Umm. Only? So what exactly is left then...?

It exists, and it's part of the machine, and I'd say for many that aren't really into the hobby, a point of interest. I prefer how JJP approaches the backglass, versus Stern. JJP uses it as often for somewhat static information and tracking, versus over the top flashy, prominent animation or clips.

Personally I often prefer DMD animations from the 90's to the overwhelming and somewhat distracting visual barf on an LCD. Doesn't mean I can't find strengths and weaknesses to both approaches, and assess the professional aspects of what's been produced.

I'd say another aspect of the criticism comes from...how often can layouts differ, or playfield art be discussed? So LCD and modern sound usage is kind of the novelty at hand presently, and especially more so when a company like Stern scales back seemingly more and more each year in mech usage.

Looks like the sheer number of villains in TMNT would overwhelm the playfield with inserts. Smaller inserts balances the artwork and inserts.

Or not... I'm no pin designer.

Wonder if board game themes like gloomhaven and nemesis would ever make the cut. These are premium games that sell millions of copies. Mind you a board gamer might be willing to spend $300 on a board game but not 9000 on a game. Wondering what the cross is...board gamer and pinhead.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/any-board-game-players-out-there

I think it's hard to say I goaded you! More accurately, you used my post as an "opportunity" to launch into a rant, which is cool, since I miss Aurich rants

I don't know if I'd go that far I like the LCD's ability to help me navigate the scores, objectives, and overall status. All of the ephemeral graphics don't impact me much as a player (or as a spectator). In the worst case, a game with LCD graphics that would wow rarehero/aurich *without* compelling shot geometry and mechs would obviously miss the target. For me, it's all about balance...which is tough given the tight timelines these guys operate under. No doubt.

I know the thread. But some of these license are awesome themes.

Here ya go.

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or better yet, THIS!!!

I could be wrong but it looks like the outline on each villain corresponds to the outline on each insert.

So 2 Shredder episodes, 2 Krang, 1 Bebop and Rocksteady, 1 Mouser, 1 Baxter, 1 Slash. Plus Dwight mentioned that 2 of the episodes can't be played until a specific previous one has been played. Cant play Baxter until you've played Mousers. And it looks like you can't play one of the Krang ones until you've played the other.

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That would be cool to listen to during a mode or multiball...or when your game is over.

Everyone can blame me. Unlike Deadpool, where the villain was the mode, on TMNT they refer to starring Episodes. I chose to leave text out of the equation because of the length of Episode names. And had I used the character names it would have confused with the episodes... I kinda assumed I'd find a grail answer and eventually settled on having the insert trap color coincide with the stroke of each affiliated character (and some overlap when 2-part episodes are referenced)... not saying it's the best answer for everyone - but it allowed for a more dynamic central grouping of art... which selfishly I gravitate towards...

Please don’t ever feel the need to justify your artistic design choices. You are the best in the industry and no one here is qualified to tell you otherwise. If anything we’d all like more of your artwork!

I don't! But I own the decisions I make AND I listen to criticism... Not justifying - just wanted to explain the choice!
I really do try to make decisions for both the player and the art - sometimes it's tricky, sometimes it's not! ...but mostly it's tricky

I think a future premium version should be a ninja rap version

Elaborating on design choices is always a good thing!

Thanks - I agree! And BTW - I've been meaning to compliment you on your avatar... the Panzer Dragoon series was one of the most magical gaming experiences I had during the Saturn run. But I was a Sega kid, so I know nothing (I even like the Switch remake of 1 now that it's got performance mode)

I was making a reference to my rant about the letter H in the Willy Wonka logo that I only did because someone insisted that I was nitpicking things when I was studiously avoiding doing any such thing. Figured if I was gonna catch shit for something I wasn't even doing I might as well go all out and do it.

As the resident nit-picker I think it looks great personally. It's organic in a good way, feels balanced, and I bet it feels nice during attract modes to have the lights kind of scattered like that instead of being in a more constrained grid.

Honestly the entire bottom area feels great to me. The way half the turtles are mounted on the floating plastics and larger really adds to the illusion of depth. And you made two of them on opposite sides/depth looking back up towards the viewer, nicely engages and draws the eye inwards toward the scene.

I wish I could say I was more than just a fan, and a fan that's never even played Saga, at that..!

I read about that patch, and I do hope/expect it to be on the Limited Run copy when that's sent out. I also hope this team DOES get to work on Zwei, which rumors, and good sales, are definitely point to!

