Round 3: Post Your Questions for Bobby King

[Rudy Yagov]

Will FS be attending PAPA this year? It would be great exposure for the game.

 

[Bowflex]

since we only have 3 questions i think we shouldn't ask for certain tables. Instead i would prefer questions about the development process as someone else already mentioned - like:

Franky

Any question about specifics of tables, release dates, license acquirings, actual costs, actual revenue are all wasted questions. I would be surprised if they ever answered any of these and some of them can not even be legally answered. Thanks for reminding the folk that asking for specific tables is pointless.

 

[Russell Bergman]

Any news on an updated fix on the sensitivity of the plunger control for skill shots, etc.....especially on Tales of the Arabian Nights, The Machine, etc...?

 

[George Klepacz]

I have a question on sound design. There is a thread going on here where after updating on the PS3, some guys have noticed the sound quality taking a step back. http://digitalpinballfans.com/showthread.php/1151-Audio-quality-lower-after-reinstall

So I'm wondering how the sound is encoded. I know that pinball machine sound systems are mono but if it were still encoded as Dolby Digital through the PS3 it would let the user's receiver/processor do some post processing on the sound to properly send the signals to the speakers and subwoofer.

Also, even though the sound systems of the tables are mono, is there a way you can make the mechanical sounds stereo? I don't mean having the sound discretely coming from the left, or right, but blended to lean left or right depending on where the action is going on on the table. So, if using 5.1 surround the mechanical sounds would use the front 3 channels just like standing in front of a pinball machine, to the listener it would mostly come from the center channel but also bleed a little to the left or right as the ball moves there. Also, in my opinion, there can never be enough use of the .1 channel.

I hope that makes sense, I'm being distracted by what my wife is watching in the background.

 

[Stormchild]

If this question has already been posted, just throw my hat on the same pile:

What's the status on improved flipper control? I'm wondering when we'll be able to use advanced techniques that are currently impossible, such as drop-stops, bumping a single ball over to the other flipper while two are cradled on the same side (currently this sends one of the balls flying, which isn't even close to what happens with a quick tap while cradling on a real table), and so on.

 

[Richard B]

If this question has already been posted, just throw my hat on the same pile:

What's the status on improved flipper control? I'm wondering when we'll be able to use advanced techniques that are currently impossible, such as drop-stops, bumping a single ball over to the other flipper while two are cradled on the same side (currently this sends one of the balls flying, which isn't even close to what happens with a quick tap while cradling on a real table), and so on.

http://digitalpinballfans.com/showthread.php/1142-Round-2-Q-amp-A-With-Bobby-King-Answers

 

[Richard B]

So I'm wondering how the sound is encoded. I know that pinball machine sound systems are mono

Most modern era machines are in stereo.

 

[freezy]

Kickstarter funding for speeding up the PC release of "TPA - The Cabinet Edition"?

That's actually a really good one! Maybe then we will get a teaser of the PC version at least!

 

[Fuseball]

Most modern era machines are in stereo.

I'm not absolutely 100% certain, but I think all the Bally/Williams games up until Pinball 2000 were in mono. The two speakers either side of the DMD are different - a 15W tweeter and a 25W speaker, as well as a 6" speaker in the cabinet base. Between them they give that full sound, particularly on the DCS games, but in mono.

 

[Gorgar]

How do you decide what to set as standard and wizard goals? (For example: Harem Multiball is a standard goal, but it is actually harder than most Wizard Goals. And in Ripley's you only have to activate Atlantis mode, but in Medieval Madness, you must activate AND beat Battle for the Kingdom). How do you intend on implementing goals on less complicated tables like Big Shot, Ace High, and Central Park?

And maybe someone can help me with a way to word this question so that it isn't so long.

 

[Franky]

Kickstarter funding for speeding up the PC release of "TPA - The Cabinet Edition"?

And people please - NO KICKSTARTER questions. What do you think? A kickstarter for TZ, a kickstarter for ST: Tng, a kickstarter for speeding up things, a kickstarter for .... Come on, no more kickstarters for now, people are already pissed off with having no dlcs, bugs, and on and on - to start a new kickstarter right now would be such an impudence.

This is what i do with clients when it comes to restrict problems, questions, ...

The best idea is to split up the three questions in three topics - and choose then the best question for each topic. Like - one question for "Development", one question for "Bugfixing", one question for "Future" - something like that.

Because in this way all our "brainstorming" and our possible questions are more focused and directed and there is no risk ending up "wasting" two question for the same issue. And concentrating (you have to concentrate ) on just three topics instead of one zillion shots in the blue makes it way easier to decide what questions to pass on in the end. So first step would be choosing 3 topics - any ideas?

To start off - i keep it with the three above (for now):

1. Development
2. Bugs (Bugfixing)
3. Future

Franky

 

[Dan]

PC seems so far away - actually so uncertain, that it's only reasonable to ask for a Kickstarter funding.
There will not be too many specific table requests, because you only have three votes in the selection process.

 

[Bowflex]

If a certain ancillary license was unavailable, for example one or two specific actor(s), that would have a minimal impact on a table and you could still produce it with a whited out section where their face would go, would it be possible to still replicate the table or would that be something you would not consider?

 

[Franky]

@ dan

and what for should the kickstarter be? to finance one more employee? as a "motivation bonus"? - and what amount? uyb - if they find some time - they will do it.

 

[unclewilly]

any information on the pc and its release date

 

[Dan]

Franky

You can call it what you want, I would say it would be proof that there are lots of buyers on this platform, especially if Farsight add cabinet view with multi monitor support. But when Steam Greenlight shows up, maybe it won't be necessary at all.

 

[Richard B]

Yes, no more questions on when / if a particular table will be released, or whether they've acquired certain licenses.

When something is going to be released, or when a specific feature will be implemented (such as cabinet support) are also wasted questions. When something is ready for release, they will let you know.

 

[Brandon Debes]

When something is going to be released, or when a specific feature will be implemented are also wasted questions. When something is ready for release, they will let you know.

…and then something omg beyond our control! will happen to cause that not to be the case. You will know when something is released when you are able to download it to your device. Wasted questions, I agree. I'd rather know something like why they chose to tie Xbox 360 achievements to the local high scores table instead of the wizard goals on DLC tables. At least that might give us a glimpse into how they view their product and their audience.

 

[Richard B]

…and then something omg beyond our control! will happen to cause that not to be the case. You will know when something is released when you are able to download it to your device. Wasted questions, I agree.

I think it's pretty much a lock when they give a firm date. PS3 DLC was available the day they said it would. Murkier dates like "by mid-July" are about as reliable as a broken condom.

 

[Sinistar]

I have 2 questions:
1) Has FarSight considered doing for Casino Slot Machines what they are doing for Pinball machines? (I live in a gambling state so we get some cool slot machines here.)

2) Will FarSight be capitalising on The Pinball Arcade with either a sequel Pinball Arcade 2 or a all tables bundled together retail game package Pinball Arcade Collection ?