Barry O's BBQ Challenge (Classic)
American Pinball, 2024
Barry O's BBQ Challenge (Limited Edition)
American Pinball, 2024
Galactic Tank Force (DE)
American Pinball, 2023
Galactic Tank Force (LE)
American Pinball, 2023
Hot Wheels
American Pinball, 2020
Houdini
American Pinball, 2017
Legends of Valhalla
American Pinball, 2021
Oktoberfest
American Pinball, 2018Quoted from RMS1977:I'm excited to see what the future holds for them and can't wait to play Cuphead in it's finished form!
I figure I can spend my days being negative 24/7, or I can look at things with a glass half full perspective. The latter just seems much more healthy for me at this point.
Until the incoming crash hits, then you will see reality, like we do.
Quoted from Silvergun360:Well how many other other people here besides LTG have seen or “claim to have seen” the game?
Quoted from LTG:I saw the game when I was at Expo. Along with my friend John Salvador, and three men, from a distributor in Spain. Others saw it earlier that day.
I didn't play a game on it, I was more interested in watching the others play it. To me seemed like a good combination of fun and challenge. Something for everybody, which is hard to do.
No artwork on the playfield then, it is on it now. I saw the artwork for the playfield, looked really amazing. I don't recall if the cabinet had art work on it yet, or if I saw any for it, there was other stuff to see and hard to remember it all. Screen graphics were awesome. Reminded me of cartoons from the 1920's.
David Fix may have been premature on hoping to have it out in January. With all the changes in December, and all that has happened so far this year. I do believe we'll see it this year. The Cuphead guys are pinball fans too, and are working with AP a lot to make this a great game.
LTG : )
I too got to play it in October. I really liked what I played and saw a lot.
Personally, I'm sold on an LE (assuming I have the money to get one when it's finally released)
Quoted from Linolium:I too got to play it in October. I really liked what I played and saw a lot.
Personally, I'm sold on an LE (assuming I have the money to get one when it's finally released)
You better watch it with that poisonous positivity, pal!
Quoted from flynnibus:Calm down francis
I don't see how all the other stuff you posted is relevant to what I said. Your gift & curse is the desire to devil's advocate things that aren't even arguments. Big "last word" energy. I mean, if debate is your passion, I guess you came to the right place. But I'm done, go nitpick someone who can tolerate it.
Quoted from RMS1977:You better watch it with that poisonous positivity, pal!
Acting like everything is all hunkey doory and sweeping all the factual bad things under the rug like its no big deal IS poisonous positivity. You can cope about it all you want.
Now that we know how far along the game was when you saw cuphead, how far along was Twisted Metal and do they still even have the liscense?
He's just being positive, it isn't poisonous, you guys are just obsessing on the guy for some odd reason. Yeah, he might be a paid shill, at least they are paying someone then 
My 2-cents...
So much energy in this thread, but I know its hard not to share viewpoints and ideas.
Anyway, I had always been a big fan of API back in the days of Houdini. API allowed Josh, Dave and the rest of the early team to shine and put their personal thumbprint on the final goods. The $6K purchase experience was exciting and the machine stood tall next to my Starn machines. The net result was a beautiful machine that many people loved, and support was stellar. API had proven it was a real (albeit small) pinball company and continued to produce a few more titles using the standard business model. That business model looked like committed employees/production capacity/leveraging skills/capturing creativity/building quality/customer-centric support, and those new titles had an audience, many liked them, some did not. That is the pinball business... since it is all about personal taste.
I view GTF (slightly) and BBQ (definately) as transition products. They were struggling with what to do as a company when they grow up, and seemed to get very tactical, without much concern for strategy. Those products were almost 'pet projects' built for reasons other than traditional business plan 101. That was the end of their standard business model...
