Litvinov
Quoted from cpr9999:if they don’t open how will they remove EA number plaques and bump code?
The plan is to move the games to a DP storage area, then open all the games to test them, when they'll then remove the plaques...
(Topic ID: 115360)
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The Big Lebowski
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Quoted from VividPsychosis:For the tenth time. Every game will be opened because the EA plaque needs to Be removed and the unreleased new code will be installed.
PAY ARA FIRST, TAKE GAMES AND PARTS OUT OF ARA MANUFACTURING FACITLITY. INSPECT GAMES, REPLACE CODE AND SHIP. A MANUFACTURER OTHER THAN ARA TO ASSEMBLE SPARE PARTS INTO GAMES. GOOD LUCK!!
Chesterfield, VA
Quoted from jeffspinballpalace:PAY FIRST, TAKE GAMES AND PARTS OUT OF MANUFACTURING FACITLITY. INSPECT GAMES AND REPLACE CODE AND SHIP. THEN SOME MANUFACTURER OTHER THAN ARA TO ASSEMBLE SPARE PARTS INTO GAMES.
Money won’t be released from escrow till DHL picks up the game to ship....
Quoted from VividPsychosis:For the tenth time. Every game will be opened because the EA plaque needs to Be removed and the unreleased new code will be installed.
I thought jeffspinballpalace was referring to the inspection at ARA, which only involved checking 1 machine, not removing the plaques... Wow, they're doing code updates before they ship!! That out-performs Stern!!
Quoted from jeffspinballpalace:The number of completed games is speculative, maybe there are only 5, but definitely less than 40.
Did they say this in the Podcast? The Cointaker deal described in this thread was $12.5k for a prebuilt TBL that will ship within a month or two. You’re saying a good chunk of the games they just sold (maybe the great majority) have not been built yet? That would be quite a development.
[EDIT: To be clear, I'm not saying I buy @jeffspinballpalace's statement, I'm asking for the evidence since it seems contrary to everything else we've heard so far.]
Quoted from fosaisu:Did they say this in the Podcast? The Cointaker deal described in this thread was $12.5k for a prebuilt TBL that will ship within a month or two. You’re saying a good chunk of the games they just sold (maybe the great majority) have not been built yet? That would be quite a development.
CT knows exactly how many complete games are sitting at ARA (rumor is 35 to 40)
Quoted from fosaisu:Did they say this in the Podcast? The Cointaker deal described in this thread was $12.5k for a prebuilt TBL that will ship within a month or two. You’re saying a good chunk of the games they just sold (maybe the great majority) have not been built yet? That would be quite a development.
No no , 40 games that are already built
$12,500 hoping the game gets built
They wouldn’t have sold out
Quoted from VividPsychosis:Money won’t be released from escrow till DHL picks up the game to ship....
EXACTLY. !!!!
That’s the only way it would work
Quoted from whitey:EXACTLY. !!!!
That’s the only way it would work
I know this is what has been said but it raises a lot of other questions about how they will pay ARA in order to get the games.
I would be getting nervous if I threw $12,500 at this in a panic FOMO buy.
UTbXO9I (resized).pngQuoted from whitey:no , 40 games that are already built
Jonathan kept mentioning 38 in the podcast.
Southbourne
Quoted from luvthatapex2:I'm intrigued by the software. The last version I saw was 0.43, so it will be interesting what changes were made to get the Made in China prototype to work. Then would this version be 100% compatible with the games made in 2016? At a bare minimum I would request version 0.43 software download as a backup in case the version updated on the 40 games has any incompatibilities.
Here is the only video I was able to find running version 0.43. Do any owners have a more recent version?
Haha that's actually my video! Made that not long after getting the game for the people waiting to receive theirs. There have been a few updates since then - I've kept all the code so I have versions 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45 and 0.48 if anyone needs them. Just checked my emails from DP and 0.46 and 0.47 weren't released publicly, just to a few beta testers. Apparently slightly updated software is going to be released soon...
Here's the complete changelog that I've pieced together from various emails:
Version 0.42 (27-05-2016)
Bugfixes:
- Hard disk space check was not checking the correct partition.
Version 0.43 (27-05-2016)
Rules:
- Implemented Rug Modes rules, music & intro lightshows.
- Rug & Bowling skillshots now lite those respective modes (if not lit yet).
- "Mark It Zero" movie scene can now be skipped.
- Added possibility to cancel starting "Character Multiball" with the launch
button, so it's safer to collect "Mark It Zero" and "Let's Go Bowling".
- Multiball jackpot value now is increased with each jackpot.
- Light Lock targets are now blocked while Lock is lit (in other words lit
locks can't be stacked).