Thanks for the kind words, and it's always nice to see folks like yourself engaging, and expressing themselves on the forum.

Thanks for the explanation. I'm still not super excited by the insert placement within the artwork, but that's okay. I'm not an artist, so your option should weigh way more heavily then mine. I really love your artwork, so in this case, perhaps this was the best way of seeing more of it.

Sorry if this has been addressed....is there any opportunity to change character during the game? Do you "complete" characters?

Does Stern "allow" you to hide inserts under art if you wanted to? Games like Simpsons Pinball Party & Monster Bash have inserts completely covered by the characters...so the characters light up when you complete the tasks required. I feel like Stern doesn't really do this anymore...wondering if it's a mandate or up to the designer/artist.

Sewer manhole is like this for the "Shoot again" light.

You are the same character for the entire game. I recall it was directly mentioned in the stream.

I believe you can "max out" the perk's you get with each character.

Okay totally on the fence here

If anyone knows who has the best prices on this title

PM me Please

Checked with about 6 sources
Best I’ve gotten back price wise

$5699.00 Pro
$7399.00 Prem

Any better deals to be had ??

OK Boomer.

Deposit has been sent on a LE. I’m all in!

It is allowed! Each designer has different taste and allowance for it... However, There are problems you deal with when you art over inserts - you’ll need blockers and digital inks make it a bit trickier depending on a few factors. So I try to be careful when and how I approach it.

Yep. 4 per character and I believe they are all unique. Sounds awesome and will be great for replayability

By no means a complaint but I would rather level up all four turtles gaining their specific perks as I go until the whole playfield is lit up for points explosions. Deciding what order to train and level up each character to fit the player's style.

Is there a breakdown of the perks?

I thought the same thing. But, we don’t know enough of the rules to understand if there’s a reason for not allowing you to swap characters mid-game or even after you max a character out. Otherwise, it sounds like some really cool rules.

Exactly this.

There are no animations on AS that look as bad as the April one. What animations on AS look bad anyway? I think they’re pretty good and I’m picky on that. For a band game, I’d say well done.

Agreed, never understood the hatred for AS animations. I think it was just a case of being the first (?) animated Stern game with the LCD. Now everyone has set their expectations accordingly but AS still retains that legacy.

If they used the cartoon for animations, there would be no hesitation with purchasing for me. Right now I’m on the fence.

All the animations on Aerosmith look like a basic flash game from the late 1990s. The characters have a few pieces per body (usually 2 per leg, 2 per arm, torso, head - I think some also have articulated wrists if I remember right) and are "animated" like puppets with 4-6-ish points of articulation where the body parts meet. LOTS of static images given motion by scrolling the foreground or background and adding the puppet band characters. VERY basic, and not in a cool way. They could have given 2D segmented characters a really cool look and even could have made that art style look like the original Parappa the Rapper, but that would have been much more work that what they put into it. 3D would have, too.

I vowed never to buy another home LE for myself.
Yeah that ended after seeing the stream.
It was crystal clear how fresh this game will be.
LE on the way! Turtle power.

10k it’s no MMRRE

Hot Wheels is almost 4K less then LE ?

Theme is terrible! Throw this one in the barn and let the termites eat it.

I agree some AS animations look like Flash, but some on TMNT are worse.

1D378E8B-7C8F-42CB-A94C-07DBD3D1AD47 (resized).jpeg

I don't disagree, but Aerosmith is completed and TMNT likely has some polish left to go.

Even if TMNT was locked as well, Aerosmith has a LOT more scene cheapness and general bad animation quality than TMNT. A LOT.

But TMNT isn't locked, so it will continue to improve. Aerosmith won't, so the gap will widen.

I hope they improve. So far the voices and animations are my only concerns. Layout, art and code seem pretty good.

Those heavy black outlines on some scenes don’t help. The weapon scenes and some with Shredder look good.

Some animations in JP look bad. Stern is definitely improving every title and I think TMNT looks fine.

edit: Overall I like the animations in JP too. They just aren't JJP quality.
JP (resized).png

I feel JP is a step up in animation quality compared to what they have so far in TMNT.

They definitely are right now but the art style is entirely different and it's tough to say how finished these are currently.

Edit: If it isn't clear, I like the animations in JP2. Some are just rough. Most of the animations they have showed for TMNT look unfinished as they lack motion. Time will tell if that's just it or if it's an early placeholder.