New release video games are $60, new release pinball machines are $6,000. I think it's reasonable to want the new software for free rather than at an additional charge.

Horrible idea.

Yeah, let's ask Stern to manage even more code, what could go wrong.

bad bad idea... it will just encourage them to release flaky code so you have to pay to upgrade.

My guess is that the majority opinion on this forum will be that the game should either ship with complete code or come with free code updates until it is complete.

Imagine you were paid for a roof and you didn't put down half the tiles. Then you asked the homeowner to pay for a new tile pack. Yeah, no thanks.

Open source their software. Problem of unfinished games or missing songs solved.

I'm sure there are some here and in the virtual pinball forums that could code one hell of a game.

You won't feel that way when the LCD prompts you to pay 1.99 to play wizard mode.

Why on earth would you encourage Stern to sell unfinished pins and then charge people more to finish them?

I just paid 10k for a BM66, they have been paid

When stern ships games that are 100% complete then they can think about charging for upgrades

DLC is a slippery slope. Some companies can handle it well but many do not.

I'd say what Stern is doing today with side art, rails, shooter rods, toppers, and other mods is like DLC for pinball. As long as it is something extra which isn't required to enjoy and experience the complete game it is fine. However, I don't think they should extend the DLC concept to software. I would be concerned it would quickly devolve into paying for them to implement features which should have been there from the beginning and bug fixes.

Perhaps more importantly the economies of scale just aren't there. How many AC/DCs are out there? How many AC/DC owners would pay $30 for 3 new songs? Stern is probably better off having their software people work on new games or doing updates for games still in production.

I think it's a fantastic idea. I think people are confusing finishing the first (original) project with adding content. I think people would pay $30 for 3 new modes or songs to acdc. It would also be a great package for route you could keep the game fresh with having to sell a game and buy a new one.

I can agree with the general population as it could be a slippery slope. Charging for bug fixes or waltering down the original game. But I feel if it was done correctly could be a great revenue stream. And great for pinball.

Let not forget jjp has tried something somewhat similar for Woz to be a redemtion game. I belive it was a purchase of a USB drive. It was kinda pricey. I wanna say $600? Wonder how many they sold.

It is getting downvoted because it is one step away from the company holding things out of a release for more money on the next one. For example: "Oh, you want the left flipper to work too? $10. Right flipper $10. Upper flipper $20." There would be no end in sight. A pinball machine is not an evergreen source of money. More money isn't going to lead to better code in this case. It is (in my opinion) a poor idea for pinball to charge for code like that.... but let Jody know, because if he finds you willing to pay for the code sperately for your games, he will figure out a way to do it.

I get it and I think it is not that bad an idea.
When they keep pumping out THEMED games, the theme changes. i.e.; AC/DC will have newer songs that can/may be added via extra downloadable content etc. etc. this makes it more relative instead of being dated.
I like it

The very first sentence of your first post references people complaining about the lack of code. If there's a misunderstanding it's on your side. The lack of code criticism doesn't stem from people wanting new modes and songs added to their pins a year later. People just want their game to work as advertised, to not have unused inserts or waiting a year for the game's code to be good.

If Stern could ship a code complete game day one then maybe they could start selling your idea of dlc but keep in mind that pinball dlc wouldn't sell near the numbers vidja game dlc does and probably wouldn't be worth it to them.

Problem is you can't update the playfield with inserts, text, etc. to reflect new modes.

This has to be the #1 all time dumbest post on Pinside, you have outdone anything even Levi could ever come up with!

I also find it ironic that you are willing to pay for DLC from Stern, but you have never donated one penny to this site for all the great info that you get here. Unbelievably stupid post dude for real!

Of course I'm taking it to the extreme, because that is where it ends up. It's because that is what I'd do if I saw big money down the road. All of a sudden the "fully finished" version of Tron is all modes are the equivalent of "Find Flynn". That way every insert works. Down the road from that I toss out the "Amazing Light Cycle DLC" pack for $20 that makes you have to shoot Combos in MuktiBall!!! to complete it. A year later I add the DLC for Quorra MultiBall with add-a-ball at the center target for only $20. Features would be held back, just to nickel and dime customers. I'd never buy a pinball machine that went that route. Hell JJP just HINTED at doing it a few years back and people freaked out.

They kind of already sell DLC. What do you think the Ghostbusters topper is? You can't download it but it's still additional content for the game just like horse armor.

Worst idea I've heard here in a long time; that's impressive

Ummm what pinball company charges $30 for ANYTHING!?! How much was MMR color? Umm how much does Stern charge for mods, toppers, etc... you think they will give you something, anything for $30 your nuts.

This is a terrible idea and I hope it never reaches Stern's ears

Stern T-shirts are close to $30.

-removed-

Pretty much no such thing.

Agreed

IMG_3070_zps68449288 (resized).jpg

see, you are the one who is confused
we want finished games, thus the game should have lots of modes

$30 for a couple of sound changes?

Ops wont want it
most buyers probably dont even know the software can be upgraded
in a years time, Stern will have released 3 more games. nobody will care about last years game

Hey go buy a NIB Big Buck Hunter then buy the Zombie DLC for THOUSANDS$$, or pay for home use DLC on Golden Tee and yeah if that shit hits pinball I guarantee you won't be buying a $1,000 MET song and light upgrade so don't talk money you started out at $30 and are saying the cost does not matter.

How long did WOZ get code updates, look at AMH still getting code updates, check out Spooky listening to customers on Rob Zombie, that is what you want not offering Stern more money for BS

No of course not if I move the game on I would miss out on the new mode, I want a Batman 66 movie mode added while I have the game and I have even suggested a "some days you just can't get rid of a bomb" movie mode.

All DLC model would do is encourage Stern to purposefully release half ass code (maybe even hold code back that's ready at releases) and then charge us, additionally for something a NIB buyer should already be getting with their initial purchase price. At 6k plus there is no room for code charges or excuse for DLC code.

Most people believe that is what should be produced out of the gate, for the price a NIB pin costs these days (not mentioning the special releases like BM66 & DICE) the retail price is more then enough to expect fully fleshed out code for all the games modes and features.

Years ago I asked Gary Stern why he didn't develop a new translite for Pirates of the Carribean to match the new movie and keep the game more interesting to operate. Maybe also update speech and dots to match the new movie. Such a translite + code package could then be offered for $$. Gary explained to me in detail how the development costs + extension of the license and all that would not be worth the effort. He liked the idea of giving games sort of a second life, but it wasn't going to happen. I guess that answers the OP's original post.

My guess is you'll be relying on aftermarket mods to add extra content (video, music) to the game. In a few years (if not sooner) it may not be that hardto modify the content of the LCD, the music and such of a game, so you can mod it to your liking.

Boy, I am sure glad B/W didn't have this option. My games are still fun and exciting after 20+ years.