Wait. I’m not sure…are you for or against nom-refundable deposits. And I’m not sure where you stand on the gameplay video before the sale.

Good job Spooky! You’ve nailed greedy JJP $15k and Stern $13k by not being worried about the few scalpers out there. (Stern and JJP are not looking too good right now.) This alone sets you apart from the rest. Giving value for money. JJP and Stern have forgotten this vital principle.

Let’s see now buy an almost empty TS4 CE for a ridiculous greedy money grab for $15,000.00? Or a loaded Scooby Do CE for $9,769? Gee, which CE to buy, hmmm, tough decision, !

Just wait to see if you want one.. Hopefully there will still be games available to buy!

I get it that some people are apprehensive about putting down a deposit without seeing gameplay - I'll be buying one on launch day because I love the theme and I trust Spooky. I own Ultraman and I don't feel "burned" - it's a fun game that continues to get better with each code release.

But if you do pass on launch day and the game sells out, don't expect any sympathy. You are taking a risk one way or the other!

The Spooky model is different. Personally, I'm ecstatic that the CE is not $13k + $2k for the topper like a Stern LE.

Exactly this! Well said

here is more of a fun pinball nerd question

is this a 4 flipper game or 3? I can see the argument both ways

Yeah, as a Day 1 Halloween order and owner, I don’t feel “burned” or whatever. I was sold a CE version of Halloween, and I was delivered a CE Halloween. What is there to be burned over? If your intention was to actually buy the game, and enjoy it, where was the ‘burn’ again?

Could be, yes. But we've heard you raving constantly about absolutely everything during the Ultraman/Halloween launch too, and we all know how much of a drag the development of those have been. Also, your company and main coder completely abandonded RZ and that's still a bad look. Happy for everyone that's excited about Scooby Doo, i'll be sitting this one and future Spooky machines out until they prove they can deliver on code.

Most can buy an UM for around/under 6k today - maybe even NIB - for thousands less. HW can be found at a discount as well with new code coming.
Not feeling any risk to wait a bit for a gameplay vid if it’s a good game.

six million dollar man comes immediately to mind.

Aside from calling it a flipper:

fliopper (resized).png

It looks like maybe there's a standard flipper under the bookcase?

I love that it's something different. I don't really dig on upper playfields but the more I look at this one the more compelling it feels. I dunno. Definitely want to play it. Don't think my frowning at the pre-order before gameplay thing makes me down on the game itself that's for sure.

I’m not looking to buy a Scooby just to receive a pretty wooden box that says Scooby on it. I expect to get a game that’s as good a layout and rules as other pins I could buy for a similar amount. I expect it to be as mechanically reliable as new pins from Stern and JJP. I expect the software to not crash or be buggy.

Failing any of these points and not providing a timely fix is what I’d consider being burned, because I could easily have gotten better value buying a pin with none of these issues.

I love this comment dead smack in the middle of people arguing about this or that. It's like the "I like turtles" kid.

And R&M sold out in an hour with spots immediately fetching $1-3k over MSRP. Like I said - it's a risk either way.

Your blinders are bolted on and that is ok. I am out on buying under Non-refundable contract with no gameplay to make a educated decision for myself. I am all in on the thread and maybe the pin. So Hello I am here to stay!!

Nope. Happy to pay up for an quality game later than lose up front on a not so good one. Seems pretty risk free to be happy with a purchase at these prices.

Really? You don't say? I must have missed that.

This isn’t a complaint at all, but it is kind of funny how we have all rationalized the idea that a $10k pinball machine is now a bargain.

Congrats to Spooky on what looks to be an excellent job!

No one is perfect!

I would have gotten away with this nerdy question if it wasn't for your meddling facts

Anyhow, it kinda reminds of when you use a Pharba diverter on Shadow as a ramp flipper. I'm sure it's just a standard flipper mech. A lot of diverters are simply a flipper mech with a different bat shape.

Looks fantastic!!!

More of a three flipper and a bookshelf type game.

For the record, my Halloween is 4 months in with 300 plays and it's bad ass. Yes, some have problems but a LOT do not.

And the butter... OMG it's beautiful.

Isn’t the code buggy as hell? That affects all games.

Maybe I’m in the minority here, but I really dislike upper playfields and not being able to see the ball. Aside from that, the game looks pretty interesting.

