The Scoop

John Trudeau Arrest

In very disturbing news, last Friday Stern pinball designer John Trudeau was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of child pornography.  You can read more info from the Glendale Heights Police Department here.  Here is the Pinball News article regarding the arrest.  TWIP will follow up on this story as necessary.

 <insert smooth transition from horrible news to getting back to fun pinball news> 

Houdini Updates

On a lighter note, American Pinball shared some updates last week regarding their upcoming release, Houdini.  They mentioned that parts are being ordered and/or made in preparation for production, and that they are planning to ship games by the end of the year.  American Pinball also mentioned they hoped to have some games on location by Halloween (10/31), which is also the anniversary of Houdini’s death.  Check out American Pinball’s website here, where you can also find detailed Houdini pics.

Houdini Gameplay

For those unfamiliar with Houdini – a couple months ago, we got some quality Houdini gameplay footage from Zach and Greg on Straight Down the Middle: a pinball show.  Check out the four part series with Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and a fly-by of the game here.  Here are some of the highlights:

• The lock shot catapult!  Overhead here, closeup here, closer-up here – check it out, it catapults the ball into the trunk for Trunk multi-ball

• Shoot the ball into the stage on the playfield to start mode (after hitting the stage enough times)

• Seance Multi-ball: Seance activates magnets under the playfield – your balls act strange

• Trunk multi-ball stacked with Seance – Trunk multi-ball is going, then Seance is started and magnets throw the balls around in crazy directions

• A first in pinball – a mode that not only reverses the flippers, but inverts them – check it out here, it is crazy!

• The sound helps set the mood and build up the intensity – check out a 30 second example here

• “Trying using the flippers to keep the ball in play” on the display and other funny insults in the game, check out an example here

Check out more from Straight Down the Middle on their YouTube page, Twitch page, and Facebook page.

Thunderbirds Electroluminescent Headbox Decals

In spite of battling multiple typhoons last week, Homepin posted a feature list for Thunderbirds Pinball on their Facebook page (check it out here).  Some highlights include:

• Electroluminescent headbox decals: they also released a video of this in action, you need to watch this!

• Stainless steel aprons with leveling bubbles built in: used for both side to side cabinet leveling and front to back playfield pitch degrees, wish every machine had this!

• Separate internal power supply for mods

Homepin also posted a video showing playfields being cut by their CNC machine, check it out here.  Previously, we saw a pic of the lock inserts, the approved translite art, and teaser pictures of the playfield plastics.  Homepin plans to show off the machine at Pinfest in Australia coming up October 7th and 8th.  Check out Homepin’s Facebook page here for more updates.

This Week in Pinball – HELP!

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Pinball News Website

Last week, Pinball News launched a website upgrade which features a more modern and clean, minimalistic look.  Martin Ayub started Pinball News back in 1999.  Martin and the team at Pinball News provide tons of useful information related to pinball, including in-depth articles on industry news, new game reviews, an up-to-date pinball calendar, reports from pinball shows, information about where to play, and more.  Check out the announcement on their Facebook page here, and make sure to check out their new-look website here!

Star Wars Updates – R2D2 Topper, Premiums Shipping Soon

Two updates regarding Stern Star Wars – first, an R2D2 Topper is supposed to be released soon.  Although specifics are not known about the topper, previous code included an option to “Disable R2D2 Projector”.  Check out the message here.  Second, there are several reports that distributors are telling customers the Premiums should start shipping in the next week or two.

Stern Updates – New Cabinets Bracing, Brazil Manufacturing?

