:
Code:
- Ball save (Initial and lane)
- End of ball bonus
- Top rollovers and bonus multipliers
- Laps/charge (spindash combo to come)
- Rings (Collecting. Bonus unfinished)
- More ring inserts (added to main shots)
- Boss music / sound effects

- Updated UI
- Lots of video clips

Design:

- New boss core design traps ball behind drop target
- New ramp angles make shots smoother

Starting to feel like a game

Just received this preview from the cabinet artist. He did such a good job!

Highly recommend Gasan Design for cabinet work

https://www.facebook.com/GasanDesignArt/

87077814_233784407644988_7342890579908362240_n (resized).jpg

I'm glad to know someone else likes the grid. Its straight off the spinball box, and I feel cabs from the late 80s - early 90s tended to just be a big logo with a simple BG. I felt like I might be being lazy, but now that I look at it I know I made the right call

Ive had a change of plans in cabinet for the project. I picked up a brand new System 11 cab on facebook marketplace yesterday having it shipped from IN. discussed it with Leslie first and he thought it was a better option than trying to make the space shuttle cab work. This solves the depth problem so we can have the big vertical loop and Id imagine it means I'll get it sooner. It was originally built as a replacement for an Earthshaker. Its amusing to me that its already Sonic blue, but we will be making it genesis cartridge black...

87453334_2872069362887492_244151921361813504_n (resized).jpg

88011728_2872069419554153_3785220463978872832_n (resized).jpg

87984449_2872069482887480_4398852148184481792_n (resized).jpg

87384732_2872069519554143_1144917949014867968_n (resized).jpg

87576459_2872069392887489_6187960207428026368_n (resized).jpg

87445923_2872069576220804_1979440621592510464_n (resized).jpg

Test PF cut! This will allow us to test the fit and locations of the various mechs before cutting the final whitewood out of the fancy wood. Then later it can be used as a test/scrap playfield for all kinds of science. I won't be able to do more with this until after I get back from my trip to the North American Pinball Championships but I'm excited anyways

IMG_20200228_164138 (resized).jpg

I will be releasing the VPX demo that I put in one of the earlier posts when the game debuts. Hopefully this summer at Pintastic new england

Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball: Code Update 7

New in this update:

- Attract slide show
- High Scores
- Skill/Super Skill shots
- End of Act/Zone Bonus shows
- Boss animations
- Hold start to cancel a game (not shown)
+ a secret feature implied but not shown

I call this update show-ready. I will still hopefully polish a few things and add some more before the whitewood debut, but everything on the "need" list is complete. The rest are all on the "nice to have" list.

I'm going to visit the CNC shop tomorrow, so code is gonna get shelved for physical building very soon I hope.

Test fitting the playfield mechs on the scrap PF. Final whitewood CAD file submitted for cutting. Should have the whitewood PF within the week.

89740451_525292458126718_7921981647493267456_n (resized).jpg

Playfield has arrived! Inserts will now be installed, it will be sanded, and then cleared.

90023558_737965110833_8640394148421042176_o (resized).jpg

90132190_737965190673_1322277901948682240_o (resized).jpg

90170076_737965150753_2761867037381754880_o (resized).jpg

Inserts installed, Sanded flat, and the initial clearcoat layed down. Yesterday was the only day for the foreseeable future with weather suitable for clearcoating so I rushed to get it ready so I wouldnt be stuck with nothing to work on for a week or more. I will be sanding it flat tomorrow, then doing insert decals. next time the weather goes above 55 degrees it will get the final clearcoat. In the meantime im sure there is plenty of work I can accomplish.

FJIMG_20200319_235550 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200320_010045 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200320_010111 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200320_010116 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200320_010121 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200320_130219 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200320_131855 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200320_132134 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200320_132530 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200320_212505 (resized).jpg

I made my development cabinet today since the clear needs another day before sanding. It attaches to my playfield rotisserie, and will allow the game to be spun 360 degrees for easy access to all areas while in development and play testing. I'm gonna mount the LCD and some speakers behind it. Probably attached to the ceiling.

FJIMG_20200322_004534 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200322_004541 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200322_004546 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200322_004551 (resized).jpg

Concept / Whitewood art is complete. I sanded the first layer of clear so its ready for decals

Finished art preview smaller (resized).png

art vpx (resized).png

Concept art applied to Whitewood, clearcoating completed.

