Thanks for the reply. I understand the challenge of adapting the 4:3 original ratio to the wider screen on the pin, but putting it in a window makes the already small video even smaller. Using the whole 4:3 source video and just cropping off about 5% from the top and bottom, you can fill the screen with it and leave room for scores and whatever else on the sides. It'd give much better visibility without all the wasted, unproductive space that's there now.

Here's the current display (left) next to a rough mockup (ignore the hand, I just cut the shape the 4:3 video would occupy, and ultraman's hand was over the video) of what I'm talking about with the 4:3 source at slightly oversize with about 5% cropped off the top/bottom. This would be a much better visual experience, actually highlighting the integrated footage from the show.

ultraman-screen-compare (resized).jpg

I actually like the monster art surrounding the video during quick battle. I hope that never goes away.

Ditto.

Ditto also

I rarely get to watch the screen while playing so no issues with the monsters

It's just such a waste of space. I mean, *maybe* if you had a JJP sized screen, but with the screen that's there, the pixels are valuable. If people like the frame, fine, but reduce the size of the area wasted that the static images are in so the moving pictures are larger.

One more for the cool monster graphics , sorry PinMonk

This goes to show how tough creative decisions are lol!

No apologies necessary! Opinions are opinions. I'm not against the graphics per-se. They're just way too large relative to the display with the action on it the proportions are out of whack. If people like them (not me, there's plenty of Ultraman on the backglass and cab for another static one taking up valuable real-estate on the display where moving images are supposed to go), shrink them a bit so the screen can be larger.

Or, win/win make an option on the system menu for the action display. Mini/Max. Everyone wins.

LOL SpookyLuke well at a minimum lets work on new rules, modes etc before that

Got my email on #96 last week, went butter. Take good care of her for me

I am sure there is a good middle ground. Stern did do a god job with the Zilla assets.

Stern did a GREAT job managing the Godzilla screen, which is why this sticks out as very amateurish. Trying to pull it back towards tasteful utility.

More graphic effects Kanji!
More exciting Japanese / Japanese accent English chatter!
More exciting music!
More exctiing sound effects!
Maybe some modern nuances??

Love the potential!

I can't believe you seem to be on an island here with the display layout. Months ago I pointed out how inefficient the screen layout is. The footage is where it's at regarding the assets, so to have them displayed in the postage-stamp sized screen never made any sense. On top of that, the scores are SO small that they look hard to read. I mean, wouldn't the reason to shrink the video screen be to give more room for the elements in the interface space? No offense to anyone, but this just feels like the worst of both. Small video and small illegible scores. In terms of layout proportions and readability, HWN handles this much better (not talking actual video or animation assets, just the layout of the screen elements).

I get that there are currently bigger concerns with the code than the screen, but I really hope the layout is refined over time. With all the talk of the potential given how much original footage there is, why wouldn't you highlight the clips you incorporate? I guess I just don't understand the rationale behind the current layout.

Exactly.

Creative decisions take leadership & taste. I worked for this guy for 20 years...someone with taste/leadership. You don't always have to love/agree with him/Apple, but he cared deeply about everything.

Just because you can find people that don't agree with PinMonk doesn't mean it's the right decision. Having huge static images detracts from the dynamic images. It just does.

I played UMCE @ Barcade in Highland park. The state of the software shocked my son & I. Only played one game. Spooky is really fortunate that Barcade is vending this game, given the Alpha level software. Can't imagine many quarters are being dropped.

For collectors, waiting 9 months (or more) for the software to fully bake isn't that big a deal. For arcades it's a lifetime...and I bet some of these locations will dump it if it isn't earning. If arcades are going to make a comeback, the pinball manufacturers need to consider baking their software a bit more before releasing games! Without great software, pinball machines are just pretty, very heavy art projects.

I have not played UM or Halloween but just seen the gameplay video. I love Spooky but there is a big difference from them to Stern (both good and bad). The game code seems to be the hardest part to make a great pinball game and Stern has a huge advantage, have 10x more code staff (I'm guessing) with decades of experience that Spooky doesn't have. Spooky can make great code as seen in R&M and ACNC but it will take time and still not be quite as polished as Stern who sells 10-20 times as many pins as Spooky.

