tiltjlp
PN co-founder
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2003
- Messages
- 3,403
- Reaction score
- 145
- Points
- 65
- Favorite Pinball Machine
- Flying Trapeze 1934
Although Will, or Druadic, is not currently online, I’m still in contact with him via snail mail. He plans to return to VP in the later part of 2006. He also plans several new releases then, as well as many updates of his older tables. The following answers arrived recently, so this is the latest news on Mr Flipperless.
1 When did you play your first game of pinball, and what game was it, if you remember? Your first game of VP/VPM?
I was about 11 years old and got to play a Bally Xenon and Silverball Mania. The first VP game I played was a table by Jauney, but I can’t remember the name offhand.
2 When did you discover VP? Do you prefer VP or VPM tables? Are there any types of tables you don’t care for, and which era do you enjoy best, such as 20s-40s commercial coin-op, bagatelle, Ems, SS, modern VPM.
I discovered VP when using Lycos to look up pinball sites. My favorite games range from the 1900s to the 70s. I don’t much care for any machines after the 50s, but there are a few that I do enjoy. Any game from the 1900s to through the 40s I’ll play.
3 If you are an author, do you work along, or with partners? Which of your tables is your favorite, and why? Which of your tables do you feel is your best?
I work alone, but have one hell of a play tester in tiltjlp who is always there to offer me advice when I need it worst during table creation. He’s helped me solve several problems so that I could complete and release troublesome tables. As for which of my tables I think is best, that’s tough, because I like all of them. But I’d pick Bonanza, Juggle ball, Daisy, and Contact as the four that were the hardest to perfect.
4 Do you agree or disagree that Originals are the future of VP? What is your favorite VPF forum, and why?
Originals will definitely be the future of VP. I’ve been working on a few myself, and have released Face-To-Face and FlipIt. So I would say yes, originals will be a big factor. There is so much VP can do. I’m sure I’m missing a lot of good tables, since I have no Internet connection right now.
5 What are your best table making skills? What if anything is the hardest part of table making for you?
I LOVE to redraw playfields, especially if a photo of the real playfield is too bad to use; I enjoy that the most. Coding is my least favorite thing about VP.
6 Do you have any hints or tips for making tables that would be helpful to other authors? What do you feel is most important in table making, graphics, layout, playability, added sounds, or something else?
I can offer no real help for making tables, really. It’s all a lot of trial and error, and for me, it’s been a long process to realize what all VP is capable of achieving. Everything involved in making a VP table is important; realism might be the utmost key to enjoying a table, I think.
7 What kind of computer set-up do you have? Are you a computer whiz or a computer nerd?
I have an older system, but I hope to upgrade in 2007.
AMD 1.33 GHz Thunderbird. Can run up to 3 GHz on motherboard.
512 MB DIMM
ATI 8500 LE [128 MB]
Maxtor 20 GB HD
56X CD ROM drive
I don’t remember what else is in the new Amtec case right now. I don’t have a modem or a printer.
8 Where do you live? How old are you? What kind of work do you do? Describe yourself. What are you hobbies and interests other than VP/VPM? Is there any other personal stuff you’re willing to share with me?
Right now I’m out of the US, working as part of a team on an RPG which hopefully will be completed by the fall of 2006. Then I’ll return to the states and live in Florida. I’m 34, and my hobbies are VP, weightlifting, books, and being an absolute computer nerd, and RPGs, of course.
9 What are some of your favorite VP/VPM tables done by someone other than you? Why?
I haven’t played any games by other authors for quite a while, so I’m not sure of the table names, but I enjoy the work of tiltjlp, Starman, Destruk, and always liked Warrior’s tables. Every one of tiltjlp’s tables is splendid, especially his bagatelle. They tend to be simplistic and straight forward, and are some of my personal favorites. I sure hope he gets his act together and is able to finish Buddy Bowling before I return to VP.
Starman’s tables are pure eye candy, and great fun to play, and Destruk always finds ways to make his rare VP releases extremely interesting.
10 Do you, and how often do you play real pins? What are some of your favorites? Any that you’re really good on that you simply don’t enjoy playing?
I very rarely get to play real pinball, but when I do I prefer the old 30s pins the most.
11 Any advice for a new VP member? Better yet, any advice for old, seasoned VPF members? Do you think there are too many VP forums? Do you visit any other than VPF?
