I don’t disagree with anything you said....BUT....both Stern and JJP continue to churn out the same title indefinitely if it does well. Spooky titles are one and done. AMH and RZ were groundbreaking for Spooky in different ways - but ACNC is going to be a really, really good game.

I’m not going to speculate on future prices, and honestly it doesn’t matter to me. I buy games I like, and I like ACNC.

One important bit of information I got from a conversation I had with Charlie - he said that the game has several (5 maybe?) unique music compositions. He said that the game is not an “AC jukebox” as you only hear AC songs upon completion of achievements. I thought this was a spectacular idea and one of the final bits of information that sold me on the game.

(Sorry if this has already been mentioned as I haven’t had time to read the whole thread after getting back from TPF)

I'm not sure why you quoted me as I'm not arguing that the price will go up...or down. As I said in my post, I don't care what the price does. I'm just pointing out some differences in market factors between Spooky vs JJP/Stern.

Buy it now, buy it later, don't buy it. Personally, I played the game, I liked the game, I will buy the game.

You are concerned about flow, yet you like TNA? I wouldn’t consider TNA a flow game at all - only an orbit shot when the reactor is not ready.

Reading between the lines a bit, I'm guessing today went *really* well for Spooky pinball.

I played the game at TPF and loved the layout, shot selection, wicked art/molds and the comic book style animations. I ordered mine this morning and don't have any second thoughts. I have never owned and generally dislike music based pins, but this one feels so much different than anything Stern has offered.

The video does *not* do the game justice. I wish those on the fence could have seen it in person like I did...

P.S. don't forget the "Bowen" effect...I suspect he'll be tweaking shots and making some great rules.

350 is my guess

1959 here - I wonder if the game number is in the order the email was received or the order the deposit is paid?

And he did say previous customers would be ahead of new ones...

My guess is that Spooky friends and employees will get the first 20, then previous customers of any # of games, then new customers (and whatever voodoo Charlie/KT think up). It’s their company and I’m not going to question it - just happy to have a spot in line.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news - but that email you got informing you of your offshore winnings may not be legit. I'm happy for any good news you got in an email as long as it doesn't involve you retiring from the pinball biz! I have two games on order right now and both are spooky games - a TNA and an ACNC. I'm pretty much done with Stern....and JJP is so expensive now, it would take a dream theme before I would consider another one.

I attended TPF and fell in love with the ACNC art at first sight - pictures just don't do the game justice. I was so happy that you had some extra ACNC translites printed to sell at the show because the backglass art itself is worth framing. After the reveal, I was even more excited - the comic book animations are incredible, the concept of the castle to explore and the fact that the AC songs are not playing by default.

After *playing* the game, I decided that it was a for sure buy for me. For those comparing this game to Houdini...please stop. I played both games extensively and Houdini frustrated the crap out of me - the shots are simply too tight. ACNC however was not frustrating at all - yea, I bricked some shots - but was able to hit more than I missed. It felt similar to TNA actually in that regard, where a little practice and feel for the game goes a long way to hitting more shots.

They had told me June at TPF, but that may have slipped a month.

Maybe it's not when the email was sent, but when the deposit was made??

I think after the success of both ACNC and TNA, you'll see production ramp up. I bet they have everyone's ACNC to them in 12 months or less.

Because it's a double edged sword with a few Pinside detractors finding fault in anything. I'm 100% confident that Bowen will post a video showing that the shots can be hit easily IN DUE TIME. But if he does that using the current code, the poo poo crowd will gripe that the rules are shallow, the animations aren't complete, there aren't enough call outs (or they don't sound good)....yada, yada, yada.

I think they should have the game at every show possible to let people have some exposure to it. I've seen it - it's gorgeous. I've played it - the layout is fun and I was able to hit shots at TPF. I bought it - and I'm not even a huge AC fan. I think it's going to be a phenomenal game once the rules, animations and sound reach maturity. I do understand the dilemma for those on the fence though - the game will be sold out by the time that happens.

