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Author Topic: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web  (Read 4181 times)

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gatordad

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Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« on: April 29, 2011, 11:17:58 am »


Looks promising
I thinks its an improvement over the last few releases
Art package looks cool but the el lighting is missing? Perhaps only on the LE

NipRing

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2011, 11:59:47 am »
That looks awesome!

Marcade

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2011, 12:47:25 pm »
needs more blacklight and Quorra, but I still want one!  :notworthy:
On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy...

RandyT

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2011, 12:51:51 pm »
That looks awesome!

It does.  Very nice indeed.

Pics like this make me sad because I know that by the time I run across one, it'll be too beat to enjoy it properly.  I got excited to see that the local game room took out the NASCAR pin and put an Adams Family in it's place (one of my earlier favorites)...until I played it.  Hard to play with a spastic right flipper and the machine leaning hard in that direction.  :'(


DataWest

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2011, 03:09:46 pm »
Awesome  ;D

DNA Dan

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #5 on: April 29, 2011, 04:13:31 pm »
Now if you could just rip out those new buttons and put in some leaf solenoids..

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #6 on: April 29, 2011, 04:21:49 pm »
Great theme, cab art & nice backglass!

Cant really see the PF too well in the pic but does it matter? Its Tron & pinball America F yeah!

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #7 on: April 29, 2011, 05:21:06 pm »
Somebody please create a table for Visual Pinball!!!
If I had only one wish, it would be for three more wishes.

mgb

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2011, 05:36:11 pm »
I haven't really seen a newer pinball that really impressed me in a while. this table looks great.

RayB

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #9 on: April 29, 2011, 05:58:32 pm »
I haven't really seen a newer pinball that really impressed me in a while. this table looks great.
It's a copy of Funhouse.
NO MORE!!

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #10 on: April 29, 2011, 06:07:26 pm »
I still prefer it over the typical newer cabs like CSI, etc.

RandyT

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #11 on: April 29, 2011, 10:52:22 pm »
It's a copy of Funhouse.

It's a little different, but the ramps and upper flipper sure look the same.  If it works it works!

Spacejack

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #12 on: April 30, 2011, 02:39:56 am »
yyeeaaahhh....

How to make $5k super quick?

And I wonder if Gary Stern will ever consider possibly releasing a movie tie-in pinball at the same freaking time as the movie? (Realistically it would probably be better to go with "provens" as Williams has done with slots, but that's another story, and I want this pin)

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #13 on: April 30, 2011, 05:00:08 am »
yyeeaaahhh....

How to make $5k super quick?

And I wonder if Gary Stern will ever consider possibly releasing a movie tie-in pinball at the same freaking time as the movie? (Realistically it would probably be better to go with "provens" as Williams has done with slots, but that's another story, and I want this pin)

Dude, how could he make the "story" of the pinball table without seeing the movie first? :D

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #14 on: April 30, 2011, 07:40:10 am »
Dude, how could he make the "story" of the pinball table without seeing the movie first? :D

Its a licensed game. Presumably, they wouldn't have to wait for the movie to come out on DVD to get their story elements and audio samples. The movie was probably in post production doing the CGI for a full year. Ever notice a lot of video game tie-ins coincide with the release of the movie? You sell when the interest is high, not 9 months later.

I guess if any game could transcend that, its Tron because a lot of people just love the theme. Was still really stupid not to have this game come out late last year when people were going nuts for it. Not like it was some great plot with a twist ending. It was basically "Hey, see that bright light? We need to get there before that mean guy".

Xiaou2

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #15 on: April 30, 2011, 06:20:47 pm »
Very disappointing.  This definitely isnt the machine to save Pinball.  And isnt the Tron that should have been made.

 - The artwork is Dull and Boring.  It represents the 2nd movie in many ways though, which isnt a good thing.   A Tron based on the Original would be so much better...

 - At first I got excited to see what Looked like a classic Steve Ritchie lightning quick "double loop", from the right ramp leading back to the 3rd flipper as a feed-back into more loops.  However, then I realized the ramps just fed back to the flippers.  Snore.

 - All the work to open the center target.. and what do you get?  A cheesy center spinning disc.  Whoop T doo.  The only place this really worked well on was Whirlwind.   It makes no sense on this machine, nor POTC.  Its not exciting nor fun.

 - The Pop bumpers by the ramps/main pathway ... is stupid Imop.  Always has been.

 - Theres a few interesting thing about the layout.. but overall, I just dont see it being that good.


 This cant be a Steve Ritchie game.  It has more hallmarks to a Pat Lawlor game.

 Very sad indeed.

Quote
If it works it works!

