Hi guys. I saw the PAPA finals of yesterday, and noticed that powerball is not greatly equalized.
In the heyday of Williams, programmers made special ROMs for tourney. I was thinking: why there wasn't a "virtual gumball machine" system:
Keep only the powerball in the gumball, and no other balls.
When gumball is lit, and you need 2 or 1 shot to get the powerball, the right magnet catches the ball, animation and all, and release it. When it's time for the powerball, it can be released via a normal gumball cycle.
With powerball in play:
1)Gumball machine is hit: normal play
2)Powerball is locked
At the drain of the ball, lock area is emptied with flippers off to get the powerball in trough. Earned locks are still lit
3)Powerball is trough, about to be served
Powerball is sent to the gumball machine via autolauncher, the steel ball is dispensed via gumball machine, drained, and new steel ball is served in the launcher.
4)Multiball start when powerball is in trough
During the "don't touch the door" animation", balls from trough are cycled (steel balls sent to the autolauncher, shooted and waiting for drain. Powerball: in the gumball machine, steel one from it and the multiball as normal)
I think this would be optimal solution. I know it's too late for ROM changes, but was my idea too far off? Thank you
Alby