67 replies to this topic

[stuzza]

Looks like the first batch of Chinese made Virtual Pinball Machines are being pumped out of the factory.  http://www.sunamusem...t/list/?cid=243

 

I was made aware of this by a local after he saw an Aussie supplier advertising these on ebay and noticed they had my artwork on them.

 

I NEVER wanted my free art to end up on commercially made products.  I have always said that I don't have the rights to the images and they were done as a good will gesture to help some DIY users here on vpforums to finish off their cabs and make them look a bit nicer.

 

Not only that but looks like they are being fully loaded with Tables, roms etc...  I hope this doesn't have a negative impact on our niche community as it may draw unwanted attention from rights holders.

[N3roflint]

This is f**king ridiculous. This hobby is going to come to and end soon if this keeps up.

[kramer73]

How can it not have a negative impact! It’s one thing to have people recreating these table for private use and non-financial gain. It's a whole different ball game "no pun intended" if they are selling them without the copyright owners approval. I know for a fact in Australia there are secondhand pinball dealers that would love to shutdown \ Block all sites relating to VP and FP. They are seen as a threat to their business, and are responsible for a down turn in profits. Just grates me that these thieves’ that hide behind the pretense of being an entrapurner are no better than a guy down the street selling stolen car radio's.

Rant Over….
 

[mpad]

Shitsnacks

[freneticamnesic]

Junk http://www.ebay.com....a-/152104334289

That seller is going to run into issues very quickly with PPS if he really is an authorized dealer

[N3roflint]

Hauntfreaks nailed it with his example of what happened when he was involved in the copter hobby. Chinese stole their plans and made it cheaply and now that there is so much publicity it's happening with this one. The only difference is they aren't creating the table themselves they're just slapping together a cabinet and using everyones work from here.

[freneticamnesic]

I emailed PPS about this, hopefully they'll take care of this (at least in Australia)

[kramer73]

Junk http://www.ebay.com....a-/152104334289

That seller is going to run into issues very quickly with PPS if he really is an authorized dealer

 

I am confused as the guy that owns this AUS business is very much respected in the industry and has purchased the rights to remanufacture WMS and Bally spare parts. The fact it is listed as "used" makes me wonder if he has purchased it to "research" his own version.

[hauntfreaks]

lol.... well that wasn't long was it??

 

I also knew someone would say its just junk, but then again what makes it any more junk than the junk we all make?

scariest part really for the cab builders is the price $3500 US?... no one will compete with that price... no matter how much better guys think there stuff is....

been there, bottom line the average dude (not the hobbyist) will give two f**ks what we think of the product, all they see its under half the price...

and with 590 tables?... yeah,,, its VP or FP 

 

people that are scared this will screw with us... come on... is this your first hobby rodio?... never , I mean NEVER will this hobby stop, unless there is zero interest.... and as long as us geezers are around , nothing is stopping... people that are entrenched in this hobby will never stop.... it will just go underground and anyone with a clue will still be getting tables. roms, b2s's...blah blah blah 

 

thats like thinking MP3's will stop or Kodi and every other "illegal" techy endeavor..... just aint happening...

no matter if every vpin site goes down tomorrow by tuesday, there will be a new place.... and no work will be lost.... there are backups of backup, of 1000's or other backups

so rest your little pinheads and sleep with a smile on your faces that it cant and woke over go away.... well maybe for next gens but who cares we all will be dead by then.... 

[laylow]

A guy here in the Netherlands is selling Pin Station cabinets 400+ visual pinball tables, I think also with Stuzza's artwork 

 

http://www.marktplaa...usPage=lr&pos=2

Edited by laylow, 29 May 2016 - 08:41 AM.

[Rotrax]

Yeah i saw that cabinet and decided to build my own...much more fun and less crap. Outside ok inside....... I would love to see those faces when the decide to put their own table on or try to do an update....

[PinballShawn]

Hmmmmm, no mention of hardware at all. I'm curious to see the first person that actually takes the leap on this one. Honestly, it's using the same crappy Chinese components we are all using, but I'm definitely intrigued as to what it's running.

Edited by PinballShawn, 29 May 2016 - 09:54 AM.

[stuzza]

 

Junk http://www.ebay.com....a-/152104334289

That seller is going to run into issues very quickly with PPS if he really is an authorized dealer

 

I am confused as the guy that owns this AUS business is very much respected in the industry and has purchased the rights to remanufacture WMS and Bally spare parts. The fact it is listed as "used" makes me wonder if he has purchased it to "research" his own version.

 

 

I have emailed Mr pinball and he was unaware of the situation in regards to the art at least.  He may also not fully understand the software that is obviously being preloaded on these machines. (or he may do?)  He has indicated that the factory has told him they have already had machines shipped to the USA and parts of europe, so these things are going to be out there now.  He is not the only retailer selling them in Australia.  They are from the same factory that pump out MAME cabinets so I guess are being treated the same way as them as far as ignoring the fact they come preloaded with 100s of games?  I am not blaming him.

Edited by stuzza, 29 May 2016 - 11:34 AM.

[randr]

I see a bunch of unhappy customers in the near future with these pre done/pre installed cabs! Even brads customers are complaining about stuff like a virus screwed up their cab and now they have a $5,000 worthless cab which i find funny as you purchased a cab for $5,000 not the games. Stuzza sorry to see such disrespect for your hard work but people are even to lazy to come up with their own damn designs! OH! and the front button layout on that cab is the worse

[batch]

Perhaps these unhappy customers will come and ask for some help on VPForums

 

Seriously, how will they manage tables and software updates ?

[Dozer316]

Ticks and Leeches.

[hauntfreaks]

I see a bunch of unhappy customers in the near future with these pre done/pre installed cabs! Even brads customers are complaining about stuff like a virus screwed up their cab and now they have a $5,000 worthless cab which i find funny as you purchased a cab for $5,000 not the games. Stuzza sorry to see such disrespect for your hard work but people are even to lazy to come up with their own damn designs! OH! and the front button layout on that cab is the worse

 ya moocher

[BobAlbright]

I just emailed them and asked for specs on the vid card, processor, what brand tv. It will be interesting to see what they say. And it may not be filled with crap components. China is notorious for taking American ideas and making it cheaper. I hate China and they hate us. And it's run by a a young lunatic dictator. Check out the documentary "Death by China". It's pretty scary. It's on Netflix. When I hear back from them I'll let you guys know what I learned. Have a safe , happy, holiday weekend!

[hauntfreaks]

oh yeah i;ve watched them all... 

the whole "theater act" the people do when someone from another country... dont get me wrong same thing is happening here, but at least its an unseen "wizard" behind a thin veil 

China blatantly does everything from mirroring products to killing off family members for speaking out ..... I have a buddy that dates a chinese biologist, her job is to reverse engineer popular american brand foods, for copy cat companies... when you ask her how she feels ethics wise... she says "if her company doesn't do it someone else's will.... 

[freneticamnesic]

Ticks and Leeches.

I hope they choke