- During multiball, "Let's Go Bowling" can't be progressed towards anymore.
- If 0 points are scored the ball is always saved (except when tilted).
- Added setting "Adjustment Menu -> Rules -> White Russian Targets" with
options "Precise", "Forgiving" and "Always add ingredient". Defaults to
"Forgiving" which spots a neighbour target if the actual hit target is lit.
- Added 2 settings under "Adjustment Menu -> Rules -> Ball Saver" for normal
ball saver and multiball ball saver durations.
Assets:
- Updated rug mode intros and outros.
- Added Multiball jackpot animations.
- Added "Character mode ready" animation when spelling the last letter.
- Added knocker sound to Match sequence.
- Updated some switch & icon sounds.
- Updated coloring of in-game fonts, service mode & miscellaneous.
Improvements:
- A new game can now be started during the Match sequence.
- Shots with multiple purposes now only show the most relevant visual.
- Repeated incidental icons (top right) will now re-use the previous icon so
the screen doesn't get spammed with the same icon.
- Reduced Bowling pins default pulse time & setting range.
- The launch button can now also be used in profile screens in addition to
the start button. Also added more button sounds to these screens.
- Added Switch Checklist test.
Bugfixes:
- Ballsaver would sometimes serve multiple balls.
- Rug would move all the way back at start of ball without cause.
- A new music track would be started in between "Let's Go Bowling" and
"Character Multiball" start.
- Rug mode arrows would be visible during multiball play.
- Rug wouldn't always move forward when Multiball was started.
- Various scoop & saucer lights would show lit modes that couldn't be
started during multiball play.
- Match sequence music wasn't very audible; now the Game Over music starts
after the Match sequence.
- Scores could be displayed duplicated from other players during highscore
screens and match sequence.
- Nihilist Showdown not showing the correct wave total score.
- The jackpot queue of "Character Multiball" would continue after draining.
- Switched right inlane & outlane switch addresses to match correct wiring.
...and many more tweaks & improvements.
Version 0.44 (June 6th 2016)
Rules:
- Hitting the rug during rug modes adds 10 seconds to the mode's timer (except
for the "Where's the Money" mode where the rug is the main shot).
- Regular Multiball can no longer be progressed towards or started during
Character Multiball - this proved too confusing and wasn't worthwhile.
- Adjusted bummer bonus to 6.900 (down from 69.000).
Assets:
- New Bonus countdown background & text movement.
- Updated Bowling pins visualization.
Improvements:
- Left ramp diverter stays down shorter to prevent the coil from warming up.
- During attract mode the flipper buttons now trigger random quotes.
- The "Match" and "Female Form" music tracks are a bit louder now.
Bugfixes:
- After tilting, the rug would not detect hits for the rest of the game.
- Simultaneous Rug Mode & Lock shot now discards the Rug Mode shot animation.
- Bonus countdown wouldn't always have the correct length of background music.
Version 0.45 - August 5th 2016
Rules:
- Added "Roaming Pin" challenge to "Let's Go Bowling".
- "Character Multiball" can no longer be canceled if it's the only thing lit
at the saucer.
Improvements:
- When stopping the game with the start button, the ball now remains in the
shooter lane for 10 seconds to make starting a new game much quicker.
- Mystery animations can now be sped up by pressing both flipper buttons.
- Improved bowling alley ball accuracy (which pins are being hit directly).
- Car and bowling stepper motors now can compensate for EOS switch failure.
- Reduced the delay/stutter when entering the attract mode from the game or
after the match sequence.
Service menu:
- Added "Adjustment Menu -> Live -> Live serial number" menu item.
Instructions and Live serials will be distributed soon via e-mail.
- Added "Adjustment Menu -> Pricing / Awards -> Match percentage" menu item,
with a default of 8% (was fixed at 10% previously).
- Added "Adjustment Menu -> Pricing / Awards -> Highscore awards" with 5
settings for Grand Champion and Highscore 1 to 4. When a player now gets a
highscore and saves it (selects profile), he will be awarded the specified
amount of credits.
- Added "Software Menu -> Current version -> Factory Reset" menu item, which
performs a factory reset for the current version, resetting all settings,
audits, highscores & profiles.
- Changed slingshots coil strength range and factory default to match the
new solenoids (machine owners with 23-800 slingshot solenoids will receive
26-1200 replacements). After updating to 0.45 and installing the 26-1200's
(if necessary) you should set both the "Adjustment Menu -> Coil Strengths ->
Slingshot Left/Right" settings to 25ms (new factory default).
Bugfixes:
- Fixed a special case were the rug would become unresponsive to hits.
- "The Dude Abides" goal inserts would not carry over to the next ball.
