Here's hoping its better than the lame Ghostbusters one. Or at the very least it is properly implemented.

Just sounds like a "best of pinball" list to feed the hype train. 40+ modes?? Seriously doubt it - whats the most modes in a Stern game? B66? and that doesn't even come close to 40.

Ohhh come on chuckwort, you've been around here long enough to know how the Stern hypetrain works. They've got it down to a fine art, and strategically placed Pinside "leaks" promising "best game ever" are just part of the "fun".

Just shitting on the hype - I'm sure the game will be equivalent to other recent Sterns.

Lol

Particularly because it’s Pre/LE only. Usually means half-arsed code integration.

Wording from both "leaks" sounds like the same source.

So true. The 3 premiums I've bought - TWD, ACDC and DP - have all turned out to be "keepers" and I'm putting that down to not buying on hype, but buying after playing and after code is baked. They've also all been bulletproof out of the box.

Hope you like playing in the dark. Can’t see it working otherwise.

But playing in pitch black looks like it could be cool.

Can’t imagine the pro though - will be pretty basic.

Someone earlier mentioned the necessary Lumens of the projector needed to make this work. Guessing this is just a stock projector. And knowing Stern they went with a cheapish one. So if it turns out too washed out maybe it’s possible to upgrade the projector to a higher spec one aftermarket.

Agreed. I think the screen could be the worst part - certainly the ugliest - but projecting on to targets/ramps etc (if bright enough) is a great idea.

Going to be interesting how much extra coding they put into the projector given is only PreLe. Stern doesn’t have a good track record of spending too much programming PreLe only features, but in this case they really don’t have a choice.

You won’t see the art anyway - room will be too dark.

If you want to see what's possible with projection mapping just check out Vivid Festival that takes place in Sydney in April. Really impressive stuff.

https://www.vividsydney.com/
6f777dafab3c65bf57a9a14dadefeb33 (resized).jpgSydney-Opera-House-Vivid-Sydney-2 (resized).jpg

PfBtKqr.gif

vivid-festival10.gif

Um, in his mouth?

Definitely a wait and see Premium in 12 months. Too much of a lottery with code and projector.

Great American Pinball streaming the Pro now......

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pinballenthusiasts/permalink/2911413765558198/

Pro gameplay looked pretty boring from that stream. Hopefully Jack is streaming Premium.

Edit: I can’t believe they removed the levitating ball lock from the pro.

Might help a bit, but the layout is really uninspiring.

Game was definitely designed around the projector......which is a problem for the pro because it doesn’t have one.

That’s why they’re so popular- they work. But they get boring.

I can see a dystopian pinball future where every game is AFM/MM layout with lots of white surfaces, a projector, colour changing inserts and the words “insert theme here” under the instruction cards.

Looks like they have plenty of assets.

Sounds in general are cool.

Absolutely- if Stern is going to get these games out so quickly, they want to make sure you can’t stream it before their official stream.

Multiball starts are cool.

Wanna buy mine Yelo........?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1509832829325245/permalink/2169522460022942?sale_post_id=2169522460022942&sfns=mo

Although thinking I should keep it now. Just had a brilliant game on it after watching the STh stream. Chalk and cheese.

Was thinking that the past 2 layouts -Elvira and this - are almost the same.

Sure. Guess I’m just bored - enjoying JP2 and Deadpool at the moment because they’re at least a little different.

Maybe he likes chopping wood....
46D1E336-8AD1-4127-A2AD-154C9E212A9F (resized).jpeg

B66 was widely hated.

Don’t think I can remember a Stern game that has such a fundamental difference between Pro and PreLe. Maybe Munsters.

This game lives and dies based on how well the PreLe projector works, and how much effort is put into coding it.

The game was designed around the projector. The layout is deliberately vanilla to allow for the projection. The layout is simple, it works, you know where all the shots are - needs to be so you can shoot it in the dark . The layout is designed around static flat surfaces to project on to.

So you take the projector away and you’re left with a vanilla layout and that’s it.

Still can’t believe they didn’t leave the magneto ball lock on the Pro.

No Rarehero , everything has to be binary today. People are assaulted with too much information so need to make a black and white judgement instantly. You’re either a hater or a fanboy.

Projector also projects on other objects - drops, ramps, stand ups therefore changing what are usually just static. For example timers on the targets, words on the drops, arrows on the ramps. Imo that’s the best thing about the projector. Agree that projecting on the screen is just another screen. But it is easier to see it when playing.

The screen can also be turned in to buildings or locations by the projector. If it’s true projector mapping, the idea is for the projector to change the object into something different.

Wait....what? You’re not a Stern employee already?!?

Pretty sure they will sell you a spare, but IMO it’s overkill. Very unlikely you’ll have a problem and for home use you won’t come close to wearing it out.

Cabinets are not a problem recently as they’ve been using all ply and Williams style cabinet brackets (at least on PreLe’s - can’t comment on Pro’s).

This will be plastic on the pro and metal on the PreLE.

