The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => Photo Gallery => Pinball nostalgia pics => Topic started by: swinks on July 19, 2013, 02:39:25 PM
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I have only been into collecting pinballs since 2010 and along the way have seen just a few images and read little tid bits here and there about the Steve Erwin's - Crocodile Hunter Outback Adventure Pinball and understand it was pulled in 2006 due to his death but given that Steve is no longer with us for a while now (I do say this with all respect to his family and wish that he never lost his life) that this could be brought back to life as it would be a great tribute to him, his family and what they stood for - animal conservation and has the potential to be a fun pin.
Does any one have any other info other than what's on IPDB?
Does anyone have a image of the playfield layout or art?
http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5793
on theme alone I would buy this in a flash.....
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Crikey () what would be a good one ^^^
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(http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu338/earlymodelkits/croc10_zps826aef9b.jpg)
(http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu338/earlymodelkits/smileys-beer-817053_zps341d2d63.gif)
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taken from the IPDB site
"The game images presented in the flyer and the other art shown here are computer-generated, as this game never went into production. It was to be manufactured under license from Bally. Wayne Gillard, Managing Director of The Pinball Factory, tells us that with the untimely death of Steve Irwin, the licensing collapsed. We asked him to confirm our understanding that 25 translites were made and he replied that parts were ordered for 25 prototype games. Only two whitewoods were made, a sample cabinet and a production cabinet, the latter having the same artwork as shown in the flyer."
Also I did start the thread in the Pinball Nostalgia because it is a bit of Aussie History that never happened - a shame
But if anyone has seen a cabinet for themselves or a playfield and can share a pic or more would be awesome.
and another link
http://www.pinballnews.com/news/irwin.html
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http://pinside.com/pinball/archive/crocodile-hunter-outback-adventure/stories/coming-soon ((( ((( @@^
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found this also
http://www.pinballnews.com/news/australia7.html
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on the nose &^&
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/The-Crocodile-Hunter-Outback-Adventure-Pinball-Translite-Framed-Artwork-/151083504372?pt=AU_CoinOp&hash=item232d4752f4
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Here's a blast from RGP past - just after the unfortunate Mr Irwin passed, the already overdue project was suddenly put "on hold".
Rec Games Pinball 04/09/2006
We regret to inform the pinball community that Steve Irwin has died.
Our Crocodile Hunter Project is now on Hold.
We pass our thoughts onto Steve's Family.
:tumble: So far that's almost a seven year hold.......... :tumble:
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Haha I remember the $hit fight about this on rpg years ago (plus the subsequent pins that were going to happen), it wasn't long after this I gave up reading about online pinball stuff until recently.
I never knew it got as far as a whitewood.
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I recently gathered there was crap in the past against Wayne but I am not interested in re-hashing the promises, more interested if someone has played a game on it or if people know about any other info as it sounds like a playfield got artwork (maybe just on the computer screen) and read somewhere that it was going to have a plasma where the translite is.
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As far as I am aware a full playable prototype was never built, well not that I ever saw.
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Nothing more to add I'm afraid. The translites are all that i am aware were made. No pf or proto game to try.
Hey that reminds me. Has anyone heard more from this european guy who pimps games to the extreme way passed my liking but was going to revive the pin2000 game wizard blocks. If you have and is worthwhile, please post a thread
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I do not recall any playfield art ever being shown. From memory the photoshoped picture of a complete game was floating around, but you could see it was an I500 (I think) playfield under the glass.
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I spoke with Wayne Gillard about this game a few years ago.
He told me that Steves wife was the one that put a stop to the game going forward as she thought it may have been disrespectable, at the time, to follow through with it.
One game was indeed made though.
Wayne told me he gave the machine to Steves wife in the hope that if she saw the game there she may eventually have a change of heart and allow production to continue.
He also told me that making a pinball machine from scratch was an enormous undertaking and he quickly realised he had bitten off more than he could chew.
