PBFX2 getting zen classic pack I say petition more for XBOX tables

[BarbieBobomb]

Barbie I do understand, I really do, but to make an announcement saying 'A Christmas Miracle' For the XBOX owners feels more like a slap in the face. I knew the Zen classic tables were coming to the 360 at some point since the article on Windows 8. It was bound to happen though I did not think it would happen so soon. That is why most of PS3 players like me are in an uproar.

I don't mean to sound like an ungrateful Bastard and I do appreciate you guys Bringing ZP2 with it's updated graphics, Physics etc as a free update but you guys knew that us PS3 owners were on the same side as Xbox owners getting the Classic Zen 4 pack and vice versa. Why deliver this as a Christmas Miracle yet us PS3 don't get even a hint?

Really do love what you guys do. I'm passionate about pinball and would like to experience everything you guys offer us. It's just sometimes we feel like Microsoft is your priority perhaps because it has a larger player base. I have nothing against the 360. I just can't afford to buy another system just to play the 9 tables that are on that platform. 9? well 8 because of Splosion man. Still 8 tables at $2.50-2.99 a pop would be much more reasonable than paying $200 plus for a whole new system.

Now that you mentioned the red tape etc. What is really holding you back?

I hope this isn't a case of Microsoft being Microsoft and making it difficult for content to come to the PS3.

I'm a loyal Zen pinball fan. I own every PS3 table you've made and I play them both on my PS3 and Vita. The Xbox already had more tables as it is, the least us PS3ers could've had as a Christmas announcement is that some kind of pack is making its way over next year.

Disappointed to be treated like this.

The whole "Christmas miracle" thing was meant to make fun of us, not to insult PS players. It was a joke, and it was my idea. When I heard we finally had our release date for it, I said "It's a Christmas miracle!" and laughed. The 360 crowd has been begging LOUDLY for a long time now, and it was just a joke about how long it has taken us to get this out.

We certainly don't expect any of you to run out and buy a 360. I can't really discuss the specifics of what goes on with Microsoft & Sony as far as licensing and exclusives go. And even if I could, many of you would just say "oh you're just blaming Sony/MS for your mistakes" just like with every delayed release, update, etc.

As for exclusives, here are my thoughts: Publishing on multiple platforms isn't like having multiple children, cats, dogs or whatever. Each child (or pet) will get upset if you give one something and not the other, and parents/owners should treat each one equally. Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Apple, and Android are not children or pets. They are companies that we have contracts with that we have to abide by in order to use their services and bring you pinball. We do our best to bring as many tables to each one, and sometimes we aren't able to bring everything we want to each platform because of those contracts. It's an unfortunate part of business, I really wish there was a faster/easier way to get past some of it. We didn't announce a pack coming from XBLA to PSN because if we weren't able to make it happen, we would not want to disappoint you further. I sincerely apologize to anyone who felt offended as a result of this announcement.

[shogun00]

The whole "Christmas miracle" thing was meant to make fun of us, not to insult PS players. It was a joke, and it was my idea.

I guess this is what you call a PR blunder? Something that was suppose to be harmless, but it backfired and blew up in your face.

[Flippers]

Thanks for the replies, Barbie. It's appreciated.

I'm well aware of the ways Microsoft operate regarding timed exclusives, dlc, and digital titles from rival systems. It's one of the reasons why I have no interest in buying a 360 or any of their future consoles. Sadly, from how you've explained it, this does indeed sound like a case of Microsoft being Microsoft.

[ALH2012]

Yes.A Christmas Miracle is a perhaps dignified but very unfortunate term for this situation.Kinda adding insult to injury.I don't really care about the inner workings of Zens business deals or however nice and accommodating bad news is presented.What i care about are results and bottom lines.

[BarbieBobomb]

I'm going to take this opportunity to say something about a few reactions here on the forums. I am not calling anyone out, nor am I here to lecture. I would like to say that normally I can brag about how amazing the community is here. When I talk to other community managers, I hear horror stories, and I rarely have any bad days because of something anyone around here did. I get the occasional rude Twitter follower, but overall, I am so proud of how you all handle yourselves even when we have bad news like release delays. You guys always help each other out, and are always willing to help me out when I need it. Most of you, so far, have taken this news maturely and expressed concern. That is great, please keep it up. A few of you, some via thread, some via private message, are having trouble expressing yourself in an adult (or even human) way. I am not banning anyone who has posted in this thread, but just remember that swearing, threats and crazy all-caps tantrums will not be tolerated. If you have a question or a concern, I am here. If you want to scream and be violent, go punch a pillow or something. I know this doesn't apply to 99% of you, but for those who feel the need to abuse someone, you have been warned. For those of you remaining the kind, supportive fans that you are, thank you so much.