- "Adjustment Menu -> Coil Strengths" settings would only apply from the time
they were changed till the machine was shut down. The settings for Slingshot
and Jets didn't have any effect. This is now fixed, for this reason all coil
strength settings are reset to their factory default.
- Ballsearch:
* Is now prevented from starting when a ball is cradled.
* Is now disabled during "Mark It Zero" movie clips.
* Now also listens to the mini playfield ramp.
- The "Right Ramp Made" switch was erroneously called "Right Ramp Enter".
- Renamed the "MPF Habitrail" switch to "MPF Exit".
Version 0.46 - December 28th 2016
Rules:
- Added three car modes:
* "Kill The Dude's Car": hit the car 8 times before the ball is over.
* "Car Chase": race Dafino by shooting the mini playfield ramp. If you hit
The Dude's car that will delay him. The chase is paused when the ball
leaves the mini playfield.
* "Car Impound": hit the car 4 times before the ball is over. The upper
flipper disables after every hit.
- Each character's jackpot value (base 100,000) is increased by 25,000 when a
character's shot is made when the name is already spelled.
- Character Multiball now has white arrows on the character shots that are
not active. These increase the corresponding character jackpot value.
- Multiball jackpot rounds now consist of the major shots on the main pf,
with super jackpots alternating between left ramp lock and mini pf ramp.
- Multiball now has white arrows on non-jackpot shots. These increase the base
jackpot value by 25,000.
- White Russians can now be "stacked". Meaning that when selecting a currently
lit WR, an additional WR (4 sips) will be added. The multiplier for the
second WR is 3X, the third 4X, etc.
- Lighting Rug Modes now starts easier (3 hits) and gets progressively harder
after every 2 rug modes (4 hits, 5 hits etc.). Both are settings.
- After lighting "Let's Go Bowling" you can't spell BOWLING anymore before you
have played "Let's Go Bowling".
- Starting a Rug Mode now contributes to the bonus.
Improvements:
- After spelling a character's name, the letters now stay solidly lit.
- Character Multiball intro lightshows added.
- Character Multiball improved shot indications.
- Added a visual countup effect to the current player's score.
- Lane skillshot can now be lane-changed before the ball is launched.
- Start button:
* the special function popup now takes longer to show up. This fixes the
issue that only a really short button press would start game / add player.
* solved retrigger issue were after removing a player / stopping the game
a start button action would occur when releasing the start button.
* the start button functionality now only works in freeplay.
- During attract mode lightshows all RGB LEDs now cycle colors.
- Bowling Alley stepper motor now reacts quicker to its EOS switches,
preventing it from stuttering on either end.
- Kickback/Trampoline animation now uses shot from the movie as background.
Service menu:
- Added "Install Presets" menu with difficulty presets for all the rules
related settings.
- Added "Adjustment Menu -> TBL Rules -> Light Lock Difficulty".
- Added "Adjustment Menu -> TBL Rules -> Timers -> Skillshot length".
- Added "Adjustment Menu -> TBL Rules -> Timers -> ZERO countdown length".
- Added "Adjustment Menu -> TBL Rules -> Nihilists" with 2 settings for the
1st Nihilist Showdown targets hits & the increase for subsequent showdowns.
- Added "Adjustment Menu -> TBL Rules -> Rug Modes" with 2 settings for the
1st Rug Mode hits & the increase for subsequent rug modes.
- Added "Adjustment Menu -> TBL Rules -> Bowling -> Subsequent LGB pre-lit
letters decrease".
- If you experienced a delay when entering the service menu this was likely
caused by the player profiles menu being repopulated every time. Now the
player profiles only get loaded when this item is selected.
- Stepper motor test modes now match the in game speeds of these motors.
Bugfixes:
- Fixed music and GI being off initially after tilting the previous ball.
- Skillshot award animation would sometimes be cutoff.
- The default lanes skillshot would not correctly stop in case the ball never
entered a rollover, sometimes resulting in a skillshot animation at the
start of the next ball.
- If an Extra Ball was earned through Mystery and simultaneously Nihilist
Showdown was started at the scoop; the Extra Ball would not be lit and
could theoretically carry over to the next ball/player/game.
- Fixed Ball Saved animation + sound being triggered in a rapid fashion
causing a loud sound and weird visual effect.
- When a Bowling Challenge was completed, the wrong ball icon would show.
- Improved USB updating to properly handle update files that accidentally
contain copy suffixes like "(1)" or " - Copy".
- Player Profile editing would crash if there were less than 3 initials.
- USB & Internet update code now correctly calculates required free disk
space for delta updates.