FJIMG_20200323_184215 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200323_210751 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200327_163131 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200327_163149 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200327_163153 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200327_163203 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200328_133549 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200328_133552 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200328_135803 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200328_192217 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200328_192227 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200328_192234 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200328_192238 (resized).jpg

I have indeed thought of this, there will be a LOT of testing on the loop design to mitigate and prevent this. I do have the loop fail escape lane if it doesn't make it around the loop, It will likely be at least part wireform to prevent dropping straight down as you have observed. I'm more worried about balls that barely make the loop and potentially get stuck on the loop exit.

not sure if i follow on the first suggestion, but the second is one of the first things I will be trying. This would also make the looping shot much smoother

This is the solution I was going to attempt first. Thanks for the tip on roller coaster loops. I will indeed look that up.

Final sand/polish complete. Assembly begins soon. I streamed this entire process. Twitch.tv/thecephalopod

FJIMG_20200331_184929 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200331_184945 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200331_184958 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200331_185021 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200331_185037 (resized).jpg

Lower third mostly complete

FJIMG_20200401_224245 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200401_224257 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200401_224314 (resized).jpg

Completed the first of several mini wizard mode bonus stages in the game. Pipe Run from Sonic 2! Timed invincible multiball where the objective to collect enough rings before the timer runs out. Success adds a ball and continues on, failure ends the mode. In the main game, this mode will be played after 2 Chaos emeralds are collected.

You have come across another planned feature. I intend to see if i can get the spinner to look like his feet runnning, and add a small sprite cutout above it. This will further reinforce the spinners connection to building speed.

Cool idea... I'll see what I can come up with. There had to be a way to make rings of light.

Busy night.

To start with, I discovered that the CNC lower third I started with was designed for a game with shorter flippers. It's my fault for not checking. As a result I had to redesign the right side, and move the flipper and guides over. It's not perfect right now, as i judged moving the sling and switch holes would be too difficult. However all will be fixed in the next playfield iteration.

The "door" was difficult to install. I swear I gave it plenty of space, but apparently I forgot that a portion of the mounting bracket sticks into the hole. I was able to use my meter stick as a guide and a router bit in my Dremel to make a channel for it. Fits nicely now.

Next I solved a few "puzzles" where mechanisms are close together and need to all fit. The center area is by far the most tightly packed. The biggest mod required to make everything fit was to drill out the rivets of one of the big red targets so I could move the mounting bracket to the front.

The scoop is a problem. I have the raising post that stops the ball of the right ramp in conflict with typical scoop design. I'll have to get a vertical scoop. Good thing PBL has one.

Bent the orbit guides into the right shape. Wasn't too hard. Smaller guides are going to be tougher. I unfortunately used a lot of small guides. Won't do that in the future.

I also was able to cobble together the kicker for the loop. I'm really surprised I got it first try...

FJIMG_20200403_191254 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200403_200952 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200403_200934 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200403_200942 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200403_203502 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200403_211109 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200403_211235 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200403_212006 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200403_232611 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200403_235208 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200403_235212 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200403_235225 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200403_235232 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200403_235238 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200404_012718 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200404_012730 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200404_012737 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200404_012852 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200404_013926 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200404_013936 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200404_013945 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200404_013957 (resized).jpg

Finished 3d printed prototype ramps, the upper pop section, and the orbit. Pic dump for now, more details to follow
FJIMG_20200404_194009 (resized).jpgFJIMG_20200404_194052 (resized).jpgFJIMG_20200405_230645 (resized).jpgFJIMG_20200406_101722 (resized).jpgFJIMG_20200406_113347 (resized).jpgFJIMG_20200406_223012 (resized).jpgFJIMG_20200406_223023 (resized).jpg

Its a FolgerTech FT5-R2
not sure what you mean by fuse the slides?

OHHHH. No those blue ramps are the prototypes for the metal ramps. They will connect to wireform ramps like this one I just tested:

FJIMG_20200413_210137 (resized).jpg

One down. More of a pain than I expected but it still worked out well.

FJIMG_20200415_231517 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200415_231942 (resized).jpg

uhhh I don't know? You aren't the first to ask me this. I bent them by hand. no jigs, except the loops at the end where I bent them around a wooden dowel. I admittedly have a fair bit of experience bending wire with two pairs of pliers but I'm not sure why my results are so much nicer.

