Quoted from CrazyLevi:Since he's going the full Rob Mueller community engagement route, you don't think it's useful for him to receive any input besides which 90s Williams sequels he should make or which unemployed industry vets he should bring in?
.
I agree both of those would be bad ideas.
Quoted from bobukcat:he wants designers / employees that are willing to sleep in the car for a couple of nights and really pour themselves into the work
WANTED: PINBALL DESIGNER
Must have:
- 2+ years of experience designing games
- Familiarity with pinball rulesets
- A car with reclining seats
Quoted from Tommy-dog:The new AP could make a decent size run of a Capcom Kingpin. Licensing should be somewhat easy. Playfield layout is done. Just rewrite the software to work on the AP hardware.
This one's another beauty!
Quoted from Tommy-dog:I believe Ryan now works at Spooky Pinball.
I think that was the AP software guy Casey that went to Spooky, not Ryan…
The hope is that one of these other boutiques has Ryan working on a project. Kinda similar to how Turner pulled in John Norris to make Merlin’s Arcade. The ideal scenario would be to have Turner or someone else release Cuphead instead.
Quoted from NoSkills:I'm not sure about the custom options though. Sounds like a nice idea for customers (apart from the additional wait time this would be sure to add) but a bit of a nightmare for a manufacturer and more work for a distro, not just to make sure everyone gets the right games and addons but also not knowing whether to order games into stock or not. Should they order 10 basic models or will they be stuck with them because everyone wants to customize their order? Nice idea but I'm not sure it works in practice.
Spooky started down this road and wisely simplified things later.
Quoted from stubborngamer:Honestly I'm not sure why I give a shit if it's released or not.
Refreshingly sane take. Cuphead, like every unreleased game, is the best game ever.
I've seen enough of it to have higher than average hopes, but at the end of the day, it's a pinball machine. One that we will inevitably find fault in once it actually exists.
Quoted from pinmagic:I'm surprised no one has suggested Big Bang Bar!
I'm waiting for The Pinball Circus suggestions personally.
Quoted from AMpinball:We are planning 1 title this year and 1-2 titles each year going forward after game 1. Customization is for trim packages on a machine.
As history tells us, what a pinball manufacturer "plans" is often far from reallity. JJP has been trying to release 2 titles each year for 13 years. Not knocking you and wish you all the best but just shake my head when a new owner comes along and makes "plans" like this.
As for the 1 title this year, please don't tell us its Cuphead?
As a pinball novice with Houdini as my first and only machine, I'm happy to hear these comments from the new ownership. I was getting a bit nervous that I would have no support if American folded. I really didn't want to get left with a non-functioning machine down the road.
I would be very interested in buying a second machine from them if I like the theme.
Follow the Spooky and BOF model of "customer engagement" and appreciation. NOT Stern.
People will do business with people they 1) like and 2) trust. Start with #1 and earn #2. Common sense and should go without saying but hey, it's gonna be great to have another competitor enter the ring.
Really loved my Oktoberfest when i had it.
I was so excited to hear the news that API wasn't going to disappear off the face of the earth that I just ordered some spare parts (and some needed ones) for my Oktoberfest. It's such a fun game that I'd like to keep it running in top shape for the long haul.
I added the flipper fans to my game, so its heat related after long play. I can play all day now with no fade.
Quoted from wisefwumyogwave:Fixing APs mushy flippers should be top priority.
Quoted from wisefwumyogwave:Fixing APs mushy flippers should be top priority.
With the upgraded power supply and added capacitors they are much improved. I don't know if either of the GTFs I've played have the Aimtron boardsets or if they were running P3ROC still, but the flippers on both were plenty snappy, even with constant play at a show.
Quoted from Mitchellb:As a pinball novice with Houdini as my first and only machine, I'm happy to hear these comments from the new ownership. I was getting a bit nervous that I would have no support if American folded. I really didn't want to get left with a non-functioning machine down the road.
I would be very interested in buying a second machine from them if I like the theme.
The good news there is that the core of the game's electronics are an off the Amazon PC and Multimorphic P3 boards. There are a plenty of proprietary LED boards, the servo driver and of course many mechanical pieces though, so like you, I'm happy to hear they will still be around and I wish them great success.