41621B4A-E123-44E9-A883-6D3B33B29F60 (resized).jpeg

Pf Level or angle off? Too shallow/steep? Guessing that jump ramp is very sensitive to angle/level.

I think you’re missing the point John1210 . What JP has you can’t put on paper. Especially at the Pro level.

Who knows what STh will be like at PreLe level and once code is complete, but JP at all levels is something special.

I actually prefer STh as a theme but just from the layout pics and gameplay videos I can see there is nothing in this game that gives me an experience I haven’t already had. Hopefully the projection and ball lock on Sth PreLe will transform the game. The unique DNA combos alone on JP make me smile just thinking about them. I just can’t see where that’s going to come from on STh.

25 ish in the Stern material.
5B3BB857-BB9E-4624-AE01-35EC59BE4F7D (resized).jpeg

Edit: which is still a lot of modes.

It mentions 5 demidog modes and 3 wizard modes, which actually sound like mini wizards since they’re for each of the 6 chapters. But you’re right, won’t know until later.

Dialed In is perfect for a re-theme vault. Fix the SIM card shot & re-name easy.

Wonder why the launch of this was so rushed? Really early 0.64 code, no Prele, odd timing just before Xmas.

Licensing?

I doubt the "leak" of the PreLe footage was an accident. Even though it obviously wasn't ready to stream, they needed to show something of the Prele at launch. Maybe licensing hadn't approved the extra images/video on the PreLe so they couldn't include it in the official launch. But the official launch would be lacklustre without anyone knowing what's possible with the PreLe projector etc. So leak the PreLe footage early.

Still don't know why they rushed it - why not wait until New Year when everything is ready?

Not just early code - but you have to admit 0.64 is even early for Stern.

But this game was clearly designed around the projector - why launch with the weakest version of the game?

Rushing to launch 2 days before Xmas, with the weakest version of the game, on really really early code. Whole thing doesn’t make sense to me.

I’ve worked out your problem - there a piece of steak in your game. Call Stern customer support ASAP.

So many trolls in here.....

Exactly. Shills and Trolls. Like Yin and Yang. Perfect harmony.

Surely they have, or will come up with, a way to adjust the ramp or sculpt. Got to be some way to raise the sculpt or change the angle of the ramp.

Lol.

Pinside always delivers.

Stern is a manufacturing company. They need to keep the production line moving. Prolonging the lifespan of games already in people’s homes by extending content doesn’t help sell new games. Better for them to invest in a completely new game.

But they’ve been releasing incomplete games forever and their business keeps growing. Everyone complains about it, and then buys the next new game with even less code than the previous game.

It’s a nice theory, but the reality is everyone’s addicted to unboxing the latest game.

I love the idea of DLC, but it just means people will hang on to their games longer.

And i doubt operators care about DLC either. Theme is what drives coin drop.

I think a complete game is already pre-loaded into the price. Of course everyone would complain if you had to pay extra to have it finished.

But, assuming it’s not abused by the supplier (and that’s the big unknown), DLC would be fantastic. If you could own TWD (or whatever) for 12 months, play it to death, then Stern releases a completely new Lyman coded version of the game for $500 (or whatever). Totally different rules, animations, sound etc. Then you’ve got 2 versions of the game you can choose.

But as I’ve said before, Stern is a manufacturing company first and foremost. DLC employs software guys but doesn’t keep the line moving.

Even better would be open source code after 2 years. Never going to happen but imagine that.

That will be really lame. But Sterns has a history of trying to keep the code as close as possible between its Pro and PreLe models. Historically they don’t invest a lot in extra coding for the extra PreLe features. Doesn’t bode well for the PreLe screen. But hey, we might be pleasantly surprised this time.

TWD also had Lyman.

The projector in STh is perfect for DLC. The fact you can change stand up targets, drops, ramps, arrows, and the main “screen” to match whatever DLC you install.

Brian Eddy spent most of his career designing software. Understandable he’d merge pinball and software for this game.

I don’t think Stern need me to give them any ideas on how to make money.

I heard that Stern is testing Down Loaded Dimples.

STh seems to be prone to air-balls. Likely the drop targets causing it?

So the projector is either going to make the PreLe a completely different game, or be purely cosmetic and make the Pro essentially the same game. All depends if they allow enough resources to differentiate the 2 models.

Yep - should have had the pro outside the tent for the walk by crowd and the Pre-Le inside a pitch black tent or even better a cave.....

cave (resized).png

Just hit me how dirty those standups and drops will get.

Crap that looks bad. So looks like it just doesn’t translate well on video hence the delay. Have to be seen in person at distributors or show.

That was a pretty dark stage. Really going to need to be as dark as you would watch a home theatre projector (and not a very good quality one).

Clearly why we haven’t seen a stream. On a stream they’ll need to decide whether to show the screen images (ie dark) or show the ball/game action (ie light). Unless there’s HDR for video?

Maybe they’ll have to stick to black and white images - seems to work a bit better.

