One thing I’ve noticed in many ‘pro-sports’, table games and pinball… The great players, tournament players - tend to become designers in these games. And they desire high complexity/ deep rules/ etcetera. They are designing a game that they would enjoy. And that makes perfect sense. But consider this. Most people are not pro or tournament players. People like me who are collectors (and getting… old)… don’t want shots to be too hard or rules to be too arcane. The average player wants a great experience. Neat call outs, a great theme, interactive playfield toys. They want to enjoy the game - and could care less about racking up points or bragging rights about the highest score. The fact is, I have been collecting for years and I do not know specific rules on any of my 70 odd pins on how to maximize the score. I don't care...
So, I am writing this post to plead to the Pinball lluminati… remember the little guy. The new player. The average player whose reflexes and age impair their ability to make the hard ramp shots. I think the best hope for pinball to survive and flourish is to have (some) games that are more appealing to the masses….
For me, Scared Stiff is an easy game, but it is so well done. The call outs are so hilarious and the toys and gimmicks are so compelling, I would consider it my all time favorite. A game like Houdini was terrible (for me). The ramps were virtually impossible to hit. Great games that might not appeal to the pros... I'm guessing... Theatre of Magic, Godfather, Grand Lizard, Party Animal. Of course, Dracula, Fish Tails, No good gophers and White Water appeal to everyone.
Just my two cents for what it's worth. The pic is my son and grand daughter - who is quite good, but has never learned how to 'stack' multiballs/high scores... either.
pinballslave
Pinside member
Litvinov
12y 138K 6,389 133 149
Very good point! I don't like having to think too hard to know how to play a game of pinball, or have a rule sheet next to me to figure out what I have to do next!