This is SO great!
(Topic ID: 98847)
Linked Games
Whirlwind
Williams, 1990
Topic Gallery
Elkhorn, WI
Quoted from Magno:2 small orbits
That small orbit reminds me of the "shadow loop" in the shadow. Making consecutive shots through it on whirlwind is fun, but completely worthless. Might be fun to add a loop combo for that.
Leeds
Strange question: any plans to try to make the original code work as an option? Ie. You could have a menu option that would run an emulator and the original ROM on your board. Obviously you’d just have alphanumeric on the DMD, but that part shouldn’t be bad. Would be cool to be able to have BOTH in the same cabinet easily.
And since this requires your hardware (which gives you an easier time monetizing it), any plans to make the software side open source? Or will it be closed? (Trust me, to each his own on this issue, I’m just curious.)
—Donnie
Quoted from Magno:Here’s a thought how about adding a 4-way combo. Left orbit + 2 small orbits + side ramp. Has anyone ever pulled that off? I know I haven’t,because that small orbit is super fast but it would be a cool challenge.
Thanks for the build, nice to see someone else love this game as much as I do
I think i have some combos in the code already, but if not i will be adding some like you suggested. 2 way, 3 way and 4 way most likely.
dmd speaker panel created Using original wpc panel parts to make the conversion as easy as possible. If anyone has exact model car speakers (4 ohm) that fit the mounting holes for wpc era speaker panels let me know part numbers. I have a nice pyle 5.25" midrange speaker here but it doesn't line up with the holes
Well, it’s nearly time to flick the switch and see what happens!! Always nerve racking when you’ve plugged it all in and triple checked everything before the first boot up all together in game. Bench tests and individual section tests are one thing but this is crunch time
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Melbourne
First boot up went ok and identified various hardware, software and firmware issues that i need to fix.
Been working through them and am nearly ready for another test.
This is a journey thread so you are getting the exact progress as it happens, zero editing!
Making this stuff is not easy and takes time, effort and lots of iteration and patience.
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Once i get past these issues then i should be able to play some test games and shoot some vids. There is still alot of work to do and i run a full-time pinball business making replacement pcbs and repairing boards aswell. Please remember this is not stern. Its just me.
I have a vague idea of the work you're doing, and it's amazing. Before PROC was a gleam in anyone's eye, I knew eventually we'd have game re-writes and likely be doing it on more advanced hardware. I love how it's progressing, and really look forward to this...
--Donnie
Quoted from applejuice:First boot up went ok and identified various hardware, software and firmware issues that i need to fix.
Been working through them and am nearly ready for another test.
This is a journey thread so you are getting the exact progress as it happens, zero editing!
Making this stuff is not easy and takes time, effort and lots of iteration and patience.
[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]
Once i get past these issues then i should be able to play some test games and shoot some vids. There is still alot of work to do and i run a full-time pinball business making replacement pcbs and repairing boards aswell. Please remember this is not stern. Its just me.
You are crazy and talented. Don’t mistake our demands for updates as anything more than enthusiasm. Keep it up!!! We are all rooting for you.
Quoted from Bospins:You are crazy and talented. Don’t mistake our demands for updates as anything more than enthusiasm. Keep it up!!! We are all rooting for you.
Totally this ^^^
It would be cool to have the full light show going the whole time during the second multiball. Can something like that he coded in?
For some test and progress vids check my Instagram page out at Instagram.com/myPinballs
Or
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHpdrmcndSb/?igshid=3tf27zwa8c9e
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHtJ8YonpYm/?igshid=1osbvtanjxqcp
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHtcnegHqoh/?igshid=1akvsih649s3h
A lot of progress has been made. Will share more info later. At least 10 or so hardware and software fixes so far.
I'm seriously thinking to keep my Whirlwind pinball machine... because this project is really awesome and the DMD upgrade rocks!! 
applejuice you are great!
1 week later
1 week later
Experimentation with a process to create new dmd graphics and words from the game but in a style that matches the original art style and whirlwind font. Not an easy undertaking, but I have a process that works pretty nicely now (after more hours than i want to talk about, lol 
). It will create me cool new graphic frames now without too much hassle.
Screen Shot 2020-12-09 at 17.46.00 (resized).pngScreen Shot 2020-12-09 at 17.44.07 (resized).png
That lettering looks fantastic! Did you basically have to develop your own font? I've done that before... it's amazing how tricky that gets, especially once you have to scale for size and kerning. But anyway, what you have there looks awesome!
Firstly
Screen Shot 2020-12-12 at 14.28.49 (resized).png
Secondly i've worked out various combos for the game on loop and ramps. More so on the LHS side with the left loop, upper left loop and left ramp. On the RHS just the right ramp and right loop. Combos go up to 5-way with associated graphics for each
Screen Shot 2020-12-12 at 15.18.26 (resized).pngScreen Shot 2020-12-12 at 15.19.41 (resized).png
Quoted from applejuice:Whirlwind Bonus Count up video
https://www.instagram.com/p/CI1HdLCnIAH
Looking great
Quoted from applejuice:Whirlwind Bonus Count up video
https://www.instagram.com/p/CI1HdLCnIAH
So i forgot about the cellar visits in the bonus count! oops , now added.
I'm hoping we should be good for a few game videos soon, maybe over christmas maybe after i'm back from my break (5th jan)
Game is playing pretty reliable now, and working through getting the rules tweaked to be as close to the original as possible. There will be more graphics work to do though
OMG!!! I just discovered this thread! Mr. Applejuice, you are a genius!! I am so excited for this kit! Please make sure you price it accordingly so that you are taken care of, you deserve to be rewarded for your hard work. We would also love for you to consider converting other games once Whirlwind is complete, so it needs to make sense as both a labor of love and financially sustainable project!
Quoted from thedarkknight77:OMG!!! I just discovered this thread! Mr. Applejuice, you are a genius!! I am so excited for this kit! Please make sure you price it accordingly so that you are taken care of, you deserve to be rewarded for your hard work. We would also love for you to consider converting other games once Whirlwind is complete, so it needs to make sense as both a labor of love and financially sustainable project!
If you think this is impressive,which it is you should see his work on Revenge from Mars.
Quoted from Puffdanny:If you think this is impressive,which it is you should see his work on Revenge from Mars.
Thanks for the kind words ! I try my best
Quoted from applejuice:Thanks for the kind words ! I try my best
Yes you do ! It is great !
But maybe time to sell the hardware and get some testers who might feed you with comments 
I would take part for the german tests
Looking really forward, WhiWi is the oldest gamne in my collection, all Wpc95 and many Stern went in and out .. but WhiWi is a keeper for over 15 years now.
2 weeks later
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