Stern Sees a Bright Future in Digital Pinball - Discussion

[karl]

After reading the article and all the comments, I have two thoughts.

1) We've heard this before. I'll believe it when I see an AC/DC, Tron, or Spider-man appear in digital form. Enough talk, make it happen.

2) Sounds like Stern sees an opportunity to make some $. Maybe they are looking to get a bigger cut of the pie. Perhaps a Stern game/app. Although I fear the result would be a poorly slapped together game with abysmal physics.

So very true! Stern have said things along those lines for 2 years, since Ripley was fist released.

 

[CC13]

As far as I'm concerned, it's too little too late.

They had their chance to capitalise on Digital copies of their physical tables multiple times over the past few years but they always seemed to get cold feet when it came to actually doing anything. We've had only a handful of Sterns compared to all the Williams and Gottlieb tables, and it's not like everyone of them were 5* classics.

NOW with TPA probably in its last season or two they actually start getting involved more, even though by the time they actually do put the wheels in motion for such a game, TPA will probably not be releasing any more tables.

Gary Stern with his finger on the button as always.

What makes you think TPA is almost over? I can easily think of 30 more non-KS tables a fair number of people here want. Anyway, I hope that Stern do make a serious move on digitizing their physical tables—perhaps chaining digitizations together with Vault Editions of older tables could open up some doors...

 

[Bowflex]

I hope they will help back digital versions. Of course this will not help get any older tables made. They would have to go back and renegotiate to do that. I could see future tables having a clause for digital recreations but I doubt it will be something that can be retroactively done.

 

[night]

Meh, not entirely true. There's a lot of us that aren't into mobile games, and are more into consoles.

In fact, I honestly don't get the joy of major mobile/tablet games? I mean, I have games, but they're simple ones like "Solitaire" or "Connect Four". In every instance that I've played a REAL game on a mobile device, I've hated just about everything about it. In fact, I can't even imagine how awful it would be to play TPA on a phone.

Besides, the graphics are better on PC and consoles anyway....just seems pointless to me.

Playing on a phone, yes terrible. Playing on a tablet, it's great. I have TPA on my Mac, and I just hate the experience compared to the iPad. Graphics quality.. take a look at the Pro Pinball demo. Or Zaccaria. I haven't seen any TPA PC screenshots I rate higher in graphics quality compared to my iPad. Perhaps lightning fx. And I am not from the console generation anymore.

 

[Biff]

Pinball programs require an enormous amount of calculations to get accurate physics. It's not something that can just be thrown together - TPA has been around (in one form or another) almost a decade, and the engine still isn't perfect (though it is really close). If Stern decides to do an upstart, we'll end up having great tables with crappy physics.

These days you don't have to start from scratch if you want to develop a game.
There are a couple of game and physics engines available on the market.

On topic, Gary Stern told us twice that Farsight digitized RCT not Ripley's. Does he really care about digital pinball now?

 

[Kratos3]

What makes you think TPA is almost over? I can easily think of 30 more non-KS tables a fair number of people here want. Anyway, I hope that Stern do make a serious move on digitizing their physical tables—perhaps chaining digitizations together with Vault Editions of older tables could open up some doors...

This comes up every month or two. I remember hearing that when it was announced that single tables would be 4.99 from here on out.

 

[shutyertrap]

I know FarSight has talked to Stern about this, and both parties want it to happen. Whenever I asked if Stern could write TPA into the licensing contract, it was always met with a glimmer in the eye. And then the eye gets poked with not being able to emulate the software currently. Booooooo.

 

[Zaphod77]

Umm. the software doesn't have to be emulated..

Stern has the code. they can recompile it for TPA platforms, using much less processing power.

 

[Munky]

It would ultimately mean more money in Stern's pocket...what possible reason for dragging their feet could they have?

 

[Richard B]

I hope they will help back digital versions. Of course this will not help get any older tables made. They would have to go back and renegotiate to do that. I could see future tables having a clause for digital recreations but I doubt it will be something that can be retroactively done.

Bobby mentioned this in a Q and A. He said a digital clause would cost Stern more money, but would probably be cheaper for TPA than pursuing it separately.

 

[jaredmorgs]

Umm. the software doesn't have to be emulated..

Stern has the code. they can recompile it for TPA platforms, using much less processing power.

So they can recompile SAM native code (running at a higher clock speed) to run on what is basically scripted Whitestar in TPA. That's one hell of a recompile...

Stern have issues keeping up with code updates for their own IRL machines. Recompiling code would be non-trivial, and very costly for Stern R&D.

 

[karl]

Much easier for Farsight to give Stern some extra money instead of the license holder and everybody is happy? This would benefit both companies.

Regarding SAM. VPmame does this so there should not be that difficult. Making it run on mobile could be a hassle since it requires a bit more power but it should be doable, if they really want to do it. Can't see how they can do it native, though

 

[Bravewall]

Positive push! You got it!