This was also brought up by someone else the other day. I think im sold on the rings for the ramps being gold. Not going to have switches though. Would look super ugly, and would make ramps overpowered since rings are part of the game rules.

Both ramps are done and mounted. The left ramp had to be made in two parts bridged by a clip but its pretty sturdy anyways. I opted to make the ramp two parts and keep the end loops instead of making the 4 rails continuous. I may cut the side rails down to just curved areas for the final product, but I wanted 4 rails while using 3d printed clips for stability and to resist twisting. I'm currently printing a better joining clip for the spot the two parts of the left ramp combine (the seam is next to the right ramps entrance)

This isn't the final artwork. Just the concept art. I figured a whitewood is the place to test things. Why not test the art as well.

Wired up the power supplies and got power running to the main board last night. All voltages test stable and good. Next up, hook up a node board and try to get it flipping?

FJIMG_20200419_232746 (resized).jpg

That is awesome! What game did you use it for? Did it work well?

Lots of progress.
-Scoop area done
-Left ramp stop designed and installed
-Loop kicker area mostly populated

FJIMG_20200418_204907 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200418_204955 (2) (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200418_205008 (2) (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200418_205014 (2) (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200422_194716 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200422_211323 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200425_005513 (resized).jpg

-Boss area mostly populated
-cabinet and high voltage wiring
-one way gates for loop installed and working

FJIMG_20200426_234423 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200426_234444 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200426_234453 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200426_234521 (resized).jpg

I have decided to release the VPX demo for Sonic Spinball. I was originally going to delay doing so until the game could make its physical debut, but the world is a different place than it was when I made those plans. I hope this can entertain you for a little while.

https://www.vpforums.org/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=14921

Edit: Google Drive alternate DL link
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pjgDd3it0UEbHRFXHQI3HJmsy_6h81FM
VPXDemo (resized).png

There is an instruction file in the download. It tells you where to place the music files in the music folder.

Power terminal blocks added. The jumpers that were supposed to come with it didn't so I had to recreate them. I finished wiring up the cabinet switches, power, and coil control wires for the lower half. In theory the game is ready to flip. All it needs is dummy code.

FJIMG_20200427_225253 (resized).jpgFJIMG_20200427_225301 (resized).jpgFJIMG_20200427_225307 (resized).jpgFJIMG_20200427_225313 (resized).jpg

Milestone reached. It flips. Basking in the glory for a bit then time to wire up the rest of the coils, and switches.

Thought it was broken for a bit til I realized my EOS switches were in backwards (normally open instead of normally closed)

A lot has happened in the previous 2 weeks. Been dealing with some quarantine depression, got a new job, quit the old one, etc. I have been working on Sonic but Ive mostly been streaming the work instead of documenting it. I'll do my best to catch this thread up now.

Since we got the game flipping, several more things have been worked on. All switches have been wired up, this includes adding ramp switches. The door motor arrived, was modified to fit in that tight mess in that part of the PF, hooked up, and integrated into test code. I serviced the drop target unit, replaced the drop coil, installed the opto, and added it to test code. and I built a shitty protoype loop that actually worked! Other than iterating on the loop, I'm not making any significant progress on it right now. I'm waiting for prepinned wires to hook up lights, a spot welding unit, and a few other things to arrive. Here is a pic dump from the last few weeks. I'll try to do a better job documenting once things calm down.

95120064_10157146133265060_5639213680789815296_n (resized).jpg

95493036_745468419143_778762671246802944_o (resized).jpg

96813307_746792176323_1395308933144379392_o (resized).jpg

97309817_746792146383_605981471278104576_o (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200505_220411 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200505_222246 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200505_232426 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200505_232440 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200505_232446 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200511_200737 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200511_200745 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200511_201316 (resized).jpg

Spinners!

They work quite well aside from the occasional reject from hitting an edge when they are already spinning. I'll see what I can do to minimize that. I'm excited I got these figured out. I do need to print a new right ramp for everything to fit though.

FJIMG_20200514_011052 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200514_011056 (resized).jpg

Right ramp 2.0 - higher walls, taller, smoother curve, smoother slope.

Lamp wiring complete. Gotta hook up the fadecandy and get light it up!

FJIMG_20200520_225636 (resized).jpgFJIMG_20200521_110948 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200521_110948 (resized).jpg

Got some major updates! The code has been ported to FAST and now we have a functional pinball machine! Here is some footage of some initial gameplay by my wife.

