13 replies to this topic

[vogliadicane]

Assuming it comes from STERN (or any other pinball manufacturer), works in a VPInCab, is well done and compatible with PinballX and Hyperpin.

I would pay something like 40 Euro (or 50 Dollars).

My thoughts: Virtual tables do NOT at all interfere with sales from the original company - nobody would not buy a real pinball because of the virtual version. If there is some interference at all, someone would buy a real machine because he/she likes the virtual version, but these are surely very few.

On the other hand companies put a lot of effort in these machines, starting at the idea, the gameplay and the overall design. So why give this away?

Both are legititme opinions, I think. So what if companies would offer a well done virtual version?

P.S.: this would better fit to the poll section, but I could not start a topic there. If some mod could transfere it there, would be great.
Edit: Thanks for moving it to the correct section!

Edited by vogliadicane, 21 September 2016 - 05:38 PM.

[lodger]

That depends on what engine the game was created in...This is one of the big places where you see that all pin sims aren't created equal. Farsight's Pinball Arcade engine is very flawed with really inaccurate flipper modeling (rails). Ask Homeworks' Zaccharia tables are very good, but I'm not the most pleased with their original tables on Iphone. VPX is an awesome engine...but there is no way for them to use that commercially, Microsoft Studio's FX2 engine is pretty good if they would restrict what the game is doing to simulating pinball, not having rigged 3d characters dancing all over the playfield and explosions everywhere while the game is going on.

 

if a table was ported with good physics, backglass and cab support I'd be willing to do $40...IF its well done and on a good engine

[chepas]

You don't have any option for $0.

 

Stern already have a deal with TPA, so I can't see them doing this.

[hauntfreaks]

I would wait a week or so... do a little RU searching and get to play them for free

[vogliadicane]

^^ true 0 Dollars or I wouldnot buy it should have been added, but I don't want to add this option now (pretty sure I could not add it now, that votes have been done, which makes sense of course).

And for the platform question: independent of some platform, so, a stand alone version, that's what I meant with well done. It is just a "what if..." idea.

P.S.: my answer for a TPA version would surely be 0 Dollars. I tested it a long time ago and it was the most lame simulation at all, just a toy, nothing more (again just an opinion).

[32assassin]

full cab support --> 10-20  per table

*and by full cab support i mean, a working back glass that can run on a second monitor, dmd support, analog and digital plunger support ect.

 

Stern  tables that run similar to TPA --> I would not want them even if they are free.

[BorgDog]

To be honest not interested in current Stern tables, virtual or not, so would not buy.

[chepas]

P.S.: my answer for a TPA version would surely be 0 Dollars. I tested it a long time ago and it was the most lame simulation at all, just a toy, nothing more (again just an opinion).

 

Pretty much where I'm coming from, that's a fair & well established point. Basically gotta lump it or leave it there with the Stern is TPA. 

[Carny_Priest]

If there is a title that is not already covered by VPX and if there is at least portrait mode then probably as much as I would pay for an FX2 table. And I always wait for a sale on FX2 tables.

[Ben Logan]

VP is my favorite by a longshot, but I'm a fan of having multiple sims on the cab. TPA is indeed releasing SternPinballArcade in the fall. They said they'd release it with a brand new physics engine, and then shortly after pulling their Kickstarter said the physics would remain the same. Total deal breaker. I wish I could hang with their ball physics. Too boring! Their flipper physics are good though, imo

[tgx]

At this point they have released for PA so I don't see it ever being compatible or sold for VPX, pus VP changes so rapidly  it would surely

require a lot of maintenance to keep them viable. Having said that Stern should create their entire library of machines for PA or any of the

retail softwares as it is just another revenue stream to keep them making the real deal which is what it's all about anyway. As cool

as VP machines are and the limitless variation that can be made, it's not the same as playing the real deal. I would love to own

a Wizard of Oz, an America's Most Haunted and any number of tables but it's not realistic financially or from a space perspective.

 

The biggest hurdle with VP is getting the darned thing to run in the configuration you want and then having everything you spent hours and

weeks tweaking to suddenly stop working after an update. It's maddening. If Stern could produce a retail product that eliminates those hassles

I'd buy a cabinet from them and table packs. Don't go trying to sell table packs at the price point of a full on machine.  It's not gonna happen.

Stern needs to think volume in the case of virtual so I'd say $5 a table. Pack of 5 for $20 or something like that. Don't try and stamp out the

homebrew market either. If your version is better than the homebrew copy, it will sell if the person can afford it. The only thing going after

homebrew does is create ill will. Be careful of locking the cabinet to the internet. Frankly I don't want the hassles. Give me a USB interface and

I'll download the tables from your website and import them. Yes you could have online tournaments and all kinds of other garbage

that very few people will actually care about but hackers will love. I just want to play pinball.

Edited by tgx, 12 December 2016 - 07:11 PM.

[Ben Logan]

It can be challenging to keep VP optimized as it evolves. But the community is totally here to help. Something I really love about VP.

[xenonph]

Funny thing is...the people making the physics for those PAY Pinballs are getting paid good money, and Visual Pinball is made by the community for free, and there really is no comparison from what I have heard. One engine is made for the love of money, and one from love of Pinball.

I would rather pay for a good VP table made right here, than pay for a crappy physics version of same game from someone who doesn't care about anything but making money.

 

Just my opinion.

 

Keep on Pinballin'

[Ben Logan]

It's a shame that FS seems to have "exclusive rights" to proprietary video versions of Williams, Bally, Gottlieb, and Stern tables. Wish they had some proprietary competition!

There is a small handful of people who make noise on the FS forum about just how shamefully unrealistic the physics engine is (me among them). It's too bad, because I tend to think "the more the merrier" when it comes to pinball sim. We try to be respectful, but honest about TPA ball physics shortcomings.

The biggest problem with TPA is that they market themselves as purists. Their advertisements even say "Real Pinball" (how can video pinball be real pinball?!). It's embarrassing. If anyone comes to real pinball from TPA, they're sure to be really frustrated when the ramps don't vacuum the ball up!

I'll say this for TPA: It's raising awareness for in the box pinball sim (and real pinball by extension). TPA is how I discovered VP, which is a daily source of fun and comraderie!