New JJP WoZ variant on and hands on with Wrestlemania at EAG show in London

[Pavlovpinball]

Hi all.

Just come back from the EAG show in London and where JJP unveiled a new WoZ variant. I also got to try out Wrestlemania.

Here's the lowdown:

http://pavlovpinball.com/wrestlemania-and-jjps-new-woz-pindemption-contraption/

Cheers,

Paul

 

[Chris Bardon]

That WOZ variant is a good idea. Sounds like it makes for a bigger programming effort, but if it gets games out in the field again, then it helps. Of course, Stern's version of redemption didn't seem to light the world on fire, but this sounds like it's much more tailored to that environment. Also, $1000 per week is pretty impressive these days if that's true. Wonder if we'll see something like this end up at Playdium, Dave & Busters, Wonderland, or somewhere similar?

 

[brad808]

I agree. I'm all for getting games out. It's important to realize the difference between the average person that goes to an arcade style place (or movie theater, bowling alley, whatever) and a pinball player. If the machine can easily converted from a dumbed down version that is suitable for an arcade style environment to something that a collector would want simply by installing different software I think that is a good idea too. Sure it would suck for the odd pinhead that wants to play on location but in the long run its better for the hobby. Something like that creates interest from the public, more money means more machines on location, and more machines getting produced. More machines getting produced is better for the used market and the hobby in general.

 

[Chris Bardon]

Also, the fact that these can be converted to "real" pins after the fact is a big plus too. Worked the same way with the Sterns I suppose, but that didn't have the timed game aspect, which I think works both ways. It keeps the non-players engaged for at least a couple of minutes, and it keeps the pinheads from monopolizing the machine (which I've heard happens with ticket dispensing Sterns).

 

[brad808]

The more I'm thinking about this the more I think having a dumbed down game on location is a really good idea. I have a lot of first timers and friends of friends come to play at my house and none of them ever know how to play. They definitely don't know what they are shooting for or even how to shoot. I would say 99% of the time someone locks a ball for multiball the person just stands there and wonders what happened and where their ball went. That's what the average person knows about pinball. If that person could walk up to a game and have a very clear indication of what to do, say shoot the left ramp and only have that lit up in a short of hurry up fashion then the game might be more enjoyable. Very basic and dumbed down. Just shoot the prison on the walking dead to start multiball on ball 3 and stuff like that.

I haven't forgotten about the pin players either. On my tspp and lotr if you hold the left flipper for a few seconds before starting the game then it will start the game in competition mode. Using that same method anyone that knows pinball machines can easily walk up to the game and hold the left flipper for a few seconds to start the full feature game. Seems like win-win to me.

 

[Chris Bardon]

Well, there were those B/W games that experimented with unlimited ball timed games back in the 90s, but that never seemed to take off. This is neat because it's specifically targeted objectives for redemption. Having the big ass LCD also gives them space to show more detailed instructions (plus look more modern than something with a DMD).