Quoted from luvthatapex2:I added the flipper fans to my game, so its heat related after long play. I can play all day now with no fade.
I had two fans on each flippers for hot wheels, still mushy the whole time even on fresh power ups all AP games ive had were like this. The hold stregth adjustment made a difference in hotwheels but still felt mushy to me. Idk.
Quoted from MikeS:Cuphead would have been dead on arrival. It's a theme that no one was asking for. Hopefully they start fresh with a stronger license that also has great artwork. I suppose Cuphead could work if they decide to start small and limit it to like 250 machines as a way to prove that they have the chops to produce a small run. it's a strong enough theme for that.
I fully disagree here. While Cuphead might not be a theme people are clamoring for, it's a fun and interesting theme (with great animation), and a cool pin based off of it could have sold well. Nobody was asking for a Winchester Mystery House theme...and we see what happened with that.
It's a good thing the new owner is doing this running fireside chat so we can all mold the future AP in Pinside's many images!
Here's what I think would work
I want everything to be of much higher quality but also much cheaper
I want way more complicated mechs and more of them, and more sculpts than ancient Rome, but I also want the games to be cheaper and much more reliable
I want the "code" to be much deeper and more awesome, but I also want it to be produced quickly
Also, if you can throw in some free toppers that wouldn't hurt
This is why you engage with the community; this is how a new pinball company can see what the market really wants and needs! The "big boys" sit up there in their ivory towers; they are so far removed from us and out of touch, no wonder they aren't giving us what we want!
Have you checked the bushings? Too tight? My lov flippers are very snappy. I don't have any other AP games to compare.
Quoted from wisefwumyogwave:I had two fans on each flippers for hot wheels, still mushy the whole time even on fresh power ups all AP games ive had were like this. The hold stregth adjustment made a difference in hotwheels but still felt mushy to me. Idk.
Quoted from wisefwumyogwave:Fixing APs mushy flippers should be top priority.
We can help with this. 
Aaron
FAST Pinball
Quoted from luvthatapex2:Have you checked the bushings? Too tight? My lov flippers are very snappy. I don't have any other AP games to compare.
Yes when i had them mechanically fine, i think its the way they're driven. Its all AP games ive ever played besides oktoberfest
Quoted from wisefwumyogwave:Yes when i had them mechanically fine, i think its the way they're driven. Its all AP games ive ever played
OK add complete flipper redesign to the mix
AP are you taking notes?
Does a business owner’s engagement with the community necessarily equate to executing every idea that is brought forth? It seems that there can be a line of communication where ideas can be shared but don’t require execution of everything brought forth.
It [appears] that some manufacturers engage more with the community than others, and sometimes even act upon them. We may not all like or support their product, but if I had to choose between a company that engages and a company that appears to be aloof, I prefer the former.
Quoted from CrazyLevi:OK add complete flipper redesign to the mix
AP are you taking notes?
Relax man, im not the only one to note this, its a common complaint about their games. Apearently a single GTF was fixed prior to indisc by AP. Nothing wrong with the mechs at all, its electrical and or code
Your sarcasm (albeit funny!) suggests owners not engage with the community. We already have one of those….a big one of those—with scripted, prerecorded community relation “interactions.”
Quoted from CrazyLevi:It's a good thing the new owner is doing this running fireside chat so we can all mold the future AP in Pinside's many images!
Here's what I think would work
I want everything to be of much higher quality but also much cheaper
I want way more complicated mechs and more of them, and more sculpts than ancient Rome, but I also want the games to be cheaper and much more reliable
I want the "code" to be much deeper and more awesome, but I also want it to be produced quickly
Also, if you can throw in some free toppers that wouldn't hurt
This is why you engage with the community; this is how a new pinball company can see what the market really wants and needs! The "big boys" sit up there in their ivory towers; they are so far removed from us and out of touch, no wonder they aren't giving us what we want!
Quoted from CrazyLevi:OK add complete flipper redesign to the mix
AP are you taking notes?
Quoted from brucipher:Nobody was asking for a Winchester Mystery House theme...and we see what happened with that.
Not really a fair comparison as the spark for WMH was the announcement of new designer Karl DeAngelo. He is well respected in pinball for his tournament play, IEpinball streams, Critical Hit card game, pinball knowledge, INDISC organizer, beater of wizard modes, head to head challenge organizer, tutorial animation creator, tech skills, etc.
