Hoping to hear more support for the Bally/Williams' license in 2024, especially for tables like The Shadow, Congo, Flash Gordon and Medusa etc., plus would like to see the Elvira series, Centaur and Eight Ball Deluxe tables redone by Zen.
@@blahcadepinball With so many tables left with big licenses, would think maybe Bram Stoker's Dracula, Judge Dredd and/or Terminator 2 for tables in TPA, and The Shadow, Congo, Johnny Mnemonic for those not in TPA. Still hoping for the tables in my previous comment.
I think VR is the step change that FX needed all along. For many casual fans i suspect the new engine and physics weren't enough of an upgrade on FX3. But VR in the new year would be massive and would definitely justify switching over to FX. Thanks for arranging this interesting interview anyhow.
I really liked it. Thanks Chris & Jared. ( And Mel!) Really appreciate Mel is taking time to talk to you, even in these busy times. You got information from him that we were all looking for I think. Yes, 5 to 6 New WMS tables (!), redesigned mobile (!!) and...VR!!! Zen is still on the ball. If it all works out, 2024 will be a great year for us. Better save some money for a quest 3 Chris! Then i'll make sure you get you get to play in VR with force feedback.
Awesome!! I love your end of the year interviews with Mel. As excited as I am for hints on new tables coming in 2024, I'm also curious about updates on past tables like Super League Football. I would also love if they brought back Rocky and Bullwinkle and the other tables from the original Pinball FX. I know they're dated but they can pull a Zaccaria Pinball and make Nightmare Mansion Deluxe or the Black Knight 2000 route and make Buccaneer 2024 or a direct sequel- Agents 2. It stinks that those tables are stuck in the digital graveyard of the OG Xbox & 360.
Not what you're gonna wanna hear, but those original release tables for Xbox are never coming back. I myself have never even played them. These were brought up in I forget which interview we did, and were told those wouldn't happen.
@@blahcadepinball Yeah. It's too bad. It stinks too because I had the tables at one point on my 360 but I sold it a few years back but now I only have access to Agents, Extreme and Speed Machine on the current systems. I always had my fingers crossed that they would bring the 360 version of Pinball FX2 up through the Xbox Backwards Compatibility program like they did with Pinball FX 1 as a loop hole to bring those older tables up on the current systems but the program was shut down.
The Rare Pinball Pack (Battletoads, Sea of Thieves, and Killer Instinct) is releasing on both Legends HD and 4K cabients. Zen is not building those tables. I can imagine how disappointed Deep is right now; he wanted to do a Killer Instinct design.
Soooo many Williams/Bally tables I still want to see: Pinbot Flash Black Knight Black Knight 2000 Taxi Gorgar Centuar Firepower Bonzai Run Earthshaker Diner Vector 8 ball deluxe Catcus Canyon Hot Doggin
@@user-os7ec4dm8x Eeek…In my haste I forgot the Elvira tables too! And yeah I know they will be dripping these out like a slow leaking faucet but it’s still the list I would like to see.
I'm a big fan of Vector just because it's so different from anything else. Odds of it happening? Oof. I think most tables from '80, '81, '82 era won't happen. Centaur, Eight Ball Deluxe? Yes. Gorgar, Flash, Pinbot, Black Knight? Unlikely. Especially when Zen's audience would rather play Jack*Bot or Black Knight 2000. Same reason you won't see Comet when we already have Hurricane and if anything, Cyclone would be the more obvious choice. Medusa was mentioned in another comment and I really like that one too, but I'd be very surprised if it happens. My wishlist for what I'd like to see sooner rather than later includes... Centaur Eight Ball Deluxe Mr and Mrs Pac-Man Earthshaker! Rollergames Bally Game Show Diner Mousin' Around Cactus Canyon Judge Dredd Indy 500 NBA Fastbreak Johnny Mnemonic
@@blahcadepinball The reason I think Zen should make Flash is because it’s historical nature. It was the first pinball to have a continuous background audio track. It’s popularity at the time was off the charts. It’s was The Addams Family of it’s day with arcades often needing more that one machine to keep up with demand (my local arcade had THREE). Thus I think it has earned a rightful place in the collection. As for some of the others, I don’t understand Zen’s thinking…if you release a sequel, you certainly should release the original. It’s weird to have Bride of Pinbot first without Pinbot for instance. Strange decision from my POV. I’d be crushed if they didn’t make Gorgar just because it’s one of my favorites. And Vector yeah…because like you said it is so different but also because so rare. I think it should be seen and played by more!!
@@blahcadepinball Pin*Bot is more likely, since it's a System 11 machine and they've done Space Station. Both Pin*Bot and Jack*Bot are great games in their own rights. Anything pre-High Speed is not a System 11/alphanumeric.
