Update - not sure how many pretend orders we need to get the attention of a pin company for this project, but I am rolling for 300. Seemed dudish and is also a perfect bowling score.

Obviously this could be the greatest pin theme ever. No one is really talking about doing it, but we can dream right? I am going to count how many people say they would purchase a TBL.

No thought right now as to the company - Stern, JJP, Skit B, whoever. Just imagine that one showed up with a plan, resources, and talent - are you in on a pre-pay/pre-order deal?

Terms will be $6500 for a blown out, upscale, beautiful, well done TBL. $1500 up front and $5,000 upon completion. It could be cheaper, who knows, maybe more - but work with these numbers for now.

I am putting myself down for 3 to get this started! I will update the title every few days with a total.

You never know, a big number on this thread could get someone's attention! Here are the people that are in and their numbers:

RTR 1,2,3
ChadNC 4
Rarehero 5
Navajas 6
Jarjarisgod 7
Tmezel's wife 8
Pinmister 9 (pretty sure he was serious)
Nick9819 10
Jayhawkai 11
Rai 12
Honch 13
Crispin 14
Herbertbsharp 15 (assuming he was serious about Jesus purple LE)
The Dude Abides 16 (but I will trade you one of my lower numbers for it)
Pinlawyer 17
DaveD 18
The Postmaster 19
Xbloodgreenx 20
Brisket 21
Steve_PBH 22
Hawkeye11 23
Tracelifter 24
Ecurtz 25
Starfighter 26, 27
Gov 28
Cireone 29
Drano 30
Inhomearcades 31,32
Jim33 33 (wow, it just worked out that way!! Meant to be?)
Kcpinball fan 34
Sgtmax 35
Taz 36,37
Hank527 38
Dock man 39
Frolic 40
Mickthepin 41
Guru-420 42
Nutshell79 43
Sd_tom 44
Quicksilvershelb 45
Gusphan 46 (you weren't real clear if you wanted to be on the list, but I put you on)
hAbO 47
Tpellowe 48
CptAwesomest 49
Tomcat 50
KwiKimart 51
Santeh 52
Jdawg4422 53
MrWizzo 54
Dante 55
Deaconblooze 56
Burningman 57
kgh68 58
TheRoach123 59
ChrisVW 60
HeyNow 61
Vtec16 62
Rputnam 63
Tpn2011 64
Bargoyle 65
Pinballslave 66
TheRave 67
Bellbrand 68
CA_pin_fan 69
T2guy 70
bjoechamp 71
JustLikeMe 72
Fliptastic 73
HeyNow's wife 74
MES 75
Zappa 76
Futurepinhead 77
Solarvalue 78
Bombpop 79
Beefzap 80
Wizzardz 81, 82
Maddog14 83
Fattrain 84
PinballChris 85
Hanford29 86
Rlslick 87 (to be swapped with 300 when we get there)
Swampfire 88
Rommy 89
PT 90
SB80 91
Aingide 92
Waldo 93
PinWizTom 94
Stretch2 95
ArcadeTechNerd 96
Molspin 97
Micro 98
Mrpostman 99
Blondetall 100
Pugsley 101
Xsonics2k2 102
The director 103
JeffsPinbalLPalace 104,105
Fumbleflippers 106 (wants to trade out for 420 if we get there...)
Acejedi 107
Putmick_J 108 (has dibs on 123 when we get there)
EJ 109
Rick471 110, 111
Pinballlife 112
TomDK 113 (more support from Europe!)
Skulz 114
72Devilz 115
VolunteerPin 116
bkaelin 117
AlexK3954 118
Bigmac 119
Jazzmaster 120
SpudGunMan 121
DylanFan71 122
CapnRRR 123
Ralfito 124
Richthofen 125
Mrbilleishere 126
Corvair61 127
Wallybgood 128
Denmark71 129
Baboon 130
Ronlisa 131
TheDude 132 (of course!!)
ArcadeGarage 133
Bigpin 134
r6emporer 135 (gets to trade out for #213 when we get there)
Dr.Pinball 136
Vilenin 137
35mm 138
Darth Chris 139
s1500 140
PorkChopExpress 141, 142
Johnnyfive 143
Hougie 144
MiamiRedSkin 145
RazerX 146
Rbdv 147
Schwarz 148
Genex 149
Tsskinne 150
JatoOspry 151
Gumbo 152 (talk to CA Pin Fan if you want #69)
Swf127 153
Patrickive 154
John_in_NC 155
Pinmods 156
Big Lebowski 157 (another European sale - worldwide appeal)
Muppet Man 158
StarSlugger27 159 (but has dibs on 299 when we get there)
Pinaholic 160
Redeye 161
Bemmet 162
kklank 163
whridlsoncestood 164
HENSBROOKER 165
T7 166
Pinman 2020 167
Yonkiman 168
Pdxmonkey 169
Nilroc 170
Pinjump 171
SIDETRACKTAP 172
TomDK 173

