And worked with Playmechanix to build Pulp Fiction, and next up Halo.

LTG : )

Not true. They made Pulp Fiction.

Edit: Lloyd beat me to it.

I sold a godzillia and kept my ocktoberfest. It is a great theme for any wanna be man cave and very fun. Great drinking game or something tamer. Multi ball is rewarding.

If anyone is on the fence about buying a 5000.0 ocktoberfest pin, I think your getting a great deal.

OF! is great, I had some of same concerns, and asked @rosh. Other than a couple particular parts like membrane swith and barn door, parts should be readily available.
Prost!

True forgot that but aren’t they super slowly built -only adding to my point that CGC makes a great product just building them at a glacial pace.

American has a place to do contract assembly if someone wanted to use them and an occasional pin of their own like CGC, not a great example from a service standpoint but like CGC who goes radio silent for months at a time.

Houdini and Oktoberfest have only had one image and it works across any of the computers AP has used on those games, well as far as I know, I've been gone from there for a few years. Keep in mind Houdini requires both an HDMI and VGA port (for the playfield display).

Hot Wheels initially used a similar computer as Okto and Houdini, albeit it newer/faster to handle the video streaming supported by the new AV controller Ferret built for that game and beyond. However, due to supply chain issues, some were shipped with refurbished HP computers which have a bunch of configuration and BIOS settings unique to that hardware. Most of the computers had the desired BIOS settings hard coded from the manufacturer. It also uses a specific HP computer power supply, which if the cord is damaged, the computer will not run at full speed (hitting flippers rapidly in attract will produce a TON of green screens when the computer is not running at full speed, which is how final test guys would confirm if the power supply was good). If memory serves, HP computers won't have the AP splash screen when powered up. Pretty sure the OS image is the same, but on those they were not using the normal image installer as they did not have hard drives pre-installed when purchased, like the other computers did. So they did disk duplicating before installing as it was more efficient. However, they did that with game code already installed, against my wishes. I always wanted code installed by the final testers, at the end of the production line to be sure the USB cabling, etc. was all correct for code updating as well as ensuring it was the most recent code (I would personally update the USB used by final test when new code was released). Having the game code already on there could lead to that step being missed, as normally if the game code is missing, the game would boot to a repeating "pinix" screen, thus requiring the game code to be installed. Not a huge thing, but, the little things can make a difference. I believe the image installer will work fine on those as well, since that is likely how I set it up when we were testing hardware, which we did a ton of trying to find a computer we were happy with and could procure during the covid supply chain crisis.

LOV uses a raspberry Pi4, but I had initially done an OS similar to the other games before creating a Pi OS image, plus we were not sure we could source enough of the Pi4s. I don't think any games were ever shipped with something other than a Pi.

I can't speak for certain on GTF, while I had created an OS, etc. the same as the other games, as that is pretty much the first thing I would do when we had the first whitewood, not sure what happened after I was gone. Which also applies to how things were done in playfield test, final test, etc.

For those curious, the primary OS is a minimal Arch Linux and is basically the same across all the games (other than the LOV as I said above . . ), It is also very similar too what spooky used on TNA and Rick & Morty. Having said that, each game has a unique set of files/scripts/keys as part of the OS for handling code updates and decryption, game configuration, display configuration, etc. This is also done to prevent someone from installing the wrong game code on a machine, which would do really bad shit. It is also why you can have code packages for all AP games on a single USB stick and the game will only install the appropriate one.

so they don't use an dongle like JJP?

But needing to image an pre game base OS image and then update from USB? Vs just building an per game ISO image that will install OS + game?
For the line if you want to test that USB cables are working booting from USB will do that. And you don't need to do disk duplicating.

spooky games after rick & Morty have Clonezilla images posted and don't seem to have any game checks.

The JJP Clonezilla images have checks in them.

pinball brothers Clonezilla images posted and don't seem to have any game checks. (ABBA missing)

Yeah, he was at Homepin for like, what, a week? Last I heard he ended up at Raw Thrills, which is kind of a waste of his pinball talents if true.

Unless he's active in the Playmechanix part, designing future pins for them. Mark Ritchie is there.

LTG : )

Thanks Josh, good info!

Nope, I felt that if someone wants to build an AP game from scratch, have at it! I could see no reason for the added cost. Maybe I’m missing something that JJP sees that requires it.

IP protection? also FIY the pinball brothers games don't any encryption of the videos, sound, etc.

you can rip the music out that full disk image for queen

Certainly possible with WoZ or other licenses that a need for more advanced security to safe guard it. Obviously AP has not had the need, not like any of the IP related to Hot wheels would require protection of that kind.

not sure what to say about the AP situation, but than Houdini & Oktoberfest are 2 very good pins, and Hot Wheels, while more "simple", is doing 101% the job without a doubt...

