Game Controller - Future pinball developers please take note.. PINterface

[Finny]

New PC based controller could bring custom machines closer to mainstream adoption.

Recently Nu-Core replaced P2K, P-ROC introduced USB & PC control and now we have a new contender, PINterface.

All have there Pros and Cons but I would be interested in hearing the opinions from those who have technical or programming experience.

http://www.millisoft.de/pinsys_en.html

[Redback]

Hi Finny,

Thanks for the link.

I'm still going down the path created by Ben Hicks.. on the Bill Paxton Pinball.
However planning on LCD instead of LEDs for the display.
Big learning curve, however enjoyable.

Looks like for 507 us you have to solder together the Millisoft board.

Thanks for sharing,
Red

[ajlaird]

Looks interesting; the more the merrier in some respects.

Hard to judge whether this one is better or worse than the other option.

[pinnies4me]

Looks very similar to the way Coconut Island is set up with a PC interfaced through a driver board. The input side is also done on that board (CI used an IPAC for input and a custom driver board for output). It's exactly the concept Nug and I spoke about - produce a kit at that level for people to develop their own games. Glad someone has done it - we lacked the programming expertise to make it work, this looks really interesting.

[beaky]

Looks very similar to the way Coconut Island is set up with a PC interfaced through a driver board. The input side is also done on that board (CI used an IPAC for input and a custom driver board for output). It's exactly the concept Nug and I spoke about - produce a kit at that level for people to develop their own games. Glad someone has done it - we lacked the programming expertise to make it work, this looks really interesting.

very interesting.

[Strangeways]

Seems like an area of development that is really taking off and is sure to become mainstream if we embrace and promote it. I agree with Andrew - the more the merrier !

Thanks for sharing !

[Finny]

Just chatted with the developer of PINterface, Holger, who said he won't be supporting DMD output as the common man would find it difficult to produce DMD dot animations but did not rule out it's incorporation at a latter stage. 80's style displays with LED's will be supported though.

P-ROC, so far is the Swiss knife of custom controllers but the software is high level in respect of programming. (Python). I believe there is some kind of driver or interface which will run pinball simulation software like Future Pinball or Visual Pinball etc…being developed. If successful, this solution would be like Adobe CS5 for custom pinball.

It seems that Holger's PINterface is targeted at the common man who needs a basic solution with easy scrip type software.

Nu-Core is best for a P2K brain transplant.

Ahhh yes… don't we love technology!