Now that FunSup (Fun Supplier?) has formed, it appears they have decided to be a pure contract manufacturer and as Josh clearly stated above, anyone can bring their idea to the table and then fund the entire process. FunSup will likely take no financial risk, but what they offer is a leased factory space with some build equipment, tools and test fixtures that could be staffed for any particular project. They may have some sourcing capabilities for the BOM parts. They may also still have access to a list of Distibutors that may be willing to play. (Not sure if the API vs FunSup legal ENTITY change allows the EXISTING disti contracts to remain valid). What they don't offer is any existing in-house expertise. If the project is already engineered fully, then it takes less contracted engineering talent to be brought in. If the idea is drawn on the back of a napkin, then it will take more talent to be contracted in. They would get this contract to build, and then source designers, engineers and logistic folks to do that project build and ship. (Not sure who would do the after-sales support, etc).
Could this be the pinball-specific CM to bring homebrew designs to life? Well, if a few hundred machines could be built and PRE-sold, it probably could. There are enough designers, engineers and production people floating around chicago area, etc for the right price. So say one of the homebrew makers start showing a strong title and executed machine at various pinball shows, and they find a groundswell of say 400-500 people at those shows willing to pre-buy a title. Could a production run of those machines be a successful project? Maybe a perfect use of Kickstarter... Maybe, but the after-sales support issue still creeps up in this scenerio and topics like replacement parts and software updates becomes an important consideration. Could OPEN-SOURCE be part of the answer? Probably so. Open-Source of the 3D playfield gadgets, the metal machining detail and CAD stuff, the artwork, the software, etc.
Quoted from Markharris2000:My 2-cents...
So much energy in this thread, but I know its hard not to share viewpoints and ideas.
Anyway, I had always been a big fan of API back in the days of Houdini. API allowed Josh, Dave and the rest of the early team to shine and put their personal thumbprint on the final goods. The $6K purchase experience was exciting and the machine stood tall next to my Starn machines. The net result was a beautiful machine that many people loved, and support was stellar. API had proven it was a real (albeit small) pinball company and continued to produce a few more titles using the standard business model. That business model looked like committed employees/production capacity/leveraging skills/capturing creativity/building quality/customer-centric support, and those new titles had an audience, many liked them, some did not. That is the pinball business... since it is all about personal taste.
I view GTF (slightly) and BBQ (definately) as transition products. They were struggling with what to do as a company when they grow up, and seemed to get very tactical, without much concern for strategy. Those products were almost 'pet projects' built for reasons other than traditional business plan 101. That was the end of their standard business model...
Now that FunSup (Fun Supplier?) has formed, it appears they have decided to be a pure contract manufacturer and as Josh clearly stated above, anyone can bring their idea to the table and then fund the entire process. FunSup will likely take no financial risk, but what they offer is a leased factory space with some build equipment, tools and test fixtures that could be staffed for any particular project. They may have some sourcing capabilities for the BOM parts. They may also still have access to a list of Distibutors that may be willing to play. (Not sure if the API vs FunSup legal ENTITY change allows the EXISTING disti contracts to remain valid). What they don't offer is any existing in-house expertise. If the project is already engineered fully, then it takes less contracted engineering talent to be brought in. If the idea is drawn on the back of a napkin, then it will take more talent to be contracted in. They would get this contract to build, and then source designers, engineers and logistic folks to do that project build and ship. (Not sure who would do the after-sales support, etc).
Could this be the pinball-specific CM to bring homebrew designs to life? Well, if a few hundred machines could be built and PRE-sold, it probably could. There are enough designers, engineers and production people floating around chicago area, etc. So say one of the homebrew makers start showing a strong title and executed machine at various pinball shows, and they find a groundswell of say 400-500 people at those shows willing to pre-buy a title. Could a production run of those machines be a successful project? Maybe a perfect use of Kickstarter... Maybe, but the after-sales support issue still creeps up in this scenerio and topics like replacement parts and software updates becomes an important consideration. Could OPEN-SOURCE be part of the answer? Probably so. Open-Source of the 3D playfield gadgets, the metal machining detail and CAD stuff, the artwork, the software, etc.
