25 replies to this topic

[Warbler33]

File Name: Strikes N' Spares (Gottlieb 1995)

File Submitter: Warbler33

File Submitted: 26 Dec 2021

File Category: VPX/VPinMAME Recreations

Author(s): mfuegemann
zany
Warbler33
Manufacturer: Gottlieb
Year: 1995
Media Pack: Link to Media Pack
Permission to MOD?: Yes, with approval

Here's a VPX conversion of Gottlieb's Strikes N' Spares table from 1995. (Not to be confused with Bally's "Strikes and Spares" from 1978).
 
I saw a picture of a real table online and thought it looked cool. When I tried to find a VPX version online, I hit a dead end. There appears to have been one at some point, but it was probably lost in the VPinball shutdown. However, I did find mfuegemann's VP9 version, so I decided to try converting that to VPX.
 
So, huge thanks to mfuegemann and zany for their work on the VP9 version and mfuegemann's permission to post my conversion. There's no way I could've made this table without their prior work - especially zany's 3D models and mfuegemann's playfield redraw.
 
Like most VPX tables, I haven't had the chance to play a real version of the table, so hopefully I got the game working correctly. I'm sure it could also look even better if someone improved my lighting, etc.
 
In addition to the table, I've included a Tarcisio style wheel in the download. The backglass and the non-Tarcisio style wheel are available for download elsewhere on the site.
 
Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
 
***
 
IMPORTANT DMD SETUP INFO:
 
The real table apparently had 2 DMD screens. Visual Pinball will attempt to display both screens' information on one screen unless you do the following:
 
1) Run table
 
2) While it's running, hit F1 to make a menu pop up
 
3) Make sure the "Show DMD/Display window" box is CHECKED and that the "Use external DMD (dll)" box is UNCHECKED. (I also suggest checking the "Double Display Size" box)
 
4) Click "Ok"
 
5) Quit to Editor
 
6) Start the table and then you should be able to move the display to the backglass, or wherever you want it. You might need to right-click the backglass and disable "bring to front" if the DMD keeps being hidden behind it.

Click here to download this file

[wiesshund]

It was here, by 32asassin and i think VPU also, but not on vpinball

but i think he removed it for some reason, not sure why

 

Bally's is Strikes and Spares

Gottlieb's is Strikes 'N Spares  

 

And yes, as DMD panels only came in 128x32 LEDs the score required two panels

and freezy's cant do that, yet anyways

 

I use this backglass from HiRez

 

Strikes N' Spares (Gottlieb 1995) Alternate Dual Mode Backglass [dB2S] - dB2S Animated Backglasses - VPForums.org

[tmpc]

Fun table, thanks.

[teisen]

for me only the sound of credits but it doesn't start the table

 

any extra procedures to make it work?

 

thankful

[barneyrfd]

Same issue for me, loads up fine, coins drop but no action beyond that...

[Warbler33]

for me only the sound of credits but it doesn't start the table
 
any extra procedures to make it work?
 
thankful

Oh right, I forgot that this can happen sometimes. Assuming you have the correct ROM, it still sometimes gets stuck when putting in credits after you first install the table. Try switching your nvram file for this table out with my copy: [link removed] - I'll add it to the download eventually, but for now, people can grab it from there. Hopefully that helps.

 

Edit: The nvram file is now available for download in a zip folder alongside the table itself.

Edited by Warbler33, 24 January 2022 - 04:02 PM.

[teisen]

 

for me only the sound of credits but it doesn't start the table
 
any extra procedures to make it work?
 
thankful

Oh right, I forgot that this can happen sometimes. Assuming you have the correct ROM, it still sometimes gets stuck when putting in credits after you first install the table. Try switching your nvram file for this table out with my copy: https://drive.google...iew?usp=sharing - I'll add it to the download eventually, but for now, people can grab it from there. Hopefully that helps

 

 

Problem solved!

 

thank you so much

[mbarland]

nvram file fixed it for me. Now it plays. I do get some slowdown and jerkiness when there's two or more balls in play. I think it might be related to the pins moving at the same time.

 

Core i5-4570 w/ GTX 750Ti on a 1080 playfield. Now that I type it out I see how dated that looks, but this is the first table that's really struggled. 

