Exactly Gerry.

And you will see my subsequent post when I talk about MB where you are still working towards the main wizard mode while also working towards the mini wizard mode.

You need to put two blue flashers under the apron. Made a big difference.

Why would you put warm white under the apron when the cover is blue?

I don't necessarily agree with this if you are playing at home by yourself.

My *only* goal on some pins after owning them for awhile is to get to the Wizard mode, and I couldn't care less about points.

Example: Vacation Jackpot on WH20, RTU on AFM, KotR on MM, Portal on Tron, SH on SM, etc. Getting to a difficult to obtain wizard mode can be more rewarding than getting a high score.

Yes, probably is my floor. Looked at it this morning I think by the time I was done, there was not much weight on the left front leg.. so i extended the leg level to have a bit more pressure to keep the cabinet more square, without unleveling it.

Also have had a blue GI pop out like RobT described.Hoping those settle in as I could see that being annoying.

Question: At the point of magneto multiball start.. is there a knocking sound? It sure sounds like a solenoid/mechanical action sound.. knock knock knock then ball release. That's the only time I hear it though, not during spinning disk and not as it's locking balls. ?

Because the window they shine through on the Wolverine is Yellow. (Blue Apron, Yellow Windows)

Yeah, that can happen sometimes...the switch blades are too close and being sensitive...try adjusting the rubber a bit...you can kind of adjust it around the posts so it has more slack in front, tighter in back...that could solve it without having to mess with the switch.

Doh!

I noticed that too...I think it's a software thing, though...kind of like TFLE's "right orbit doesn't count bug". I'm going to wait for the update before investigating it too much.

Everyone should have one of these:

http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=1518

To me the ultimate thing to aim for on WH2O is getting 5x playfield lit while as far up Wet Willies as possible and then starting multiball and getting all 3 balls straight into Insanity Falls... getting VJ is not as exciting/rewarding as this... and that's because I play WH2O for points... If you only tried to go for the VJ on this game you're missing out on the major part of the strategy and excitement... and the points...!!

Thanks - I will give that a try.

That would be impossible with XM because you HAVE to complete each mode to get to the main wizard, even IF they add a mini-wiz which is after you merely start each mode (as SKB suggested 2 pages back referring to XM), they won't take away the need to complete each mode to get to the main wizard and therefore take away the main wizard mode too... that would be a code downrate... so it won't happen... you can rest easy on that one... Would be good if they add a mini-wizard on XM after you just start each mode though...

This is the cue for Dug to say he wouldn't like if there was no mode stacking it because it would encourage him to time modes out... Go on Dug, say it... you know you want to!

This
+1

OK, here's a question for you seasoned XM players... I've heard that you have to start the game by starting a multiball, and this then sets the game up... Does this mean that if you achieve all the objectives in this opening MB, then the game from then on is more rewarding than if you only achieved a couple of objectives... is that how it is? If so, is there any way to 'claw back' some of the game you 'lost out on' in that opening MB if you did bad by somehow redeeming yourself later in the game, or is the game kind of permanently dampened by the results of that opening MB... like a dark cloud hanging over the player for the rest of the game? Or have I totally mis-understood the whole concept of this opening MB??

We're almost at 5000!

HA. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

There's no excuse. NONE. As to why they could not have addressed the scoring issue immediately.

I am on the fence with this whole fiasco as to whether or not I will ever buy a NIB LE from Stern Again (well current thought is only if its Steve Ritchie and Lyman as they seem to care about us). QC is crap, software is a joke and if they would value us as customers they would have done whatever it takes to get the scoring bug fixed ASAP.

4999...

5000

Update code will be released next week.

Yep heard that last week as well. The optimist says this will eventually come true.

See post 10,000 for update code will be next week

5000!

AWWWWWWWW YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

(Actually, I think it is fitting that the 5000th post was about software update, lol)

Damnit! Hank527 beat me to it.

