Well, we have a save function that I think in combination with a post is too nice to the player. I think this game needs to be difficult.

Combination of both Software and Hardware. Everything hardware pretty much requires programming but there will be rules present to activate and initiate the ball save feature.

It’s a little humanoid that runs around and kicks the ball back into play,

Yes, more like Goldeneye

Well, as you know it's far more expensive buy components that are new from places like Marco Specialties, Pinball life, etc. than buying wholesale. The total bill so far is already at about $7500. Now, The reality is that there was a lot of unnecessary components that were purchased that would be avoided in the future but that really only amounts to about $500-$750 of the total thus far.

I imagine that the cost of components of a pinball machine would normally want to be around $3500-$4500 all-in including labor and licensing. That cost would drastically change for a license like Star Wars or something relatively current. Price tag would need to be about $5.5-6K minimum based on a quantity of 2500 or so in order to profit. I may be way off though.

In cases like this, I'm sure Stern is buying their full assemblies from China directly. It's really the only way to really profit in these low quantities. The circuit boards, I know, are an issue with a lot of you. Having all the LEDs directly mounted to large circuit boards, tiny little components that you, as a user, can't replace or repair. That's the reality of having to adapt to the lower interest in pinball machines. If someone would come along and make a huge pinball movie, the market would be invigorated for about six months to a year and would create some new blood in the consistent market. The problem with pinball is that all the customers are older customers or people who have just stumbled onto this "hobby".

The would-be new customers don't have the cash in general to drop on a new game so they often will start with an 80's title or something like that.

In my case, I started with pinball only about 8 years ago. I grew up liking arcade machines and was addicted to them as a teenager. As an adult, I forgot about them almost entirely until someone gave me a Ms. Pac-man cocktail table that didn't work. I, of course, took it home and fixed it and became hooked on arcade machines. One day, I went to go buy an arcade machine from a Craigslist weirdo and he had a pinball machine in his garage. It was actually in very nice condition. He asked me if I was interested in buying it but he said it didn't work. I always love a challenge so I asked how much? I figured he'd come back with something like $1500 or $2000. He was only asking for $750. I ran to the ATM and grabbed the pinball machine. I had no idea how they worked or even if I would like it. Truthfully, I figured that I could fix it and flip it to buy more arcade machines.

I got it home. It wouldn't power on. I got the back box opened along with the playfield up. I got it powered up within a couple hours. I found a capacitor that everyone had issues with that was the main culprit. The rest of the week, I spent fixing the previous owner's horrible hack repairs. I still have that machine and it's still one of my favorite games to this day.

High Speed II: The Getaway

This game is also why I love "flow" games.

It's interesting because going into this project, I thought that I'd have to wrangle these guys more but they are all on top of everything. They are all very responsive and knowledgable. I couldn't really have assembled a more competent group of guys to work with on this project if I had tried. Everyone just kind of came together through the interest in the project. I'm actually hoping that these guys stick around for the next one and we keep this "Six Pack Pinball" group going. It's been a lot of fun so far.

cleland Better than you showing up in your pajamas again.

TKDalumni Page...There's going to be some big stuff happening the next time you play!

Jeremy8419 Probably pretty fast. It's pretty fast already.

TKDalumni LOL. yeah. I know. We were like... Adam's gone. Let's get some Sh!t done!

I'm going to start the print on the gunstar (spaceship) again. Just made some adjustments that will, hopefully, allow me to install this into the game.

Screen Shot 2017-12-26 at 2.36.46 PM (resized).png

Screen Shot 2017-12-26 at 2.36.37 PM (resized).png

Jeremy8419 LOL. I had to read that to my wife. We both had a good laugh at that. That's EXACTLY what we are going to do. LOL

LOL. Bromance

I don't know yet. I think TKDalumni had someone he was talking about using. Not sure.

Just waiting on some drop target assemblies to show up today. Then, I'm headed to the shop.

IMG_5642 (resized).JPG

IMG_5643 (resized).JPG

I got the slide mechanisms installed along with the lock bar today. I can't tell you how good it feels when that playfield locks into place. So good...so damn good.

The diverter is working. I cut the left ramp shorter. Ship trough is wired but not working. Not sure why. Ball trough is wired. I'll be bringing this home tomorrow to work on it all week long from home. Next weekend should produce some really interesting gameplay where things will be continuous and some basic functions will be working.

I designed this plate today. I'm printing it now to see how it will work. It is designed to hold 17 LEDs. Each of the little tubes will house an LED and the bundle of corresponding fiber wires will be inserted into the tube. One LED per letter on the sign.

Messages Image(262623772) (resized).png

I'm going to start working on this in my spare time. This will require a little spot welding.

Screen Shot 2017-12-31 at 8.18.55 PM (resized).png

Screen Shot 2017-12-31 at 8.19.09 PM (resized).png

Screen Shot 2017-12-31 at 8.19.22 PM (resized).png

The plastic stuff is really cool. I just like the look of the 90's Williams machines. The apron doesn't look difficult to make. I think I can build it on my lunch break.

GimpMaster Thanks. Fun project so far.

FYI... When you are cooking breakfast for your wife and you are using really hot jalepenos, don't rub your nostril and left eye until you've thoroughly washed your hands.

Just Sayin'