Can someone explain what "different levels" means on pinball? I assume it is more complicated than "keep the ball moving and not in the well"?

I'm with you, jock. I'm just out there trying to keep the ball from dropping.

Let me put it in your terms:

Ball in well = burnt brisket.

I love the self-deprecating pinball humor!

Ol Jock 99 said:

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Can someone explain what "different levels" means on pinball? I assume it is more complicated than "keep the ball moving and not in the well"?

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About to get real nerdy here. All modern games have deep software built into that defines and implements the custom rule set for that specific game. This software is what typically makes or breaks a game (regardless of the game's theme or layout of the playfield).

Without getting into too much detail, the general structure of a game's rule set (again, implemented by the software in the game) is one that tasks the player with advancing through several "levels" (more often referred to as "modes" in the biz). Completion of all these levels/modes then leads to the user playing what is typically referred to as "wizard modes." Some games even have one or more "mini wizard modes" which must be completed to get to the final wizard mode. In terms of video games, think of completing the final wizard mode as "beating the game" at which point you will start back over from square one.

Wizard modes are near impossible to get to on many modern games but that is what keeps you coming back. Also, important to understand that there countless adjustments that can be made in both the software settings and on the actual playfield it self that control how difficult the game is setup. Helps with different skill levels.

I warned you guys it was about to get nerdy.

Quote:

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"wizard modes"

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Quote:

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Completion of all these levels/modes then leads to the user playing what is typically referred to as "wizard modes."

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I appreciate the nerdy reply. Can you give an example of a standard mode? "Hit the ball until it touches XYZ"?? Genuinely curious.

I might have shown this thread to my wife and said I finally know what I want for Christmas.

Addams Family Video Game

My wife blames The Addams Family pinball for her taking 7 years to get an undergrad degree.

She wanted one of these for years, but the prices keep moving higher and higher faster than we anticipated.

Finally this simulator came out. It is awesome to play on the PS3 (the newest system I own) in the home theater. Once she got this video game, she said she doesn't need the mechanical anymore. I'm sure some day that will change, but for now, this suffices.

I never understood that the machines had levels/rules/etc., until she explained Addams Family to me. Once I understood the goals, pinball took on an entirely new meaning. It was no longer just mashing buttons trying to keep the ball in play.

Adam Ag 98 said:

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I never understood that the machines had levels/rules/etc., until she explained Addams Family to me. Once I understood the goals, pinball took on an entirely new meaning. It was no longer just mashing buttons trying to keep the ball in play.

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Exactly! If you are curious about pinball take the time to understand the rules of a game you have access to. Then hide your wallet.

I will always remember winning the world cup on the pinball game in the basement of the smc.

Dp

BusterAg said:

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I will always remember winning the world cup on the pinball game in the basement of the smc.

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You remember the country you had to beat to win the cup?

Germany.

I think I remember winning like 6 to 2.

Was fun times.

I played an X-Men pinball game at Cidercade a few months back, and no exaggeration, it was one of the coolest games I'd ever seen. The amount of detail that went into that thing was incredible.

I don't really know how to play pinball, beyond keeping the ball out of the pit, but it made me want to learn. You could trigger quests (so to speak) for various X-Men like Gambit, Rogue, Cyclops, Wolverine, Iceman, Beast, and you could pick a boss to go up against, like Juggernaut, Sinister, the Hellfire Club, Sabretooth and I think the Shadow King.

Crazy ****, man.

You all think cserold's set-up was cool, except when you imagine it packed wall to wall with pinball nerds for a tournament he set-up and wrote software for to track the scoring/standings on a huge projector screen.

Needle to the Pole...that was my favorite campo.

BoomGoesThe said:

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You all think cserold's set-up was cool, except when you imagine it packed wall to wall with pinball nerds for a tournament he set-up and wrote software for to track the scoring/standings on a huge projector screen.

Needle to the Pole...that was my favorite campo.

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Haha. Alright, alright. Reveal yourself!

cserold01 said:

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So, who on here is going to be a first time pinball owner over the next couple months? Nothing better than seeing another victim fall into the hobby so you can track their obsession through the various stages. Come on! Somebody jump on board!

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I am currently looking at purchasing a pinball very soon. But I don't know what I want. Was thinking Aerosmith v AC/DC v GnR
Have not played any of the above. Hard to find pinballs to play.
Jane played Elvis. Good.
Didn't like munsters.
Liked Spider-Man.liked trophy hunter.
Did not like pirates of Caribbean.

Any leads on games that I'll
Want to keep for years?

Fun thread to bump, I've been on a big time video pinball kick the past few weeks. I'll never have the scratch or space to have a real table or for that matter a full sized vPin, but I've been having a blast playing retro styled tables on Zaccaria Pinball.

I've wondered if I could make a controller box or something similar to a fight stick that I could use with it, I've seen where people have gutted cheap 3rd party Xbox controllers and soldered in Sanwa buttons to do it. I'd want to figure out a way to do it with accelerometers for tilt control and figure out some haptics too, plus I need to learn how to solder.

Very very cool, but there has to be a twist.

I went w GnR machine. Awesome. Fun. 21 songs and concert footage.

That's cool, how much? Lots of maintenance?

That one just popped up on one of the marketplaces I frequent and it garnered a "damn, I wish I had that" from me. Nice pickup.

This summer i had the chance to go to a couple pinball arcades and fell in love with Godzilla. such an amazingly fun game.

No love for Rush?

https://sternpinball.com/game/rush/

"Stern's Rush pinball machines, reflect the energy, excitement, and experience of a live Rush concert. In this epic music pinball adventure, players will travel with Rush through time. Immersed in exclusive Rush concert footage and guided by custom speech from Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee, and fellow Canadian Rock Hall of Famer, Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies, players will experience Rush and their iconic music as never before. This Rush pinball concert under glass features sixteen iconic songs, accentuated by sound and lighting effects. Songs include Headlong Flight, Far Cry, One Little Victory, Working Man, 2112, Tom Sawyer, The Spirit of Radio, Freewill, Cygnus X-1 (Book One: The Voyage and Book Two: Hemispheres), The Big Money, Subdivisions, Limelight, Fly By Night, La Villa Strangiato, Bastille Day, and Red Barchetta."

Got it from joystix in Houston. Charlie Kalas class of '97 has joystix. I too like RUSH. But I just liked this machine better. Like GnR music better. Light show is incredible.
That said My next machine will be RUSH or AC/DC. Wished AC/DC had video footage.

If ever in Minute Maid area, check him out. He's located across street from the ballpark. Has an extensive inventory of pinball and arcade games. There's a bar next door to feed your thirst.

Just little stuff like gapping sensors. Leveling the record spin. It's heavy. Moving it around by yourself is a b****. The rules are deep. Will take me a lot of time to get good at this game. But that just means it won't get old anytime soon. It's my first pinball machine.