Also finished coding the concept version of the Elemental shield ball savers and Mania Multiball (though no jackpots yet)

No loop yet, but I tried my welder out tonight!

FJIMG_20200529_202158 (resized).jpg

Loop prototype 1 complete. Gonna attach and test it tonight non stream

FJIMG_20200604_205013 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200605_125331 (resized).jpg

Loop works! A lot of bending, cutting, breaking clips, swearing, and bleeding later it's all trimmed down and installed.

Working on a feature that is totally not important... but I'm tired of listening to the same music. Game select implemented along with a bunch of level backgrounds. Doesn't actually change the assets yet, but the menu and assets are there. Working on custom code to handle choosing assets in a smart way.

spinball game select (resized).png

sonic_1_11 (resized).png

sonic_1_12 (resized).png

sonic_1_61 (resized).png

sonic_1_62 (resized).png

sonic_sb_12 (resized).png

sonic_sb_11 (resized).png

sonic_sb_61 (resized).png

sonic_sb_62 (resized).png

no video modes planned. Anything I could do could be experienced better by just playing the video games.

Bonus levels are mini wizard modes. Pipe run bonus multiball is already coded and implemented

Thank you for the kind words. I'm really glad you are enjoying the build. If you and your daughter have any other ideas let me know! it seems like you have good taste! To answer her question, I had considered different colored balls but unfortunately there isn't really a good source for colored pinballs other than the white powerball from TZ and avatar. You can get colored balls, but they are usually coated in plastic and don't last long enough to be a viable option. I heard rumors that Bally/Williams created a prototype blue powerball, but made less than a dozen of them before considering the experiment a failure, so HIGHLY unlikely I'd be able to find one. Instead of colored balls, I decided to make the 4 players represent each character, and have each of them be a lock for Mania Multiball (with Amy as the add-a-ball) I just realized I have not properly documented the progress on that, so I'll shoot a video update soon

I'm currently taking a short break as I got frustrated by coding errors. But once I'm done with some side projects I'll be back with some more development updates.

Water Zone and Game select:

New to the game are the game select and water zone

Game select has you choose a classic sonic game after pressing the start button. All level titles, backgrounds, and music are changed to match the game you chose. Play to your own personal nostalgia by choosing your favorite! Sonic 1, 3, and Spinball are the current options. 7+ games planned.

Water Zone is the third main mode of the game. The player must shoot the moving lit shots while also occasionally shooting the center bank to breathe an air bubble and avoid drowning! If you drown, the flippers will turn off and you will drain! Don't worry though, If you have a water shield you can breathe just fine underwater.

Likely a bug fixing sprint to come next. I love new modes and features but you can't let the bugs pile up too high or it ruins the experience.

Please once again tell your daughter she has excellent ideas. The metal sonic battle is actually already a planned feature and integrated into the rules scope. It will be a "final battle" type mode before the Super Sonic wizard mode. When you get the 7th chaos emerald, Metal sonic shows up and steals it. You must then chase him down and defeat him to reclaim the emerald.

metal (resized).png

Flying Battery and Ice cap are confirmed. Here is a list of the planned stages (with secrets censored )
levels (resized).png

If you guys want to watch the build process at all, I stream live on twitch at: https://www.twitch.tv/thecephalopod (as a warning I sometimes swear while live-streaming, especially when dropping screws or when the software crashes. If you and your daughter watch, make sure you let me know so I can try to be good and properly appropriate)

Small update today, While I'm chasing down some of the more advanced bugs I started coding some of the small features that I never got around to before and closing up some gaps in polish. Coding new features is my favorite part so keeping a few little shiny new things in the pipe helps my motivation. I am happy to say that the in game level timers + time bonus are now functional. It really feels like a Sonic game now with the score, timer, and rings all changing as you play. I also was finally able to get the level background to stick around for the signpost level end. Its a small thing, but the black screen reminded me constantly how unfinished everything is haha.

level timer (resized).png

time bonus (resized).png

I do intend to make them aware of the project at some point. Right now I feel like I have a lot more work to do before id want to pitch anything like that. For now its staying a passion project. However I remain open to the discussion of the game being produced if any of the pin manufacturing companies wanted to work with me and possibly obtain the license.

