I remember there was some scuttlebutt about a possible Sherlock Holmes pin by American Pinball. I saw that the few books by Conan Doyle that weren't already in the public domain go public domain at the start of next year. That makes Holmes a fully fair use character for anyone who wants a recognizable theme without the licensing costs or approvals process.

I hope this theme is still alive.

Maybe they felt Sherlock was too similar to Scooby with both being about solving mysteries.

After I sold my first Houdini 18 months ago, it has grown on me when I see it, fueled by the fans online and their observations. That said, I missed a lost-and-found at the factory NIB last xmas, so I had to place a reservation for a NIB Houdini this past spring. There really is something about Houdini for anyone with an affinity to the theme...

That's a good point. I think Sherlock is a solid theme for a good ruleset. Not that I have anything against the retro-futuristic Galactic Tank Force theme.

They were kicking this idea around 2 years ago. I even suggested solving mysteries is a good code idea, but go get Scooby Doo as a license for that type of game. (I'm glad Scooby is getting made, though I'm a bit hesitant based off Spooky's track record)

Some of it is build quality. But more so I need to see their coding team make huge strides.

I don't like all of AP games, but their code creativity is top-notch.

At this point I don't think their past is any indication of what we can expect now, new guy running the show with really only the LOV track-record to go off of. Since that game wasn't designed in-house it may not be indicative of what they'll do with their next game either.

It seemed like the Hot Wheels launch was going to be great till that whole Covid thing threw a wrench in their marketing plans of hitting major pinball shows and touring with the Hot Wheels Legends roadshow. I think it shipped within a month or so of reveal? (They also had gameplay stream ready within days, take note most other manufacturers)

For the LoV launch they had games in 10 arcades to play when the order line opened up. They also had a Magazine released on the making of the game that same day. It was quite a launch. Hope they continue this approach!

After that though, they TRICKLED out. Like slower than any other company. Appears they had supply chain issues to the max.

Hopefully they find a hot title and can crank them out.

Let's not forget about Sonic Spinball

If they could figure out a way to get that license and make it, that will create the buzz they need imo.

I just hope they announce something at TPF. If they are only putting out 1 game a year if that it is not looking good for them

Putting out one per year would be an increase from 2022.

Are they shipping ANY machines of any title these days? I see a bunch of 'in stock' Legends machines on the marketplace, so those must have been produced recently. A new title just makes the parts acquisition challenge even harder for them.

Ugg

I just got Oktoberfest Deluxe nib last week, so I think those are still on the line.

I herd they are not doing that any more. Someone bought the rights for Sonic from out under American.

Fingers crossed here too, I'm really hoping they will have multiple copies of Galactic Tank Force for people to play at TPF and give impressions on as well as starting to take orders on them. I'm also curious about the two other rumored games - Barry Oursler's last game and the supposed "White Water sequel" from Dennis Nordman.

I'm losing faith that AP is doing anything. Tough to get replies on emails about game issues. Itll be interesting if they bring anything new to TPF.

If you have issues with an American Pinball game and need help, if you haven't already done so, please fill out the form here:

https://www.american-pinball.com/support/service/

That creates a ticket in the system to help track your problem.

Thanks!

If they don't reveal GTF at TPF then will we be saying "WTF"?

Later,
EV

I've seen at least one disti with OKT Deluxe in stock.

Hopefully we're not saying that AFTER they reveal GTF!

American needs to really ramp up production and get some games out. Spooky is giving them a run for their money. I think for them to keep up they need to do what the other companies are doing and release 1-2 games a year. If they can not do that people will lose interest and American Pinball as a company will dissolve which would be sad

None of that makes any sense to me.

American pinball makes other arcade games that can keep the business up, but it would be nice to get their new original game soon.

They are still pumping out there other titles, its not like the line is dead. Yea an announcement will be nice and Im sure its coming, but i dont see AP going out of business.

I'll offer a slightly different theory, based on trying to figure out the stability of the company/theoretical future parts availability when starting to research for my Oktoberfest purchase: this company possibly falls somewhere between a 'vanity project', parking of assets for tax purposes, or a simple business diversification strategy. If any/all of those are true, then it explains why AP is happy cranking out a slower pace of games than other manufacturers, and why growth through speed of releases and market share might not be a priority.

I also heard sourcing cabinets is a problem and maybe finding a new supplier was necessary.

I don't think A.P. makes any other arcade games, they did the one redemption game "The Flying Dutchman" but I'm not sure how many of those they ever even sold. Their parent company Aimtron makes a LOT of stuff include boards for just about any application you can imagine. American Pinball is a wholly-owned subsidiary that has to support their own financials, etc.

The redemption game must be what I’m thinking of. I also thought there were more.

.

If they don't reveal a new game at/by TPF, I'll post the account from an alleged former employee that was shared with me last August.

Jesus.

I don't think he ever worked there but maybe he was there when they managed to design and build Houdini in one year as a startup company.

ahhhh

sigh-jesus.gif

I'd love to consider an American Pinball for my collection, but it's so hard to find one in the wild to try out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Galactic Tank Force to be revealed at Texas Pinball and whatever Nordman's next pin is to be awesome too, but ultimately I still need to actually PLAY it before I can think about buying it which either means getting lucky finding one close enough to play or going to a pinball show that American will have machines at. It also requires me keeping room and budget open until I can find one rather than buying something else first.

American - are you guys going to be at Southern Fried Game Expo this year?

Wish AP would do something. I feel like there's a void in the market that they can capitalize on

I enjoy my Hot Wheels. Quality is great. Now my understanding is recent changes to their naming structure and builds have stripped some of the higher end options out. Number of speakers, shaker, knocker, magic glass, etc. If there’s a title you want to take a fly on, buy one from early 2022 or before. Some cabinets used to have 4 (maybe 5) speakers and a sub, now they’re shipping with 2. Use the pinmap and try to find some on route. Otherwise ask another pinsider if you can try theirs. Admittedly, their marketing really seems terrible I don’t know how people not deep into the hobby are supposed to find out about them. When operators don’t place them in high traffic locations there’s no passive advertising either. To a casual player, API games don’t exist.

So American is putting in less components yet charging the same price?

No. You are thinking about Stern.

Is there any other company that turned down the mrsp because of less features ?
They reduced it for hot wheels.
The one thing i don't like is that outstanding people leave the company, again and again.

Is it too late to change Galactic Tank Force to Galactic Tank Force Omega?

I just want the game initials to be GTFO

<3

Galactic Tank FOrce
It can be Gtfo if you see it as GTFO.

This I think will be the game of the year I’m dying to see Dennis Nordmans and teams creation; last game he did was Elvira house of horrors too