Email KT! I’m so ready to explore the castle! Come on June already!

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Not sure the fitment would work, but I might put the Pingraffix Powerbladez in my ACNC:

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I saw them at TPF and really liked them - I’m just waiting on a sale first as $300 is pretty steep.

I have no problem with you not liking this game. There are quite a few games that I don't like.

Here's some advice for you - 1) find some games you like, 2) hang out in those threads and post happy, positive things, 3) discover a character trait called "self control". It's where you are tempted to post something negative, but you refrain. You'll find this character trait to be helpful in other areas of your life as well.

Love,
Damonator

...that sounded sarcastic. The "that should tell you something" was the passive aggressive dig that seems to be your MO in this thread.

Aurich used the phrase "most impressed by"...not "the only thing I was impressed by". I agree with Aurich that the LCD animations are far and above anything Stern has done to date and are probably the MOST impressive thing about the game. But like others, I really like the castle theme, cabinet artwork, playfield artwork, layout, etc, etc too. It's a great package that's been well executed.

Lol - classic Richie quote. Now I really love the game.

Not for long - Spooky said they would start shipping in June...and we haven’t heard otherwise.

As if he has time to post things on Facebook!

I think the gameplan is to keep their heads down and make pinballs as fast as they can. ACNC is a sold out run (or close enough), so why spend time promoting it? They took it to practically every spring/summer show for people to see and play.

For me, I bought it based on theme, layout, sounds, art and music. The rule set is probably the least important factor for me as I know that is a variable that can be improved over time.

It's the same price either way. The main advantage to buying from a distributor is that they may be able to get you a game earlier than if you order from Spooky directly (because they placed a large order on day 1).

Hey spooky family - happy Friday the 13th!

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Many of the high profile vendors/manufacturers have alternate accounts that they feel less inhibited to post criticisms while using. It wouldn’t surprise me if this were the case.

But maybe he’s just an overly critical person or isn’t skilled at presenting criticism effectively - who knows. I don’t necessarily disagree with some of his criticisms - I just find that they are generally overstated.

I received an email this week that said mine would be built in the next couple of weeks (#14). So production looks like it’s spinning up!

FYI - speaker light kits will be a new option available at order time for $95. They’ve been offering these for a while on TNA.

Nah - he made the wrong decision.

But his loss is your gain - congrats!

This game rocked way back when I played it at TPF - we all know Spooky is just trying to add the final polish before cranking these out in mass.

He wasn't being singled out for selling his spot, he was being singled out for continually dropping in the thread to let everyone know it. Most people sell their spots and move on with life, but he seems to keep dropping in the thread trying to justify himself. It's actually quite humorous to go and read all of his comments in this thread. My favorite was him asking if the game had ramps a full 2 months after he put down a deposit.

I have nothing against Markymark2400 - but please, just move on brother. I would suggest waiting to play a game in person before putting down a deposit in the future.

And yes, there have been a few spots sold off just like there have been on EVERY pre-order game ever made. I suspect some people got tired of waiting, others found something else to buy or whatever. I don't care. 16 spots out of 500 seems pretty good to me actually.

7+ posts

That's hilarious that you think your are being bullied. Please show me where I called you a name or tried to prevent you from speaking. I'm actually being quite kind honestly.

Again, you are free to do whatever you like - just as I am. Brother.

Keep in mind this game was just REVEALED at TPF in March. It's only been six months! Compared to JJP or CGC, that's a great announce to ship timeframe.

We are all excited and impatient, but I'm pretty sure Charlie is the only pinball company owner who posts updates at all.

Happy Friday!

KT sent me a pic of an ACNC in progress (and gave me permission to share). It's looking great!

I see a couple of minor wording changes from the bare playfield posted earlier in the thread. Let's see who can find them all...

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I agree with your thoughts - but I think TNA is a limited game and will stop at 550 as Charlie mentioned.