Just enjoy yourselves, and the authors will keep you happily in new tables well into the future. And when you download a table you really like, make a post telling the author you enjoy his work. Not only does that encourage the author, but you’ll be doing other folks a favor by pointing out a great table they might have overlooked.
12 Who, if anyone, do you consider to be the movers and shakers in the VP community, or the superstars, and why? Is there one Author whose work you always download, even without seeing the SS or knowing anything other than the name of the table?
One person I’ve always kept an eye on is Gottlieb, who has done some of the most photo realistic tables we’ve seen, he is an amazing author. Two others to watch I’ve mentioned before, my play tester tiltjlp, and Starman. When I’m online, I try to keep an eye on what everyone’s doing. Every author is a superstar to me.
13 Is there anything else you’d like to add? It doesn’t have to be about VP. Maybe a secret dream, or a joke, this is your last chance?
Yes, and it’s that advice I passed on earlier. Consider getting yourself a play tester, and make it someone you trust. My first tester released an unfinished WIP as his own, and that almost made me leave VP. I now use tiltjlp as my tester, and he has a great help, although he does test tables forever. We have a deal where I won’t release a table until he Oks it, and he will let me release tables after he’s tested it without any problems for 100 games. John is a testing fool. I know of one table he tested for another author that he played over 1500 games, making many suggestions along the way.
John has helped me solve any number of problems I had with some of my tables. While he can’t code worth a darn, he somehow knows the right questions to ask. I trust tiltjlp completely, he as a few unreleased tables and games of mine, and I know that he’ll keep them to himself until I give him the OK to share them.
I will return to VP as soon as I complete my current task, which is not going so well. I’m part of a team working on a massive add-on for a popular RPG. I’ll have quite a few surprises for everyone when I do return, some things even John isn’t aware of yet.
I hope everyone is enjoying the “beta” of Golden Gate, and I’ll update it once I return. It has a few graphics issues that need to be fixed for 1024 X 768, but it looks great at 800 X 600. And to one and all in VP: keep nudging and slappin’ that ball around until I get back.
I met Russ Jensen at the 2002 Pinball Expo in Chicago, and he is the Master of Pinabll Information. He has helped me countless times during VP table creation. He is the man to meet if you want to know about any age or date pinball machine. He has all the information, and is one heck of a nice guy. It was an honor to met him in person.
While I’m not able to work on VP very much right now, I should be returning to the VP scene, and the US, in the fall of 2006. At that time I will have both updates and new tables to release. My updates will include:
Silver Streak plunger fix
Golden Gate pf/image fix
Five Star Final various tweaks and fixes
Ballyhoo pf overhaul with real image
2 in 1 Midget Bagatelle ball fix
Moniker BG fix for flipperless version
Daisy pf fix and tweaks
Any other problems any notices. Address problems to titljlp so he can relay the information to me.
My current WIP for release in 2006and 2007 are:
Atomz original arcade game
The Pilot 1932 forgot the Mfg
Parlay [payout] 1933 Western Equip & Supply
Tiny [1 ball counter payout] 1933 Western Equip & Supply
Cyclone 1934 Gottlieb
Turntable 1935 Gottlieb
Rambler [payout] 1934 Bally
Fleet 1934 Bally
Speed King 194? King Game Idustries
And many more not listed that are begging to be made.
Thanks for the interview. You’re still one of a kind. And now for the fun. Will says I know him well enough that I can add my own comments to the interview.
Will calls himself a Perfectionist Bastard, and I can assure you the first part is true. He just told me that someone else gave him that title. While he gripes about me testing tables to within an inch of their life, he is always holding up table releases because he isn’t sure everything is right, even after I tell him to make the release.
He also can be the most stubborn person in the world, and he has a focus like you wouldn’t believe. There have been times I have had to tell him the exact same thing three or four times before it sinks in, and then he’ll fuss at me because I didn’t tell him about it sooner. So yes, Will can be a bit unfriendly, and he is a bit of a pain sometimes too. But while I was away from VP for almost a year and a half, he wrote me regularly. And what gets me, he’s surprised that I’m doing the exact same thing for him now that he’s gone.
Will’s the person to blame for me becoming an author. We both belonged to a private Dev Group at the old Digital Playfield, and I kept giving him ideas for original tables. Eventually he got tired of hearing me talk and told me to shut up and make a table myself. The first one I started on, which I goofed up, was what eventually became Bronco Buster, with the help of SDB who is Scott Bermel. But when I started working on my original bag Reactions, Will took notice, and even gave me a few pointers. So if you feel you have to blame someone for me, Will is the guy.