 It didnt work too good.   We had a local woman pay BooKoo bucks for a restored Funhouse.  (Im guessing based on theme / look)  She had it less than a month, and sold it at a loss, just to get rid of it.  Bored her to tears.  Her other pins:  Williams IJ, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Theatre of Magic, Twilight Zone.  She also briefly had a perfect condition Revenge from Mars and also sold that one in a few months time as well. Again, boring snorefest.
« Last Edit: April 30, 2011, 06:39:05 pm by Xiaou2 »

RandyT

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #16 on: April 30, 2011, 06:53:16 pm »
Very disappointing.  This definitely isnt the machine to save Pinball.

I don't think there are any machines which can save pinball at this point.  I really enjoy it, but I fear those who do are in the vast minority nowadays. 

I think you should be a little more open minded about the design, though.  It's so hard to tell how the game will play from a static image like this.  It has enough going on to be interesting, and your comment about the spinning disc being out of place doesn't make sense.  What classic pinball device would you have used to showcase the "identity disc", which is the focal point of the story?  Seems like a good match to me.  Also, ramps which feed back to the flippers are a useful element for setting up shots, especially under tight time constraints.  Have to see how it plays to judge the design.

Spacejack

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #17 on: April 30, 2011, 08:50:37 pm »
"I guess if any game could transcend that, its Tron because a lot of people just love the theme."

I guess I wasn't being totally fair to Stern there, since with "Iron Man" and "Spider-Man" and nominally "Wheel of Fortune" and "PoTC" he's released some tie-ins that tap into perennial franchises, even if indirectly. Tron also falls into this category.

"I don't think there are any machines which can save pinball at this point."

Not as commercial moneymakers. There is still some potential in the home market, but it's probably in limbo until custom fabrication gets a lot cheaper... maybe there'd be some potential to take the requirement for mass manufacture out of the picture but that's not exactly right around the corner, and there's no telling whether any market could survive that long.

Some things about pinball manufacture have seriously lagged due to there just not being anybody out there but Stern and he's unable to take the financial steps necessary to do innovative tech. For instance (and I'm just skying here so don't deconstruct it too heavily) since one of the principal labor expenses in pinball is the wiring, a large-scale PCB printer might be able to address some of these issues by printing directly onto the undersurface of the playfield board, but that kind of thing is just impossible for a lone wolf company like Stern. It is a damn shame that Williams bailed altogether, since their slots would represent a fertile ground for not only subsidizing some pinball, but also a good bit of emergent tech that would apply to pinball very well. I just saw those translucent reel slots they do now not too long ago, and could not help thinking how well that idea could apply to pins.

Ah, what a world. At least Heckendorn built his custom. Maybe that will serve as inspiration to some... I personally one day hope to build my Zardoz pinball but I think the odds are extremely slim.

Xiaou2

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #18 on: April 30, 2011, 09:46:24 pm »
Quote
I don't think there are any machines which can save pinball at this point.  I really enjoy it, but I fear those who do are in the vast minority nowadays.

 Pinball is gaining a resurgence in popularity.  Lots of young guns starting to get into it, from playing with digital tables.

 Of course, its more than just on-site sales.  Home sales have been keeping Stern alive... and their poor quality has led to less and less sales.

 Pinball does have the ability to make money on location... but not in its current iteration.  Much more durability and better design have to be in place for that to happen.

Quote
I think you should be a little more open minded about the design, though.  It's so hard to tell how the game will play from a static image like this.

 When you have played enough pins, you get to a point where you can look at a machine and know how shots will flow.  Most especially when you have played many tables from the same designer.  Theres nothing really revolutionary or exciting about the shots here.  Its old hat... and not really the good kind of old hat.

Quote
  It has enough going on to be interesting, and your comment about the spinning disc being out of place doesn't make sense.  What classic pinball device would you have used to showcase the "identity disc", which is the focal point of the story?  Seems like a good match to me. 

 The Disc isnt really the focal point of the Story. Its a part of it, but not the focus.   Anyways, the problem isnt so much the disc itself, but that its enclosed.  If for example, the disc was in the center of the Playfield, the ball would be shot all over the place, such as on Whirlwind.  But even then, its cheese at best.

 I could go into a lot of detail about what Could be put in place of it that would far exceed the crappy spin field, but Im not going to bother at this point.   Stern doesnt have much experience with building good worthwhile mechanical toys, and doesnt want to pay to have them made.  So they simply recycle the same things over and over again on every machine.  Its a losing strategy, especially when something like a spinning disc holds no playability or coolness factor in it for the player.

 Lets put it this way... whats more fun?

A) Sinking a ball into a tight hole at the correct time
B) Knocking down Drop-Targets
C) Watching a ball roll around in circles while you wait for it to finally pop out

 An evil CLU figure that moved back / forth would have been 3000x better than the ball blender.

Quote
Also, ramps which feed back to the flippers are a useful element for setting up shots, especially under tight time constraints.  Have to see how it plays to judge the design.

