So like many of you out there, I have a real soft spot for Classic Sterns. And when I recently had the opportunity to purchase an Ali in pretty nice shape, I just couldn’t resist. The Ali boxing theme is timeless, the layout makes for a unique shooter’s game, and all ways to collect bonuses & big points. Plus how many purple cabinet games are out there?

But it does have some flaws to be sure & some areas that could be improved. So that’s what I intend to do. I’ve got some ideas I'm just so accustomed to going over the top with restorations that it will be nice just to focus on gameplay improvement. Doesn't have to look perfect....just want it to play perfect. Since it's a pretty rare to see, this will be one of the games I take to future shows to let others enjoy

There aren’t too many Ali owners out there, but hopefully this thread will be a guide if you ever want to attempt any of these modifications.

So it’s time to start placing orders for parts & get this shop job shuffling! Stay tuned!

DING! DING!
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Oh believe me I am out of room too. Yet I keep buying them because I cannot stop. Haha

This won’t be a 5* Quicksilver scratch build. Just want it well shopped, clean as a whistle, playing well, with many improvements that they should have done when it was first released.

Both hopefully

Skillshot on the plunge for sure. Adding Multiball would certainly take it to another level. And adding importance to the U-turn spinner/rollover, because it's the longest & coolest shot on the playfield & there's practically no reason to risk shooting for it, other than when the extra ball is lit.

So yes there's a lot that can be improved for sure. But I'm just going to start with the simple stuff first, like adding 7-digit displays. The game is just way to easy to roll.

I haven't had much time for this project in the last month for multiple reasons.

The good news is that I'm finally through it all now & I can get back to working on this. I placed several orders for parts in December & I have everything I need on hand. So I should be making good progress with more updates in February.

I've been speaking with Slochar about the updated code & he's working through some issues & ideas. By the time he's done with that, I should have the game shopped, upgraded & ready for code testing.

Still on track to have it ready for GSPF in May

The game didn’t arrive with a MPU, so finally got around to installing the Weebly MPU & lamp driver boards for testing. Everything powered up & working now. Now that I know it’s functioning, I’m going to pull the playfield to the rotisserie so it’s easier to install the replacement parts.

The Weebly MPU makes it so easy to add updated code via the expansion slot. This new version even has support for Scorebit & Arduino if you want. Weebly products are the best out there IMO.

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Also started soldering together the Pinitech displays. Upgrading from 6 to 7 digits with the revised code.

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I didn’t think you’d have it ready that quickly. Can’t wait to try it out! I’ll have to work faster

Were you able to implement everything we discussed previously?

Yeah it’s hard for me to say since I have such little time on it.

My feeling about the base code is that once Ali & Greatest are spelled, it becomes rinse-repeat bonus collect at the saucer and greatest collects for huge points. Especially if 5x is lit. No incentive to shoot the spinner other than for the extra ball collect really.

That long spinner U-turn shot is the best in the game IMO. Was just trying to add a rule to entice players to go for it more often. I feel it can be dangerous too depending on setup, since entry on the right side sends it ripping out the other side towards the RT outlane.

Your idea is interesting for sure about only allowing another bonus collect after hitting the spinner. There is a rollover up there you could tie that too.

Or the other idea was to light 4K/spin spinner scoring for a brief period of time after dropping all the rope-a-dope 3-bank targets. Perhaps make this only occur after 5x has been lit. Make those controlled multiplier inserts at that 3-bank blink when the double spinner scoring is active.

Obviously spinner counts are awesome if you can find space for it. 100K bonus if land on intervals of 20 like the QS code.

Curious what other testers think about this

How did you implement the skill shot? Moving ALI letter or just stationary? How many points?

Again thank you so much for doing this. You’ll get full credit on the apron card recognizing your work when I take it to shows.

koji hey aren’t you the guy who posted that Ali stream on YouTube that featured the implementation of the ring bell?

That video got me really interested in Ali. Thanks for making that

I doubt anyone is breaking 100+ spins either, but I'll let you know after I rebuild my spinner mech & new flipper assemblies. I still haven't broken 100 on QS.
Thank you for adding this feature. Certainly gives another incentive to shoot the spinner if you're awarded a special (100K per dip setting) on a multiple of 20.

I will look at this & see if the length of time needs to be adjusted to get the ball back under control & complete the double spinner shot. Does double spinner feature & 5x flash every time that 3-bank is completed after 5x has been achieved? I will test & take a look.

That's interesting, but I was planning on just moving the knocker coil to strike the bell assembly for an easy setup. What do you think the benefit would be to separate them into two separate solenoids?

Moving A-L-I skill shot for 100K, and GI relay fires if skillshot is made. That really sounds perfect.