John
1 When did you play your first game of pinball, and what game was it, if you remember? Your first game of VP/VPM?
I was about 11 years old and got to play a Bally Xenon and Silverball Mania. The first VP game I played was a table by Jauney, but I can’t remember the name offhand.
2 When did you discover VP? Do you prefer VP or VPM tables? Are there any types of tables you don’t care for, and which era do you enjoy best, such as 20s-40s commercial coin-op, bagatelle, Ems, SS, modern VPM.
I discovered VP when using Lycos to look up pinball sites. My favorite games range from the 1900s to the 70s. I don’t much care for any machines after the 50s, but there are a few that I do enjoy. Any game from the 1900s to through the 40s I’ll play.
3 If you are an author, do you work along, or with partners? Which of your tables is your favorite, and why? Which of your tables do you feel is your best?
I work alone, but have one hell of a play tester in tiltjlp who is always there to offer me advice when I need it worst during table creation. He’s helped me solve several problems so that I could complete and release troublesome tables. As for which of my tables I think is best, that’s tough, because I like all of them. But I’d pick Bonanza, Juggle ball, Daisy, and Contact as the four that were the hardest to perfect.
4 Do you agree or disagree that Originals are the future of VP? What is your favorite VPF forum, and why?
Originals will definitely be the future of VP. I’ve been working on a few myself, and have released Face-To-Face and FlipIt. So I would say yes, originals will be a big factor. There is so much VP can do. I’m sure I’m missing a lot of good tables, since I have no Internet connection right now.
5 What are your best table making skills? What if anything is the hardest part of table making for you?
I LOVE to redraw playfields, especially if a photo of the real playfield is too bad to use; I enjoy that the most. Coding is my least favorite thing about VP.
6 Do you have any hints or tips for making tables that would be helpful to other authors? What do you feel is most important in table making, graphics, layout, playability, added sounds, or something else?
I can offer no real help for making tables, really. It’s all a lot of trial and error, and for me, it’s been a long process to realize what all VP is capable of achieving. Everything involved in making a VP table is important; realism might be the utmost key to enjoying a table, I think.
7 What kind of computer set-up do you have? Are you a computer whiz or a computer nerd?
I have an older system, but I hope to upgrade in 2007.
AMD 1.33 GHz Thunderbird. Can run up to 3 GHz on motherboard.
512 MB DIMM
ATI 8500 LE [128 MB]
Maxtor 20 GB HD
56X CD ROM drive
I don’t remember what else is in the new Amtec case right now. I don’t have a modem or a printer.
8 Where do you live? How old are you? What kind of work do you do? Describe yourself. What are you hobbies and interests other than VP/VPM? Is there any other personal stuff you’re willing to share with me?
Right now I’m out of the US, working as part of a team on an RPG which hopefully will be completed by the fall of 2006. Then I’ll return to the states and live in Florida. I’m 34, and my hobbies are VP, weightlifting, books, and being an absolute computer nerd, and RPGs, of course.
9 What are some of your favorite VP/VPM tables done by someone other than you? Why?
I haven’t played any games by other authors for quite a while, so I’m not sure of the table names, but I enjoy the work of tiltjlp, Starman, Destruk, and always liked Warrior’s tables. Every one of tiltjlp’s tables is splendid, especially his bagatelle. They tend to be simplistic and straight forward, and are some of my personal favorites. I sure hope he gets his act together and is able to finish Buddy Bowling before I return to VP.
Starman’s tables are pure eye candy, and great fun to play, and Destruk always finds ways to make his rare VP releases extremely interesting.
10 Do you, and how often do you play real pins? What are some of your favorites? Any that you’re really good on that you simply don’t enjoy playing?
I very rarely get to play real pinball, but when I do I prefer the old 30s pins the most.
11 Any advice for a new VP member? Better yet, any advice for old, seasoned VPF members? Do you think there are too many VP forums? Do you visit any other than VPF?
Just enjoy yourselves, and the authors will keep you happily in new tables well into the future. And when you download a table you really like, make a post telling the author you enjoy his work. Not only does that encourage the author, but you’ll be doing other folks a favor by pointing out a great table they might have overlooked.