If you’re unaware, Stern has had some issues with cabinets splitting on newer games.  They seemed to have addressed this issue with extra cabinet bracing – see pics of the extra bracing here and here – hopefully this won’t be an issue going forward.  Second, according to this Instagram post, some Stern Pinball titles will now be made in Brazil.  Translated, the post reads: “Stern made in Brazil !!! It’s been a huge challenge keeping this secret since December 2015. But finally we can shout to the world that we will make Pinball again! Matic, who manufactured the famous J Esteban and EletroMatic until the 80’s, made a deal with Stern Pinball and will set up Pinball’s again in Brazil! Long conversations and negotiations took place. But now it’s official! These will be the first titles! Aerosmith premium, Star Wars pro, WWE Premium”

Alien Updates

Heighway Pinball announced that they will be removing the fiber optic ramp lights and refunding LE owners the cost of the lights. Cointaker is also expecting a shipment from Heighway Pinball on 9/1. It isn’t known exactly what will be included with the shipment.

Pin of the Week

METALLICA PREMIUM (MONSTERS VERSION)

Interesting notes about Metallica Premium:

• There are two premium versions – Premium Monsters (pictured above) and Premium Road Case

• “Brendon Small provided the voices for ‘Sparky’ and ‘The Snake’.” – IPDB

Manufacturer: Stern PinballDisplay: Dot MatrixPlayers: 4Flippers: 2Ramps: 2Release date: April 2013

System: Stern SAM SystemDesign: John BorgSoftware: Lyman SheatsArtwork: Donny GilliesMusic/Sound: MetallicaProduction run: ?

Website of the Week

ipdb.org

If you want to find more information about any pinball machine, IPDB is the place to go.  From their website: “The Internet Pinball Machine Database — also known as the IPDB — is a comprehensive, searchable encyclopedia of virtually every pinball machine ever commercially made. The database currently includes 66,798 images of 6,084 games, 4,620 other game related files, and links to other pinball websites, grouped by machine. The database also includes pitch & bat baseball games, cocktail table machines, bingos, and payout machines … when they have a pinball theme.

The data in this database has been laboriously gathered by the Editors over many years, from books, photographs, flyers, web sites, pinball manufacturers, collectors’ personal records, and of course the pinball machines themselves. Most of the actual photographs in the database came from various collectors – over 2,377 different contributors to date.”  Check it out!

Name the Game

 Identify the pinball machine pictured below for a chance to win a gift card to Pinball Life!  The August winner will be announced next week!

Hint: This pin will blow you away

Last Week’s answer: Big Brave / Big Indian

Upcoming Games and Rumors

Stern Pinball Most Recent Titles

• Aerosmith

• AC/DC Vault Edition

• Star Wars

Announced/Confirmed

• Elvira 3

Rumors of Future Titles

• Guardians of the Galaxy?

• Iron Maiden?

• Jurassic World?

• Deadpool?

• Pulp Fiction?

Spooky Pinball Most Recent Titles

• Rob Zombie’s Spookshow International

• Dominos (*contract game)

• Jetsons (*contract game)

• Total Nuclear Annihilation (*contract/house game)

Announced/Confirmed

• Alice Cooper’s Nightmare Castle

• Ben Heck’s game

American Pinball Most Recent Titles

• Houdini

Dutch Pinball Most Recent Titles

• Bride of Pinbot 2.0

• Bride of Pinbot 3.0 (on hold)

• The Big Lebowski (production issues)

Silver Castle Pinball

• Timeshock (coming soon)

Jersey Jack Pinball Most Recent Titles

• Wizard of Oz

• The Hobbit

• Dialed In

Rumors of Future Titles

• Pirates of the Caribbean?

• Toy Story?

Chicago Gaming/Planetary Pinball Most Recent Titles

• Medieval Madness Remake

• Attack From Mars Remake

Rumors of Future Titles

• Monster Bash Remake?

• Big Bang Bar Remake?

• Cactus Canyon Remake?

Heighway Pinball Most Recent Titles

• Full Throttle

• Alien (production issues)

Rumors of Future Titles

• Queen?

P3 (Multimorphic)

• Lexy Lightspeed

• Cannon Lagoon

• Cosmic Cart Racing

Homepin

• Thunderbirds (coming soon)

**TWIP dreams of the day Harry Potter Pinball will be added to these rumors. Ms. Rowling, I am willing to walk into the forbidden forest – WITHOUT my wand – if you approve this!