 

 

[wiesshund]

 

nvram file fixed it for me. Now it plays. I do get some slowdown and jerkiness when there's two or more balls in play. I think it might be related to the pins moving at the same time.

 

Core i5-4570 w/ GTX 750Ti on a 1080 playfield. Now that I type it out I see how dated that looks, but this is the first table that's really struggled. 

 

 

 

 

Pretty sure there should not be 2 or more balls in play on this machine

[Pmax65]

Hi Warbler33
first of all, thank you for converting to VPX this nice and not conventional table.

On my cabinet I experience the very same issue as per mbarland.

I just want to highlight you that my cabinet starts to have slowdown and jerkiness after some balls are played, and little by little the game become jerky.
I must exit the table and re-enter it to get some balls behaving good and then the game returns slow and jerky.

Edited by Pmax65, 28 December 2021 - 05:24 PM.

[clyde]

Thanks for this vpx conversion, i thought i already had this table, but i was wrong.         

Edited by clyde, 28 December 2021 - 10:03 PM.

[megashub]

Just adding another voice to the choir of sluggish/jerky performance mid-way into a game. Otherwise, the table is great! I'm very grateful for all the hard work.

 

Edit to add link to example of gameplay lag, in case it's helpful: https://streamable.com/o6j00n

Edited by megashub, 29 December 2021 - 07:58 AM.

[jrockrat]

Seems like it could be a fun game, but like others have mentioned I get the sluggish, jerky thing happening after a few frames and it becomes unplayable. Hopefully there is an easy fix for this because this would be a unique and fun table I think.

[Warbler33]

To everyone experiencing performance issues: If you manage to remedy your issues, let me know what you did and I can upload an update. Otherwise, I can't help you with this table. (So please stop echoing the same performance issue reports, unless you're also explaining how you fixed the problem). I only converted the VP9 table because I wanted to play Strikes N' Spares in VPX. It works well enough for me to play the table, and if it works for you too, that's great. If not, maybe check out some of the other hundreds of VPX tables available to you and play those instead.

 

Oh, and on that note, here's a PSA to thank authors you enjoy the work of. And I don't mean my tables, I mean go thank the people who make the tables you enjoy playing. Or the people who create your shiny backglasses and wheels and whatever else you use. Even just a like or a rating on their file will be appreciated by them! It's usually the only reward they receive for sharing with the rest of us.

Edited by Warbler33, 31 December 2021 - 09:23 PM.

[Wylte]

Watching the video posted, it seems like the choppiness coincides with a sound effect going off, possibly triggering a new state the table goes into. Maybe a timer or something that is started there and continues when it shouldn't or is running too rapidly, hogging performance? I can't play for a few days or else I'd try to take a look and help out more!

[xenonph]

EDIT:

I always seem to get a little choppiness on tables that have a lot of live balls after playing them awhile.

Carry on.

Edited by xenonph, 01 January 2022 - 04:28 AM.

[remiperrin]

Hello

who have snspares.nv? The free play mode is capricious

Thx

[Warbler33]

Hello

who have snspares.nv? The free play mode is capricious

Thx

Did you check the downloads for this release? It should be in "Strikes N' Spares - Troubleshoot text files & nvram.zip"

 

Let me know if it's not because I thought I put it in that folder.

[jimform2k1]

Hello,

 

How do I get this background for this vpx table?  I only see a grey background to the left/right of the table.  All my other tables have some sort of default backgraound.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

Thanks for this vpx conversion, i thought i already had this table, but i was wrong.         

[xenonph]

You can download the VP9 DT version here..

https://www.vpforums...&showfile=11109

 

Open table in editor,

Click Table tab at top of Editor,

Click Image Manager,

Click on Strikes N Spares image in Image Manager,

Click Export,

 

Now Open VPX table in Editor,

And go to Image Manager,

And click Import,

Now you have DT Backdrop made by my friend Batch!!

Be sure to select image in the editor to use the Backdrop.

With both Backdrop and Options tab pressed on left side of editor, you will find on right side of editor option where you select the image.

 

You can find his other DT Backdrops here but this particular table is not included in his Backdrop Packages..

https://www.vpforums...&showfile=13498

Edited by xenonph, 11 February 2022 - 11:26 PM.