Wayne gave me a little insight into some of his issues with Medi Madness so I don't think this would ever happen, even if Steves wife (I can't remember her name) changed her mind.
A shame really as it would've been cool to see the end result of this pin idea.
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Wow I never knew one actually got built. Shame there are no pics of it I would be curious to see it.
I wonder how complete stuff like code was on it.
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^^^
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I do not believe that a single machine was completed. Keep in mind this was to have a brand new operating system that never saw the light of day. If anyone believes a rule set code was written for that one game, well, I have a great bridge you might like to buy.........
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I do not believe that a single machine was completed. Keep in mind this was to have a brand new operating system that never saw the light of day. If anyone believes a rule set code was written for that one game, well, I have a great bridge you might like to buy.........
I do agree with you, and if you went to all that work re-theme it and pump it out.....
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He never elaborated on how completed the game was, only that it was made and the Irwin family have it.
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The schedule/ build timeline was pretty much on track in 2006. In that year Steve approved the art and everything was moving along well with preorders and marketing. Sep 4, 2006 hit and everything went to the wall.
I have one of the few remaining production flyers. On the paper it showed the original cabinet design, Bally trademark and nice looking artwork. It was shaping up to be something pretty special.
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I have seen A (note A indicating singular) completed cabinet/headbox with the cabinet/headbox artwork applied.
At the time it was an EMPTY SHELL and being used as a receptacle for spare parts/various bits of junk in their warehouse.
The artwork looked exactly as it does in the flyer so I presume it was a production version.
The headbox reminded me at the time of a narrower Pin2000 type or a Sharkeys Shootout with the curved sides.
I do remember taking a pic and will try and find it on one of my ext hard drives if possible and upload it.
This would have been in late 2010.
I also remember getting a hold of a couple of sound bytes/clips of some VERY basic code from the machine. It basically consisted of Steve Irwin repeating his typical catchcries of, "Take a look at this little beauty" and the rather apt, "We've got a problem". Again, I'll try and locate them on one of my ext hard drives.
As for the rest of the machine-
coding/ruleset - no way
playfield art - no way
Playable version in existence - not a chance.
http://www.pinballnews.com/news/australia7.html
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The schedule/ build timeline was pretty much on track in 2006. In that year Steve approved the art and everything was moving along well with preorders and marketing. Sep 4, 2006 hit and everything went to the wall.
I have one of the few remaining production flyers. On the paper it showed the original cabinet design, Bally trademark and nice looking artwork. It was shaping up to be something pretty special.
Chris, like this flyer #@#
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BALLY-CROCODILE-HUNTER-OUTBACK-ADVENTURE-PINBALL-MACHINE-FLYER-PROTOTYPE-RARE-/151040089248?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232ab0dca0
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thanks for sharing as well as anything else we can add - might become a type of time capsule of what almost could of happened.
What a bummer it didn't
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I do not believe that a single machine was completed. Keep in mind this was to have a brand new operating system that never saw the light of day. If anyone believes a rule set code was written for that one game, well, I have a great bridge you might like to buy.........
I do agree with you, and if you went to all that work re-theme it and pump it out.....
And if you had that ability then the mm remake was 100% easier given every design aspect was established and zero coding needed.
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The schedule/ build timeline was pretty much on track in 2006. In that year Steve approved the art and everything was moving along well with preorders and marketing. Sep 4, 2006 hit and everything went to the wall.
I have one of the few remaining production flyers. On the paper it showed the original cabinet design, Bally trademark and nice looking artwork. It was shaping up to be something pretty special.
Chris, like this flyer #@#
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BALLY-CROCODILE-HUNTER-OUTBACK-ADVENTURE-PINBALL-MACHINE-FLYER-PROTOTYPE-RARE-/151040089248?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232ab0dca0
Yep Luke, that's the one. I have a decent flyer collection. Was happy to pick one up :)
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And if you had that ability then the mm remake was 100% easier given every design aspect was established and zero coding needed.
