anything, but dont copy the JJP way, cause we dont want pinball heading down the Pin2000 way too much again
JJP's , machine looks nothing like a pin2000 machine, for starters the cab is a traditional pinball cab, whilest pin2000 had some good ideas the execution was wrong and the design was wrong. i honestly cant see why an entire headbox cant be an Lcd and have a moving translight, yet still looking like a trans light. scaring people out of innovation and saying things will end up like a pin2000 game if they experiment isnt helpfull imo.
and it doesn't move anything forward. he has to copy JJP because he cant come up with anything smart himself and he will fail because he is left behind
A few points to consider for anyone interested...and yes, I am in a hyped up manic/happy mood as usual so dont read if you dont want to.lol
Pin2000 only looked the way it did because they didnt have very thin LCD screens back in 1999, otherwise the headbox may have been a normal, headbox shape, making the game look similar/identical to all dmd games b4 it, versus it looking like a babys pram which was just too much for alot of people to get their head around. Also, alot of people still enjoy playing the Pin2000 games, and they do add a great diversity to a collection.
The comment regarding Stern not going like JJP/Pin2000, is to provide feedback to Stern to keep the focus on the playfield n shots n the basics that make a great pinball game exactly that, great, versus focusing on a 26 inch LCD screen which is the now the instant and most prominent feature of the WOZ machine...which is getting warm feedback at best, n looks dead when the game is off...
Its early days, we all have to wait for the dust to settle...I dont want Stern to be a clone of JJP, I want Stern to stay like it hs now become...the results of AC/DC and X Men and Avengers show a new and positive direction..Nothing happens overnight, and yes, Stern isnt perfect and has made mistakes...this isnt a easy business. Gary has always said that..
....I for one dont want all pinball machines going that way (JJP style) just because one manufacturer JJP believes its the way to go...as a buyer of new in box machines, I want dot matrix displays to stay for at least most Stern models and the Stern range....I also want translites to stay and the beautiful artwork which entices u over to a machine...not a LCD screen running advertisements which is where the JJP model will probably be forced to go when on location by operators squeezing every cent they can from a machine cause they can......
Re Stern, The X Men and AC/DC machines work n play extremely well to most buyers and the feedback from 99 percent of BNIB buyers say the same thing..That format works well.. Sure, adding Leds, RGB, better sound systems and the things Stern has been doing is moving in the right direction, but too much too quick, is also a problem if u are not careful...
People saying Stern has to copy or will instantly and automatically copy JJP to me, is simply not corect IMO, because its just not a forgiven conclusion..Alot of people beat up on Sterns just to keep the Bally/Williams resales higher as well, another thing that sometimes is blatant, but thats another topic... Sure, JJP is doing things differently, but it doesnt mean Stern isnt producing great machines at the moment.....Stern will never fail, there are too many passionate pinball people in the world today and the industry is booming by normal standards when u look at the last 13 years.
I think even the most enthusiastic Stern critic would learn alot by talking to Gary Stern and hearing him out with a open mind...sometimes meeting people in person removes all the negative assumptions or beliefs we get from time to time...I dont and cant judge people only on the past, at some point you have to give the bloke (Gary) a break and wipe the slate clean and give the bloke a chance. I did a few years back, and I am so glad i did.
My family loves my 2 x Sterns and so do all my guests. I have had plenty of people buy new machines just by playing mine.
Am i biased towards Stern, no, not at all, just absolutely positive about pinball and its future because pinball needs enthusiasm and constructive helpful feedback to survive too. I will be going to the Gary Stern talk, I think it would be a pleasure meeting someone who has invested his life into pinball. I try to be positive about everything most days, because when people have put you down all your life, the worst thing is reading anything that hasnt got a positive spin to it......Ok, hypo typing over.lol