Quoted from wisefwumyogwave:Relax man, im not the only one to note this, its a common complaint about their games. Apearently a single GTF was fixed prior to indisc by AP. Nothing wrong with the mechs at all, its electrical and or code
There’s absolutely nothing mushy or otherwise wrong with the flippers on my GTF driven by a P3 board and Meanwell power supply. My LOV did fade pretty quick before adding fans - not sure why it was different than the three other API game I’ve owned. Probably issue with variability in electronics/power hardware used as you mention.
Quoted from brucipher:I fully disagree here. While Cuphead might not be a theme people are clamoring for, it's a fun and interesting theme (with great animation), and a cool pin based off of it could have sold well. Nobody was asking for a Winchester Mystery House theme...and we see what happened with that.
The difference is that WMH has Karl. I think that's what sold the game vs. the theme. No offense to Ryan M, but he doesn't have the same kind of pull in this hobby. I don't hate the Cuphead theme and I'm actually a big fan of the video game, It's just a dead theme for a pinball machine as the video-game is about 8 years from being relevant and I don't think people are really nostalgic for it. I think CGC will learn the same lesson if they release "Halo" which is heavily rumored for their next title. And Halo was about a million times more popular than Cuphead ever was.
I haven't seen an issue with AP flippers but I've never owned one either, just some games here and there.
My esteemed Pinside advice for the new owner is to transition from the Aimtron board set back to Multimorphic or FAST as soon as possible.
I have zero confidence in the longevity of Aimtron supply or commitment to continued innovation for the pinball market. Maybe their boards are less expensive, but FAST pricing, even retail, is pretty damn good.
Quoted from luckymoey:There’s absolutely nothing mushy or otherwise wrong with the flippers on my GTF driven by a P3 board and Meanwell power supply. My LOV did fade pretty quick before adding fans - not sure why it was different than the three other API game I’ve owned. Probably issue with variability in electronics/power hardware used as you mention.
Im glad your game is good but doesnt mean there isnt a problem, the GTF near here at the pinball asylum randomly will limp dick a flip on you then get strong again, Ive owned oktoberfest it was always fine, my LOV and a buddies LOV and the hotwheels i owned always had the mushiness fans helped a bit in the beginning for me, they were easy to knock down too. Theres is an issue somewhere. Always thought AP games were awesome sans the flipper feeling.
Quoted from CrazyLevi:It's a good thing the new owner is doing this running fireside chat so we can all mold the future AP in Pinside's many images!
Here's what I think would work
I want everything to be of much higher quality but also much cheaper
I want way more complicated mechs and more of them, and more sculpts than ancient Rome, but I also want the games to be cheaper and much more reliable
I want the "code" to be much deeper and more awesome, but I also want it to be produced quickly
Also, if you can throw in some free toppers that wouldn't hurt
This is why you engage with the community; this is how a new pinball company can see what the market really wants and needs! The "big boys" sit up there in their ivory towers; they are so far removed from us and out of touch, no wonder they aren't giving us what we want!
Exactly. Spooky listened. So did BOF. But you know they aren’t a “real business” according to Gomez
Let’s stick with the Stern model of charge more and expect less.
Fits right their Costco model.
But they say “there is no Stern without premiums/LEs”
150 people in the office and 500 on the floor. Oof. This ain’t Covid anymore.
Make em choke on it boys
Quoted from MikeS:The difference is that WMH has Karl. I think that's what sold the game vs. the theme.
Never even heard of Karl, it was the theme. Granted, I don't buy sight unseen, so I lost out. But it's a title that caught my attention and given the feedback, yeah - I'd buy one.
Quoted from wisefwumyogwave:Relax man, im not the only one to note this, its a common complaint about their games. Apearently a single GTF was fixed prior to indisc by AP. Nothing wrong with the mechs at all, its electrical and or code
It wasn't "fixed" by AP. INDISC put ZEN fans on them (I've been supplying them for INDISC as a sponsor for years so the machines perform well all weekend). THAT was the "secret" fix for the GTF flippers at INDISC. I snorted when I read them taking credit for "fixing" their flippers.