Version 0.47 - January 19th 2017
Rules:
- Increased spinner scoring from 1,000 to 5,000 and it can now be multiplied
by the white russian (every spinner "rip" counts as one white russian sip,
so you can rip the spinner 4 times with all spins multiplied).
- Spinner scoring / progress towards mystery is disabled during mb play.
Improvements:
- Spinner hits are now visualized with an icon and show progress towards
liting Mystery.
- In "Let's Go Bowling" the launch button can now be pressed after 0.25 second
after the bowling ball launcher starts moving, this used to be 1 second.
- During "Where's The Money?" the rug will now move a little when hit.
Bugfixes:
- Ball gates not disabling when ball drains within two seconds of activation.
- Shooting the right ramp and then immediately the MPF ramp will no longer
spot a second Walter letter.
- Tilt bob now doesn't register as long as the player hasn't scored any points
that ball. This prevents tilting through to the next ball.
- Car Mode "Car Impound" would show previous car hit animations if those were
cut off after an earlier hit by the ball draining the MPF quickly.
- Starting Nihilist Showdown while a Car Mode was running would confuse the car
logic after Nihilist Showdown.
- Tilting during Car Mode selection would skip the next Car Mode selection.
- Fixed car repeatedly trying to close with a bouncing motion.
- Fixed car going inside at the start or during a car mode.
- Fixed music and GI being off initially after tilting the previous ball during
Multiball.
- If Nihilist Showdown was ended right after hitting the wave's last nihilist,
the mode would sort of keep running.
- Fixed various LEDs coming on when pressing the flipper buttons during Bowling
Challenge or Car Mode selection.
- Fixed some arrows (like lock) being visible during Rug Mode intros.
- The individual Character Jackpot values would not correctly carry over to the
next ball.
- Maude jackpot increase for each rollover is lowered to 10,000 to balance out
the fact that multiple rollovers are activated for each Maude shot.
- Fixed lit scoop awards being awarded when a Rug Mode was started and the intro
skipped.
- Fixed Rug hit indication arrow not working after playing "Where's The Money?".
Version 0.48 - January 27th 2017
Improvements:
- Made "Car Mode Completed" message more consistent (and informative) with
"Rug Mode Completed" message by adding the award value to it.
Bugfixes:
- "P-ROC NOT FOUND" error message did not show up since version 0.46, that's
fixed now and the message is corrected to read "P3-ROC NOT FOUND".
- Fixed Rug Mode music starting too loud.
- Fixed erroneous car hit registration at the start of a Car Mode.
Known issues:
We have not been able to consistently reproduce these issues, please report
all memorable circumstances to us that might help solve these issues:
Issue 0.48.1: Sometimes the background music stops in the middle of a ball
until the next mode, multiball or ball.
Issue 0.48.2: Sometimes when the ball enters the shooter lane for a new ball,
a skillshot award will already be awarded or at least displayed.
How many balls does TBL use?
Quoted from VividPsychosis:How many balls does TBL use?
Five in the game, and one in the bowling alley toy.
5 Balls on the playfield and one in the bowling alley.
I posted a machine description and pictures of my game on the pinball database if anyone is interested.
https://www.ipdb.org/search.pl?any=the+big+lebowski&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick
Quoted from jeffspinballpalace:I have been thinking about this ordeal and most of my curiousity revolves around the lack of inspection of built games and parts. It appears at first blush that only a cursory inspection by a compromised individual has occurred and will occur before purchase. I ask myself why.
Why doesn’t CoinTaker demand to be present and to inspect items for themselves?
Why didn’t DP inspect and take a complete inventory before the sale, when there are parts rumored to build 100 more?
Someone is being setup for disappointment and I think that person is DP and ultimately it’s customers. A complete and verified inventory would dispel uncertainty and reveal what is true. Why do I think this? Because nobody has insisted on an inventory and because ARA doesn’t want to build the games. That’s right, ARA has said your parts are in boxes, but don’t look closely. There are parts to build 100 games but ARA is requiring parts to be moved from their premises (a factory) and they won’t be assembling the games. Wonder why? They have experience, the parts are present, it should be easy money for ARA to build them. The only conclusion I can draw is that the parts are a mess. It may turn out that only enough key parts exist to assemble ten games. By the time inventory is taken and missing parts are ordered the year will be over and the license expired.
I think you are working on a pretense that somehow ara had no idea what they had,.. or are trying to screw people by holding back stuff.
It’s a factory... not some dudes basement. Parts would have been ordered and inventoried waiting for their use in production. Inaccuracies would be small (swapping bad for a good on the shelf etc)... but they would have a paper trail of everything they should have. And as others mentioned... it’s stuff under contention now... so again scrutinized. There is no reason to believe the inventory isn’t what it is supposed to be within reason.