I'm really unhappy a very fast scoring only fix wasn't sent out as well. But I think the rest of this is way harsh. The SW is pretty good other than the horrible scoring problem. All the nib sterns I've ever bought have been perfect so I'm happy with the QC. And after email chatting with John Borg, I absolutely disagree that Lyman and Steve are the only ones that care. I think John is planning to own an xmen himself personally do he will care about the game.

I do not know Jon so I cannot comment on him. I certainly respect him and like many of his games.

Steve on the other hand I have talked to and when this guy speaks you believe him. He's just got a passion for us as players and fights hard to make things right. I do not think he would be on vacation while his game was having problems.

Jon going on vacation this week does not sit well with me as his game is on the line. I also would think this is the reason we are not getting an update this week.

I've gotten 3 Stern NIB and all had QC issues. So I'm at 100%

The shot objectives for the first mb are completely different from the rest of the game. Think of it this way, every time you start a hero mode, that hero shot is 'qualified' as a jackpot shot during magneto mb. If you don't start any modes, the only shot that gives a jp during mb is magneto.

With that in mind, the very first magneto mb jackpot hero 'qualification' shots are made before starting mmb by hitting that hero only once. Hitting that hero once does not start a mode, it merely qualifies him for a jp shot during the first mmb. There is no benefit or progression to hitting a hero multiple times prior to the first mmb. And, there is no penalty for not hitting a hero before the first mmb. It's just a starting point for JPs and for scoring purposes it's best to hit all heros then start mmb as qualifying heros for JPs later on in the game becomes harder especially since there's no stacking.

Hope that made sense

He doesn't get a free one from Stern?

I would have thought the project team would have each gotten a machine of their own (at least the named ones). Pretty lame if they don't.

To add on to my post; once the first mmb has ended all lit 'qualified' heros reset and the only way to re-qualify them is to start their mode.

The rules are actually very cool in this early code state. The only stacking that I believe is needed is 1 hero mode w 1 villain mode, and villain modes being eligible from the start of the game - they only become lit after the first mmb as the code stands now.

I thought I'd plonk my question at the top of this page so it's more likely to get answered:

OK, here's a question for you seasoned XM players... I've heard that you have to start the game by starting a multiball, and this then 'sets the game up'... Does this mean that if you achieve all the objectives in this opening MB, then the game from then on is more rewarding than if you only achieved a couple of objectives in that opening MB? If so, is there any way to 'claw back' some of the game you 'lost out on' in that opening MB if you did bad by somehow redeeming yourself later in the game, or is the game kind of permanently dampened by the results of that opening MB... like a dark cloud hanging over the player for the rest of the game? Or have I totally mis-understood the whole concept of this opening MB??

Edit: Holy cow, so many posts while I posted this... sorry for un-necessary re-post!!!

Why do you keep talking about "opening Monster Bash"?

I had to read it a couple of times, but I think it eventually made sense!! So, the strategy for opening a game is:

1) Shoot as many different hero shots as possible.
2) Start MMB (and because of '1' get lots of JPs).
3) Progress with rest of game easier as a result of '1' because lighting hero modes for JPs are harder later.

Is that a fair summary of the opening for this game? I'm a bit fuzzy on point 3 after reading your addendum

I could hang with that. That would be perfect, really.

I will say this

I think X-men has the best skill shot in history. I liked Tron's skill shot with the right ramp before the latest software, but on X-men the skill shots are truly that - skill! Not just getting it through the proper lane. You have to just barely get that shot up there and then nail a skill shot.

I think there are 2. The ramp for 250K or rogue for 350K - Love it. Seems to be the only actual scoring that is worth anything besides gambit hurry up.

Correct me if I am wrong, aren't the lit xmen the only ones which will damage Magneto during the MB?

Which parts of this game are "revolutionary" and "very special"? Am I missing something? There was all this talk about new, crazy features, but I just don't see it. Don't get me wrong, I don't think the game is bad, in fact I like it, but certainly not revolutionary. Especially considering the hype that was behind this.

I'm starting to get the picture that when people make claims about game prior to them coming out (or about updates) to just take it all with a grain of salt.

