tiltjlp
PN co-founder
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2003
- Messages
- 3,403
- Reaction score
- 145
- Points
- 65
- Favorite Pinball Machine
- Flying Trapeze 1934
It has been suggested that originals might just be the best saving grace of Visual Pinball. While I don’t feel that VP needs saving, I will concede that originals are the area where we are most likely to see the widest variety in table design. While there seems to be a segment of players who’re interested only in VPM, a growing group of authors working on originals has made that part of VP quite exciting. And as the list of VPM tables left to be emulated shrinks, the authors might just dabble in an original design of two. I’d think that improving and tweaking existing VPM recreations might not be as enjoyable as beginning something fresh from the start.
While the more experienced VPM authors have their skills at a finely honed level, sometimes it might seem as if they’re simply repeating the same procedures over and over. This is far from the situation with originals, where every table is often world’s apart from the last. My only complaint about originals is that with the exception of Add-A-Ball-Bob, the same modern style tables are being released, with too many ramps and flippers for my liking. The quality of those new offerings have improved, surprisingly, as newer authors are drawing inspiration from other original tables, and are learning much more quickly than I did when I began. While I haven’t noticed a lot of help being asked for or provided at VPO, I have to assume that such help is being offered behind the scenes, or we’ve gotten ourselves some amazing new authors over the past six months.
The EM arena seems to be a bit sluggish, with Greywolf the only active author, as some of our established EM authors take a well-deserved rest for a number of reasons. And the Flipperless folks, what few there are of us, continue to release a goodly number of offerings, many which are tested by owners of the tables, to assure authenticity. And with Jonathan back with his release of Diamonds, and now and then flipperless releases by Rocky and Anthias, as well as a few unexpected surprises from others, nudging fans should be satisfied.
Into the mix we can add speculation about the fate, or lack of fate, of the promised Future Pinball project. Now when FP finally appears, and yes, I’m being optimistic here, I doubt if much will really change. Free, pay, or whatever, I simply don’t think Visual Pinball will die. Many authors have said that they will probably made dual releases, and since FP will involve a learning curve, those among us who are not technical minded might simply continue using VP to make their tables. Which is what I expect Patrick and me to do, no matter how good FP may be.
So with thousands of tables already made in VP, and since it will still be needed for VPM emulation, the future of VP seems assured, even if Randy disappears again, rather than sticking around to continue refining Visual Pinball. So if you feel a need to plead for scrapes of information about Future Pinball, be my guest. I’ll simply wait until and if it is released, and see if it looks like a tool I can use. Until that time, I’ll keep making flipperless and novelty games and tables with Patrick.
If you enjoy nudging, or looping ramp shots, or add-a-ball games, you’ve got plenty to choose from right now. If FP becomes a reality, that should mean even more tables for us all to enjoy. At least the way I see it, this is and will continue to be a win-win situation for us all. Who could ask for more variety in tables to play in between all our arguments and debates.
John
While the more experienced VPM authors have their skills at a finely honed level, sometimes it might seem as if they’re simply repeating the same procedures over and over. This is far from the situation with originals, where every table is often world’s apart from the last. My only complaint about originals is that with the exception of Add-A-Ball-Bob, the same modern style tables are being released, with too many ramps and flippers for my liking. The quality of those new offerings have improved, surprisingly, as newer authors are drawing inspiration from other original tables, and are learning much more quickly than I did when I began. While I haven’t noticed a lot of help being asked for or provided at VPO, I have to assume that such help is being offered behind the scenes, or we’ve gotten ourselves some amazing new authors over the past six months.
The EM arena seems to be a bit sluggish, with Greywolf the only active author, as some of our established EM authors take a well-deserved rest for a number of reasons. And the Flipperless folks, what few there are of us, continue to release a goodly number of offerings, many which are tested by owners of the tables, to assure authenticity. And with Jonathan back with his release of Diamonds, and now and then flipperless releases by Rocky and Anthias, as well as a few unexpected surprises from others, nudging fans should be satisfied.
Into the mix we can add speculation about the fate, or lack of fate, of the promised Future Pinball project. Now when FP finally appears, and yes, I’m being optimistic here, I doubt if much will really change. Free, pay, or whatever, I simply don’t think Visual Pinball will die. Many authors have said that they will probably made dual releases, and since FP will involve a learning curve, those among us who are not technical minded might simply continue using VP to make their tables. Which is what I expect Patrick and me to do, no matter how good FP may be.
So with thousands of tables already made in VP, and since it will still be needed for VPM emulation, the future of VP seems assured, even if Randy disappears again, rather than sticking around to continue refining Visual Pinball. So if you feel a need to plead for scrapes of information about Future Pinball, be my guest. I’ll simply wait until and if it is released, and see if it looks like a tool I can use. Until that time, I’ll keep making flipperless and novelty games and tables with Patrick.
If you enjoy nudging, or looping ramp shots, or add-a-ball games, you’ve got plenty to choose from right now. If FP becomes a reality, that should mean even more tables for us all to enjoy. At least the way I see it, this is and will continue to be a win-win situation for us all. Who could ask for more variety in tables to play in between all our arguments and debates.
John