Normal
Medusa was released in 1981. I believe most of the old zipper flippers had an "open" and a "closed" state, and the transition between the two was pretty quick.I'd love to include sketches here, but the forum software doesn't allow images in blog posts. I may have to hijack a thread in the off-topic section for image purposes and include links here.The flippers would move diagonally upward at the same angle as the inlane return wall, so the angle for cradling should remain consistent regardless of the flipper's position.As for tap passing and post transfers: In the narrowest position, the flippers would be close together and farthest from the slingshots, so tap passing would be easier while post transfers would be comparatively difficult. As the flippers retract, tap passing will become harder while post transfers become easier to execute (but the gap the ball must cross becomes wider).Also keep in mind that we're talking about much smaller distances traveled than with the zipper flippers. The flipper gap grows in increments of 1/8", so from easiest setting to hardest the gap grows 1/2". Each flipper travels half that distance, so 1/4" (plus a little extra because of the vertical component of the movement).The philosophy is that the progressive flippers and outlane posts should make the game more challenging as it goes on, without introducing abrupt severe changes in difficulty or forcing players to make drastic changes in their play style mid-game.
Medusa was released in 1981. I believe most of the old zipper flippers had an "open" and a "closed" state, and the transition between the two was pretty quick.
I'd love to include sketches here, but the forum software doesn't allow images in blog posts. I may have to hijack a thread in the off-topic section for image purposes and include links here.
The flippers would move diagonally upward at the same angle as the inlane return wall, so the angle for cradling should remain consistent regardless of the flipper's position.
As for tap passing and post transfers: In the narrowest position, the flippers would be close together and farthest from the slingshots, so tap passing would be easier while post transfers would be comparatively difficult. As the flippers retract, tap passing will become harder while post transfers become easier to execute (but the gap the ball must cross becomes wider).
Also keep in mind that we're talking about much smaller distances traveled than with the zipper flippers. The flipper gap grows in increments of 1/8", so from easiest setting to hardest the gap grows 1/2". Each flipper travels half that distance, so 1/4" (plus a little extra because of the vertical component of the movement).
The philosophy is that the progressive flippers and outlane posts should make the game more challenging as it goes on, without introducing abrupt severe changes in difficulty or forcing players to make drastic changes in their play style mid-game.