Contracting engineers isn't that simple. Most engineers have full time gigs until they retire.. I see unfilled contract jobs on indeed all the time. Now throw on top of that a company known for not paying vendors and employees, every pinball job is underpaid compared to other industries. Good luck finding the resources to do any new project that isn't fully vetted.
Quoted from toyotaboy:Contracting engineers isn't that simple. Most engineers have full time gigs until they retire.. I see unfilled contract jobs on indeed all the time. Now throw on top of that a company known for not paying vendors and employees, every pinball job is underpaid compared to other industries. Good luck finding the resources to do any new project that isn't fully vetted.
Good catch. I always think and imply with my capitalism brain. I am sure a number of these folks can be found "for the right price" ... not overnight, but with some time and planning, you can find the right resources for the right price. Might not even need to be Chicago based, etc.
Quoted from Haymaker:Now that we know how far along the game was when you saw cuphead, how far along was Twisted Metal and do they still even have the liscense?
I saw Twisted Metal mentioned in a live stream chat as the next game AP was working on, possibly as game #8. I asked around and people who claim to know what game #8 is said that it’s not Twisted Metal.
Maybe AP had the license like they did He-Man, but then sat on it too long. Who knows for sure really?
Quoted from Silvergun360:I saw Twisted Metal mentioned in a live stream chat as the next game AP was working on, possibly as game #8. I asked around and people who claim to know what game #8 is said that it’s not Twisted Metal.
Maybe AP had the license like they did He-Man, but then sat on it too long. Who knows for sure really?
whitewater 2
Quoted from Markharris2000:My 2-cents...
So much energy in this thread, but I know its hard not to share viewpoints and ideas.
Anyway, I had always been a big fan of API back in the days of Houdini. API allowed Josh, Dave and the rest of the early team to shine and put their personal thumbprint on the final goods. The $6K purchase experience was exciting and the machine stood tall next to my Starn machines. The net result was a beautiful machine that many people loved, and support was stellar. API had proven it was a real (albeit small) pinball company and continued to produce a few more titles using the standard business model. That business model looked like committed employees/production capacity/leveraging skills/capturing creativity/building quality/customer-centric support, and those new titles had an audience, many liked them, some did not. That is the pinball business... since it is all about personal taste.
I view GTF (slightly) and BBQ (definately) as transition products. They were struggling with what to do as a company when they grow up, and seemed to get very tactical, without much concern for strategy. Those products were almost 'pet projects' built for reasons other than traditional business plan 101. That was the end of their standard business model...
Now that FunSup (Fun Supplier?) has formed, it appears they have decided to be a pure contract manufacturer and as Josh clearly stated above, anyone can bring their idea to the table and then fund the entire process. FunSup will likely take no financial risk, but what they offer is a leased factory space with some build equipment, tools and test fixtures that could be staffed for any particular project. They may have some sourcing capabilities for the BOM parts. They may also still have access to a list of Distibutors that may be willing to play. (Not sure if the API vs FunSup legal ENTITY change allows the EXISTING disti contracts to remain valid). What they don't offer is any existing in-house expertise. If the project is already engineered fully, then it takes less contracted engineering talent to be brought in. If the idea is drawn on the back of a napkin, then it will take more talent to be contracted in. They would get this contract to build, and then source designers, engineers and logistic folks to do that project build and ship. (Not sure who would do the after-sales support, etc).
Could this be the pinball-specific CM to bring homebrew designs to life? Well, if a few hundred machines could be built and PRE-sold, it probably could. There are enough designers, engineers and production people floating around chicago area, etc for the right price. So say one of the homebrew makers start showing a strong title and executed machine at various pinball shows, and they find a groundswell of say 400-500 people at those shows willing to pre-buy a title. Could a production run of those machines be a successful project? Maybe a perfect use of Kickstarter... Maybe, but the after-sales support issue still creeps up in this scenerio and topics like replacement parts and software updates becomes an important consideration. Could OPEN-SOURCE be part of the answer? Probably so. Open-Source of the 3D playfield gadgets, the metal machining detail and CAD stuff, the artwork, the software, etc.