Hello.

Is UM CE #235 out there?

I'm UM CE #177 and I'm hoping to trade spots with you.

I was fortunate enough to secure GZ #235 and would love to get them matched up.

I'll throw in a case of beer to sweeten the deal.

Thanks.

Peace.

IMG_6504 (resized).JPG

IMG_6507 (resized).JPG

I also hope the screen changes. Too much wasted space and not enough focus on the action scenes when fighting the monsters. All in due time I'm sure.

Regarding this... I’m CE #76, there’s no indication anywhere on my machine that has the game number

I have been asking for the change to the screen since the beginning. All you guys have to do is increase the size of the video so that it fills the vertical space from top to bottom. Keep the same ratio. Move the player scores to the bottom of the screen like Stern does (where active player score is larger than the rest) and then put the ball count and freeplay or coin up top center but not really big. Scores ball count etc. would be the top layer. You can still have Ultraman and the monsters come in from the sides during battles and even overlap the main video content.

What is happening is you are trying to make the screen look like a control panel. I appreciate the thought but everything ends up looking small at the expense of trying to make it look like a control panel. No one really wants that. The scores look tiny like Gottlieb system 80b displays. Keep the cool looking character silhouettes that flank the sides during battles. But make the video content as large as possible. When the characters for battles are not present, those columns on the sides can have some sort of design that looks like a control panel. I can mock something up if anyone has some screenshots of the display.

No numbered plaque with Ultraman creator's autograph?

Rough draft of what I am talking about. I think something along these lines would be a lot better. Maybe make the top corners look more like control panel pieces but you get the drift.

Screen Shot 2021-11-23 at 11.43.31 AM (resized).png

Nice - I like it!

oooo, I like that. You just made me a believer.

There is a label inside the cab with the serial number on it. That's is.

Ok this I can get on board with, maybe PinMonk just isn't as good at pinball screen design as he is at coil temp testing and wordsmithing. LOL JK man .

I do feel like the battles could use a health meter that would be cool.

There’s an autograph,

Ah, this kinda makes me wanna make my own stamped or engraved piece

Your hired!!

Spooky. This. Please. Thanks.

Oh, I'm certain that anyone that does UI for a living would be horrified at the Ultraman screen layout. It's extremely inefficient. As others have noted, the Halloween layout is substantially better by comparison, just on a functionality basis. The worst part is, as a big fan of Ultraman, I want to see Spooky get it right, but they're a LONG way south of the mark right now.

Hey guys I will have to note that at some point I am going to have to stick to the Club threads only! 2 or 3 threads for each title is just to much to keep up with! Ill stick around for a bit longer but now you know!

Is there an ultran club thread ?

SpookyLuke

What thread are you going to monitor for Ultraman? This thread has the most posts. Which forum is the “club?”

Club thread

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/ultraman-kaiju-rumble-owners

This one! I could be doing it wrong but traditionally I have always followed the club thread for each game!

Okay, got it. This thread has always been the most popular one, so that's what I've stuck to. Guess I'll move to the other one.

Hype vs club.

How about a…

AC6236E1-B79D-489F-9D08-BBFE7F163D49.gif

Going to the club thread, adios!

Me too! I would follow SpookyLuke into the desert for 40 days and 40 nights.

Please help refine the code before y'all do your thing in the desert.

Sad to see this. Feel free to shoot me a message anytime if there is anything I can do for ya.

Kaneda says he will lose money selling his pre-order spot + a negative review.</blockquote

Guy only had intentions of Flipping the thing for a profit from the start.

He has sadz he can't pump and dump.

Lol!

It’s literally the same dudes posting in both places.

rd

False. Same guys hanging in both. Only owners chilling here. I’m glad we can just move to one thread! Spooky ain’t ‘fraid. Don’t be silly.

#168 signing off and waiting to get the game. All future posts coming in the club thread.