I can only coordinate one fake project at a time, sorry sb80.

Dude. That is awesome. That makes 4.

Here are the terms:

$6,500 for the pin and they are all premium level, no stripped down versions.

$1,500 up front.

Balance ($5,000) due before delivery.

We are already at 5!

This is league play jarjarisgod, are you in or not?

It could be cheaper, who knows. But I want a high quality TBL in my pinball fantasy...

Jarjarisgod - yours is lucky number 7!!

Dang, I wanted that one.

Can I put you down for both or just one?

Urban Achiever would be the 'pro' model. We aren't doing any of those...

A nice animated ferret topper?

I have a list now at the top, if your name isn't on it, you haven't called for one. 1-10 are now gone!

Does that mean you are in on the pre-order?

Yes!!! I promise to make and break promises! Whatever makes you happy. Or unhappy. I am confused now.

Please stay on topic.

I will not let anyone tackle this project unless they abide. I am putting you down for #12.

Honch you have lucky 13. I know when maybe really means yes. Plus you can fake sell your spot later if you like. Trust me.

Tilt warning:

Smokey, this is not nam. This is pinball. There are rules.

My apologies! Should have had you on the list already!

Tilt warning #3:

This aggression will not stand, man!

You're in dude.

Dudes, I have two thumbs down on this thread!

This is one of the greatest ideas ever! Am I wrong? Am I wrong?

Ball save:

If you're not into that whole brevity thing...

Don't forget guys, if you don't tell me you are in - I won't have you on the list!

Walter multiball - A timed multiball to score a toe with polish by 3:00

Doesn't work on Saturdays...

Hawkeye, ecurtz, starfighter, tracelifter, Steve_PBH, - I got you guys on the list.

Zappa - you in or out?

After TBL is done, we can get a couple more Cohen brothers pins made - O brother where art thou? And True Grit (for your fourth Bridges pin...)

Let's stay on topic though...

The have Lebowski parties every year on the anniversary of the movie, even here in the Gump (Montgomery, AL). This movie is more popular now than when it was new! Try buying a dude sweater on eBay.

Ok guys, I have updated the list for the morning. Let me know if I missed you. I do have a day job, but not much of one... May try to update it again during the day.

Mmuglia - you have never been closer than this. Are you in or out?

What were the critical numbers for the predator and BBB projects? We are pushing 50 here in less than 24 hours. Just sayin'.

And can someone tell me why I have 4 THUMBS DOWN on this thread?! Dude.

I really think there should be a set up option for Walter mb not to work on Shabbos...

They need to be believers and sign up! Show support, generate real interest. Pretty soon someone will give the people what we want!

They need to stop down thumbing us! This aggression will not stand, man!

They will look to this thread to fill the members of the TBL Pinball advisory committee.

You are in at 52!

Only 47 two digit numbers left guys and gals. Get'em while you can!

I am surprised that no distributors have asked for an allotment yet.

Distributors - assume that we can work out the normal terms on the TBL's as long as you are buying 10 or more.

Look man, I've got certain information, all right?

This is how you get the ball rolling dude. Give us a thumbs up and get on the list!

Somebody sees 500 pinheads clamoring for a new machine and BAM - who knows?

If this happens, it is likely to be a small run at first. Not sure i can put you on the pretend list at the pretend 'pro' level.

If you will commit to the pretend premium level, I can get you on there.

Jdawg, MrWizzo, and Dante, you are all in.

That is the spirit MrWizzo! This could turn out to be the new way a game gets selected for production - by the people!

I am pretend sorry bjoechamp. I cannot put you down for a pretend used one later. Be glad to put you down for a really nice pretend NIB now though. Just say the word.

Well said!!!

This will be an option in set up.