If you have ever played BK2K, or a related SR design, you would know that the quick loop feature is a skilled shot event that provides challenge and a lot of fun, to see how many times you can make the loop before you fail to get the timing down.  It makes for a fast intense experience, rather than a lullaby of leisurely wait times.

 As for ramps to flippers, its obvious why its done, but doesnt mean its always the best ways to do things.   As said, I would have been far more excited with a quickloop option.

RandyT

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #19 on: April 30, 2011, 11:04:37 pm »

Still think you are judging it prematurely.  I just picked up the new MARS table on PinballFX2, and almost didn't because I thought the layout looked bland.  But when I learned the flow of the game, I gained a very different opinion. The last single game I played on it was 2 1/2 hours long, and I was still being challenged to complete the missions offered by the table.  I'll reserve judgment until I can watch this one go.  Also, this layout looks a lot like the Wolverine table on PFX2, and that one seems pretty solid.

Lets put it this way... whats more fun?

A) Sinking a ball into a tight hole at the correct time
B) Knocking down Drop-Targets

Don't you pretty much have to do both of those things before you can even get the ball into the "blender"?

BTW, with a plot as weak as the one in either TRON movie, the identity disk stands out as one of the most notable "devices".  It had to be incorporated into the table somehow, and I'm still curious as to how you would have done that.

Xiaou2

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #20 on: May 01, 2011, 07:00:36 pm »
Quote
BTW, with a plot as weak as the one in either TRON movie, the identity disk stands out as one of the most notable "devices".  It had to be incorporated into the table somehow, and I'm still curious as to how you would have done that.

 I dunno about that.   The plot was far better than a lot of the crap they are producing these days.  Of course, the original is leaps and bound better in every way possible, compared to the new release.

 As for the Disc, if you really think about it.. your Pinball "IS" the disc.   While there could be other ways to represent the disc, especially better than a stationary disc that blends a ball... its not even really needed.

 The Disc can also easily be incorporated as a game mode on the DMD display.


 The more memorable and cool things of Tron are:
(The Original)

1) The Space Paranoids arcade machine, and the Flynns Arcade itself
2) The Recognizers
3) The Tanks
4) The Solar Sailor
5) The Light Battle
6) The Communications Tower
7) The Laser digitization sequences
8 ) The Disc Battle
9) The Bit
10) Seeing Flynn bring back the Recognizer to life
11) MCPs worried argument with Flynn before sending him in

 And of course, the Look of the Tron world.  Especially after the MCP was defeated.

 There really is very little that is represented in the movie on that table.  The representation is very poor, boring, just doesnt fit.

 Hate to say it, but at least with Lord of the Rings, they put forth a much better representation.
The sword shaped ball lock looks great. The crystal ball is Ok. Ballrog is a great and fun addition. The EYE works well and looks decent.  (The POTD sucks though)
« Last Edit: May 01, 2011, 07:02:57 pm by Xiaou2 »

Xiaou2

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #21 on: May 01, 2011, 07:09:43 pm »
Quote
Don't you pretty much have to do both of those things before you can even get the ball into the "blender"?

 Actually, they are not traditional dropdowns, but the targets do eventually drop.  But your reward for this, is to watch the ball roll around in a few circles.  It makes no sense, and its boring.   At least with for example, Pirates, theres a mechanical ship that animates and sinks into the playfield.  Thats a satisfying event to your efforts.  Theres really nothing that looks satisfying or interesting on this table.. period.

RayB

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #22 on: May 01, 2011, 07:13:00 pm »
You haven't played it, so you don't know what the ball does up there.

Anyone notice the Tron arcade machine sitting over the ball scoop? (middle right)
NO MORE!!

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #23 on: May 01, 2011, 07:16:36 pm »
Lets put it this way... whats more fun?

A) Sinking a ball into a tight hole at the correct time

Your mom likes this one.


All joking aside, how many games of Tron pinball have you played Xiaou2?
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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #24 on: May 01, 2011, 10:08:10 pm »
So let me ask a silly question...anyone know a way to find if there's a version of this local to them?  DFW for me heheh.

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #25 on: May 01, 2011, 11:01:25 pm »
I think it looks naked regarding to playfield toys and gimmicks and the artwork could be less cluttered. It probably plays well and sounds right but i always seem to get that nostalgic feel of the 90's when it comes to appreciating a pinball machine. Long live Bally and Williams tables...

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #26 on: May 03, 2011, 02:36:10 pm »
Whatever happened to pinballs having creative ball launch skill shots?
NO MORE!!

TOK

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Re: Finally Pics of Tron hit the web
« Reply #27 on: May 03, 2011, 03:09:13 pm »
Whatever happened to pinballs having creative ball launch skill shots?


Williams decided to just make slot machines!  :(