The question has been more about the viability of what they had... not “if it’s still there”.
Wow that is so helpful and a great read! I'm a big fan of Koen's coding, thanks for that. I wonder how many owners aren't running 0.48? Quite a few things added/fixed in subsequent releases. So if the 40 games shipped are not running at least 0.48 they should be updated upon arrival.
Quoted from JustLikeMe:Haha that's actually my video! Made that not long after getting the game for the people waiting to receive theirs. There have been a few updates since then - I've kept all the code so I have versions 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45 and 0.48 if anyone needs them. Just checked my emails from DP and 0.46 and 0.47 weren't released publicly, just to a few beta testers. Apparently slightly updated software is going to be released soon...
Here's the complete changelog that I've pieced together from various emails:
Buying one of these right now (one of the 40 being released) just seems too risky for me... Sure looks like there are plans on a bunch of more machines being produced, and if so, that $12,500 isn't going to hold up long term... no way. Plus, you get ZERO warranty and while there appears to be "spare parts", these "spare parts" aren't going to be for repairs to your out of warranty brand new machine.
Will the guy that has had the TBL machine with the non-functioning bowling alley finally get a new unit to get his game up and working? And who wants to be the next guy that buys a game at $12.5K to have a malfunction like this only to have a big part of the game (visually, perhaps not play wise but still) sit broke?
Are we being reassured that some of these spare parts will be left aside for repairs or ? Of course this is about pumping out more machines, so all of the parts are a hot commodity to make that happen, sold machines are of what priority to a company like this (LOL).
Quoted from Pinball-Wiz:Buying one of these right now (one of the 40 being released) just seems too risky for me... Sure looks like there are plans on a bunch of more machines being produced, and if so, that $12,500 isn't going to hold up long term... no way. Plus, you get ZERO warranty and while there appears to be "spare parts", these "spare parts" aren't going to be for repairs to your out of warranty brand new machine.
Will the guy that has had the TBL machine with the non-functioning bowling alley finally get a new unit to get his game up and working? And who wants to be the next guy that buys a game at $12.5K to have a malfunction like this only to have a big part of the game (visually, perhaps not play wise but still) sit broke?
Are we being reassured that some of these spare parts will be left aside for repairs or ? Of course this is about pumping out more machines, so all of the parts are a hot commodity to make that happen, sold machines are of what priority to a company like this (LOL).
You really shouldn’t post when you clearly have no idea about the facts from those that purchased one of the 40. You aren’t being reassured because you didn’t buy one. Those that did, know what assurances are available.
Quoted from Pinball-Wiz:Buying one of these right now (one of the 40 being released) just seems too risky for me... Sure looks like there are plans on a bunch of more machines being produced, and if so, that $12,500 isn't going to hold up long term... no way. Plus, you get ZERO warranty and while there appears to be "spare parts", these "spare parts" aren't going to be for repairs to your out of warranty brand new machine.
Will the guy that has had the TBL machine with the non-functioning bowling alley finally get a new unit to get his game up and working? And who wants to be the next guy that buys a game at $12.5K to have a malfunction like this only to have a big part of the game (visually, perhaps not play wise but still) sit broke?
Are we being reassured that some of these spare parts will be left aside for repairs or ? Of course this is about pumping out more machines, so all of the parts are a hot commodity to make that happen, sold machines are of what priority to a company like this (LOL).
The price to get a TBL was 10K + shipping ($500+) once the early achiever window closed, since this game going to be built in "boutique" quantities the production cost will presumably be much higher than originally figured, so before everything fell apart cost would of been 10.5K for a game shipped and that was 3 years ago when they had a contract manufacturer. I seriously doubt they will be able to produce and sell games at that price point now.. as for the 12.5k price, figure at least $1000 of that is the cost of air freight. My guess is that 12.5K + shipping will be the new price going forward and that will help raise cash to get the EA's their games.
Quoted from VividPsychosis:You really shouldn’t post when you clearly have no idea about the facts from those that purchased one of the 40. You aren’t being reassured because you didn’t buy one. Those that did, know what assurances are available.
Sorry I am not part of the total transparency of DP LMAO. If you are going on a verbal "we will have parts" from DP, well, good for you! They have an amazing track record of delivering on promises. If you have something of substance, ie, in writing, lets see it!
And I did have the opportunity to buy one of the 40, I had a deposit over 2 years ago with Cointaker... maybe you shouldn't post when you clearly don't have facts?
One of the things I have been told is that any new machines, if indeed produced, will have new boards and possibly new parts that are incompatible with the old games. So I think my concerns are valid.