Disclaimer - No offense meant to anyone, just curious if I am overlooking something

You got the wrong game BUB that was AC/DC

Regarding 3. In no way shape or form does the first mmb or hero qualification effect the game once that first mmb is over; it's as if the game truly starts after the first mmb which has been a concern for a lot of players so far. Many wanted it eliminated from the game, but I like it - IF I could start doing villain modes where in the current code the only way to start a villain mode is also after the first mmb.

Lol. You said BUB

I'm typing on my iPhone so a lot of what I say may not make sense or is rambling.

Bottom line; all heros and magneto reset once the first magneto mb is over. And there's no way to do hero or villain modes til that first mmb is over.

AC/DC LE makes other games look dated. I will go as far as to say it is the best lit pinball machine I have ever seen.

I think the color changing lights are what is revolutionary

Who said that? I don't remember anyone saying that. Hmmm.

X-Men isn't revolutionary, but it's a very good "kitchen sink". You've got speed/flow, combos, tons of modes, a ton of features we've seen in other games (magnets, spinners, VUK-to-ramp, captive lock, moving ramp, pop up "trolls") but implemented well. Top that off w/ a fantastic art package...it's just a solid, solid game.

Fair enough - I could be mistaken about what I was remembering -not really worth going back through 5K posts

I'm not trying to make you look in any way contradictory, I appreciate all your experience on this game, and maybe I'm reading one of the above two statements wrong... probably am! But at fisrt glance they do seem to contradict each other... You seemed more certain in the 2nd statement though, so I'm going for this one...

The reason I'm interested in this, by the way, is that if the rest of the game was affected in any way by this 'opening scene' then there could (and probably would) be a tendency for home use owners to re-start a game if they did very badly at this opening stage if it did affect the rest of the game... and that would be bad... seeing at it looks like it doesn't though, then it's good!

Actually, they DO NOT get a game. Not even close actually.

They get an employee discount that can only be used like twice per year!

(I guess to avoid them buying / re-selling games at a markup??)

Me personally?? I would give a test game to every designer / programmer so they could have it at home and continually tweak it to the fullest / best experience it can be.

*What a novel concept!

Seems so obvious. You could even not really give it to them so they don't have to count it as income, just loan it to them indefinitely.

I thought it was WoZ

How do you defeat Magneto? Does his power go down if you hit a lighted hero (plus get the jackpot)?

Was too busy playing to look at the DMD. All I know is somehow I win and the mode is over.

My friend and his 17 year old son came by yesterday to check out the game. His son of course is into video games but likes my TRON. He looked at the game and said cool X-Men. The proceeded to say "it looks old school based on the comics not the movie, i like that alot". We he came over the house they were coming back from an event and he told his dad he didn't wan to stay long. I played a few games with him and then went inside the house with his dad (game is in the garage). He must of been in there for over an hour came inside and asked his dad if they are staying longer - which his dad said yes and he said "cool - i am going back out to play more X-men".

Said he loved the game - lot of great things to do and more stuff than TRON. Of course he didn't care about rules or scoring. Just that the game was fun.

Surely they at least give them a game to test/play at home for the sake of knowing how to improve it... on a temporary basis as rommy said... 'till the code is polished... then Stern can sell the game to this 'tester' at a reduced (used) price at that point... the tester can than accept of decline this offer, and if they decline, Stern then sells this game as 'used for testing' on ebay or something... this has to make sound business sense to Stern to get the game codes polished better and out of the door to make customers happier so they sell more games... surely they do this...??

They get notta. Lyman told me a story about how he got his AFM and MM for a buck a pop at Williams. They get games at cost at Stern. Which is still hefty. Figure a Pro at cost is likely to be 2500-3000 no idea on LE cost. Not talking dealer cost either rather Gary's cost per unit.

Wow. You would think Stern would give the designer and lead programmer a lender unit until the next game came out. I would then think the game could come back to Stern at which point it could be set up in some fashion with other games for the general designers and staff to play.