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Good point...And even that couldn't get off the ground properly. I guess it's a bit different when large amounts of money is paid for a licence (Australia Zoo and Steve)
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thanks for sharing as well as anything else we can add - might become a type of time capsule of what almost could of happened.
What a bummer it didn't
Agree shame we never saw a completed game.
It would be a massive undertaking to build a pin, particularly your first one! No doubt a lot of time and money was sunk into it, then for it to never come to fruition (even tho the theme never appealed to me) its still a shame.
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Good point...And even that couldn't get off the ground properly. I guess it's a bit different when large amounts of money is paid for a licence (Australia Zoo and Steve)
If the claimed reason for ceasing production, that the estate of Irwin withdraw the license, then you would expect the fees would have had to be refunded.
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Yes the bulk of the money was apparently spared. However the initial application/lawyer/ artist approval fees went down the drain. Such is life.
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This sounds like an awesome concepts. Pity it never made it to production! Though I imagine hearing it shout CRIKEY over and over again would get old pretty quick!
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The flyer looks great. Its a pitty the machine never went into full production.
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Back when I was into pins, most everything I read was from RGP.
I don't know if it was just an odd attitude for the fellers on that site or if they were correct, but back then I got the idea that Wayne G. never did much for pinball ever. After the Medieval Madness madness, once I heard the CH hunter project was scrapped I wasn't surprised at all. I just remember thinking that if half the talk was true and Wayne was as capable of creating a new game from scratch as he was on the MM remake or other (lack of) contributions to pinball, then even if the Irwin family hadn't experienced their tragedy the pinball game would never have reached completion, let alone production.
Again, I don't know how accurate the portrayal of Wayne was and all my info came from RGP. But I am certain that I would have required much proof before sending any money Wayne's direction. There seemed to be a lot of "bad blood" back then.
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The theme of this game would have been like going to the Australia Zoo, and ther-in lys the problem.
How many times do u visit a Zoo each year before u get bored n think that will do it for another year or two. And why do people go to the Zoo, for the young kids....So, to me, playing this machine would have become very old very quickly in my mind.
Steve was a great ambassador for wildlife n charity etc etc, but how many times could you hear the pinball machine say Crikey, or snake, or crocodile before u would want to turn it off.
The Americans would probably liked the Aussie Wild Bush n Zoo theme alot more because it is new n different to them, but to Aussies, this title would have become a kids corner machine, with adults probably turning their nose up at it rather quickly. just my 2 cents worth.
It seemed to fit 12 and 15 yr old kids alot better like the Ranger Stacey show in the arfternoon 3pm time slot for young girls who want to save dolphins and work at the vet when they grow up....I never thought it would do well here no matter what cause the theme was too Australian n therefore a bit too predictable.....
anyone else think the same ...?? !@# !@#
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The theme of this game would have been like going to the Australia Zoo, and ther-in lys the problem.
How many times do u visit a Zoo each year before u get bored n think that will do it for another year or two. And why do people go to the Zoo, for the young kids....So, to me, playing this machine would have become very old very quickly in my mind.
Steve was a great ambassador for wildlife n charity etc etc, but how many times could you hear the pinball machine say Crikey, or snake, or crocodile before u would want to turn it off.
The Americans would probably liked the Aussie Wild Bush n Zoo theme alot more because it is new n different to them, but to Aussies, this title would have become a kids corner machine, with adults probably turning their nose up at it rather quickly. just my 2 cents worth.
It seemed to fit 12 and 15 yr old kids alot better like the Ranger Stacey show in the arfternoon 3pm time slot for young girls who want to save dolphins and work at the vet when they grow up....I never thought it would do well here no matter what cause the theme was too Australian n therefore a bit too predictable.....
anyone else think the same ...?? !@# !@#
I would have to disagree, as that is an odd comparison, I have a creature pinball based on a CFTBL movie and played it probably over 1000 times since owning, of course I wouldn't watch the movie 1000 times but the game is just that a game. We all turn on a game trying to reach the ultimate goal and enjoy the rule set and beat it.