Quoted from Pinball-Wiz:One of the things I have been told is that any new machines, if indeed produced, will have new boards and possibly new parts that are incompatible with the old games. So I think my concerns are valid.
If this is the case it will be good news for all of those who own original ARA manufactured games, as all the spare parts, boards ect that exist (rumor is that there are parts to build as many as 100 more games) wouldn't be used, so they could be sold to those with originally designed games. I think the reality is that if they have enough parts to build 50 to 100 more games they are going to use the parts they have (original parts) not the new Chinese design they were working on.
All JMHO
Quoted from Pinball-Wiz:Sorry I am not part of the total transparency of DP LMAO. If you are going on a verbal "we will have parts" from DP, well, good for you! They have an amazing track record of delivering on promises. If you have something of substance, ie, in writing, lets see it!
And I did have the opportunity to buy one of the 40, I had a deposit over 2 years ago with Cointaker... maybe you shouldn't post when you clearly don't have facts?
One of the things I have been told is that any new machines, if indeed produced, will have new boards and possibly new parts that are incompatible with the old games. So I think my concerns are valid.
It is my very strong guess that Cointaker is selling these machines "as is". And given the circumstances and history here, it certainly is implied these games come with no warranty. If I were a buyer this wouldn't even be a question.
Quoted from Concretehardt:not the new Chinese design they were working on.
Anything Chinese is no longer in the picture... the Chinese manufacturer is out of the game... or the game is out of the Chinese manufacturer if you prefer... 
Quoted from seenev:I would be getting nervous if I threw $12,500 at this in a panic FOMO buy.
I wouldn't. Cointaker is a legit distributor and has promised that it will take care of the money and that nothing goes to ARA/DP without concrete assurance that games will ship. ARA wants the money, and DP wants ARA to get the money. So unless jeffspinballpalace is right and the games do not exist (no word yet from him on the basis for that claim), it seems highly likely to me that the $12,500 purchasers will get their games in short order.
Quoted from VividPsychosis:You really shouldn’t post when you clearly have no idea about the facts from those that purchased one of the 40. You aren’t being reassured because you didn’t buy one. Those that did, know what assurances are available.
I looked at buying one. There were no assurances. You can buy a highly desireable 12.5k machine that was it. There was no assurance that parts would be available. The guy had a point, you don't.
Quoted from CLEllison:In case anyone is interested, on one of the Facebook pinball groups someone listed a NIB TBL for $13k. Selling on behalf of a private collector who wants to remain nameless. Is this game really worth that kind of money or is it more of a status thing? I've never played one.
I think you meant $30,000, not $13,000. Looks like K-man may also sell his to the highest bidder if anyone is interested. 
Quoted from Spelunk71:I think you meant $30,000, not $13,000.
Are you serious? 
Quoted from dung:I looked at buying one. There were no assurances. You can buy a highly desireable 12.5k machine that was it. There was no assurance that parts would be available. The guy had a point, you don't.
That might be true, if any of those things you said were actually what CT was telling people. Obviously you didnt because what you just claimed couldn’t be further from the truth. But whatever. I’ll enjoy the game and the assurances afforded to us
Quoted from CLEllison:In case anyone is interested, on one of the Facebook pinball groups someone listed a NIB TBL for $13k. Selling on behalf of a private collector who wants to remain nameless. Is this game really worth that kind of money or is it more of a status thing? I've never played one.
Could you or someone please post a Facebook link. Thanks
Quoted from Mr68:Could you or someone please post a Facebook link. Thanks
Kaneda has his potential game listed. Just message him.
Quoted from VividPsychosis:Kaneda has his potential game listed. Just message him.
I'm not a buyer, just curious to see the listing for $30K. Sending the link privately is fine too. Thanks
Quoted from Mr68:I'm not a buyer, just curious to see the listing for $30K.
Not sure how to link it from the fb app. It’s in pinball enthusiasts I think...
Quoted from VividPsychosis:Not sure how to link it from the fb app. It’s in pinball enthusiasts I think...
I already checked all of the FB pinball groups that I'm in, including Pinball Enthusiast, but thanks.
Can anyone post the link to me please.
Oh great, that puts an EA in for $38,500. So worth it. Did anyone call Sunshine to ask about theirs?
Quoted from CLEllison:In case anyone is interested, on one of the Facebook pinball groups someone listed a NIB TBL for $13k. Selling on behalf of a private collector who wants to remain nameless. Is this game really worth that kind of money or is it more of a status thing? I've never played one.
Ok - I got in early on the pre-order and was lucky enough to receive one of the original run in May 2016 before DP got into trouble. In all honesty, no, the game itself is not worth $12.5k or $13k - it's commanding that price (and some have sold for quite a bit more) due to the limited run, perceived rarity, the theme and the assumption that no more will be made.