I would caution those who are going to put down a non-refundable deposit on day 1, without gameplay footage. Just wait. There is a reason Spooky didn’t show actual gameplay footage with Ultraman and Halloween. Don’t let them fool you again. If they aren’t ready to show you actual gameplay, then they shouldn’t be ready to take your actual money.

If Spooky truly believed in their own product, they would allow for refundable deposits. You can go and custom order a vehicle today with a refundable deposit. No reason a pinball machine at 10%-25% of the cost shouldn’t be the same.

I was a huge Spooky supporter. But then Ultraman happened. I thought Spooky would have learned from their mistakes with the gameplay video and non-refundable deposits. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

This was my pinside post #1969. Just FYI.

Pinball is fun!

New code drops tomorrow. And I'm not good enough to get far enough yet to see the bugs. It's a hard pin!

ignoring the countless board set ?’s And the non refund deposits with no gameplay has me thinkin I’ll use this $7200 I got for Halloween to swoop up a SD on CL next year

Hmmm…. 5 player

Co-op!

The only bugs I’ve noticed are some sloppy screen transitions and one instance of text being cut off. Haven’t noticed any bugs that affect gameplay on the current code. I wouldn’t count that as “buggy as hell” but rather “needs polish”.

I've only had mine 3 days, but I just noticed that cut off instruction text last night. Haven't had any crashes or anything, so far. Fingers crossed.

AMEN! Well said! Thank you..

Man, this looks awesome I’d love to have one. Let’s check my fang clu….*Remembers my Ultraman CE*…I’m excited to play this when I have a chance.

In 11 years too. Time to step it up!

It’s going to sell out day one. Big swing and a miss with JJP TS4, Stern has struggled to get Bond out and fumbled the launch. It’s not even a FOMO thing at this point. The market is starved for something new and first glance at SD passes the sniff test. I’m probably in on a standard. Love me some Spooky and love me some wide body.

The best post in this thread hands down! I feel you!

Has Spooky upgraded the lcd screen? In the past it has been washed out looking.

Spooky needs non refundable deposit because they are a small company that needs to pay their bills. $1,969,000 buys a lot of parts and labor to get the game off the ground.

I love Halloween and have played UM enough to know I like it more then Godzilla
Ultraman theme is bad ass

I’ve had issues with my Halloween spooky was there all the way to help

I’ve needed a thing or two on a spooky LONG out of production and they helped me

I’m not some great person to them I’m just a guy who asked for help

I don’t like stern games but don’t feel the need to chime in cause my viewpoint is not the worlds viewpoint.let people have their fun

I’m in on a CE

I think a bank could handle that for them.

Let me just acknowledge that spooky_dj upvoted a post that mentioned coop play!!

Not for zero interest.

Wow, very well done, the apron lock for the WIN, chaos magnets, love the up pf, 2 layers of drops on the left, I counted about 15 shots! not including targets! Love me some wide spinners too. The total package looks great, its crazy its this packed yet ts4 and bond are more expensive with far less in my opinion. If we wern't still paying off our SW Prem this would be an instant buy for our family.

They aren’t that small anymore…have sold a ton of games the past few years. But accepting your premise, stand behind the product and show actual gameplay before taking the money. There is no excuse not to.

You start your post off saying you don't like upper playfields, why did you buy UM in the first place when it had two?

Only thing that bums me out, is its so limited, I wish the CE was limited to 1969 units and the Standard and BSE had runs over the next few years like Stern does. Id be in for a Standard on a later run 100%.

Comparing a pinball machine for $10k to other expenses in my life, it’s a bargain.

i agree, as well each deposit becomes a committed purchase contract that will offset risk to a lender for an operating facility.

There is no way this game will sell out day 1. Spooky is doing the right thing by giving the hardcore fans the opportunity to buy on day 1 by keeping the speculators at bay. Once gameplay footage is released it is a crapshoot if they will sell them all or not. I personally love the non-refundable deposits as they remove the flippers from the equation. Nice job Spooky. I have faith in the team at spooky to stand by their product. It isn't without frustration at times but they've always come thru for me.

But at the interest of the customer makes it harder to swallow for some. Most business get into the bank for funds or have working capital on hand.

Deposits are fine as long as customers are 100%. That's why gameplay videos are really valuable for both party's.