12 Who, if anyone, do you consider to be the movers and shakers in the VP community, or the superstars, and why? Is there one Author whose work you always download, even without seeing the SS or knowing anything other than the name of the table?
One person I’ve always kept an eye on is Gottlieb, who has done some of the most photo realistic tables we’ve seen, he is an amazing author. Two others to watch I’ve mentioned before, my play tester tiltjlp, and Starman. When I’m online, I try to keep an eye on what everyone’s doing. Every author is a superstar to me.
13 Is there anything else you’d like to add? It doesn’t have to be about VP. Maybe a secret dream, or a joke, this is your last chance?
Yes, and it’s that advice I passed on earlier. Consider getting yourself a play tester, and make it someone you trust. My first tester released an unfinished WIP as his own, and that almost made me leave VP. I now use tiltjlp as my tester, and he has a great help, although he does test tables forever. We have a deal where I won’t release a table until he Oks it, and he will let me release tables after he’s tested it without any problems for 100 games. John is a testing fool. I know of one table he tested for another author that he played over 1500 games, making many suggestions along the way.
John has helped me solve any number of problems I had with some of my tables. While he can’t code worth a darn, he somehow knows the right questions to ask. I trust tiltjlp completely, he as a few unreleased tables and games of mine, and I know that he’ll keep them to himself until I give him the OK to share them.
I will return to VP as soon as I complete my current task, which is not going so well. I’m part of a team working on a massive add-on for a popular RPG. I’ll have quite a few surprises for everyone when I do return, some things even John isn’t aware of yet.
I hope everyone is enjoying the “beta” of Golden Gate, and I’ll update it once I return. It has a few graphics issues that need to be fixed for 1024 X 768, but it looks great at 800 X 600. And to one and all in VP: keep nudging and slappin’ that ball around until I get back.
I met Russ Jensen at the 2002 Pinball Expo in Chicago, and he is the Master of Pinabll Information. He has helped me countless times during VP table creation. He is the man to meet if you want to know about any age or date pinball machine. He has all the information, and is one heck of a nice guy. It was an honor to met him in person.
While I’m not able to work on VP very much right now, I should be returning to the VP scene, and the US, in the fall of 2006. At that time I will have both updates and new tables to release. My updates will include:
Silver Streak plunger fix
Golden Gate pf/image fix
Five Star Final various tweaks and fixes
Ballyhoo pf overhaul with real image
2 in 1 Midget Bagatelle ball fix
Moniker BG fix for flipperless version
Daisy pf fix and tweaks
Any other problems any notices. Address problems to titljlp so he can relay the information to me.
My current WIP for release in 2006and 2007 are:
Atomz original arcade game
The Pilot 1932 forgot the Mfg
Parlay [payout] 1933 Western Equip & Supply
Tiny [1 ball counter payout] 1933 Western Equip & Supply
Cyclone 1934 Gottlieb
Turntable 1935 Gottlieb
Rambler [payout] 1934 Bally
Fleet 1934 Bally
Speed King 194? King Game Idustries
And many more not listed that are begging to be made.
Thanks for the interview. You’re still one of a kind. And now for the fun. Will says I know him well enough that I can add my own comments to the interview.
Will calls himself a Perfectionist Bastard, and I can assure you the first part is true. He just told me that someone else gave him that title. While he gripes about me testing tables to within an inch of their life, he is always holding up table releases because he isn’t sure everything is right, even after I tell him to make the release.
He also can be the most stubborn person in the world, and he has a focus like you wouldn’t believe. There have been times I have had to tell him the exact same thing three or four times before it sinks in, and then he’ll fuss at me because I didn’t tell him about it sooner. So yes, Will can be a bit unfriendly, and he is a bit of a pain sometimes too. But while I was away from VP for almost a year and a half, he wrote me regularly. And what gets me, he’s surprised that I’m doing the exact same thing for him now that he’s gone.
Will’s the person to blame for me becoming an author. We both belonged to a private Dev Group at the old Digital Playfield, and I kept giving him ideas for original tables. Eventually he got tired of hearing me talk and told me to shut up and make a table myself. The first one I started on, which I goofed up, was what eventually became Bronco Buster, with the help of SDB who is Scott Bermel. But when I started working on my original bag Reactions, Will took notice, and even gave me a few pointers. So if you feel you have to blame someone for me, Will is the guy.
John