The machine itself is really quite impressive - the build quality as far as the cabinet etc is concerned is great, but I do have concerns re the long term viability of the custom parts and boards. It's a regular size cabinet but feels as heavy as a widebody - it feels well built and solid. I have Early Achiever Edition #8, and I did have quite a lot of problems with the machine at first... I think it took me around a year of on and off trouble shooting to get it playing 100%, but since then it has been reliable. It looks amazing, and all my non-pinhead friends are immediately drawn to it. The light show in attract mode is incredible. As something to look at instead of play, it's stunning.
I really like the layout of the machine, but it isn't exactly revolutionary. The toys really are great- the bowling alley is the obvious highlight, but I also love how the rug toy unrolls as you hit it, and the dudes car that comes out of the bowling alley on the upper playfield is fun too. The ramps are great to shoot - the lock on the left ramp is almost as satisfying as the damsel shot on MM, and the right ramp that curves up to the upper playfield is a great shot and much easier to make than I originally thought it would be. The whole layout flows pretty well.
The reason I got in on the pre-order so early is that Lebowski always was my ultimate dream theme - I used to say that if I won the lottery I'd commission someone to make me a Lebowski pin. Fortunately, the theme integration is incredible, the call outs are amazing, the music is as good as it could be given that the original tracks weren't licenced, and I LOVE the display. I still think it's the best size LCD in any machine.
The game itself though is good, not great. It feels a bit shallow when you compare it to most modern games - it's very much like a modern B/W machine as far as rules, mode progression and strategy are concerned. It's fun, sure, but there really aren't many ways to play it. I enjoy it and do play it quite often, but not as much as some of my other games. I recently picked up a JJP POTC LE and I would say that anyone who chooses to spend $12.5k on Lebowski over $9k on POTC LE on gameplay alone is insane.
I don't plan on ever selling mine - I got it for a very low price compared to what modern games now cost, and I didn't buy it to speculate. I'd also feel bad about making a large profit on the machine when so many others who pre-ordered are still waiting for one, and I just happened to get lucky. The whole Early Achiever journey was a rollercoaster, and I guess I have something of a sentimental attachment to the game because of the whole experience.
If I hadn't pre-ordered and could pick up a machine now for $12.5k I may have gone for it, but only because of my love for the movie. If it was just another pin, then I wouldn't consider it for a second.
Edit: Holy shit, $30k?! No, not worth it at all. Also, massive dick move by the seller as far as I'm concerned.
Edit 2: I said I have the machine playing 100% - not quite true. I still have an issue with the car on the upper playfield when it closes back into the bowling alley, it sometimes kind of keeps trying to close for a bit even when it's fully back in it's original position, flapping back and forwards. No idea how to resolve that one.
Edit 3: Last one. I should have mentioned that the flippers feel a little weird compared to other games. I've got used to it, but it definitely doesn't feel like any other machine I've played. For example, doing a post pass from a cradle is much more difficult. I think someone said that it was due to the lack of EOS switches.
Should this thread title be changed from "The Big Lebowski Preorder Club (Members Only)" to "The Big Lebowski Speculation Club (Potential Members Only)"?
Quoted from adol75:Private collector
I think it was a typo and he meant to type private investor. It's probably the seller anyway and he doesn't want to reveal himself as a greedy money grabbing @#*%
Quoted from pinballslave:I think it was a typo and he meant to type private investor. It's probably the seller anyway and he doesn't want to reveal himself as a greedy money grabbing @#*%
Couldn't agree more. No wonder they don't want to reveal their identity.
Quoted from JustLikeMe:Couldn't agree more. No wonder they don't want to reveal their identity.
No surprise that Kaneda is doing this out in the open. What a tool.
Great review of the game JustLikeMe Makes me hope even more that all crap sorts itself out and I end up with this in my living room!!
By the way, is your name from the 'I saw a monkey' joke?
Quoted from pinballslave:Great review of the game JustLikeMe Makes me hope even more that all crap sorts itself out and I end up with this in my living room!!
By the way, is your name from the 'I saw a monkey' joke?
Cheers, appreciate it. I hope you do too, but if you ever end up in London and fancy a few games drop me a message!
The name isn't from the joke, no. I was registering for something ages back and I kept putting in names that were taken, and I ended up thinking that it was just like me to keep choosing taken names, so I put that in and here we are.
If anyone is interested in the rules, Bowen's Papa tutorial is the best video of the machine I've seen.
Quoted from seenev:I know this is what has been said but it raises a lot of other questions about how they will pay ARA in order to get the games.
