To hold the ball for character selection and mode starts? Like behind the spinner on GB?

yes. there are 4 different spots the game can hold the ball for various features, but none of which are a physical ball lock. Definitely like that on the Pro, and may be like that for all three. All multiballs start with balls being fed from the trough.

The lifting ramp locking function is replaced by the 2 posts that come up and the ramp itself is not needed since you cant put balls into the death star. - Argument still valid. It'll still play the same. It's just missing eye candy.

I don't think it needs too many bells and whistles anyways. In the end, what matters is the gameplay honestly, and this is a Ritchie table, so you know it's gonna be good. Plenty of lightning-fast flow and stacking lots of things at the same time.

Stern Star Trek was my favorite table of his, and this one will probably end up surpassing it for me, since I'm such a huge SW fan. Finally a good table with this license.

ball lock from the other side. Then hit the capitive ball?

there are 4 different spots the game can hold the ball for various features, but none of which are a physical ball lock. Definitely like that on the Pro, and may be like that for all three. All multiballs start with balls being fed from the trough.

Still scratching my head on the "MTFBWY" diverter on the Prem/LE. On ST, its a difference maker because a physical kickback exists on the Prem/LE which puts the ball back in play much quicker than the Pro which has the software kick a ball in the shooter lane and then up to the pops.

On SW Prem/LE, the ball will divert into the shooter lane, and on the Pro the outlane switch will... also trigger a ball back into the shooter lane, right? Why even have this feature at all on the Prem/LE? IMO, that seems like overkill on the BoM that could've been used elsewhere.

It is crazy to me that the pro has no features or toys at all really. It could still be fun, but that is nuts to me.

It seems to me that this game is all abut the hyperspace feature, which could be really cool. The exploding death star could be ok with the right sound and lighting. The jump ramp/ball lock I like as well.

I really wish that standup target bank dropped (like destroying the death star's shield or something) and revealed a target or dropped down to a subway that fed into the kickout/scoop on the right. This game seems like it really could have used a couple more things.

Like many have said, Stern may be ready to release add on toys for you to put in, which sucks. I just raided the Hot Wheels isle for a bunch of die cast ships to put in the game including a few figures (Vader, Luke, Fett).

In retrospect, I found it funny they didn't add Iron Man to the VE version, I added my own with an LED in his chest right up top were the spinners. Looked awesome. Always a form of putty with the figures on the plastics.

Now is not the time for being practical.... I know I'm not because I'm selling off GB and IMVE.... But, it's time for a change anyhow.

Rob

Holding the ball for video mode. There are no 'ball locks' in SW.

Rob

Neither did ST (only really had the bobble
Ship) or GOT (only really had the bobble Dragon).

SW BB (resized).jpg

There are no toys that interact the ball with the game. Totally strippped down overpriced machine which makes it a big no with my wallet.

Soon™
I'll have a date to announce, and try to drum up a Han Solo costume last minute.

Since you have now trademarked "soon" does that mean Stern isn't allowed to use it anymore?

Levi mentioned that the TIE fighter shook when the target was struck, and it seemed like more than just a spring.

Essentially the same as GOT's dragon movement or Green Goblin on Spidey'07

Yeah... It's a mini standup target to "hit" the tie fighter. Very basic. If that's the main toy on the pro then just wow. Has to be as there isn't anything else.

Yep that's it. Hopefully it really does that and it wasn't the drinks Gary was giving him.

Isn't the main toy the mini LCD and the three targets under it?

Could be similar to the leaper hinge in Scared Stiff without the top portion to stabilize the bracket and leaper rod.

I don't think there's a mini solenoid involved.

ST pro has a large moving ship toy (well rocking ship, lol) that is tied into a drop target, kicker and magnet below it.

GOT Pro has a physical ball lock, kicker shot, and the mini battering ram.

Star Wars has...a mini Tie Fighter on a spring that moves when a small standup target is hit...

Sad, but what do you expect for only $5,500?

I think all the bread went to the mini LCD. Hopefully they utilize it well, since it would have otherwise been a major interactive toy, which would have possibly subjugated the masses.

Back in the day before pinflation...all four of these (or at least 3 of them).

SW Pins (resized).jpg

Thos LCDs are dirt cheap. Buying in bulk, they're such a minimal cost.

I sure hope so. If the mini LCD is intended as the main toy Stern could have at least put a molded bezel around it resembling something from the Star Wars films rather then a plain old black bezel...

