I was able to get to the JJP3 launch party as i was down in Melbourne for work. The day was fantastic and a credit to the organisers. There were around 17 machines to play, including 2 x Hobbit and Dialed In. Jersey Jack had a few presentations and it was great to meet a bunch of other pinheads. Special mention to member here Cursed who helped out by picking me up a couple of times to help get around Melbourne. There were also some other info sessions such as Tim from Hot Rodded Pins, some of the local Melbourne pinball clubs for competitions and a trivia session which was fun.
The Dialed In is certainly a very nice package, and gameplay is fun and quite flowing. Many people who played commented that it plays like a Bally/Williams WPC but with more flashy things. The code is still only at 20%, so you could start modes and play them, as well as lock balls and get multiball (quite challenging). The magnet on the lower right really seemed to work really well. Most interestingly for me, was that a lot of people on pinside who have commented about the game without playing it, seem to get carried away about the fact of the phone being the central point of the game - the theme of the game is NOT based around a phone (depsite the name, i still think it should be called Quantum City), it is based around a series of disaster in the city that you need to sort out - the phone is simply the communication device - the screen of the phone is great for a quick look at what you need to do. Upper flipper shots were quite hard, which I like.
Jack also mentioned, the ability to link with a mobile device to flip the flippers, was really just to show what technology was available, as well as lure in some young kids. Again, this is not the central point of the game, but something that could be used for those who wish to. He did also mention that use could (ie: not would, but it COULD be possible) to use a phone to play if you were playing with a teammate (or young kid) to help them, or conversely, if you were playing in a home environment, the opponent might be able to try and hinder the player. Certainly this is not for everyone, however for me in a home environment, i reckon it would be great fun. For example, maybe if you get the super jackpot (these are my thoughts, not hat Jack said), you get a 'credit' on your phone app, which means you can control the flippers of your opponent for 2 seconds or something like that. I don't think this would be any good for competitions, or random people on site, but would mix things up a bit in a home environment! Also, i like the idea of being able to help out young kids to play while teaching them some of the rules, or what to shoot for. Often they hate it when you press the flipper buttons, but if this can be done remotely, they will get a thrill out of playing a bit more of the game while learning.
The cabinet, playfield and screen were all top quality. I would have like to have a look under the cab and in the head, but people were playing the machine all day. As an added bonus, a mate of mine who was also down from Townsville won a Judge Dredd pinball on the day (after we entered a local comp on Friday night) - sorry to the Melbourne regulars!
Also, an added bonus for me was being able to catch up with Nino and have a look at Australian Pinball Restorations. Thank you VERY much Nino for your hospitality, great to finally talk in person and see your top quality work, and amazing workshop. Was cool having a couple of games on the EMs with you as well.