TLDR; not in a smart-ass way either…
Didn’t Spooky do this w/ TNA, and it was a “hit”, all things considered?
The audience needs to be considered. Niche product, niche audience.
Contracting is exactly that; “we’ll build it to your specs, as long as you pay us, and we might/or may not tell others we did”.
Quoted from yancy:I don't see how all the other stuff you posted is relevant to what I said. Your gift & curse is the desire to devil's advocate things that aren't even arguments. Big "last word" energy. I mean, if debate is your passion, I guess you came to the right place. But I'm done, go nitpick someone who can tolerate it.
What argument? You misinterpreted what I said and I simply clarified. Jesus you're uptight.
Quoted from Joe_Blasi:whitewater 2
nerp, Nordman not with AP anymore.
Quoted from Grandnational007:TLDR; not in a smart-ass way either…
Didn’t Spooky do this w/ TNA, and it was a “hit”, all things considered?
The audience needs to be considered. Niche product, niche audience.
Contracting is exactly that; “we’ll build it to your specs, as long as you pay us, and we might/or may not tell others we did”.
Simplistic layout, huge buzz from making the rounds on the show scene. Crazy soundtrack with insane stereo system. It was something very interesting at the time. It was lightning in a bottle. People always try to use TNA as some sort of benchmark but it really isn't. Spooky made 550 of them. Then they made 250 more and somewhat struggled to move them. Granted, those would likely be huge numbers by AP standards. My point is, you can't really capture lightning in a bottle, it just happens. It was an interesting game that was designed, programmed, and musically composed by one guy, that hit the scene at the right time and spooky had the opening to make it at just the right time as well.
Its not the first time this has happened (archer to iron maiden), and may not be the last (cough cough motorhead), but it really doesn't have anything to do with a company being a contract manufacturer, nor does it really make a case for AP in any way. Lets also not forget that Stern is still also a contract manufacturer. Games like Heavy Metal, Primus, and (maybe?) escape from the megaverse were all contract builds.
Quoted from Joe_Blasi:whitewater 2
Not from A.P.
Quoted from danarchy:nerp, Nordman not with AP anymore.
He has TURNED the page.
Quoted from vdojaq:He has TURNED the page.
Oh my. Could make a lot of sense. And I'd have more confidence with that group.
Quoted from blueberryjohnson:Oh my. Could make a lot of sense. And I'd have more confidence with that group.
Yeah that would be a great outcome if true.
Quoted from RMS1977:You take that poisonous positivity and walk right out that door with it, buddy! Can't have that here!
keep coping bud
Your disingenuous posts like this only further prove my point.
Ok, hear me out. I have a perfect theme for American Pinball. Matryoshka Dolls. They can do it up real nice with touches of throwback Red stars and hammer and sickle.
Quoted from vdojaq:Not from A.P.
Could this be the mysterious “non licensed” game #3 from Barrels of Fun that was shown to people behind closed doors recently? Interesting….
Anyway, hearing that Cuphead is going through licensor approval this month and once approved could be on the line as early as next month for a May launch. Will not be featured at TPF or even MGC, but will have a stand alone launch once games are ready to go in boxes.
Again, just what I am hearing. =)
Quoted from Silvergun360:Will not be featured at TPF or even MGC, but will have a stand alone launch once games are ready to go in boxes.
More marketing genius from the halls of AP... can't wait for the recycled art fliers to hit the street!
Quoted from Silvergun360:but will have a stand alone launch once games are ready to go in boxes.
Wonder if it will be like Barry's Barbecue ? 10 games around the country. A Saturday launch.
I Hope so. I'll have another American Pinball party.
LTG : )
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