'Cause they come pre-loaded with software? jk.

yes shipping included.

For real though, Stern is probably getting those LCDs for under $5 each.

Very possible. I got a replacement LCD screen for my PSP a while back for dirt cheap. (Yes I still use it as a portable MAME machine)

True, however, how much is a plastic toy with LEDs and flashers tied to a small coil? Probably equal or less maybe? Plus very little coding to add to the toy compared to the LCD.

There are not many individual parts that are over $5 on a pinball machine. It's all about the code and the content and how the LCD ties the game together.

Looking forward to this very much Jack!!!

No love for Lando? Nien Nub would also be awesome. Can't wait!

That's a great question; doesn't seem like a good use of BOM. Visually not that rewarding or different. From a play standpoint, essentially identical to a software based ball save that kicks another ball into the shooter and fires it off.

Cannot wait to see the stream Jack! The gameplay seems like it's going to be great. I predict lots and lots of strategy just like GOT.

Perhaps mounting a custom R2D2 plastic on the outlane diverter could make it more visually interesting. R2D2 saves them yet again! R2D2 is always saving their ass from the trash compactor, etc.

If the Solo costume falls through I have a phat jabba dancer outfit you can borrow...

sw_changes02 (resized).jpg

I know, right? There's zero gameplay difference between the two. Why did they reinvent the wheel for an outlane save for a different model? Take that BoM cost and put an X-wing flying over the pops or something... or just relocate the coil used for this Prem/LE outlane save to the Tie Fighter to kick the stupid spring around.

I'd like to practically 'beg' one of the expert modders to come up with a playfield magnet mod. Anytime you knock down the FORCE targets would be an ideal time to kick in a playfield magnet nearby for a couple seconds that may put some action on the ball as it rebounds off of those or cause some interaction during multi-ball. Just don't accidentally cook the playfield like TAF could and ideally no drilling a large hole into the playfield -- not sure if the standard magnets typically used on previous games can have enough pull on the ball through the standard playfield wood thickness.

For all of you that keep saying, "it's less than I expected but at least it's Star Wars and will play well", I give you this:

Wrong-Leia (resized).jpg

To me the main toys are 2 flippers, at least one pinball, and a hell of a lot of great smooth shots. It is one thing I love about this hobby, there are many ways to enjoy it.

A twink? Thanks!

Well said!

I keep looking at the images of the Pro and am thinking it's going to be fun as heck.

The lack of toys doesn't bother me, and I'm excited for the playfield LCD.

I was all-in on a Premium and then realized I was talking myself out of the Pro for all the wrong reasons.

I agree, HOWEVER. Commercial LCD's vs cheap chinese lcd's are VASTLY different value/quality. If you look at even vpins. Some will sell you commercial grade pf lcd vs your home tv, BIG money and quality difference. Now...until someone can see the actual screen, we won't know if it is a high end commercial one, but since these are used on route I would suspect they are of decent quality and not that cheap chinese junk you buy to replace your iphone, gameboy screens.

...but how much is it costing to create all the animation and content for that LCD? That's got to factor into the BOM.

The ball doesn't really interact with the ship...it's just a thing that reacts to hitting normal pinball things (target, magnet, coil)

Again...just kinda normal pinball stuff...the ram is essentially a captive ball or a target. It barely moves or does anything. The kicker is a coil.

The LCD is the main Pro toy. Hopefully it'll have lots of content since that's what you're gonna be looking at a lot.

Anyway - If you look at the history of Steve Ritchie games, he really doesn't "do" toys. He's about the layout, the wireforms, the flow...he likes cannons (T2, STTNG, ACDC) and upper playfields (BK2K, Elvis, GOT). His toys are mostly decoration or things that move around above the gameplay (Dancing Elvis, 24's sniper, ST's ship, GOT's dragon).

Pro doesn't have any.

Pro doesn't have one.

Pro doesn't have one.

From pics, i really dont understand why any home user wants to buy a pro model, i mean just look at the playfield, who cares about cabinet artwork? it will probepley stand next to another pin and you will never see sides of the pin. Pf is most important, pro model looks so empty. i am not talking about money here, just the fact that anybody thinks about buying a pro.

Premium is the way to go here, best bang for buck ever!

I orderd LE before knowing anything about this pin, but if i dident, and couldent get an LE i would bee happy with a Premium model.

Offcourse waiting for propper video of gameplay, but as it is now, with only pics, the pro looks like waste of money!