The Dude is coming

frolic · Dec 27, 2013

I am glad they didn't go down the "false scarcity" route of a limited run. So people have a choice. I'm really tired of that trick.

I threw my money down to crowd fund them and show support, this is too niche a title, it will never be a huge seller no matter what.

DRANO · Dec 27, 2013

I agree. And I'm a big supporter of "new pinball", but I also like to think that I've already done my fair share with pre-orders on RAZA and Predator.

I'll be happy enough to jump in at payment #2 or #3... whenever they release some designs.
Sounds like they are still very much at square one; with only the license taken care of.

frolic · Dec 27, 2013

Here is a crazy story.... I've been wanting to diversify my business interests, and finding new businesses to invest in. I've spent a lot of time thinking on where money is to be made with pinball. I actually considered approaching pinball designers about a TBL, and even staking the license money. Never went past the "thinking about it" stage, but yeah... really wanted to see this happen. So I'm getting it cheap now ;-).

frolic · Dec 28, 2013

A side note... Canadians are getting a bit of a break on price apparently.

I was charged in euros, the conversion to my CC came to $932 for the first $1k payment.

If the exchange keeps the same, that would mean getting the game for $7922 CAN (+taxes and shipping).

If they charged us US $, the game would cost around $8925 + tax, shipping.

I notice on their ordering system, american customers are charged us $ automatically, but canadians are charged in euros. So.... good deal for us!

necro_nemesis · Dec 28, 2013

FWIW I wouldn't plan on a strong loonie if your buying from the U.S. later this year.

http://www.thestar.com/business/economy ... _bank.html

I also believe the days of readily collecting deposits on pinball concepts is nearing an end. There appeared to be a perception that if a game didn't deliver on ones expectations the price of admission could easily be translated into a tidy profit selling to others waiting in line. That may turn out to be a misconception as people are no longer readily willing to commit simply on good promotion and little substance as the games may not live up to expectations nor provide any guarantee of timely delivery and arrive in a state of completion. Manufacturers are going to have to be more accountable for their claims to draw out the almighty dollar especially as more and more startups try to enter the market.

DRANO · Dec 29, 2013

I'm also being cautious here because, as much as TBL is a great theme, who's to say these guys can turn out a good table?
I'd much rather have a great playing game with a crap theme (ie. Shadow) than an awesome theme that doesn't deliver. To my knowledge, this group has never designed or produced a custom game and they don't employ any actual pinball designers with any real industry experience.
I'll be happy to file this under "let's wait and see"

spiroagnew · Dec 29, 2013

Here's hoping this project gets off the ground and sees success. Personally, I won't be a NIB buyer, but it would give hope to dead licences everywhere that a fifteen year old movie with a niche cult following can be a successful theme for a pin.

Luckydogg420 · Dec 29, 2013

With how nice the bop 2.0 software looks, I'm convinced they will have the software side of the build down. I'd assume they follow the wrath of Olympus machine build, and create a virtual table first then make it real. I've also noticed threads on pinside for "what should be included in the game" so this game should be full of good ideas. Weather or not they can see them through to fruition is a different story.

I feel that I have the mechanical skills to build a pinball machine, although I know I couldn't design or program a game as complex or fun as woz. with a generic fan layout and good software you could please a lot of people. ....but to please them to the tune of $8500 is another story.

DRANO · Dec 29, 2013

I share the same basic skills of most pinball designers as we are all basically industrial designers, but I also know there is a lot more than that. These guys will most definitely have the coding and art aspect down.

I think the VP design approach prior to a real build is a fantastic model. With much less investment, you can play the machine and even share with others before any wood gets cut. It's a very appealing model.
I wonder how the coding on a VP table can then be translated to a real machine using something like PROC or another system?

And I also agree that, if you play it safe and deliver a fan layout and use all the great crowd-sourced ideas they're getting, it should be a no brainer to pull off a decent game. But, it doesn't give me a huge warm and fuzzy when a pinball developer says "send me $1000 and your ideas" :shock:

necro_nemesis · Dec 30, 2013

DRANO said:
But, it doesn't give me a huge warm and fuzzy when a pinball developer says "send me $1000 and your ideas" :shock:

All it will take is someone ending up holding the proverbial bag on one of these pre-orders for some common sense to kick in. What are people going on? Track record? Reputation? Past performance = future performance? People's greed?

At least give us a Nordmanite mock up to look at. :lol:

DRANO · Dec 30, 2013

Nordmanite... LOL!

I have no doubt these guys will produce 'something'. I'd just like a little more info is all.
I don't think anyone will be left holding the bag; but I'm also low on faith these days. Two long term pre-orders is plenty for me.

frolic · Dec 30, 2013

The debate is almost moot since DP has been clear you can buy them when they are ready. I wish they hadn't taken pre-orders now because that has polluted the discussion when we could otherwise be excited about a TBL one day actually existing.

necro_nemesis · Dec 30, 2013

That's good news. This limited edition, limited production, pre-order requirement, yaddy yadda BS trying to create a sense of collectability is wearing thin. If you have a good product people will pay you a fair price for it period.

dos.reboot · Dec 30, 2013

I wouldn't be surprised if they announced a big-name designer at that price point. Things would get really interesting if Lawlor came on board.

DRANO · Dec 30, 2013

dos.reboot said:
I wouldn't be surprised if they announced a big-name designer at that price point. Things would get really interesting if Lawlor came on board.

This was my original hope as well... but with so many 'artists' on their team already, I'm not sure this is going to happen.
Besides, these guys would have to pay him and I don't think a small run title like TBL is going to pull in THAT much money. Especially if they build it anything like JJP games.

necro_nemesis · Dec 30, 2013

More buying options are all a good movement back to not buying on speculation. Hopefully it returns to suppliers stocking and showing their wares thereby offering the consumer the luxury of making informed decisions by allowing the product to speak for itself. Problems like incomplete software packages will resolve themselves as customers speak with their wallets and not their concerns over being left behind. It seems like there is a substantial number of people willing to pay the price for a quality product but the industry has become cavalier in the treatment of their customers. In short competition appears necessary at this juncture. Stern eked out a profit and stayed afloat when the industry was in flux largely by having a monopoly but the industry has found solid ground in home buyers and that transition is now in full swing.

Chambahz · Dec 31, 2013

Seems odd you paid less than $1000 CDN for a $1000 credit.
Our dollar is well below the Euro and below the US dollar.
I don't understand how this is working out in your favor -though I'm happy to hear you're getting a good deal!

frolic · Dec 31, 2013

Final charge on my CC was a little higher than the initial pre-auth. So not quite a deal, but still a bit under $1k.

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