Dr. Robotnik will be a bash toy like the saucer from attack from mars. My robotnik model is on preorder, so when it shows up I will look into implementing it.

Since my game does not have stage numbers (other than code references) and zones can be done in any order, I placed each zone where it made the most sense thematically rather than in chronological game order.

The system 11 cabinet I bought ~2-3 months ago arrived today. COVID plays hell with shipping. Haven't done into it yet, trying to finish off my Bally Playboy commission first. But at least I can test fit a lot of the cabinet parts I scavenged.

I'm not exactly sure when it happened but this game got FUN. I was just play testing to see if I resolved a bug I introduced while squashing another bug, and next thing I knew I was super into the game. I ended up getting far enough to find a game looping bug. The bonus pipe multiball doesn't reset something so it can't be played a second time once you finish your 4th zone. The rest of the looping works though. Can't have bugs like this ruining epic games! I'm gonna keep working on bug fixes and fleshing out minor features before moving on. Coming up in dev soon will be mystery awards, loop awards, badnicks, and a few other things before we do the 4th main mode and second bonus stage. I think I'm also going to add S&K to the game select soon... Dying to hear some mushroom hill

FJIMG_20200715_180544 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200715_233930 (resized).jpg

Here are the VODs from the stream last night in case anyone wants to see. Its mostly gameplay this time.

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/682874667
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/682956010

I made 2 more media packs today. Next time I'll stream it maybe so the process can be seen. This allowed me to test how truly "drop in" my framework allowed additional games to be. It took around 5 minutes to add both of these games to the code and they work perfectly. (the packs themselves were a little more work.) Who is ready for some Chemical Plant and some Mushroom Hill?

sonic 2 (resized).pngsonic k (resized).png

New stream equipment and layout! New main mode! New Zones!

Couldn't sleep a few nights ago and was feeling ambitious. I knocked out the 4th main mode: Yellow emerald. Combo shots. Hit any of the shots that feed a flipper (all but center and scoop) to light combo shots coming off the next flipper. Shoot them to make mode progress, chain them to clear the zone quickly and maximize time bonus! A good set of zones comes with this one: Casino night x 2, Spring yard, Flying battery, and ugggh also Carnival night (yuck)

Stream now has direct video and sound from the game. Moved the mic and improved lighting. Also a new layout with widescreen (and 60FPS) secondary cam.

new stream (resized).png

Not yet. This was just a test. Ill likely be streaming Friday. My internet is flakey and the repair guy is coming to fix it Friday morning.

Here is the VOD for tonight's stream. My internet was a little flaky so there are separate links for the last ~45 minutes or so

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/691790847

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/691855835

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/691879448

Found this cool article about SSB today!

http://www.ausretrogamer.com/sonic-the-hedgehog-spinball-the-real-pinball-machine/?fbclid=IwAR0i3h1q9ih_frrJthYGpBa-4DPRBN0ExivTsUprCPWiwVYnQCUK0DSqfgo

They just wrote it. I stumbled across it while googling to find this pinside thread on my phone (where it isn't bookmarked)

So far media attention has been a mix of talked to me first or didn't 50/50. Everyone has given proper credit and/or linked to this thread or my twitch so I don't mind.

Sonic Mania asset pack added:

Spent some time last night updating the UI. Speed+gauge are bigger to highlight their importance a little more, and a lot of other edits for readability on brighter backgrounds. Updated the rest of the static text to the yellow/gold for consistency, and added a lot of shadows for the white text to display on.

UI update (resized).png

Here is the biggest chunk of last night's stream. New right ramp is great. That shot is no longer a bottleneck and is fun to shoot again. Anti sway mount for ring standup 2 is great as well and has eliminated the half ramp straight into R outlane.

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/695671358

Also here is a 4 spin speed breakthrough I got last night. Never gets old.
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/696345544

I successfully added a lock down bar button to my Williams lock bar setup. It wasn't as hard as I expected it to be. As you can see I did have some trouble getting my holes in the right place for tapping. Not sure how/if I'll get an RGB light in there but that's a problem for another day.

FJIMG_20200731_224200 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200731_224411 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200731_224426 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200731_224439 (resized).jpg

FJIMG_20200731_224444 (resized).jpg

Important messages! Sonic says and play tips added to attract.

FJIMG_20200801_172339 (resized).jpg

Bug hunting and new zone live stream tonight at 6pm EST
https://www.twitch.tv/thecephalopod