Speaking of pins with themes from older movies, I know of a couple that aren't doing too bad in terms of sales and followings. And yes, i have one of them on order myself - from a 75 year old movie....

So I dismiss that as a reason for not doing this !!

6 thumbs down. Really? Thumbs down on the TBL rally thread? Should I be pushing for a Green Lantern pin or something?

I bet they are upset Eagles fans....

Come guys, keep those pretend pre-orders coming. Someone may pay attention!

The dude hates the fn Eagles (the band) in the movie.

Not referring to the Philadelphia brand of Eagles!

Just pointing out the international appeal here. Just sayin. Welcome!

You make excellent points. Glad to have you on board too!

How many TBL's would wind up in bowling alleys? Anyone have a guess? 20% of bowling alleys?

From a report on Bowling in the US:

As of August, 2012, approximately 5,200 centers with about 108,000 lanes were operating in the United States. Of that group, about 4,650 facilities were commercial centers; the others were operated by the military, colleges, fraternal organizations and private clubs. Approximately 25% of the commercial centers were 32 lanes or larger in size.

From me:

Dudes - if just 10% of bowling alleys committed to a TBL, we would have enough to make this a profitable, viable project.

You are in and so is HeyNow's wife!

Maybe Maude should pick up the ball and fly and drop it?

The dude is open to all possibilities.

Whoever has Gary's email, should forward a link to this thread. Or JJP, the guys that made BJM, Skit-B or whoever.

I know this topic comes up from time to time (TBL as a pinball machine), but this seems like the most organized effort to gauge actual interest. In just 24 hours, we have generated what I feel like is a solid 75 pre-orders of this pin.

Pinside is probably an exact proxy for how the world at large thinks about all things. Wouldn't you agree?

I think we are getting closer (but not there yet) to showing adequate demand for this title.

I feel pretty sure that once demand is demonstrated that we could take the next steps. Like line up a real design team.

Then need someone to manufacture the designed pin. Would need to outsource that to someone that has the facility and workforce in place - JJP, Stern, ?.

Financing the project. I feel pretty confident that we can make that happen with all of the very talented and well resourced people that frequent this forum.

The biggest obstacle that I see, aside from demonstrated demand/interest, is licensing. Not sure the actual chances of making that happen. There are a lot of Lebowski licensed toys/stuff out there, so we aren't facing a Calvin and Hobbes scenario thank goodness.

Does anyone know the 'ropes' in licensing?

Who is StevenP and what does he do?

Cool Zappa - how does it feel to be #76?

Either way, we can use his help! I hope he is a TBL fan.

Really, there are a lot of talented people on pinside. Thanks for offering your help too.

I have enjoyed keeping up with this wild thread. It is making me feel crazy enough to think there is a chance this could happen....

Wow, you are a fan! I had to look that one up.

Your confidence in the project is encouraging!

Well, I PM'd him. We will see if he is interested or if he can be helpful.

I can't guarantee an LCD on the pretend pin, but I will pretend buy your spot - 77 -- if you become pretend dissatisfied.

Steve - please send weekly progress reports from the SS teacher. I will decide at a later time if junior gets on the list.....

It is so ludicrous, it just might work! Welcome #79.

Wow, I don't know anything about that. I just got serious about this hobby in the last year or so.

I don't think 200 gets this game made either. Were numbers the only obstacle on the Elvira 3 project?

This will be worth 10k by Festivus! I am putting you down for one - you will not be sorry.

I genuinely want to take a shot at measuring the demand for this pin. From there, who knows?

No problem having fun getting there!

Yes sir, you did. #54 TBL LE, I can almost hear it!

I am updating the very first post as we go along with everyone who really says they want one and then assigning those numbers. It has become a poorly paying part time job...

Those are good ideas Hanford - you have TBL LE #86!

Dude - that was you tracking that!? I loved that thread! Nicely done.

Mike

We are just pretend preordering right now. No worries. No money. Just a fun thread for now.

However, I don't see prices on NIB high end pins going down in the future. Especially with small batch orders like what we are suggesting here. The economics don't work in your favor on a run that looks like it would be lucky to hit 300 at this point.

If I were a small batch pin maker, I would definitely not approach a project like TBL with a 'build it and they will come' approach. Preorder and money down would be the only way to go.