Hearing VR makes me hopefull again. After being used to play pinball in VR I just can't enjoy it in flatmode anymore. I tried, bought FX, bought some tables but while the game itself is fantastic - I quickly went back to VPX. Would love to see FX in VR, even if it's not as well done as Star Wars pinball VR, just the tables in VR would be more than enough for me. I'd buy all the tables (again) without hesitating :)
Everytime we've asked Zen about just putting out a VR version of a table, they've always come back with wanting to do more, to create an atmosphere. They learned a lot from Star Wars VR in that respect, which is why I believe Pinball FX duplicated the game cave environment from that. Looking to Pinball M, you can see that each corner has it's own feel, which also would play nicely into their chosen VR asthetic. What they have never done with their VR titles though is offer more than a handful of games in comparison to what is available. For once I'd like them to try releasing a very large block to start and then also do day and date with Pinball FX releases. We'll have to see what comes.
@@blahcadepinball Ofcourse it would be very nice to have 'complete' vr game like Star Wars VR was, but I'd rather see them spend all their available resources on converting the tables to vr. I don't mind not being in a fancy VR room with moving object and stuff :)
@@MrEDET I've shared this sentiment with Zen before, they pretty much said it's not in their nature to put out a stripped down bare bones VR experience. I get the distinct impression their license IP holders also don't want that.
I didn't think about the license holders but yes, I can imagine that too. Anyway, I was happy to hear them even mention VR so at least it's still on their mind. Fingers crossed!@@blahcadepinball
Zen needs to do more Williams tables and there hasn't been any for a very long time and nothing for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and now Christmas, WTF? These Star Trek tables are terrible!
Pinball M tables are pretty good but these new tables for FX suck bad other than Charlie Brown, a good table but depressing for the Season since Charlie Brown is depressed. Star Trek tables are worst than ever, Gloomhaven is okay, and maybe Exploding Kittens is average, but overall these tables suck! It seems like you now need to make a coup!e dozen shots to complete a mode in these tables. I know I hit a dozen straight and still didn't complete a mode. Absolutely horrible! Especially the one Star Trek table you have to shoot the same shot a half dozen times before the dozens of other shots come online.
Hoping to hear more support for the Bally/Williams' license in 2024, especially for tables like The Shadow, Congo, Flash Gordon and Medusa etc., plus would like to see the Elvira series, Centaur and Eight Ball Deluxe tables redone by Zen.
5-6 tables in 2024, per the video confirmation by Mel. ~Jared
@@blahcadepinball With so many tables left with big licenses, would think maybe Bram Stoker's Dracula, Judge Dredd and/or Terminator 2 for tables in TPA, and The Shadow, Congo, Johnny Mnemonic for those not in TPA. Still hoping for the tables in my previous comment.
Who knows what they'll be able to cook up with license deals.
Anything is possible ~Jared
I think VR is the step change that FX needed all along. For many casual fans i suspect the new engine and physics weren't enough of an upgrade on FX3. But VR in the new year would be massive and would definitely justify switching over to FX. Thanks for arranging this interesting interview anyhow.
Thanks heaps for listening! ~Jared
Chris aka Shutyertrap, I had to turn my volume way up to hear you compared to Jerod & Mel. FYI.
Apologies...we recorded at a different time than usual, and because of that I had to purposely be more quiet so as to not disturb others.
I really liked it. Thanks Chris & Jared. ( And Mel!) Really appreciate Mel is taking time to talk to you, even in these busy times. You got information from him that we were all looking for I think. Yes, 5 to 6 New WMS tables (!), redesigned mobile (!!) and...VR!!! Zen is still on the ball. If it all works out, 2024 will be a great year for us. Better save some money for a quest 3 Chris! Then i'll make sure you get you get to play in VR with force feedback.
VR has me very, very excited for 2024. ~Jared
Awesome!! I love your end of the year interviews with Mel. As excited as I am for hints on new tables coming in 2024, I'm also curious about updates on past tables like Super League Football. I would also love if they brought back Rocky and Bullwinkle and the other tables from the original Pinball FX. I know they're dated but they can pull a Zaccaria Pinball and make Nightmare Mansion Deluxe or the Black Knight 2000 route and make Buccaneer 2024 or a direct sequel- Agents 2. It stinks that those tables are stuck in the digital graveyard of the OG Xbox & 360.
Not what you're gonna wanna hear, but those original release tables for Xbox are never coming back. I myself have never even played them. These were brought up in I forget which interview we did, and were told those wouldn't happen.
@@blahcadepinball Yeah. It's too bad. It stinks too because I had the tables at one point on my 360 but I sold it a few years back but now I only have access to Agents, Extreme and Speed Machine on the current systems. I always had my fingers crossed that they would bring the 360 version of Pinball FX2 up through the Xbox Backwards Compatibility program like they did with Pinball FX 1 as a loop hole to bring those older tables up on the current systems but the program was shut down.
The bald guy (sorry forget name) mic 🎤 is way too low.
Indy 500, Zen. Make it happen pls
Audio is off, Mel and one of the guys sound OK but bald guy is super quiet.
Apologies...we recorded at a different time than usual, and because of that I had to purposely be more quiet so as to not disturb others.
The Rare Pinball Pack (Battletoads, Sea of Thieves, and Killer Instinct) is releasing on both Legends HD and 4K cabients.
Zen is not building those tables. I can imagine how disappointed Deep is right now; he wanted to do a Killer Instinct design.
They'll probably suck compared to the zen tables.