I would be getting nervous if I threw $12,500 at this in a panic FOMO buy.[quoted image]
Why get nervous? Have you talked to Cointaker? Probably not, what they told
Everyone who purchased a game is exactly what’s going on . You don’t see 40 dudes getting nervous because there’s nothing to get nervous about
Mellisa is running the show and she knows what she’s doing. CT is legit
I’ve never had an issue with them nor have I ever heard of one. The games will be shipped, and in there new homes soon
Im hoping they go to phase 2 and build more games !
Quoted from JustLikeMe:Ok - I got in early on the pre-order and was lucky enough to receive one of the original run in May 2016 before DP got into trouble. In all honesty, no, the game itself is not worth $12.5k or $13k - it's commanding that price (and some have sold for quite a bit more) due to the limited run, perceived rarity, the theme and the assumption that no more will be made.
The machine itself is really quite impressive - the build quality as far as the cabinet etc is concerned is great, but I do have concerns re the long term viability of the custom parts and boards. It's a regular size cabinet but feels as heavy as a widebody - it feels well built and solid. I have Early Achiever Edition #8, and I did have quite a lot of problems with the machine at first... I think it took me around a year of on and off trouble shooting to get it playing 100%, but since then it has been reliable. It looks amazing, and all my non-pinhead friends are immediately drawn to it. The light show in attract mode is incredible. As something to look at instead of play, it's stunning.
I really like the layout of the machine, but it isn't exactly revolutionary. The toys really are great- the bowling alley is the obvious highlight, but I also love how the rug toy unrolls as you hit it, and the dudes car that comes out of the bowling alley on the upper playfield is fun too. The ramps are great to shoot - the lock on the left ramp is almost as satisfying as the damsel shot on MM, and the right ramp that curves up to the upper playfield is a great shot and much easier to make than I originally thought it would be. The whole layout flows pretty well.
The reason I got in on the pre-order so early is that Lebowski always was my ultimate dream theme - I used to say that if I won the lottery I'd commission someone to make me a Lebowski pin. Fortunately, the theme integration is incredible, the call outs are amazing, the music is as good as it could be given that the original tracks weren't licenced, and I LOVE the display. I still think it's the best size LCD in any machine.
The game itself though is good, not great. It feels a bit shallow when you compare it to most modern games - it's very much like a modern B/W machine as far as rules, mode progression and strategy are concerned. It's fun, sure, but there really aren't many ways to play it. I enjoy it and do play it quite often, but not as much as some of my other games. I recently picked up a JJP POTC LE and I would say that anyone who chooses to spend $12.5k on Lebowski over $9k on POTC LE on gameplay alone is insane.
I don't plan on ever selling mine - I got it for a very low price compared to what modern games now cost, and I didn't buy it to speculate. I'd also feel bad about making a large profit on the machine when so many others who pre-ordered are still waiting for one, and I just happened to get lucky. The whole Early Achiever journey was a rollercoaster, and I guess I have something of a sentimental attachment to the game because of the whole experience.
If I hadn't pre-ordered and could pick up a machine now for $12.5k I may have gone for it, but only because of my love for the movie. If it was just another pin, then I wouldn't consider it for a second.
Edit: Holy shit, $30k?! No, not worth it at all. Also, massive dick move by the seller as far as I'm concerned.
Edit 2: I said I have the machine playing 100% - not quite true. I still have an issue with the car on the upper playfield when it closes back into the bowling alley, it sometimes kind of keeps trying to close for a bit even when it's fully back in it's original position, flapping back and forwards. No idea how to resolve that one.
Edit 3: Last one. I should have mentioned that the flippers feel a little weird compared to other games. I've got used to it, but it definitely doesn't feel like any other machine I've played. For example, doing a post pass from a cradle is much more difficult. I think someone said that it was due to the lack of EOS switches.
Thank you for such an excellent and honest break down of this game. I'm glad you are happy with your purchase. The comment about rule sets being as shallow as a standard 90's BW makes me laugh in a good funny way of course. I can absolutely enjoy the crap out of a 90's BW pin. The rule set doesn;t have to be 10 miles deep. What I can't justify is that much money on one machine when you could buy two or three for that price and have double/triple the fun/experience. I get it, a dream theme for you which makes my previous statement irrelevant to you. Again, thank you for your response. It's that type of stuff I wish pinside was full of 
Quoted from JustLikeMe:if you ever end up in London and fancy a few games drop me a message!
I lived there for 25 years, but moved to Czech 8 years ago, otherwise I'd be inviting myself round on a regular basis 
Brilliant to see Bowen's video, didn't realise he'd done this game!! Thanks for posting it!! The video clips are better than I imagined!! Looks like an awesome game really!!
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