Table Pack #30 Speculation

[Richard B]

They gave us a clue - "This one's for Texas" - yet no one has yet taken some much of a stab at what it means and what table it is. Nope, everyone's yammering on about nothing like you're a bunch of geezers hanging out in a general store about what's further on down the line in this Season, and what's going to happen with Season 4. Who cares about that far in the future? What's the table next month?

 

[netizen]

They gave us a clue - "This one's for Texas" - yet no one has yet taken some much of a stab at what it means and what table it is. Nope, everyone's yammering on about nothing like you're a bunch of geezers hanging out in a general store about what's further on down the line in this Season, and what's going to happen with Season 4. Who cares about that far in the future? What's the table next month?

That's in the Pack 28 speculation thread

 

[Bowflex]

They gave us a clue - "This one's for Texas" - yet no one has yet taken some much of a stab at what it means and what table it is. Nope, everyone's yammering on about nothing like you're a bunch of geezers hanging out in a general store about what's further on down the line in this Season, and what's going to happen with Season 4. Who cares about that far in the future? What's the table next month?

no need to discuss the clue. It's an actual line in the game High Roller Casino. Pretty much a definite at this point.

 

[DokkenRokken]

I think the October pin will be a horror theme. Be it TFTC or BSD. Whether that is the last or first table of any season makes no difference at all.

The thing is, they've never started a Season with a Halloween table. lol

Look, whatever, when they don't release one as a 1st table, than the debate will be over.

Well, the main tables for September & October for the past two years have been horror themed. None from the PHOF Reissues. So having TFTC & BSD come out in consecutive months is a possibility for sure. But if it's only one scary table - then that will kick off Season 4.

As for the other four pins we've been discussing, there probably isn't a good chance that they all get made. But I do think we get two of the four before all is said and done.

Only time will tell...

Again, those were during Seasons when we got double tables, which we no longer get now. There's a difference, but like I said above, it'll be a non issue when it doesn't happen.

As for the 4 tables, I truly hope I am wrong. I'd love to get "Banzai Run" or especially "Rescue 911".

I think Phantom of the Opera and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein are both contenders as well. Besides, Season 1 had both Elvira's and Monster Bash/Creature from the Black Lagoon. That's 4! Never a shortage of "horror" themed tables in the pinball world.

I'd REALLY like to get "Phantom of the Opera", but I highly doubt we'll get "Mary Shelly's Frankenstein". It's not only a big license (More than "Bram Stoker's Dracula" I'd suspect), but nobody has ever requested it as far as I know.

Where can I read more about those rumours? I have heard Dracula mentioned a couple of times and would love to see it but what makes you so sure?

Do a search for "Bram Stoker's Dracula" on here, they've been posted about numerous times.

Trust me, I'd say there's a 99.9% chance we get it, unless they suddenly change their minds.

I didn't mean to spark off so much debate about those last four tables. Indeed, I'm NOT predicting we'll see them in Season 4. My Season 4 guesses are the ten tables above that (or Red & Ted if it isn't the final table of Season 3 like I'm supposing). Those other four were just other guesses that I think are less likely, but wouldn't surprise me if any of them supplanted one or more of the ten above. Of course, FarSight could surprise us completely by going somewhere else entirely. (I have to admit, I didn't see Lights, Camera, Action coming at all.). Of those "other" tables that wouldn't surprise me, I might add a fifth, Judge Dredd.

I would also note that I think that if we don't see a break-through in the negotiations for The Addams Family, the chances for a different KickStarter campaign for another premium-licensed table (like Simpons Pinball Party, Lord Of The Rings, etc.) is close to nil. The last KickStarter for T2 was successful, but not overwhelmingly so. I think KickStarter campaigns are something FarSight wants to be far more selective with, and the only table they'd want to "play that card" with these days is The Addams Family if they could somehow clear the other hurdles with that table.

It's never a bad thing to have a debate, that's another reason why forums exist!

I definitely see your ten being highly probable, but I disagree with you about the Kickstarter. I don't get the logic behind it, because you're certainly not the only one who has mentioned this. Why would Farsight give up on other Kickstarter worthy tables, just because they couldn't get TAF? It just doesn't make any sense, esp business wise, nor is it fair to the other great tables like "The Simpsons Pinball Party". (Which I think will definitely be TAF's replacement.)

If anything, a table like TSPP will without a doubt do better than "T2", which was only Kickstarted because they had a very small window to obtain it and because it was one of JAY'S favorite tables. I don't remember too many requests for it during that time.

