No replies to this topic

[GeorgeH]

File Name: Attack From Mars (Bally-Midway, 1995) (FizX 3.3)

File Submitter: GeorgeH

File Submitted: 11 Aug 2024

File Category: Future Pinball

Author(s): Francisco666, Moogster66, PinBalt, Polygame, Drakko, Slamt1lt, Tomasaco, Gimli, SpacePirateScott, Enthusiast, GeorgeH
Manufacturer: Bally
Year: 1995
Permission to MOD?: Unspecified

Note: I had to create a split zip file to have file sizes less than 100MB. To unzip this table, you must download each of the 3 zip files on the download link.  You will need to unzip each of the 3 files.  Then you need to save the extracted files ("Attack From Mars 1.03.zip.001", "Attack From Mars 1.03.zip.002" and "Attack From Mars 1.03.zip.003") to the same folder if you have not already done so.  Then extract " Attack From Mars 1.03.zip.001" with your zip program (7Zip will work) and a folder named " Attack From Mars 1.03" will be created that contains the files you need for this table.
 
Attack From Mars has always been my favorite pinball table. It was designed with simple rules to attract newcomers, keeping players engaged and entertained without requiring a deep understanding of complex strategies. This approach works well for me, as I often forget the rules after not playing the table for a while. Additionally, I love it because I'm a sci-fi fan, and the aliens perform amusing antics during the game, such as straightening the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
 
Video that Provides an Overview of the Table:

 
My goal was to enhance this table to be both functional and visually appealing, without excessive models and animations. As a result, it now features four lighting settings, FizX 3.3, Surround Sound Feedback (SSF), and numerous new graphics. My friend SpacePirateScott added the Super Skill Shot, which was surprisingly absent in previous Future Pinball (FP) versions. I also installed a four-color Dot Matrix Display (DMD). Please follow the instructions in the PDF file included in the download for installing the table and the DMD zip file. I initially used the lighting from version 1.02-2 but revised it extensively.
 
The original version of the table plunged into complete darkness when the ball hit certain objects, a feature that persisted through subsequent versions. I found this excessive, so I adjusted it to slightly dim the lights when the ball hits objects on the playfield and further darken them when the ball drains. I believe these adjustments enhance the visual experience.
 
I replaced the old menu system from version 1.02-2 with what Gimli and I refer to as "tweakers." This is the first table since Avatar where I've included Game and Lighting tweakers. It took some time to develop a standardized code template for new tables, which I used for this table. I also devised a more effective method for managing preset options, which I added to the FizX and Game tweakers, as explained in the accompanying video.
 
Video Demonstrating the Menu System I Call "Tweakers":

 
Initially, I thought the sound in version 1.02-2 was satisfactory until I integrated Fleep's game sound recordings. I then noticed that certain sounds, particularly the ball rolling sounds, were indistinct. To address this, I introduced the "Sound Level Control Panel," a feature I've implemented in other tables. This involved categorizing sounds into music, game mechanical sounds, special effects, and voice quotes, each with separate volume adjustments for loud and soft levels where necessary.
 
For the first time, I've integrated options for the script-based "Sound Level Control Panel" into the Game Tweaker. While these options still appear in the script, they are now used as default values accessible via the tweaker. Having sound controls on the tweaker allows for real-time adjustments. I've read that some cabinet users struggle to hear the ball rolling sound, and TerryRed suggested that lowering the volume of all other sounds is the only solution. Therefore, I added an option to the tweaker to facilitate this adjustment. FP provides two options to adjust music and game sounds. I recommend setting both to maximum and not use them, as the music manager includes various non-musical sounds that are best managed through the Game Tweaker's sound options.
 
A user known as Enthusiast helped me test the table on his cabinet. He encountered some difficulty opening the tweaker after installing the table. To display the tweaker on the playfield apron, the HUD needs to be turned off. Enthusiast used the "Hide Overlays" option in BAM’s Addons menu to turn off all HUD displays.  He was unaware that he also needed to manually turn off the HUD to display the tweaker on the playfield apron. To address this, I added code that automatically detects when the table is being played on a cabinet and turns the HUD off. Enthusiast tested this update and was able to install the table on his cabinet without having to make any changes or adjustments to the table.
 
I want to express my gratitude to Enthusiast for his significant help. He requested a version of the table for a 3-monitor pinball cabinet, which I created and gave to him but also included it in the download. This version works on his cabinet.
 
Features carried over from Version 1.02-2:

• The number of Martians killed during the current game and the Martian champion count are displayed when the "Martian Attack Multiball" mode ends. You can also press the "M" key on your keyboard at any time to display these counts.
• Added bulbs under the plastics that produce a glow through the plastics.
• The maximum score has been increased from about 2 billion points to 922 trillion due to BAM coding.
• Added Gimli's multiplayer mod, which provides correct prompts for adding players and includes a method for adding the high score at the end of the game.

I want to express my appreciation for SpacePirateScott's contributions to this table. He performed extensive testing and added the Super Skill Shot, shich works by holding the left flipper down while launching the ball and then hitting one of the targets with a flashing red light to earn 50 million points. This is a modification of one of Slamt1lt's tables. While I had to remove a few of the features he added, most remain. Please refer to the script for all his changes.
 
I changed this table more than I originally anticipated, resulting in a long development time. Since this is my favorite table, I invested everything I had into it. Not only were new BAM features added but some latent problems from previous versions were also resolved.  I believe these improvements have significantly enhanced the table. I hope you enjoy it.
 
George
 

Click here to download this file