As for deposits - I think they are a necessary evil for their model. It isn’t as much about cash flow as it is about keeping the production flow consistent. Otherwise KT would be managing the buyer list all day long because of fickle pin buyers/flippers/squatters moving off/on the list.

Nice touch Matt!

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Hey - look what showed up....

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There’s a 5 foot red neon Tron recognizer on the wall that makes everything glow. I usually turn it off for pics but forgot.

I agree - the art package is one of the best ever!

Just some insert label changes - no geometry changes that I can see.

Hands down this is Spooky’s best game so far!! The upper playfield is the best layout and most fun to shoot of any game I’ve played. The two entrance Frank ball lock is simply genius - perhaps my favorite ball lock ever. The first lock is pretty easy from the left ramp, but the second is a nice challenge with the drop
target and then left upper playfield ramp (the ball 1 lock music is great too). It’s cool that one ball unloads to the bottom playfield and one to the upper while Frank rises with an awesome rollercoaster lift hill chain sound effect. Then Feed my Frankenstein blares from the WAY above average sound system as you hit the ramps to slap around on Frank. The modes are nicely varied - some are ramp shots, some scoops, some upper playfield tasks, some chasing lit shots - I LOVE how the AC songs only play during modes. It’s a motivator to play the mode as long as possible in order to hear more of each song. The Danesi lock is also a fun element and can be fed from the upper playfield which is a nice touch.

The shots are tight as we all know but not pull your hair out of your head Houdini frustrating. I was nervous the first 5 games I played as it was hard to hit the shots - but I improved quickly and like TNA, this game forces me to become better.

I have no problems with display washout and I’m 6’4”. The power supply fan is the same as TNA - some noise while idle, but you don’t hear it while playing.

This is simply a fast, fun, furious and loud game that’s packed with things to do. I don’t think anyone will be disappointed with the game as is and it’s only going to get better as the code matures.

Thanks team Spooky!!!!

I think the comic book animations/illustrations look spectacular.

You can watch several of them (and hear the non-mode music) here:

A linear game to me is Roadshow or Ghostbusters where the modes have to be played in order - no bueno! ACNC is similar to many other mode-centric pins where you can order the modes however you like, but the main goal is getting to the wizard mode.

In addition to Frank MB, you can also have Crypt MB (Danesi lock) that has it's own objectives (and Crypt MB can run during a normal mode). Another cool feature is you can steal locks (both Frank and Crypt) from other players.

As for hitting the orbits to navigate, I tend to hit one to lock the monster then work towards the secret passage (using Crypt MB if possible).

The game is a lot of fun as is, but my guess is that there will be even more things to do in the game as the code matures.

Magnet save works really well - pretty much the only time it doesn’t work is if I drain 2 balls and it catches them both (it doesn’t have the power to fling both).

There’s also a short ball save when it’s activated for the 5% of the time it slings it into the bottom of your flipper or directly up and stdm.

I don’t have a way to video a game - maybe I can get my son to video a bit, but I’m on the road this weekend.

Yes - the first few games were certainly brick sessions, but it doesn’t take long to learn the shots.

I just played several games and I feel a little guilty to have one so early.

This game is SO MUCH FUN.

Bowen is in charge of the rules for ACNC - not Fawzma.
Give Fawzma a break - he’s been working his butt off on ACNC. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to switch to an entirely different platform between RZ and ACNC. Fawzma is quite talented and unlike Stern programmers - is approachable, pleasant and accommodating.

I think they are not coded yet.

It was at 6pm central time. I wanted to see it, but we left for home just before. I’m looking forward to hearing how he did!

Wow - the Bowen presentation was the mic drop moment for ACNC.

I was in on the game when it was revealed based on the art, layout and theme - but now with Bowen and Fawzma’s hard work over the last year, it’s really turned into a gem. Thank you guys for making this game so special!

Art blades!