In my opinion, AP has never released what I'd remotely consider a "bad game". Every one of their titles I've played has made me smile...it's just the random headaches that have pushed me away.

I agree there was a time when people were excited for what's the next AP game you know and GTFcame out and I was actually thinking it was very promising, and maybe it's something to look at again, but boy the one that was on location here got replaced and it had problems too and so unfortunately it was hobbled out of the gate and I don't think AP ever really recovered

Shame really the beta code fixed all the issues many saw in the game and the tank bracket fixed the target issue. Stern had had multiple issues on XMen and its goes on. Bad code on games and it goes on. Management pushes through AP needs to push through as well.

Any company can have a bad game or slow sales the issue is to keep going. Think Spooky produced Ultraman that game sells for under $5k now and later they produce EVIL DEAD and it sells for over MSRP at $15k. You can have a stinker and push through (GTF is not a stinker to me I am really liking it, I liked LOV and Hot Wheels too).

Stern has a lengthy track record of finishing code, fixing issues and being fairly responsive to complaints. AP issued GTF with TONS of issues, then ghosted customers. To this day, years later, there's still no official final code. And from what I've read, customer service has been pretty awful. Stern may issue a clunker, but people have confidence they'll be around to do something about it and for parts to be available -- not so much AP. When I was at the Chicago Expo last year, nearly every AP game I played had issues. I told the reps there that their games were interesting, but their QC left a lot to be desired.

Just goes to show that you rarely get a second chance to make a first impression. GTF never recovered from that initial gameplay stream and the outrageous asking price.

As was mentioned above, the tank bracket and updated code revisions really put the game in a much better place, but that all needed to be there day one.

With a more reasonable price and few adjustments the game might have stood a far better chance. I’m just glad the game did eventually get some additional code support.

If this is the convo, BBQ killed AP as the final nail, and it’s Fix’s fault for green lighting it as a major release.

As a side project/contract game, sure. As a “cornerstone” release? No way.

GTF was a stumble in today’s market, but they could have recovered with a killer follow up.

Pinside already was already crucifying the game before it hit the floor. I was their in the hype thread when that dumpster fire ignited.

It's a break from the IP that these major players pump out and pinside already made up their minds about it.

And this is a the serous flaw that this hobby has, we are so stuck on paid themes a great unpaid title can come across and we begging for the next
Band
Tv show
Movie
Video game.

It's becoming predictable. We all decry effortless work but we are ok will pre-made prepackaged IP. It's like fast food just plop a layout, dump the assets bake the machine and run and pinside gobble will it up.

One designer can make a fan layout and pinside is throwing money around this.

Ontop of that we get on lists with our distributors incase the dream theme comes out. The machine comes out and the various threads that come out, suddenly decaying the machine after we spent sometime hyping up the machine like it's the next Monroe.

It was AP's fault. They chose weird aspects to promote (like the folded tank) and heavily promoted the embarrassing cosplay video clips that were poorly written, acted, and directed. They also picked fantasy price points that were never going to work. I canceled my order when the prices were announced, as I'm sure many others did, too. That, and the software wasn't even half baked, it was raw. So, basically a comedy of unveiling errors at a show where some real competition was also unveiled, so AP just looked bad by comparison.

Ah yes the old pinside created the problem.

Trollin trollin’

Don’t bother

Just came across this in a drawer.

IMG_5310 (resized).jpeg

IMG_5311 (resized).jpeg

Halo and Cuphead when, Lloyd?

The suspense is killing me!

I rather liked the videos. I thought the lack of seriousness was refreshing. Not something I was SUPER eager to drop 8k for but I was charmed by what I saw and wanted to support a new and unique IP. I called my local distributor and told him to put me down for a GTF. Then they Jack Danger stream happened and the people who brought the game didn't know the code and got bored of playing the game themselves and started playing a minigame. That really disappointed me and ultimately convinced me to cancel my order and put the money towards something else ( A godzilla premium). No regrets. Other than someday I think I still would like to own a GTF.

It was just BAD. Camp is really hard to do on purpose. It's obviously what they were going for, but they MISSED. Bad writing, bad direction, etc. It wasn't campy, just bad.

Looks like a little cheaper on the GTF SE a little sale on GTF DE, more sales on LOV, Hot Wheels, BBQ

sale (resized).jpg

Smoking deal on a lov classic! 5280 for a nib game! Wow
Guess they sold the last lov deluxe.

American Pinball Labor Day Sale Starts Today! (Aug 18th - Sept 1st)

Call 802-777-7640 or Email arcaderesurrection@yahoo.com To Place Your Order!

Arcade Resurrection is Vermont's Authorized Distributor for all American Pinball games.

