It's been a while since there's been a post on this topic but I thought I would chime in with an observation from (perhaps) a "unique" perspective. I am a SR fan! I played the h*ll out of High Speed, Black Knight, Firepower etc... back when they first came out and, like many of you, I have fond memories of them! Unlike most of you, here on the forum, I took a hiatus from pinball (I got married and the local bars and arcades quit carrying pinball) for about 20+ years.
To say I missed playing was an understatement! My parents had a Harley Davidson that I played on holidays and I would see an occasional machine at a truck stop arcade but that was essentially it. I decided to change all that in 2017 by picking up a High Speed in decent condition.

Why HS? Simple, it was the game I fell in love with and remembered the best! Quite frankly, I didn't have a clue who Steve Ritchie was (nor did I care at the time.) I enjoyed the game and herein may lie an uncomfortable truth: these "classic" SR designs were innovative, interesting and enjoyable to the point of me plunking down quarters without even thinking about it! The same was true of the Black Knight when I played it (and F-14, Firepower, etc...) The point I'm making is that, for me, these machines were the pinacle of pinball!

Now, fast-forward to 2020 and pinball has completely changed! Everything is themed and gimmicks and toys abound! I read your comments about what you want (or don't want) in a game and I find myself feeling "old fashioned" with my simplistic view of pinball! Perhaps this is because there aren't five different manufacturers pumping out a plethora of machines each year that we can go to the neighborhood store and play. With prices for machines continuing to climb, the need for a "home run" is greater than ever! Each machine seems packed to the gills with "stuff!!" I was (quite honestly) somewhat overwhelmed!

It wasn't until I joined Pinside that I realized that most of my favorite designs were "classic" SR's! His designs "flow" quite well (as many of you have observed.) I have researched his newer designs and I am trying them out. It may be the times I grew up in (EM and early SS machines) but I feel more comfortable with the "classic" designs. What I WOULD be interested in is one that combined the best of the classic features with upgraded sound, lighting and graphics. Go "old school" with a modern twist! I'm partial to automobiles and I like spy themes! You can do all sorts of interesting things in this genre without being Bond, Bourne, or Wick! The trick is to make it engrossing while keeping the playfield "uncluttered." Gimmicks and toys have their place but I really do think that a new design with a "classic" (I hesitate to use the word "retro" ) feel would play well with the public!

Yes, it seems you are correct about this and I'm not really surprised. In some ways, pinball mirrors comics! Both pinball and comics had simplistic themes, artwork, storylines, etc... and during the 70's and 80's they both experienced a rapid metamorphosis with more serious storylines, more gritty artwork, more adult themes (in the case of comics) and SS replacing EM, multi-balls, video mode, etc... (in the case of pinball.) During the 90's and past the Millennium, both "grew up" becoming more appealing to an aging (and more mature) audience. The parallels aren't exact but I believe the expectations are! Once you become accustomed to a particular style, whether it's a pinball game or a "graphic novel," going back to a simpler form seems "quaint."

With this in mind, what I was envisioning would be something combining a "shooter's game" with some of those great SR designs and a twist or two! I do love STTNG with it's different "missions!" This is why I proposed a "spy thriller!" There are SO many different scenarios that could be incorporated! Quite frankly, I would envision multiple levels with multiple ramps (hey, the resident "super evil genius" must have a secret lair somewhere! ) Obviously, multiple traps and something special would be needed! Of course, there would need to be a way to "save the girl" as well as eliminating all the henchmen... and (of course) escaping the "nefarious trap!" And lastly, we need that lovely "lane flow" together with the extra flipper(s) and ramps for the inevitable car chase! Put it all together in a wide-bodied package with super cool graphics and a hot video mode (okay, yeah. That part would be ultra modern but it would be WORTH it!! ) Well, anyway... that would be my suggestion! BTW, thanks for that Beatles suggestion. I'll check it out!

I just watched a video about Steve Ritchie (Part 1 the early years) and found out that he did wide bodies for Atari. Apparently, he hates them as he feels the wider body hampers the "flow!" I believe this could be addressed, especially if one were to add some ramps!