BlahCade #149: Zen Studios Interview With Mel Kirk

Jeff Strong

Jeff Strong

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Feb 19, 2012
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vfpcoder said:
The whole thing came to about $4200. It’s definitely not cheap ... until you look at the cost and maintenance of purchasing real pinball machines. And I realize this thing isn’t a real pinball machine. Heck, it’s not even configured like a real pinball machine. But I get a “taste” of playing hundreds of real pinball tables at a fraction of the cost. I’ve had people over who have real “Attack from Mars” and “Funhouse” machines in their basements; and they can’t get over how much fun it is to play the recreations on this thing.
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Awesome, man. Definitely sounds like one of those investments that you quickly feel like you got your money’s worth and then some.
 
shutyertrap

shutyertrap

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vfpcoder said:
Ya’ know, you guys could just “pony up” and purchase the VPCabs Vertigo. Yeah .. Fully configured you’re looking at 4K, but just look at everything you’re getting:
* Full size cabinet with 32” playfield and separate color DMD monitor.
* Dedicated pinball side flipper and nudge buttons.
* Very nice integrated stereo audio with an awesome subwoofer.
* Full arcade lighted joystick, button, and trackball controls.
* PC upgrade package so you can run everything you want. Easliy accessible by removing four screws in the rear of the cab.
* All current Zen Pinball FX3 tables preinstalled.
* Pinball X interface preinstalled.
* All the “feel” of classic Pinball in a unique space-saving configuration.

I’ve had mine for over a year and it still impresses the heck out of me everytime I fire it up!
(Of course, I *really* enjoy playing the Arcooda/Farsight cabinet tables on this thing!)
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We do take donations to our BlahCade PayPal account, or you could buy a crap ton of our new t-shirts we’re about to announce 😁

By buddy priced out the box controller for me. One of the big expenses is just the table legs. Anybody got a rusty set they no longer need? Same with plunger assembly. I did think the ultimate would be to put metal rails around the edge and a small piece of glass where your palms rest to really get the ‘feel’. He’s got a C & C machine as well as a 3D printer so it’ll be a precision build. I need to scrounge around and come up with another $150 on top of what I have now to start. Less if I can get legs and plunger on the cheap.
 
wolfson

wolfson

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May 24, 2013
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my VP table is just about ready , Darryl is going to film it and I`ll get it hopefully next week . I didn`t mind waiting , and I ended up with I think 1,125 tables and 12,000 retro games . total cost was $2,840 au I think that`s a bit over $2,000 us , that was with upgrades to the PC . you all know how hopeless I am at uploading videos and pics , I will let you know when it`s on youtube on Ultra Custom Cabs Brisbane .:cool::cool::cool:
 
Jeff Strong

Jeff Strong

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Feb 19, 2012
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wolfson said:
my VP table is just about ready , Darryl is going to film it and I`ll get it hopefully next week . I didn`t mind waiting , and I ended up with I think 1,125 tables and 12,000 retro games . total cost was $2,840 au I think that`s a bit over $2,000 us , that was with upgrades to the PC . you all know how hopeless I am at uploading videos and pics , I will let you know when it`s on youtube on Ultra Custom Cabs Brisbane .:cool::cool::cool:
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Hell yeah! Can't wait to here your impressions of it :)
 
Jeff Strong

Jeff Strong

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Feb 19, 2012
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Jeff Strong said:
Ya know, that’s actually a very cool idea. Never thought of it, but now you have me intrigued so I’m off to do some tinkering. :cool:
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So it seems FX3 only rumbles when you hit the bumpers and slings, eh? I remember TPA having a ton of rumble, so I'm hoping it's still a work in progress for FX3. I could definitely see how it'd be cool to rip the motors out of the Xbox controller and mount them on the inside of my X-arcade heh.
 
wolfson

wolfson

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May 24, 2013
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me too Jeff , there are no bells whistles , it has nudge buttons , speakers and a sub woofer which I`m hoping will give a little bit of vibe on the table . that`s all I could afford , so I`ll be happy to be able to play all those tables . the funny thing is , we will all see the table on youtube before it`s in front of me haha !!! that` a great idea getting rumble in your X-arcade !!!:cool:
 
SilverBalls

SilverBalls

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Apr 12, 2012
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Hey [MENTION=134]shutyertrap[/MENTION], I listened to the 150th podcast (great listen btw) and your description of a Pinbox reminded me of something that someone built over on the VP forums. It has a lockdown, coindoor, etc. It might give you some inspiration.

pinball-rift0.jpg


https://www.vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=38417#entry384488
 
shutyertrap

shutyertrap

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That’s exactly what I want to do! I’m picking up a coin door, legs, and a few buttons this week from a guy I know selling ‘em real cheap to me.
 
jaredmorgs

jaredmorgs

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May 8, 2012
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