Quoted from BillDog:Does a business owner’s engagement with the community necessarily equate to executing every idea that is brought forth? It seems that there can be a line of communication where ideas can be shared but don’t require execution of everything brought forth.
It [appears] that some manufacturers engage more with the community than others, and sometimes even act upon them. We may not all like or support their product, but if I had to choose between a company that engages and a company that appears to be aloof, I prefer the former.
If you ask a community for feedback you're going to get a lot of dumb ideas.
Some people are just dumb! But mostly people aren't really thinking through everything, or lack experience or context. Or just have a personal thing they love or hate that's not all that helpful or relevant. That's fine. You filter them, it's not hard.
For instance, you see a post by Levi, and you just skip it, because you know he's not actually offering anything constructive and is just going to be complaining about what other people write. That's his reason to be on Pinside, how he gets his joy, and that's fine. You filter it out and move to the next one.
You see a post by me and skip it, because you know I'm pompous and write too much. Next one.
It's just sampling the vibes. I thought Jaws was a dumb license. I still think it's a dumb license. And you know what? The community asked for it in numbers and Stern did it and it sold well and was successful. What the fuck do I know?
Every once in a while someone will post a good idea. And it's nice to get a sense of the pain points.
Did the new owner purchase where American Pinball machines are currently made? Are they now paying rent?
Quoted from CrazyLevi:I mostly read Aurich posts to hear about what he was doing on his Pinside sabbaticals!
I learned how to sew and taught myself embroidery.
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Spent some time learning how to use my CNC better and designed some wood and leather magnetic knife racks.
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Spent time drawing and designing things for my friends' brands.
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Even worked on some pinball.
Tron-Topper-2-Thumb (resized).jpg
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Was a nice time, thanks for asking about it!
Quoted from wisefwumyogwave:Relax man, im not the only one to note this, its a common complaint about their games. Apearently a single GTF was fixed prior to indisc by AP. Nothing wrong with the mechs at all, its electrical and or code
I have a late-build GTF. I had some fade on my flippers, but I put fans on them. I also adjusted the EOS switch on one. They work really well now. They don't have the incredible snap of my PF or my upgraded DI, but they feel good (different but good), and they seem pretty accurate. I have no complaints.
i dont know anything about this situation, and even more how it will go in the future, but than let's admit Houdini & OF are 2 very good pins, Hotwheels while more "simple" (layout & code) is still a fun machine to play... than positive feeling here
Quoted from BillDog:It [appears] that some manufacturers engage more with the community than others, and sometimes even act upon them. We may not all like or support their product, but if I had to choose between a company that engages and a company that appears to be aloof, I prefer the former.
Quoted from iceman44:Exactly. Spooky listened. So did BOF.
Quoted from Aurich:Every once in a while someone will post a good idea. And it's nice to get a sense of the pain points.
A good example of a manufacturing listening to constructive criticism that comes to mind - Chris Turner was a very active listener at TPF/Expo and what he heard with Ninja Eclipse was the glass frame system was cool but the slimline cabinet size just didn't "feel right", it felt like a home use pin. He pivoted back to a full size cabinet, He said this was actually a cost savings and he kept the glass frame which is cool.
Quoted from stubborngamer:Did the new owner purchase where American Pinball machines are currently made? Are they now paying rent?
They are renting.
LTG : )
Quoted from ReadyPO:A good example of a manufacturing listening to constructive criticism that comes to mind - Chris Turner was a very active listener at TPF/Expo and what he heard with Ninja Eclipse was the glass frame system was cool but the slimline cabinet size just didn't "feel right", it felt like a home use pin. He pivoted back to a full size cabinet, He said this was actually a cost savings and he kept the glass frame which is cool.
Yep!
This guy engaged with community and absorbed all of its helpful feedback and managed to sell 1 pinball machines to Pinsiders.
This is the way!
(he did build 100 Ninjas so there's that)
Quoted from stubborngamer:Total Recall had no design flaws, do that.
[quoted image]
we're long overdue for a modernized Joust!
487232945_672105475584723_6215184509510449757_n (resized).jpgQuoted from MonsieurCS:we're long overdue for a modernized Joust!
[quoted image]
We're getting one:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/monster-league-hockey
(They just announced there's enough interest that they're going to build them for people.)
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