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The first time I played Zen Pinball, I was terrible. Draining, double flipping, generally just sucking. I was so overwhelmed, I put it away for months.
Then, for no real reason at all, I picked it up again, but this time my wife mentioned how her mother used to play a lot of computer pinball, and there was actually a lot of strategy to it, rather than just flopping the ball around, like I was doing. I looked it up and sure enough, there was a treasure trove of techniques for me to learn and master. I've been obsessed ever since.
What I think would've drawn me in quicker to Zen Pinball, and would really pull in more new/younger users, is if there was some sort of tutorial mode. Like, little mini missions using the free board already given - i.e. capturing the ball five times to complete and move on and select a new mission with a new technique to learn. But the key here is that the missions wouldn't be unlocked through regular play. You'd select from a menu, and that would be the only thing you can do on that board until you've completed it. Allow people to learn at their own pace. It could even take you through techniques like post pass. Hell, if they keep getting more and more difficult, I could even see more advanced players using this mode to get better.
One of the problems pinball it seems pinball has always had is that it can be hard to teach people how to play the game. That barrier is broken now that Video Game pinball exists, and I'm surprised its not being utilized more Something like Rollers of the Realm does it really well.
I can tell you from first hand experience, the more I learn about pinball techniques, and the better I get, the more I want to play, and the more tables I want to buy.
On a related note, I like that there are difficulty settings which can be edited in the menu settings, but that option is pretty hidden to most novice players - i.e. the ones who need it the most. Also, I'd love it if there were separate score boards for the difficulty ratings, instead of just not recording the score if it isn't the suggested settings. Validating the efforts of players who like an easier time, and just want to explore the board would really open up the game to new types of fans.
Also, the scoreboards shown at the end of a game are always the 'all time' boards. It can be a daunting reminder of how much better everyone else is when you see those multi billion scores, and meanwhile you've yet to break 100 million on the table. But when I check the weekly boards and see that I'm at the 20th spot, well, there's all the motivation I need for my next dozen or so games I think having the two side by side at the end would really show new players they're not as bad as they think they are - there are just a few really amazing players.
Lastly, thanks to anybody who reads all this. These are just some thoughts from an illustrator/writer/spare time game designer (board games). I'm sure a lot of this would work better in theory than in practice, but if it helps make Zen Pinball 3 or whatever is next a more open and inviting experience, and help grow this game I've become so enamored with lately, then I'd be pretty happy.
Then, for no real reason at all, I picked it up again, but this time my wife mentioned how her mother used to play a lot of computer pinball, and there was actually a lot of strategy to it, rather than just flopping the ball around, like I was doing. I looked it up and sure enough, there was a treasure trove of techniques for me to learn and master. I've been obsessed ever since.
What I think would've drawn me in quicker to Zen Pinball, and would really pull in more new/younger users, is if there was some sort of tutorial mode. Like, little mini missions using the free board already given - i.e. capturing the ball five times to complete and move on and select a new mission with a new technique to learn. But the key here is that the missions wouldn't be unlocked through regular play. You'd select from a menu, and that would be the only thing you can do on that board until you've completed it. Allow people to learn at their own pace. It could even take you through techniques like post pass. Hell, if they keep getting more and more difficult, I could even see more advanced players using this mode to get better.
One of the problems pinball it seems pinball has always had is that it can be hard to teach people how to play the game. That barrier is broken now that Video Game pinball exists, and I'm surprised its not being utilized more Something like Rollers of the Realm does it really well.
I can tell you from first hand experience, the more I learn about pinball techniques, and the better I get, the more I want to play, and the more tables I want to buy.
On a related note, I like that there are difficulty settings which can be edited in the menu settings, but that option is pretty hidden to most novice players - i.e. the ones who need it the most. Also, I'd love it if there were separate score boards for the difficulty ratings, instead of just not recording the score if it isn't the suggested settings. Validating the efforts of players who like an easier time, and just want to explore the board would really open up the game to new types of fans.
Also, the scoreboards shown at the end of a game are always the 'all time' boards. It can be a daunting reminder of how much better everyone else is when you see those multi billion scores, and meanwhile you've yet to break 100 million on the table. But when I check the weekly boards and see that I'm at the 20th spot, well, there's all the motivation I need for my next dozen or so games I think having the two side by side at the end would really show new players they're not as bad as they think they are - there are just a few really amazing players.
Lastly, thanks to anybody who reads all this. These are just some thoughts from an illustrator/writer/spare time game designer (board games). I'm sure a lot of this would work better in theory than in practice, but if it helps make Zen Pinball 3 or whatever is next a more open and inviting experience, and help grow this game I've become so enamored with lately, then I'd be pretty happy.
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