File Name: Medieval Madness (Williams, 1997) (FizX 3.3)
File Submitter: GeorgeH
File Submitted: 14 Nov 2024
File Category: Future Pinball
Author(s): Francisco666, Slamt1lt, Flug, GeorgeHManufacturer: Williams
Year: 1997
Permission to MOD?: Yes, without approval
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 ("Medieval Madness 1.03.zip.001", "Medieval Madness 1.03.zip.002" and "Medieval Madness 1.03.zip.003") to the same folder if you have not already done so. Then extract "Medieval Madness 1.03.zip.001" with your zip program (7Zip will work) and a folder named "Medieval Madness 1.03" will be created that contains the files you need for this table.
Although Medieval Madness was not a huge commercial success at launch, it quickly became a fan favorite and is now widely considered one of the greatest pinball machines of all time. The game features a medieval theme combined with modern elements and tongue-in-cheek humor. It was designed by Brian Eddy, who also created the highly acclaimed Attack from Mars (AFM), which I recently finished modifying. While AFM remains my favorite table, Medieval Madness is a close second.
Video Overview of the Table:
As with Attack from Mars, my goal was to enhance Medieval Madness to be functional, visually appealing, and play well using the latest BAM tools—without overloading it with excessive models or animations. As a result, the table now features four light settings, FizX 3.3, Surround Sound Feedback (SSF), and numerous new graphics. Additionally, it allows users to adjust more than 50 parameters in real-time through the Game, Lighting, and FizX menus (referred to as "tweakers"). I also installed a four-color Dot Matrix Display (DMD). Please refer to the included PDF for instructions on installing the table and the zip file.
On the MEGA 1.3.5 version of Medieval Madness, Flug added two game modes to Slamt1lt's ULTIMATE 1.02 version that are easier to play. Flug's version ended up having Slamt1lt's Normal play mode, "Mega-Multiball" and "Mega-Easy". This table modifies Flug's version. The game modes can be switched after the game loads but before the game starts by pressing the Special 2 key. There is also an option on the game tweaker that can switch game modes. The tweaker is started by pressing the Special 1 key. The instruction PDF provides discussion on how to operate the tweakers. You should however be able to navigate and operate the system by reading the overlays that appear when you start it. The only thing you really need to remember is to open the tweaker with the Special 1 key.
Video Demonstrating the "Tweakers" Menu System:
Slamt1lt’s original audio was decent, but I knew it could be improved. To enhance the sound, I added the "Sound Level Control Panel," a feature I previously developed in AFM. This tool categorizes sounds into music, game mechanical sounds, special effects, and voice quotes, each with separate volume adjustments for loud and soft levels where necessary. I also integrated these sound categories into the Game Tweaker. Since Medieval Madness contains four times as many voice quotes and more than double the total number of audio files as AFM, the process of fine-tuning the sound was much more time-consuming.
I’ve heard that some cabinet users have trouble hearing the ball rolling sound on some tables. To address this, I added the same option I used in AFM to lower the volume of all other sounds except for the ball rolling sound. Note that Future Pinball provides two options to adjust music and game sounds. I recommend setting both to maximum and not using them, as the music manager includes various non-musical sounds that are best managed through the Game Tweaker’s sound options.
Since I don't have a cabinet setup myself, a user known as Enthusiast generously helped me test the table on his cabinet. I’ve put in my best effort to provide the best playing experience on both desktop PCs and pinball cabinets. As part of this effort, I included three versions of the table in the download:
- Main Version – For desktops, cabinets with two monitors, and virtual reality headsets.
- Three-Monitor Version – For cabinets with three monitor displays, which removes the speaker panel from the backbox texture and aligns the lights to the texture.
- Rotated Display Version – For desktop PCs with a single desktop PC monitor that can rotate to a portrait orientation.
I prefer to play the rotated display version on my desktop PC, as it fills about 90% of the monitor's available space. In contrast, the full table 2 view in Future Pinball only occupies about 50% of the screen, not including the HUD, which isn't necessary for the rotated display version. The rotated display offers a much more immersive and engaging gameplay experience. I’ve recorded a video that explains the simple setup process and showcases some gameplay:
Video Demonstrating the Rotated Display Version:
I want to express my sincere gratitude to Enthusiast for his invaluable help testing the table on his pinball cabinet.
I’m always looking for ways to improve my table modifications. In this version, I figured out how to display a color background on DMD frames that show text. I also enhanced the lightning effects added by Slamt1lt. I’ve added several new frames of lightning on the backwall and thunder sounds, which now play randomly, and I’ve introduced a spotlight effect that illuminates the castle during the lightning sequence. This effect now plays during several game modes, as well as during the attract mode, greatly enhancing the drama of the game.
I worked on this table every day for the last two months. It required a lot of effort, but it was also incredibly fun. I hope you enjoy playing it as much as I have.
— George
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