AA447463-802B-4DB9-A812-7FD5293D8F90 (resized).png

On the video I saw them moving the game into the CNET “studio“ area. It was pretty dark already. No overhead lighting. This image has the least ambient light during the video.

B56443AF-AAB0-4EBB-AE2B-8A1DDA60A252 (resized).jpeg

Felt a bit sorry for Zach on that video. Couldn’t get the levitating ball thing to work either - only because he was trying to simulate it for the camera by throwing the ball and obviously the timing/power was different than flipping.

They began talking about the projector “tech” but once they realized it wasn’t working the reporter changed the topic to “other” tech in the game. In the end they didn’t even talk about the projector.

There must be some reports of actual impartial people who have played it at CES?

Can video do HDR yet?

At the end of the day Stern hasn’t really promised anything about the projector. I’m assuming the best it’s going to look is as per the original “leaked” video that was clearly a Stern production aimed at showing the projector in its best light (see what I did there!?).

If you’re happy with what’s in that original video you’ll be happy with the game in real life (when played in a dark environment). If not, don’t buy it. Certainly don’t buy it assuming it’s going to look better than that video or assuming you’ll be able to upgrade the projector.

In fairness the 2 models he was most impressed with - SW Home and STh Pro - were $3-$5k.

Funny how it was the LCD on SW Home that seemed to impress him most. Here we are debating how good the projector is and he couldn’t care less.

Yeh, was about to say there’s some heavy filter action going on there.

Still no actual PreLe play reports or photos/videos from non-Stern people?

What’s encouraging is the shadow of Zach on the back wall. That must be some strong stage lighting. And the angle looks to be almost directly facing the STh screen. It is impressive you can see anything on that projector screen.

No question the CES launch is a mess - just the irony of banning phone footage at a Consumer Electronic Show in 2020.

The whole reason you exhibit at these shows for “free” publicity. Now it just looks like they’re trying to cover something up.

Gary, just send someone out to buy a $50 marquee from Bunnings/Masters and stick it over the game and at least try and rescue what’s remaining of this train wreck.

Even when you're drunk you have a point Ice.

As someone else said, no matter what happens Stern are more than likely to get my money.

But the projector still looks crap at CES. Lets just all be honest here. Who knows WTF it looks like in a dark room.

Just buy one WD. You know you’re going to have to at some point.

Wow, those Pro’s look like.......Pro’s.

Ha

Don’t care about still images, when’s Jack going to stream it?

.oops.

Actually a toaster with 11’s Eggo waffles popping out could have been a cool toy for Stranger Things.

CrazyLevi innovation off the charts. U sure u don’t work for Stern?

Is your shift key broken?

I thought the projector looked pretty good. Nothing mind blowing but should be pretty cool in person (if we’ll coded).

Definitely a mixed bag this one. It’s a great theme for me, but not a must have so I’m probably being more critical than I would be if it was a dream theme. Could be a premium down the road, but definitely need to play it first.

What about “WTF”?

Because WTF!

Thanks j_m_ . Was really worried your keyboard was broken.

Apparently Stern recently employed a very experienced QC manager. Guessing that will take time to show results, but clearly it’s long overdue. Begs the question why they didn’t have one before. Obviously QC takes $$$ from the bottom line.

Looks like Trindawg got one of the very first games off the line. In future it might be worth waiting a few months before buying until the line has ironed out all the bugs.

I can see Stern just “coding out” the Demo in the mouth shot. With too much inconsistency in how it shoots game to game, and seemingly no adjustments possible, they won’t have a choice. But are there any switches that allow the game to recognize an indirect hit?

F*ck me. The Stern sycophants were just lurking in the shadows waiting.

The shaker and lights have been disconnected and the problem is still there. It is possible he was delivered a faulty game by Stern. Wouldn’t be the first time but I’m sure he’ll be looked after by Stern.

And remember:
AFFCD82E-BA22-4055-881C-A3DC88879327 (resized).jpeg

Wtf? 3 posts only.

He’s like the Mystery Lyman Avenger. Mysteriously parachutes into Pinside, corrects mistruths about Lyman and (presumably) disappears as fast as he arrived.

Don’t listen to him chuckwurt . Stand up to him!!!!!

I’ve never questioned why Stern employees don’t post here. I wouldn’t if I worked for Stern.

Which begs the question..... why do you still post here?

Funny how this thread just morphed into the off-topic dumpster fire of Pinside.

Once Stranger Things the game has been forgotten (like next week), Robin should just re-name the thread...."Pinside's stranger things" and it can continue on as if nothing has happened.

Go in the other thread rs812 , you’ll be much happier over there.

Cmon Ice, your subtle trolling of R&M is wearing a bit thin.

It’s allowed...just got to be sneaky like you’re doing. You’re experienced enough to work it out

When’s your StrTh coming? Must be soon. Looking forward to playing the PreLe but not sure how many will be on location. A couple of friends are getting one though.

He’s just pissed because he already has 6 other games on order and the 7 just seemed excessive.