Soooo many Williams/Bally tables I still want to see:
Pinbot
Flash
Black Knight
Black Knight 2000
Taxi
Gorgar
Centuar
Firepower
Bonzai Run
Earthshaker
Diner
Vector
8 ball deluxe
Catcus Canyon
Hot Doggin
At the rate they're going don't expect that lot for at least 3 years
@@user-os7ec4dm8x Eeek…In my haste I forgot the Elvira tables too!
And yeah I know they will be dripping these out like a slow leaking faucet but it’s still the list I would like to see.
I'm a big fan of Vector just because it's so different from anything else. Odds of it happening? Oof. I think most tables from '80, '81, '82 era won't happen. Centaur, Eight Ball Deluxe? Yes. Gorgar, Flash, Pinbot, Black Knight? Unlikely. Especially when Zen's audience would rather play Jack*Bot or Black Knight 2000. Same reason you won't see Comet when we already have Hurricane and if anything, Cyclone would be the more obvious choice. Medusa was mentioned in another comment and I really like that one too, but I'd be very surprised if it happens. My wishlist for what I'd like to see sooner rather than later includes...
Centaur
Eight Ball Deluxe
Mr and Mrs Pac-Man
Earthshaker!
Rollergames
Bally Game Show
Diner
Mousin' Around
Cactus Canyon
Judge Dredd
Indy 500
NBA Fastbreak
Johnny Mnemonic
@@blahcadepinball The reason I think Zen should make Flash is because it’s historical nature. It was the first pinball to have a continuous background audio track. It’s popularity at the time was off the charts. It’s was The Addams Family of it’s day with arcades often needing more that one machine to keep up with demand (my local arcade had THREE). Thus I think it has earned a rightful place in the collection.
As for some of the others, I don’t understand Zen’s thinking…if you release a sequel, you certainly should release the original. It’s weird to have Bride of Pinbot first without Pinbot for instance. Strange decision from my POV.
I’d be crushed if they didn’t make Gorgar just because it’s one of my favorites. And Vector yeah…because like you said it is so different but also because so rare. I think it should be seen and played by more!!
@@blahcadepinball Pin*Bot is more likely, since it's a System 11 machine and they've done Space Station. Both Pin*Bot and Jack*Bot are great games in their own rights.
Anything pre-High Speed is not a System 11/alphanumeric.
Hearing VR makes me hopefull again. After being used to play pinball in VR I just can't enjoy it in flatmode anymore. I tried, bought FX, bought some tables but while the game itself is fantastic - I quickly went back to VPX. Would love to see FX in VR, even if it's not as well done as Star Wars pinball VR, just the tables in VR would be more than enough for me.
I'd buy all the tables (again) without hesitating :)
Everytime we've asked Zen about just putting out a VR version of a table, they've always come back with wanting to do more, to create an atmosphere. They learned a lot from Star Wars VR in that respect, which is why I believe Pinball FX duplicated the game cave environment from that. Looking to Pinball M, you can see that each corner has it's own feel, which also would play nicely into their chosen VR asthetic. What they have never done with their VR titles though is offer more than a handful of games in comparison to what is available. For once I'd like them to try releasing a very large block to start and then also do day and date with Pinball FX releases. We'll have to see what comes.
@@blahcadepinball Ofcourse it would be very nice to have 'complete' vr game like Star Wars VR was, but I'd rather see them spend all their available resources on converting the tables to vr. I don't mind not being in a fancy VR room with moving object and stuff :)
@@MrEDET I've shared this sentiment with Zen before, they pretty much said it's not in their nature to put out a stripped down bare bones VR experience. I get the distinct impression their license IP holders also don't want that.
I didn't think about the license holders but yes, I can imagine that too. Anyway, I was happy to hear them even mention VR so at least it's still on their mind. Fingers crossed!@@blahcadepinball
Love Pinball M
Pinball M is really growing on me as well. I love the campaign modes and the extra M-exclusive modes. ~Jared
Audio is awful on this video
A valid observation that has already been mentioned.
I tried to fix the audio on the podcast by levelling the mix but it didn't help too much. ~Jared
Zen needs to do more Williams tables and there hasn't been any for a very long time and nothing for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and now Christmas, WTF? These Star Trek tables are terrible!
Mel said they're planning on 5-6 WMS tables in 2024. Did you not pay attention?
Pinball M tables are pretty good but these new tables for FX suck bad other than Charlie Brown, a good table but depressing for the Season since Charlie Brown is depressed. Star Trek tables are worst than ever, Gloomhaven is okay, and maybe Exploding Kittens is average, but overall these tables suck! It seems like you now need to make a coup!e dozen shots to complete a mode in these tables. I know I hit a dozen straight and still didn't complete a mode. Absolutely horrible! Especially the one Star Trek table you have to shoot the same shot a half dozen times before the dozens of other shots come online.
I have always been against "Spell-o-rama" in pinball. It feels like lazy rule design, but is probably the fastest to implement. ~Jared
Well, the trek tables are a mixed bag. One is awful (kelvin) one is ok-ish (DS9) and one is pretty darn good (Discovery).