Steve was loved by the US and Aussies and I travelled at the time pre kids to pay my respects and visit and checked out his zoo, what a top aussie.
For me I would love this pin as it would be based on something Aussie and has potential for some fun playfield toys.
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Back when I was into pins, most everything I read was from RGP.
I don't know if it was just an odd attitude for the fellers on that site or if they were correct, but back then I got the idea that Wayne G. never did much for pinball ever. After the Medieval Madness madness, once I heard the CH hunter project was scrapped I wasn't surprised at all. I just remember thinking that if half the talk was true and Wayne was as capable of creating a new game from scratch as he was on the MM remake or other (lack of) contributions to pinball, then even if the Irwin family hadn't experienced their tragedy the pinball game would never have reached completion, let alone production.
Again, I don't know how accurate the portrayal of Wayne was and all my info came from RGP. But I am certain that I would have required much proof before sending any money Wayne's direction. There seemed to be a lot of "bad blood" back then.
There was a lot of bad blood the day the WMS rights landed on Australian soil. I don't think Croc Hunter would have been a hit as much as a Crocodile Dundee. Regarding the MM remake, I understand that people who bought into the project were paid their deposit upon request. That's a lot better than other games from other distributors who are still fighting for their deposits today !
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I would have to disagree, as that is an odd comparison, I have a creature pinball based on a CFTBL movie and played it probably over 1000 times since owning, of course I wouldn't watch the movie 1000 times but the game is just that a game. We all turn on a game trying to reach the ultimate goal and enjoy the rule set and beat it.
Steve was loved by the US and Aussies and I travelled at the time pre kids to pay my respects and visit and checked out his zoo, what a top aussie.
For me I would love this pin as it would be based on something Aussie and has potential for some fun playfield toys.
Agree with swinks.
Crocodile Hunter was far more popular in the US than Australia and to his credit WG at least had the foresight to see that you don't eliminate the largest pinball market on the planet when you are trying to build a machine from scratch.
It may not have sold as well in Australia, but some people really need to start accepting that Australia is a drop in the ocean in terms of total new pinball sales.
Plus Crocodile Hunter to its credit, at least had the ability to be multi-generational as swinks has shown - something that WOZ has also tried to achieve.
There was a lot of bad blood the day the WMS rights landed on Australian soil. I don't think Croc Hunter would have been a hit as much as a Crocodile Dundee. Regarding the MM remake, I understand that people who bought into the project were paid their deposit upon request. That's a lot better than other games from other distributors who are still fighting for their deposits today !
Funnily enough, the private members forum for the original MM remake is still ticking along (albeit slowly).
It seems there are a few diehards hanging in there.
From what I have heard, less than a dozen.
Last post was April 18.
I guess there are only so many ways you can post pictures of troll heads before people decide to jump ship. &&
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There was a lot of bad blood the day the WMS rights landed on Australian soil. I don't think Croc Hunter would have been a hit as much as a Crocodile Dundee. Regarding the MM remake, I understand that people who bought into the project were paid their deposit upon request. That's a lot better than other games from other distributors who are still fighting for their deposits today !
Personally I don't think bad blood due to nationalism entered into but a handful of minds. I doubt reasonable people cared where the ownership lie as long as pinball moved forward. Therein lies the issue I think. Again, it was RGP and lots of volatile personalities and all that so who knows, but the way the scene was portrayed was that Wayne G. seemed to be spending a ton of time filtering through the internet to find targets for sending legal proof of a coveting obsession rather than focusing on the MM remake or even distributing parts so folks could keep their hobby chugging along. Whatever the truth is, it was evident that he was buried in enough distraction that no big pinball project of his stood a chance of reaching fruition. If all who asked got their deposits back, at least the guy deserves credit for not being a thief.