Quoted from 27dnast:Spooky is charging way too much for games to profess a "we've learned, we've figured it out" line with each new release. They talk a really good game, but the substance associated with their non-Danesi titles speaks volumes... and that's coming from a person that's purchased 3 Spooky games.
Halloween was essentially a $9,000 project, and from the sounds of things, Scooby is another. They basically said they winged it to see what would work (saying something to the effect of: throwing things at a wall to see what would stick). Personally, based on the fact Fawzma was a known weak-link on ACNC, and he returned for failed stint on Halloween, I have no reason to place blind faith on a new programmer that's never coded a pinball machine. And, no insult to Corwin, Luke, and the new rules guy... but I'd have to see a finished product, both physical and code, before I sent $9-$10K for a game.
The initial rules highlighted in the TWIP article are stripped down to beta/basic levels. And the Spooky has shown ZERO spontaneous game play.
I've played Halloween. I owned ACNC. The simple fact is these titles look good, but they drive like crap. There's a reason why Stern and JJP game play like professionally made pinball machines, and that's because the designers and coders backing them have decades of creation experience. As much as I like the Spooky story, and as much as I support Spooky's quest, I'm not spending nearly $10,000 on a product that's not crafted with experience.
Sorry, but that's the reality of the situation.
So, Spooky can talk about how "this time it's different" and "we've improved," but I won't believe it until I see and experience it, myself. Show me a Scooby game that ships with consistent quality manufacturing. Show me a Scooby game that possesses a geometry that works in the real world. Show me a stable code that's cohesive, with a sound and lightshow that flawlessly integrates. Show me code that has thoughtful rules that actually integrate well into gameplay. And I'll show you money.
I'm waiting, Spooky. Until you can show me that with your current team – ie, a team that doesn't have Scott Danesi involved – then I'll be more comfortable.
Still tho, the fact that Scooby has an entirely new – untested in the real world – board set, after you just rolled out two games with a new (now defunct?) board set... and that you've used two different boardset platforms prior, blows my mind. I think everyone should be paying attention.
A long reply…
First- Zach- thanks so much for all of the work with TPN. It is truly incredible the amount of work that you put into pinball, answering emails, and running a full-time business as well as going to so many shows. I used to listen to the news when in my car, but that is so damn depressing that I listen to TPN and even reruns if necessary. You guys are great. Yes, I have purchased games from flippin out pinball but also from several other dealers as well.
Second – comments about Spooky pinball are spot on IMO. I own every stern spike2 game and have had Willy Wonka, Toy story4, and Guns N’ Roses GGP game at my house. I had chances to purchase WOZ and POTC and passed those up. I also own American pinball games as well as an Alien (great theme and game-do NOT recommend outside the home). I enjoy playing and working on machines like most of you. Although not an operator, I do have two pins out on site at vacation rentals and have had some experience as to what games hold up out there.
Third – I thought I would never buy a Spooky game because of all that have been written and of some of the early Spooky games that I played. I was not impressed. A local arcade had a R and M- a dream theme- but it was always glitchy and mostly unplayable. A pinball buddy of mine put his Rick and Morty up for sale because he was so frustrated with it. He complained the shots were crazy difficult in the game too repetitive. So I took a chance because I really love the theme. Guess what? I had the same problems! WTF. So I swapped with my son and he did a flipper bushing upgrade and now the game is awesome.
I had a chance to buy an Ultraman at a discount price. I passed up on it initially. My pinball son, who is an excellent gamer/player, spent some time on this machine at his buddy’s house and reported that the game was a lot of fun. Unlike many of you, the theme definitely resonates with me as I grew up watching this crazy show. So I took another chance. Yeah, the geometry of this game is strange, but after multiple plays, it grows on you and it is a hell of a lot of fun. A nice change from my stable of Sterns. The upper playfields are very enjoyable for me. None of my other games are like this. Software is still very glitchy though.
So James Bond just came out and I was able to procure a limited edition, most likely because so many people bailed out on the price increase. Finally, I was on the list… The theme is big for me as I am a baby Boomer. The layout and shots are great. Code at this point is ridiculous (bad). In fact, the game is at my son’s house and he is pretty much done with it. Usually in my experience, early code is not too bad, but this is so lacking that it makes the machine boring. Do I regret my purchase? Not really. It will get better with time, based on past history…I hope…
Scooby Doo was announced. I thought I would pass on this as I did on Queen by pinball Brothers. However, after seeing the SD trailer, I caved in and I am on the list. Why? Theme, assets, and innovation. New boards? New mechs? Yeah risky.
Summary-
Stern is still the king with theme, development, and design. But they are pretty conservative and don’t really push the envelope. These games do have the least amount of hardware issues (especially the pros). On line IC and upgrades are leading the industry. Stern games are relatively spartan- low end speakers, lots of flat plastics- great for those of us who like to mod games. Stern also consistently upgrades code-HUGE. Stern pros are my choice for my vacation rentals. They also make the GOAT- Godzilla.
Spooky- killing it with great themes. They spend $$ on assets, voice actors, and hardware. So much included with their top tier games- excellent sound systems, speaker lights, molded plastics, toppers (ok- they could do better with these). Innovation. The bad? In my experience- not very reliable on site, glitchy software, and game geometry that can be frustrating if not dialed in correctly. When dialed in- so fun to play.
JJP- beautiful games (my GNR is definitely the top eye candy in my collection). Assets-usually pretty complete- great animations. Initially the innovation leader. Fun? Initially yes, but then…not so much. No long term code updates (come on JJP!). Reliable? For me, yeah, but I also don’t play these as much as my other games.
They do see action during home league play and have held up for those nights.
American pinball- I have LOV and Hot wheels- both very fun and extremely reliable. I had a Houdini that fried its power supply- easily fixed, but quite spectacular to see actual smoke coming out of your machine (?new wizard mode). Themes? Not so great.
We all take chances with any pinball game purchase. Stern is the leader for good reason. Pinball design and manufacturing are difficult. We all want innovative, fun, affordable, reliable top theme games. Like all machines, each one has trade-offs and we have to figure out what we are willing to accept. I am so glad to have discovered this hobby and support all who attempt to build these expensive intricate boxes of fun.