Bug Crazy Steps ramp not diverting to second plunger

[Richard B]

Twice my ball drained today because the game said the Crazy Steps are open, and it diverted down the correct ramp, but at the last second, instead of going into the plunger lane, the ball goes into the inlane, like a normal shot. Is this a bug, a flaw with the real machine, or a deliberate feature designed to trick you, or keep you on your toes.

 

[Alex]

A little funk in the Steps feed is to be expected--honestly that level of unpredictability sounds like a sign that the team did a great job. There's a lot of rubber in that area; I've had what you describe happen on a real table, as well as a soft Steps shot catching a bit of post on the way down and veering into the inlane.

The classic they thankfully omitted is when the Steps gate (a very low-power affair) flakes out and lets the ball divert to the drain from the ramp.

 

[Zaphod77]

the real table can sometimes do the opposite as well, having a ball moonwalk out of the inlane and down the drain. there's a rom adjustment that will cause the gate to open to catch the ball when that happens, though.

That said, this behavior is NEVER by design and machines that do this on location don't make much money, and are then tweaked so they no longer do this. Some of them will give you the ball back a few times if they detect a ramp/VUK to outlane drain. (Dr. Who is notable for doing it with the TARDIS kickout, and will give the ball back the first three times per ball it does this or so)