Re: Bill Budge & pinball

[s924105@yallara.cs.rmit.OZ.AU (Cameron Silver)]

gberigan@cybernet.cse.fau.edu (Greg Berigan) writes:

>Some things I'd like to see in a Pinball Construction Set GS would be the 
>ability to define more complex logic rules, possibly using a scripting 
>language, and the ability to define ramps and other 3rd dimension 
>phenomena.  Something to allow the changing of the physical game layout 
>during the game play would be nice too.  The ability to define new 
>objects for the game field, and alter the graphics during play.

These ideas are all very nice. Id love to see a realistic PCS for the GS. I am
sceptical however that it can be pulled off. The physical playfield wouldn't be
to hard to design, the GS is definatle capable enought; the area were it falls
apart (IMHO) is software. Pinball machines of today are extremely complex when
it come to software. Switches in certain parts of the playfield activate certain
parts of the program, complex timeing is also involved. I'm not saying that it
can't be done, or even not to try, I think we should go for it!

>Hmm, sounds like I'm describing a play-test system for possible 
>real-world designs, eh?  I guess that's what I'm looking for now.

WOuld be nice, although nothing can compare to having the actual machine in your
palms! .. The type of PCS that I believe would be absolutly FANTASTIC would be
where the user designs a playfield, (with ramps and toys, holes and kickouts;
include upperflipers of different sizes etc...), the user then puts switches
down on the playfield/ramps and in the holes; then the user liks the switches
with sound files (raw/resorce ..) and scoring, this way the limitations are
vertually limitless, and real-life designes could be concocted!

Physical fetures it should include:
	Boppers
	Slingshots
	Flippers
	lights (normal, and strobes)
	Holding dishes
	Holes
	Kickouts
	ramps
	loops

Software Fetures
	Idealy, a small programming language
	Liking switches to the software. (Switches like inputs..)
	Program what lights come on when..
	Tilt
	Replays
	soundeffects
	multi-player
	extra balls

These are just my ideas, so don't flam me for being unrealistic. I just thought
I'd give you my 2 cents woth seeming I am currently mis-placing my youth in
pinball arcades!

Cameron <I hope this gets out> Silver