Keep in mind *both* TFTC and BSD have license issues. That fact honestly makes me curious how the talk on these tables is so certain.

(I've heard talk about BSD being "license free" and that absolutely is inaccurate. That logo on the backglass and the playfield certainly is owned by Columbia Pictures and I think a couple actor likenesses appear on the playfield and backglass that would probably have to be cleared by Columbia Pictures as well. That's not to say it's insurmountable, but it would be a mistake to think of this table as license free.)

TFTC in addition is a 1990s Data East, whose system they have not emulated yet (probably because most of the tables are licenses).

Again, not that any of these issues are insurmountable, but I would not be *certain* BSD or TFTC is coming. They might be, yes. BSD is more likely IMHO (already emulated system).

But so far, the last season, they've been doing only "low hanging fruit" (as in very little licenses required at all). This is the chief factor I can see why BSD will not be coming soon, doing this means they have returned to doing a bit heavier license tables again.

I know both Farsight and knowledgeable people here like "Pinwiz" have stated that "Bram Stoker's Dracula" would not require a Kickstarter, but yes, I'm sure BSD will be a little costly. I'm sure Farsight had to pay a little to get tables like "Elvira", or "Monster Bash", but they were still able to obtain them. I don't remember anyone saying the table was "license free", but I do know that plenty have said it wouldn't require a Kickstarter.

I can't say the same for TFTC, as I don't know if it would require a Kickstarter or not. My guess is that it wouldn't, since it WAS NOT in the Premium Top Ten Poll, but that's just a guess.

At the end of the day, with all the hints that Farsight have given, I'm 99.9% sure that we're getting BSD this season. Yes, they've done highly popular, but non licensing tables all season, but those are quickly running out, and what better way to end the season with a BANG! by doing BSD, esp since it'll be close to Halloween anyway. (Not to mention BSD has been endlessly requested over the years)

From what I can tell, they've done only two licensed themed tables that aren't Elvira, Universal Monsters, or Kickstarters. Those two are Sterns with probably not-too-difficult licenses (Ripley's and Harley).

There's been an occasional music clip in other pinballs that they probably had to get permission. But it's not new news that they tend to avoid big licenses. (Makes business sense, after all, it's an extra business cost.) Maybe the other licensed themes were pretty easy too. Cassandra Peterson is reportedly a pinball fan, and Universal Studios was celebrating their 100th anniversary at the time TPA was released so maybe they were pretty happy to merchandise more of their old school icons.

The real deal with this is that they are starting to run out of obvious 1990s and newer DMDs (the category that probably sells best) that do not have licensed themes or elements. Now, there's some licenses that I can't see how it would be that huge. BSD would sell well, you'd think, for instance, so if the art license is cheap enough and Farsight still wants to do an occasional minor licensed pin, it will make it.

If they've given up on all licensing, though, expect more System 11s and LCA-style "surprises". Maybe they'll be able to wiggle in Rollercoaster Tycoon and Monopoly. *shrug*

This is what scares me a little bit, because like you said, the highly popular, but cheap non licensed tables are quickly running out. They're going to HAVE to start going after the more expensive tables, esp all the Data East tables everyone wants.

 

[Richard B]

That's in the Pack 28 speculation thread

I see.

 

[Nightwing]

The thing is, they've never started a Season with a Halloween table. lol

Look, whatever, when they don't release one as a 1st table, than the debate will be over.

You do realize that probably the only reason why there hasn't been a Halloween/horror themed table to kick off a Season is because... there hasn't been a Season that has started in October...

I'm just saying...

 

[jbejarano]

It's never a bad thing to have a debate, that's another reason why forums exist!

I definitely see your ten being highly probable, but I disagree with you about the Kickstarter. I don't get the logic behind it, because you're certainly not the only one who has mentioned this. Why would Farsight give up on other Kickstarter worthy tables, just because they couldn't get TAF? It just doesn't make any sense, esp business wise, nor is it fair to the other great tables like "The Simpsons Pinball Party". (Which I think will definitely be TAF's replacement.)

If anything, a table like TSPP will without a doubt do better than "T2", which was only Kickstarted because they had a very small window to obtain it and because it was one of JAY'S favorite tables. I don't remember too many requests for it during that time.

The reason that I don't think we'll see a non-Addams KickStarter is that I remember what the feeling was around the time of the T2 KickStarter. The previous two KickStarters (for The Twilight Zone, and Star Trek: The Next Generation) were wildly successful. Both of them FAR exceeded their goals and expectations. When it came time for the T2 KickStarter (which had to be done at that time for license window reasons as you noted), the expectation was that T2 would be just as successful. As each day passed, it became less and less likely that that KickStarter would succeed at all, let alone in an overwhelming way as the previous two had done.

