Retro Atomic Zombie Adventureland by John Popadiuk

[swinks]

Sent John a email, curious about power supplies, but at the moment only geared for the US market though will be looking at 220v 50hz rated gear in the near future.

[swinks]

Half have secured deposits in 12 hours - will be interesting to see what new ideas come out of this one.

[Richyrich]

thats quick
will be interesting to see how this progresses

[ajlaird]

Sent John a email, curious about power supplies, but at the moment only geared for the US market though will be looking at 220v 50hz rated gear in the near future.

I imagine there would be no issue with using a step-down transformer if you really wanted in on this?

[ktm450]

Pre orders closed, seems to have no trouble finding buyers, sight unseen. Did John even finish 'Magic Girl' yet?

[Pop Bumper Pete]

He has just posted in FB that he is working on a large insert for MG

[Pop Bumper Pete]

I have a freind in the States who has a zombie pin on order, along with a WoZ and a BIBLE
far out

[Caveoftreasures]

this doesnt look that exciting to me.     to be realistic, u need a big company like Stern or JJP to produce something "SPECIAL" today.

money is hard to come by, and people want more and more and more out of every NIB pinball machine they buy.  for anything in the $7500 to $10,000 category, it has to be special, and whilst i wish this small operation (and 2 x blokes luck) how could they come up with a absolute winner without the money, back up warehousing/manufacturing base that Stern and JJP (with its casino profits paving the way for its pinball business) how can they produce something to beat a WOZ or the latest Stern title like a AC/DC LE or the next models to come out of Stern etc etc.

Its a very tough road without BIG capital behind you already and without the fifty people both Stern and JJP already have. Only David beats Goliath in a story book, it never happens in real life. But i hope something other than a tricked up "pinmame table" comes out for the 10 grand.   time will tell. hopefully i get proved wrong but how do u compete against Stern and JJP with all that head start they already have.    

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Its a very tough road without BIG capital behind you already and without the fifty people both Stern and JJP already have. Only David beats Goliath in a story book, it never happens in real life. But i hope something other than a tricked up "pinmame table" comes out for the 10 grand.   time will tell. hopefully i get proved wrong but how do u compete against Stern and JJP with all that head start they already have.    

Who says you have to go up against the big guy?

Whizbang pinball's (Whoa Nellie) LINK
Small run of games, not sure how small though, no ramps, no DMD, but something different for those who want it

[Caveoftreasures]

IF they can make money, and satisfy a niche market, then why not. I am all for small runs. BUT i hope the guys doing it can make money so they can do it again and again.

Any money making venture today is tough. take my hat off to anyone who can have a big go and make something work. Whilst i am cautious about the idea, I wish them every chance of doing a winner like Big Bang Bar. It can happen. Hopefully the static from Stern and JJP doesnt take up too much of the radio signals being sent out in the pinball universe, redirecting those hard to find pinny dollars. So many choices at the moment, which is good for the end consumer.

look at how many new sterns u can chose from, how many private containers are streaming in. Man there is so much dealer stock, private stock, Stern stock. Great choices with so so much going on..and YES, I LOVE Whoaa Nellies Great big TITs. lol    

[Strangeways]

IF they can make money, and satisfy a niche market, then why not. I am all for small runs. BUT i hope the guys doing it can make money so they can do it again and again.

Any money making venture today is tough. take my hat off to anyone who can have a big go and make something work. Whilst i am cautious about the idea, I wish them every chance of doing a winner like Big Bang Bar. It can happen. Hopefully the static from Stern and JJP doesnt take up too much of the radio signals being sent out in the pinball universe, redirecting those hard to find pinny dollars. So many choices at the moment, which is good for the end consumer.

look at how many new sterns u can chose from, how many private containers are streaming in. Man there is so much dealer stock, private stock, Stern stock. Great choices with so so much going on..and YES, I LOVE Whoaa Nellies Great big TITs. lol    

It is not always about making money, but I see your point. This project is a labor of love. I don't think the intention is to rival Stern or JJP. I agree that Stern and JJP have the development team and the resources to make that "special" machine. But sometimes, a new idea can come from the passion of pinball. You can throw all the money you like at a special game done by Stern, but "whoever" comes up with a NEW technology, or a new feature on a game COULD be more important to the buyer.

Never underestimate the great mind of John Popadiuk, and have a look where his inspirations come from - Steve Kordek. Also, one of my favorite designers worked on two masterpieces 15 years apart - Gottlieb Spirit and CFTBL - John Trudeau. So these guys NEVER lose their ability to create - they are often held back by the technology at the time.

I think the proof of the pudding will be to have the three games next to each other - Zombie, WOZ and AC/DC. From a designer perspective, I would look forward to playing Zombie - purely to see the magic of John's creation.

[swinks]

Quote: "this doesnt look that exciting to me.      to be realistic, u need a big company like Stern or JJP to produce something "SPECIAL" today."

I don't agree, a small guy (pinball company) has to start somewhere just like JJP taking orders and have never produced a pinball machine but they are looking to come out with a winner and had some clever marketing strategies to lure lots of people in. Difference with him is he has his other businesses to help float the pinball business, but he wants to hit the market a little more than John / Heck. Consider these guys like Lamborghini to Ferrari, started off as small company, perfectionist, hand built and could be absolutely awesome in the end, known by everyone yet not in everyones price affordability but desired.

I don't see why these guys can't come up with something unique, original and be different. If it's only possibly 2 guys overheads (maybe a few others or contract cabinets out etc) so costs reasonably low and hence the small production run (99) - better than saying they are going to do 1000 then need a big warehouse etc. At least there is no license and the creative juices can flow and not be hindered by upper managements restrictions. Stern stamp there playfields with dimples for screw, John / Heck have a cnc router therefore no reason you do the machining and and dimpling effect - easily machine both sides of a playfield in 80-100 hours, send it elsewhere to be screen printed while you are working on the next parts. Even Jamie off Mythbusters has alot of cool machinery and can make up anything he wants in his own shop - sky is the limit.

John is a very talented designer and Ben is a very smart guy and a big electronics geek and he proved he could do a machine at home and show it off to everyone.

99 x $10K = nearly $1 Million and that was in about 4 days with $2500 to be paid up in 30 days - $250000 to allow production to kick off.

spend 50 - 60% on parts and production / tooling
spend 10% on tax
spend 30 - 40% wages for themselves and the next investment

They then just get some advertising endorsements - "cointaker custom units" and away they go - bloody good on them

I am not really into zombies, but they sound like they have cool new concepts.

Good luck to them

[Retropin]

It should be noted at this point that the KING OF DIAMONDS remake takes more coin onsite that the STERN pins that sit beside it...

[Caveoftreasures]

I wanted to clarify something, the idea of them producing the machine was exciting, just the weird screen on the playfield didnt seem appealing (yet).  only cause i dont like pinmame stuff.  but the rest of it looks great.

[Pop Bumper Pete]

I do not know if U would buy one of these
With the LCD screen embeded ib the playfield, ehat happens in 10 years when the  screen stops working?