Journeys

The debate on the subject of classic style pinballs simulations continue...

Debate: Classic Style

I couldn't agree more with Wm. Gross and his suggestion for Empire to produce a "Classic EM" table, complete with all associated mechanical sounds. He covered all the right points by requesting an open table design with no hidden ball play, and I would only add that they could also forget the wire tubes altogether. They could even forget all the plastic toys, and just concentrate on drop targets, spinners, bumpers, slingshots, and all the other classic goodies. And make sure everything makes NOISE! From the coin drop to the ball "rolling", it should sound like an EM.

I have always wanted to see a Depression-Era "theme" on an EM, done in 30s-style artwork (with all of it's limitations.) Perhaps a classic "kid's toys" motif from that era which might include a Gilbert Erector Set, or chemistry set, or Lionel trains, or the Red Ryder BB Gun, crystal radios, etc. (Anything that would lend itself to the "under the Christmas tree" lighting quality of the old tables.)

Or maybe America's obessesion back then with huge public works projects, like the Hoover Dam, or Golden Gate Bridge; complete with old style steam shovels and graders and cranes. (Basic History Channel stuff)?

Or maybe the 1939 New York World's Fair with it's Trylon and Perisphere and Democracity, and the Futurama ride into the future of 1960, and Elektro and Sparko; the robotic man and its dog?

Or Maybe even a WWII era motif complete with War Bonds, ration coupons, 'Rosie The Riveter', battleships, planes, military insignia and flags? Or maybe the top secret atomic Manhatten Project?

I know I'm really out in left field with these ideas, but at least there would be no licensing limitations. I just think there are so many areas that have never been covered that don't include borrowing from our current pop culture, because to me, pinball is the PERFECT excuse for absolutely forgetting about these cultural reminders altogether.

There's always time enough for that after the last ball drains...

- Jeff Jacob

A welcome bit of news is the name of the next title in the pro pinball series, the fourth title out will have the name "Fantastic Journey". The table theme will be based on the work of Jules Verne. I find I really like the idea of table with a theme like this, sounds unusual and serious, I have no doubt the final result will become quite interesting. I begin to wish I had read more of Jules Verne, I'm only familiar with his more known works (80 days... and such). Anyway, while on the subject of pp themes I must say that all the previous three titles in the pp series have all had quite impressing table themes and rules. BRUSA might have been a little bit more traditional with a car/racing theme (even though the approach was a little unusual), but The Web and Timeshock! are very much unique themewise (afaik). Timeshock! has still got one of the coolest (what other word is there) themes ever! The Web is also very fast paced and mean, it's a table with a theme you have got to love, the Ultimate Showdown (the tables wizmode for those who haven't played it) is always as rewarding and enjoyable to get to play (...the music score is just so good).

Well, has anything else happened, well nothing that interesting... Digital Eclipse is still quiet about their TAF simulation project (see the news archive if you don't know what I'm writing about). I send another round of emails to them recently (I have mailed them a couple of times since I first found out about the project in July last year) and actually received one answer this time (for the first time), the answer read something in the style "I'm sorry but I'm not able to answer this currently.". I don't know exactly what that means, it's likely that the person that replied is no longer involved in the project and thus can't answer (I asked if the title would be released and if so when). I'll wait for some more definitive information before I take up this subject again (if anyone else knows anything feel free to contact me).

As a btw, a rather interesting thread on pinball emulation has recently been going on on rgp (rec.games.pinball). If whatever usenet server you use no longer carries the thread check dejanews or some other usenet archive if you are interested in reading the whole thread (just search on 'pinball emulation').

I'm still waiting for my copies of sci-fi pinball and whatever else there is I haven't reviewed (why am I always forgotten when these review copies are send out ;).

Until next month!

time is not enough