- Hot Wheels Classic - Customer sale price $5,980
- Houdini Classic - Customer sale price $6,380
- Galactic Tank Force Deluxe - Customer sale price $7,480
- Galactic Tank Force Signature - Customer sale price $7,780
- Legends Of Valhalla Classic - Customer sale price $5,280
- BBQ Classic - Customer sale price $6,280

pinside.bae5db6c35ea2216eb5c52d20a0ee22950b2cc99 (resized).jpg

When there's always a sale, there's never a sale.

Popping back into this thread to see if cuphead is made yet?

At this point they will probably just wait to show it at expo on october

I’ve played LOV a couple of times and really liked it. $5280 seems like a solid deal for that game. The others…eh, maybe not so much.

What year?

Why would anyone buy the GTF deluxe when you can get the signature edition for a few hundred more?

Should be priced at the LOV price point. I wonder how many units they are sitting on?

Because the Signature Edition is a bizarre, ugly turd. Companies don't cut prices in half for products that people are clamoring to get. That monstrosity was a colossal failure. It's amazing that they sold any, especially at the original price.

You give him too much credit. It's not trolling. It's very low IQ

Funny to blame Pinside when there's a whole huge pinball world outside of Pinside, and trust me, Pinside is KIND to GTF and Barry O compared to what I witness out in the wilderness on a regular basis lol

Agreed, my O'Fest isn't going anywhere. I think it gets played more than any machine I own next to my GTF.

The Signature edition seems to have a few nicer mods if you had you heart set on a GTF, as long as those panel side treads could be removed.

Lol like Macy's "One Day Sale"... that happens like 21 times a year!

Yes they are easily removable.

To each their own.
I kinda like it for being bizarre.
Has a cheezy scifi look to this eye
That for some reason is appealing.

If they had dropped it to 7k I'd be buying.

Agree with your assessment on the original pricepoint. However if you can afford to buy whatever you want,when you want, enjoy!

Me too. I could use a couple new pins.

Cuphead will get built. I don't know when. They are contract building stuff.

Halo ( Playmechanix/Chicago Gaming ) after MMR which is on the line now. No idea if they'll have one at Expo or not.

LTG : )

Agreed, the playfield itself on the Signature is awesome, glow rings & painted bits (the playfieds are otherwise the same). The limited/signature package's cab, apron, back glass (I don't like the Lenticular backglas - it kinda looks 3D but mostly looks blurry), treads, tank cannon thing on the backbox are not at all as good looking as the Franchi designed cab the Deluxe has. I'd rather have (and do own) the deluxe with the traditional pinball art package vs the green blob the "upper" trims have.

I get the opinion on the SE, I was looking for the DE for the more tradtional looking pinball machine. But, the SE does come with a ton the DE does not like the invisi-glass, the neon rubbers, painted toys, powder coated rails / lockdown bar / coin door, turret, treads, 3D backglass (which I think is cool), etc. I get the whole look may not appeal to many especially the tank appeaarance but it does stand out. The Franchi art is great on all versions of the machine. I was just wanting to be cheap and get a DE cheap which hasn't happened, so I got the SE, it has so much, but the treads and turret will add to the shipping cost (get it shipped to a distributor and pick it up - the treads and turret add a lot) just so people are aware maybe not much but the treads are in a big box and heavy wood with a decal on it (shipping I have to imagine on a SE will be more than a DE, or they are misquoting it).

But, the whole game is a homage to goofy sci-fi, campy stuff the bad movie cut scenes. It's like Elvira in a way, where it is not serious, or Mystery Science 3000. Could it be done better? Sure, but to me it is the appeal of it all, the 50's sci-fi look. The cabinet reflects the theme in an over the top way. It's a fun game, (the SE and LE) too far out there to sell at its original price for many people (its going to be its so bad its good kind of things maybe). To me, I see why they are only slightly discounting the DE, its the tradtional pin basically equivilent to a Stern Premium in what it comes with, it is cheaper, a tradtional game, they invested a lot in - all the fun without the polarizing cabinet.

Probably, not low enough of a price point on the DE to drive much sales - still lots there: side art, pinstadium style lighting, cool art. Lots of choices out there but American is doing a decent sale. Glad I got my GTF with only 100 plays on it and saved all the shipping or I would have bought this round, if a local distributor could have shipped to them. But, the SE now a couple hundred less is compelling $7800 basically, you don't have to put the treads or turret on it, you get a lot of pin. It's not the Classic LOV price at just under $5300 price which is a heck of a deal, that is tempting too.

I wonder if that old rumor of Mukesh putting a blockade on Cuphead until all this old inventory is gone is actually true?! There is such a massive push to get these games gone, and Cuphead is supposedly finished….Come on people, start buying these games! lol

You also don’t see the GTF Limited Edition models for sale in these promos. Just Sigs and DEs…They have to be getting to the last of these Signature editions by now. We could actually see them go down to $7500 which is just bonkers. Anyone on the fence is taking a big chance now…