If you'll recall, as a way to goose the effort, in the waning days of that campaign, FarSight added some new extra special perk levels for T2 including the ability to become a beta-tester for The Pinball Arcade. (Incidentally, well played, FarSight, you snared me with that one. ) With that extra goosing, the T2 KickStarter did, in fact, make it's goal, but just barely. The fact that FarSight needed to offer extra-special perks just to make the goal coupled with the pessimism and nail-biting that occurred amongst users on this forum at the time made it seem as if they'd gone to the KickStarter well a little too often. It felt as though we had a bit of "KickStarter fatigue." Now, FarSight never came out and expressly said this, of course; nor, would they. But the confidence in KickStarters that existed after the first two seemed to have been diminished dramatically.

Now, you may argue that users just didn't want T2 as badly as Twilight Zone or Star Trek: The Next Generation, and that had FarSight just picked another table that users had been clamoring for a bit more, we'd never have had that close call. That argument may have some merit (though I actually think T2 is a great table, and I'm very happy I backed it). Even so, after their experience with the T2 KickStarter, I would surmise that FarSight may feel a bit more gun-shy about blatantly whipping around KickStarters for this or that expensively licensed table even if there's notable demand for it in the forum.

That's not to say they'll never do another one. But, I think they'd like to have a surer thing as the object of their next KickStarter. The closest thing to a sure thing for a KickStarter is clearly The Addams Family. The FarSight team loves that table; the Pinball Arcade users love that table; ipdb.org loves that table. It's as close to a can't-miss as you can get. In order to get their KickStarter "mojo" back, I think FarSight would want no less a sure thing than The Addams Family to be the object of their next KickStarter.

That said, the external negotiation hurdles with the rights holders for The Addams Family are well-documented. They're working diligently to overcome them, but until they can, I don't think we'll see any KickStarter-fueled table. I don't think they want to risk having another KickStarter miss, or just barely make it, because if that were to happen, that would probably seal the doom of The Addams Family as a table permanently regardless of what happens in external negotiations with the license holders. Are The Simpons Pinball Party and Lord Of The Rings, and a few other tables like that being sought after by users more than T2 was? Yes. But, The Addams Family is still the most sought-after table there is. If FarSight only has one "bullet" left in its KickStarter gun, and after the T2 KickStarter it's totally reasonable for them to think that may be so, then best to use it on the one table everyone involved most wants.

 

[Paul]

Hi. I'm new here. As someone who just likes playing pinball games and understands little else about licenses, etc...I would like to agree that Tales From Thew Crypt would be a excellent game to release. I've just gotten into the tv series and comic books, so this would cap it off for me.

My other choice (and BIG lots of red tape here) is the Doctor Who pinball game (with 7th Doctor Sylvester McCoy and the Daleks). Its 50 years old this year and it's about time...

 

[DokkenRokken]

You do realize that probably the only reason why there hasn't been a Halloween/horror themed table to kick off a Season is because... there hasn't been a Season that has started in October...

I'm just saying...

Yes, I am aware. lol

Again, by the time Table Pack #30 comes around, it'll be close to October. (At least for us console users), and one of the best parts of these seasons is getting that cool Halloween table. I just don't see them doing 2 in a row, esp now since the only ones that are left are the pricey licensed ones like "Phantom of the Opera", "Freddy", etc.

Again, we shall see what happens.

The reason that I don't think we'll see a non-Addams KickStarter is that I remember what the feeling was around the time of the T2 KickStarter. The previous two KickStarters (for The Twilight Zone, and Star Trek: The Next Generation) were wildly successful. Both of them FAR exceeded their goals and expectations. When it came time for the T2 KickStarter (which had to be done at that time for license window reasons as you noted), the expectation was that T2 would be just as successful. As each day passed, it became less and less likely that that KickStarter would succeed at all, let alone in an overwhelming way as the previous two had done.

If you'll recall, as a way to goose the effort, in the waning days of that campaign, FarSight added some new extra special perk levels for T2 including the ability to become a beta-tester for The Pinball Arcade. (Incidentally, well played, FarSight, you snared me with that one. ) With that extra goosing, the T2 KickStarter did, in fact, make it's goal, but just barely. The fact that FarSight needed to offer extra-special perks just to make the goal coupled with the pessimism and nail-biting that occurred amongst users on this forum at the time made it seem as if they'd gone to the KickStarter well a little too often. It felt as though we had a bit of "KickStarter fatigue." Now, FarSight never came out and expressly said this, of course; nor, would they. But the confidence in KickStarters that existed after the first two seemed to have been diminished dramatically.