That all being said, I would participate in a separate thread that discusses the merits of the preorder mentality. Could be a good conversation.

That is good info Steve. getting the audio from the movie is the only way this one makes sense.

I haven't really kept up with Skit-b and predator. Are they far enough along to start thinking about a second pin project yet? I was impressed they pulled off the licensing with those guys.

As much as I know that I would love a brand new TBL LE, I would hate sitting on 200 of them that weren't sold....

You guys are bringing the energy level down here man. We haven't had any pretend preorders in over an hour.

Stay on topic! Get the word out!

Well, when we hit the critical mass for leveraging our collective pretend preorder for our benefit, we will start a new thread:

RFP - Design and build team for TBL LE. Competitive bidding process. Specs and terms enclosed.

I agree. Has to go this way. The more narrow the theme and high end the pin, the more risk someone would take in making it.

Ok. I will promise you #300. But you have to go out there and beat the bushes a little bit and bring in a few other pretend sales.

We need more dedication like this.

Makes this thread and the level of interest shown all the more important!

Keep those cards and letters coming in!

You do realize that I already have you down for TBL LE # 6, right? You are already pretend committed even if BTLC comes out.

I am going to have to watch that movie again. I can't really even remember it.

I feel the same way about a Monty Python pin, by the way.

Jarjarisgod - please be patient. I can give you a full refund, but you will have to wait until Tuesday to deposit it.

Mike

There are a few 2 digit spots left and I have just given you one. Everyone's number is on the first post in this thread.

I update it more frequently than Mrs. RTR thinks is necessary.

I took that as a yes. We wouldn't let anyone bad take on this project. Check the first post for your 2 digit production number!

With enough interest it could turn real! Heck we might have a couple of companies fighting for our attention on this thread.

You are in with a two digit number. Not many left...

You are in # 92

You are in too! Your number is updated on the first post.

I assume this means that you want one too. #94

No Dude for You!! At least until they are RTG.

Ok dudes and non-dudes - we have 94 pretend preorders.

If you think you are on the list make sure you check the first post for your name and number and let me know if I missed it. I have tried to keep up with the posts and the pm's.

I am going to be travelling a bit so won't be able to keep up with this 24/7 for a while. Some of you dudeists may have to pitch in to keep the dream alive this week!

Mike

Me too. You may have noticed Dude, that there are only five numbers left that are under 3 digits....

I agree that a well done TBL would have a much wider draw than just pinsider types.

Make a pin that brings out a lot of movie - to even a novice at the flippers - and this would be a winner.

That is, however, somewhat of a build it and they will come business plan. I think someone is going to need a pretty decent commitment on that initial run to get this project going. Needs to be WAY north of 94 pretend preorders.

Tracelifter - you are already down for TBL LE # 24. You may need to buy a few more....

As good as it is, it doesn't start getting really good until about the 4th viewing!

In!

Lets hope we get there, but you are in. Mid Ninety number, check it on the first post.

Won't bother me.

Then of course you are in. #98 I think.

OK dudes/dudettes, I updated the total to 102. I realize this is just the pinside TBL LE run, but we will have to have a few more to get someone's interest. I am guessing 300 is what we need.

Moderator - is there any character or space limit to a comment? The first post that I am constantly updating is getting pretty long...

Sorry pugsley, the way they stacked up, it put you at 101. So in a way you are 100 and 1. Sort of. Hope that is ok.

Same to you xsonic2k2. - you are 102. Hope that was ok too.

Going to have to show my Lebowski ignorance here. I did not know that. Thanks for the info, I will have to watch that movie!

Maybe the pin should include a nod somewhere to Big Sleep?

I thought so too, but somehow it earned me yet another thumbs down on my first post. Total of 7 now!

I have never been thumbed down that much in a post. It's like I was trying to promote video games or something.

It's all cool though, that's just their opinion, man....

Great idea and done! First post is updated to 300 TBL LEs.

I put you down for 106, but have a disclaimer there allowing you to trade for 420 when we get there...

Finally, our first controversy!

You are right Tracelifter, the first 100 should be special. Those were the first brave souls to take the pretend leap of faith and plunk down imaginary down payments. Right in the smug faces of thumb downing naysayers who couldn't even be pretend happy about a fictional situation.

I will make sure that the first 100 are like you want them and the subsequent 200, although special in their own right, will be somewhat less so.

You are in at # 107!