Virtual Pinball

[Jib]

I've never owned my own pinball machine but I'm moving later this year and will have enough space for one (three...we don't really need that double bed in the spare room do we?) Along with a modern Stern Machine I'm considering a VPin. I know a lot of people don't like them and of course I'd rather have the real thing but I won't have space or money for infinite machines. I have no experience of maintaining or repairing a real machine so that concerns me slightly, that along with not being known in the community will probably limit what trades, loans, rentals people are willing to do with me, which I would want to do if I could only have 1 as I imagine I'll get bored and want something different from time to time. So I've been thinking about a virtual machine instead or as well as, for variety per £/ space, less maintenance, ability to be quiet (if I can shut my mouth) etc.

Like I say I know some people will be flat against them but what I'm wondering from people who have them is, how much more fun do you find it is to play at a cabinet vs PC? What extras are worth paying for vs what could be skipped to save a bit? Can you get the modern Sterns on any Vpin platform?

Thanks

 

[Buddinblack]

Never had a V-pin so can’t really comment on that but I just bought my first pin last month.

I hadn’t even soldered before but I’ve found the repairs maintenance of a real pin isn’t as difficult or as complicated as you would think. (9 out of 10 it’s a simple thing)

So I wouldn’t let a lack of technical know-how put you off.

Best of luck whatever you decide.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Deleted member 2463]

probably better posting this on a vpin forum.

Neil.

 

[Steve64]

If you want a simple setup get a nice 40" TV build a cab for it and fit a gt king android box with a encoder and run the pinball android apps, sure you won't have a back box or any kind of feedback but what you will have is a nice size screen and all it will come under £500 and just buy the games you want

 

[Marvello]

The more you replicate a real Pin the better the experience, so going from a PC to cabinet is a huge improvement, the trade off being space and money.

Add-ons like solenoid feedback, flashers, knockers, shaker motors are all optional and you probably won't miss them if you haven't experienced them.

At a basic level you need a 2 monitor setup with a decent spec' PC to run it. You also need some PC/Windows knowledge if you want to keep up to date with the latest releases.

I think Walking Dead is the last Pin you can get, but if you search hard enough and ask around you can get Ghostbusters.

I've got room for 3 and have had 3 at once but made a decision to go to 1 real Pin and a VPin. When I had 3 I found the last one to arrive would get all the play and the other 2 would get neglected so it made sense to just have one real Pin, play the hell out of it then move it on. The VPin adds tons of variety.

The money I've 'lost' selling on Pins is a lot more than my VPin cost.

Whatever Pin you buy you will get bored of it over time, it is usually 6-12 months for me and I don't play all that much.

 

[Jib]

The money I've 'lost' selling on Pins is a lot more than my VPin cost.

Whatever Pin you buy you will get bored of it over time, it is usually 6-12 months for me and I don't play all that muc

That's what I'm really weighing up I think. I know it won't be as good as a real Pin, but it might be the best option for me

 

[Fubar]

VPin is good for trying out lots of tables to figure out which ones you like. Once you know your tastes, get the real ones

 

[Marvello]

VPin is good for trying out lots of tables to figure out which ones you like. Once you know your tastes, get the real ones

Very true, I played Flintstones on a basic laptop which was enough to convince me to get the real thing. I thought the way the ball went behind the flippers was amazing. There is a very nice virtual version now so I still get to enjoy it.

On the flip side there were a few I wanted but after playing the virtual versions decided against.

 

[2huwman]

Visual Pinball X in VR mode is pretty amazing if you've got a VR headset. Also takes up less space than a full VPin setup.

I've only got space for a couple of real pins, so VR is great for playing others I'll never own or be able to play in the flesh!

 

[Rog69]

Visual Pinball X in VR mode is pretty amazing if you've got a VR headset. Also takes up less space than a full VPin setup.

I've only got space for a couple of real pins, so VR is great for playing others I'll never own or be able to play in the flesh!

I've been thinking of trying this and potentially building a controller (well, a box with some buttons on the side) to sit on my desk. How is the latency, is there much of an input lag for the flippers?

 

[2huwman]

I've been thinking of trying this and potentially building a controller (well, a box with some buttons on the side) to sit on my desk. How is the latency, is there much of an input lag for the flippers?

Latency is really low - I'm using an Oculus Rift S. No lag from the flippers that I can detect, A desktop controller would be great to do.

Loads of great tables here: vpinball.com/VPBdownloads/categories/vpx-vr-tables/

 

[Rog69]

I have a Quest 1 connected to my PC via the link cable so that should be ample. I guess that's my weekend taken care of then!