Now, you may argue that users just didn't want T2 as badly as Twilight Zone or Star Trek: The Next Generation, and that had FarSight just picked another table that users had been clamoring for a bit more, we'd never have had that close call. That argument may have some merit (though I actually think T2 is a great table, and I'm very happy I backed it). Even so, after their experience with the T2 KickStarter, I would surmise that FarSight may feel a bit more gun-shy about blatantly whipping around KickStarters for this or that expensively licensed table even if there's notable demand for it in the forum.

That's not to say they'll never do another one. But, I think they'd like to have a surer thing as the object of their next KickStarter. The closest thing to a sure thing for a KickStarter is clearly The Addams Family. The FarSight team loves that table; the Pinball Arcade users love that table; ipdb.org loves that table. It's as close to a can't-miss as you can get. In order to get their KickStarter "mojo" back, I think FarSight would want no less a sure thing than The Addams Family to be the object of their next KickStarter.

That said, the external negotiation hurdles with the rights holders for The Addams Family are well-documented. They're working diligently to overcome them, but until they can, I don't think we'll see any KickStarter-fueled table. I don't think they want to risk having another KickStarter miss, or just barely make it, because if that were to happen, that would probably seal the doom of The Addams Family as a table permanently regardless of what happens in external negotiations with the license holders. Are The Simpons Pinball Party and Lord Of The Rings, and a few other tables like that being sought after by users more than T2 was? Yes. But, The Addams Family is still the most sought-after table there is. If FarSight only has one "bullet" left in its KickStarter gun, and after the T2 KickStarter it's totally reasonable for them to think that may be so, then best to use it on the one table everyone involved most wants.

I would indeed say that "T2" had so much trouble because it's wasn't nearly as good or requested as much as "Twilight Zone" or "ST:TNG".

Again, until they resolve their issues with TAF, that table is not going to happen, so they're going to try and please the fans by going after the next best, most wanted Premium table. (...and since "Dr. Who" is completely out of the question, as well as "Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure" for now, I'm gonna guess it'll be "The Simpsons Pinball Party".)

 

[Paul]

And after this year, we buy the packs separately as they are released instead of a years worth - is that right? Or can someone point me to the discussion on it please.

 

[DokkenRokken]

And after this year, we buy the packs separately as they are released instead of a years worth - is that right? Or can someone point me to the discussion on it please.

You always have the option to buy the tables separately. The question is- Will we have the option to buy Season Passes next year?

 

[Paul]

Yo always have the option to buy the tables separately. The question is- Will we have the option to buy Season Passes next year?

Thats what I meant. Have heard no more season passes in the enewsletter.

 

[DokkenRokken]

Thats what I meant. Have heard no more season passes in the enewsletter.

For this season, you'll be able to buy a Season Pass AFTER all the tables have been released.

 

[Kratos3]

For this season, you'll be able to buy a Season Pass AFTER all the tables have been released.

Just like in season 1.

 

[DokkenRokken]

Just like in season 1.

I found out about TPA after Season 1 had ended, so I wasn't aware of that.

I just know I was able to buy the Season Pass for Season 2 midway through.

 

[ER777]

You do realize that probably the only reason why there hasn't been a Halloween/horror themed table to kick off a Season is because... there hasn't been a Season that has started in October...

I'm just saying...

Mind... blown.

 

[Paul]

For this season, you'll be able to buy a Season Pass AFTER all the tables have been released.

Huh. So we see all the wonderful tables being released during 2015 and play only the demo versions until the end of the season and then buy them all when the season ends...why would anyone do that???

 

[Nightwing]

Mind... blown.

I needed a laugh today. You provided it.
Thank you.

 

[Storm Chaser]

Do a search for "Bram Stoker's Dracula" on here, they've been posted about numerous times.

Trust me, I'd say there's a 99.9% chance we get it, unless they suddenly change their minds.

I am very glad to hear that. Searching for Dracula leaves me with a full page with threads up to 17 pages deep on some, none specifically discussing Dracula. That's why I asked specifically.

 

[shutyertrap]

Just theorizing here...

What if BSD was saved for Halloween and released independently of any season? Therefore for licensing purposes, it would never be discounted in a season pack? Perhaps that helps with not needing a kickstarter, since the table would never be discounted? And then the next season starts up the month after. Purely spit balling, since no one else has brought that up as a possibility.