CNN recently reported that the Retro Arcade Museum in Beacon NY (USA) has faced a forced closure for what was originally thought to be the result of an archaic law regarding pinball machines as gambling devices.
However a followup story on Gizmodo which includes a response from the local mayor seems to suggest that noise pollution and complaints from neighbours may have been the true reason for the closure.
The arcade features a range of video game machines and a collection of pinballs including:
1963 - Williams Cross Country EM 1965 - Williams Lucky Strike EM 1966 - Gottlieb Cross Town EM 1967 - Williams Apollo EM 1971 - Williams Klondike EM 1970 - Bally Expressway EM 1972 - Gottlieb King Kool EM 1972 - Bally Time Zone EM 1973 - Allied Leisure Spooksville 1973 - Williams Hi Lo Ace EM 1975 - Gottlieb Fast Draw EM 1976 - Williams Space Odyssey EM 1976 - Williams Grand Rrix EM 1977 - Atari Airborne Avenger
Let's hope they sort our their noise issues soon so patrons can once again enjoy their retro gaming fix.
Pinball Yeah! (iPhone)
Written by Graham Jupp
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Coderunners have just launched their new fantasy pinball game for iPhone entitled Pinball Yeah! . Looks to be an interesting game and a worthy addition to your pinball collection. (also coming soon to PC and Mac)
I couldnt stand Slayer when I was a teenager but this new Slayer Pinball game for iPhone and iPad certainly looks like fun.
GoPinball returns from the wilds
Written by Graham Jupp
Friday, 02 July 2010
Steve Paradis sends word that his GoPinball forum is once again back online (minus the old posts unfortunately). Steve also provides a very public and candid apology/explanation as to the why the site vanished a few months ago, read the "welcome" thread for details. Be sure to check out his upcoming Future Pinball project based around "The Dark Knight" theme.
Many pinball owners have decided to replace their traditional incandescent playfield lamps with LED bulbs. There are several advantages to doing so including lower power usage, longer lamp life and a multitude of colours. However one of the biggest gripes with LED bulbs is that they just don't have the same feel as an incandescent bulb. One reason for this is that LEDs tend to have a digital on/off appearance in that the bulb is either on or off, there's none of the fading in and out that you get with a regular bulb.
One smart cookie has come up with a little circuitry that helps simulate this fading effect and might someday be hopefully included into the bulb itself.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 03 June 2010 )
Win an Iron Man Pinball (for a night)
Written by Graham Jupp
Thursday, 03 June 2010
Well... it seems that the big countdown on Stern's site was for a new site launch (and new logo), so no cup holders as I had hoped. Its great to see a fresh new look for the company and hopefully is an indication that they intend to stick around for immediate future. Strangely the shape of the new logo never even registered in my mind as being a flipper until someone else mentioned it, I think perhaps the flashing blue light in place of the ball somehow threw me off the scent or maybe Im just blind, the full logo with pinball is much easier to identify than the countdown logo.
As part of the new site launch, Stern are offering a chance to win an Iron Man Pinball machine... unfortunately you dont get to keep it as its only a loaner for one night, they are also supplying $100 worth of pizza and drinks so you can throw your own Iron Man party for your friends... or just for yourself if you dont have any. :)
If you've visited Stern's website recently you might have discovered that its a little lacking in content. The site currently consists of a funky new Stern logo complete with pulsating blue light and a simple countdown timer. At the time of writing this news item the counter has only 13 hours and 45 minutes until the launch of whatever it may be that they are hiding behind the front page. Your guess is as good as mine but I've got my money on a holographic mind controlled pinball machine... with a cup holder.
Gabe McGrath sends word that the Sydney Pinball Expo will not go ahead this year, hopefully making a return in 2011. Co-organiser Michael Shalhoub made the recent announcement: “It is unfortunate but this years Pinball Expo has been postponed till next year due to unforeseen circumstances. Originally, getting the right venue was a problem. There are many things to take into consideration making this decision, finance is a main issue. I didn’t want to turn the Expo into a auction like last year; I wanted it to be different holding it over four days and getting overseas guests to talk at seminars. I will be in Chicago later this year and will secure people for the Sydney Expo next year.”
Sadly, Steve Paradis has decided to hang up his gloves and remove the newly created GoPinball forums. The closure seems to be a result of controversy surrounding his support for unauthorised table mods and he has decided to call it a day. Steve's contributions to the Future Pinball community over the last 3 years have been huge, for which we send a big thankyou and wish him luck with the future. Hopefully this is not the last we see of Steve on the pinball scene.