It will be a few weeks before I'm ready to test

While that sounds interesting, it's implementation would rely completely on how functional the spinner is on an individual game. If you can only get a low amount of spins, then the time would be so short, you'd likely never get to collect a bonus. Might be difficult to code as well.

If any rule change is made to the saucer bonus collect, it should simply be after collecting the saucer bonus, you have to hit the U-turn rollover switch before allowing another saucer bonus collect.

So after collecting a bonus at the saucer, an intelligent player would complete the rope-a-dope 3-bank, get double spinner scoring active, get a great spinner rip as the ball goes over the spinner rollover to allow the next saucer collect, then shoot the saucer for another big bonus collect. Rinse & repeat. That would add more difficulty to the collect process than just hammering the saucer repeatedly, yet also reward an intelligent player for shooting the bank & get double spinner scoring before hitting the rollover. Big big points to be had IF you could pull that off.

I really like that idea. If that's possible to implement. Something to think about. Perhaps not part of the standard rules, but make a dip switch setting to add the spinner rollover switch rule & make the game harder.

Yeah I figured it would be quite a crunch for you.

There is no controlled lamp indicating saucer "bonus collect ready" to my knowledge. I think it's pretty much any time you build bonus you can put it in the saucer & collect. Worst case I could add another physical controlled lamp by the scoop (behind it under the plastic or underneath the PF backlighting the saucer) & wire it up if needed. But you are right, there aren't many controlled lamps in that area to use for a "bonus collect ready" function. I'll have to think about that.

Too bad there's no credit lamp in the apron like on a Bally game.

I disagree. The saucer bonus collect countdown is one of the charms of the game. I love countdowns. It’s satisfying to hear the countdown. I don’t like the thought of resetting it back to 2000 after each collect. I’ve added 7 digits displays to accommodate collecting the big bonuses repeatedly.

The idea is just to make the process of collecting a little more difficult. Hence adding the spinner hit requirement after each collect. I like Ali’s rules, they just need a tweak.

I think you have the right idea Slochar. Use the 2x-3x-4x inserts at the 3-bank to point like an arrow. Blink up towards the spinner to indicate player needs to hit spinner, blink down towards the saucer to indicate saucer is ready for bonus collect. Kinda like the way the inserts on Flash Gordon indicate which direction the ball is going to come out of the saucer.

Leave the 5x insert at the 3-bank to indicate when double spinner scoring is active. Make it blink fast.

That should be clear to the player during the game. Rules will be updated on the apron cards.

Displays are done . Lots of soldering. I think I’m going to need glasses soon.

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Oh I’m sorry I misunderstood about the inserts.

You’re right & im probably setting ahead of myself. Should just test what you’ve done so far & then go from there.

It will take me time to shop the playfield so reall no rush.

Simple green is your friend. So long grime!

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Yes I’m more than willing to run extra wiring if need be!

I like Quenches idea to rewire the 2 GI lamps under the rope a dope plastics to make them controlled lamps. That would really solve everything. If you’re able to code a vacant feature lamp driver for each bulb, then I’ll do the work. Just tell me where to run the wire on the appropriate board & connector.

You could do one lamp for 2x spinner scoring, and the other to indicate when the spinner needs to be hit to allow another saucer bonus collect.

I could create a new plastic piece with “double spinner scoring” & “next bonus collect” written on it, even with with the bulbs mounted on top of the plastic for the player to easily see.

If we’re doing that, then I’d just make a simple hard rule in the code…… after a saucer bonus collect, you must hit the spinner to allow next bonus collect. And every time the upper 3-bank is completed, it lights the double scoring feature lamp for xxx seconds.

Errant shots to the saucer when the feature bulb is lit won’t allow a collect & would just kick the ball back out. That rule alone will force players to shoot the spinner. Smart players will light double spinner scoring before shooting the spinner.

And if you want me to run separate wiring for the bell, and leave the original knocker, I can do that too. I just started working on a mounting solution for the bell.

Added a new Weebly solenoid driver board. Might as well make this game bulletproof

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Finished up the 7-digit Pinitech UNO displays. Used Purple gels for the player displays & yellow for the credit display. Still need to run the extra wiring for the 7th digit though. Have to do a little more research on that. I think it’s daisy chaining a wire on pin 12 of each display, & then run to the backbox. Still have to read some more.

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Pulled the playfield & got it on the rotisserie today. Will be much easier to work on.

Started tinkering away on the cabinet. Adding some lighted flipper buttons & rebuilding the flipper switches, etc.

Also started working on the ring bell assembly. I’ll be mounting it to a plywood base & placing it next to the the power supply. It’s a big 8 inch ring bell, so I want it mounted solid. As stated earlier, the bell will be wired separately from the knocker.

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slochar

If I’m going to use a separate knocker for the bell, do you have a suggestion on an alternate replacement assembly? I’d rather just buy a new assembly than try to chase down a second original Stern knocker.