[BarbieBobomb]

Yes.A Christmas Miracle is a perhaps dignified but very unfortunate term for this situation.Kinda adding insult to injury.I don't really care about the inner workings of Zens business deals or however nice and accommodating bad news is presented.What i care about are results and bottom lines.

How can you not care about inner workings when that is the direct cause for the results you are witnessing? I understand your disappointment, but please don't shoot the messenger here.

[ALH2012]

I'm going to take this opportunity to say something about a few reactions here on the forums. I am not calling anyone out, nor am I here to lecture. I would like to say that normally I can brag about how amazing the community is here. When I talk to other community managers, I hear horror stories, and I rarely have any bad days because of something anyone around here did. I get the occasional rude Twitter follower, but overall, I am so proud of how you all handle yourselves even when we have bad news like release delays. You guys always help each other out, and are always willing to help me out when I need it. Most of you, so far, have taken this news maturely and expressed concern. That is great, please keep it up. A few of you, some via thread, some via private message, are having trouble expressing yourself in an adult (or even human) way. I am not banning anyone who has posted in this thread, but just remember that swearing, threats and crazy all-caps tantrums will not be tolerated. If you have a question or a concern, I am here. If you want to scream and be violent, go punch a pillow or something. I know this doesn't apply to 99% of you, but for those who feel the need to abuse someone, you have been warned. For those of you remaining the kind, supportive fans that you are, thank you so much.

I don't write PMs here and if you are in any way insinuating that something i wrote(or anyone else) in this thread is even remotely close to the seriousness you are referring to in your post above then you are way off track.But i'm sure that is not the case.Thank you so much.

[ALH2012]

How can you not care about inner workings when that is the direct cause for the results you are witnessing? I understand your disappointment, but please don't shoot the messenger here.

It is not my job to care about it.It is Zens job to make it happen.If PS3 users end up getting the raw deal in the long run then that is how it is.And i'll observe it exactly that way.

[BarbieBobomb]

It is not my job to care about it.It is Zens job to make it happen.If PS3 users end up getting the raw deal in the long run then that is how it is.And i'll observe it exactly that way.

That is perfectly fine. I'm just asking that you don't take it out on me because of it.

[ALH2012]

That is perfectly fine. I'm just asking that you don't take it out on me because of it.

I haven't.I rated A Christmas Miracle as an unfortunate term.I believe most would agree with that by now.And i said that i don't care about how nice or accommodating bad news is presented.Concerning you that is more of a compliment than anything else.

[snakeman07]

I'm with you guys. I'd love to play some of the other tables but we''ll just have to be patient. I'm sure we''ll see them eventually.

+1, we just have to wait I guess.

[ER777]

I'm with you guys. I'd love to play some of the other tables but we''ll just have to be patient. I'm sure we''ll see them eventually.

Agreed. I'd love to see more tables regardless of where they come from - XBOX ports, new licenses, or completely original creations are all welcome. I will also wait patiently for them... or on the other hand I could throw a temper tantrum:

%#$!)%#<$*!&*#&(*>#^%&(#^)&@!*&#!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There, now I feel better... back to waiting patiently.

I guess this is what you call a PR blunder? Something that was suppose to be harmless, but it backfired and blew up in your face.

I'm sure from the XBOX players' side this announcement was received very well lol.

[Alipan]

PS3 owners should know that the grass isn't always greener.

Of the tables you dont have only really the core pack is top quality and even some of those tables have flaws. For example unbalanced scoring in Rome and spamming missions in Secrets of the Deep.

You get bugs fixed in a timely fashion - on Xbox they are rarely fixed, for example the Black Widow ramp is still broken.

Also you still have trophies whereas achievements are now limited to one per table on Xbox. It's always the easiest one as well which makes them pretty meaningless.

[tenorhero]

PS3 owners should know that the grass isn't always greener.

Of the tables you dont have only really the core pack is top quality and even some of those tables have flaws. For example unbalanced scoring in Rome and spamming missions in Secrets of the Deep.

You get bugs fixed in a timely fashion - on Xbox they are rarely fixed, for example the Black Widow ramp is still broken.

Also you still have trophies whereas achievements are now limited to one per table on Xbox. It's always the easiest one as well which makes them pretty meaningless.

Well it goes both ways. There are bound to be flaws in the 4 original Zen pinball packs as well. El Dorado you can have long multiball sessions with little to show for it I might add. Still it's a great table - especially the missions. I rarely play Shaman and V12 those tables I don't like but that's what's great about the abundance of tables. You're bound to find ones you love and ones you despise.

[Thefly0810]

I'm with you guys. I'd love to play some of the other tables but we''ll just have to be patient. I'm sure we''ll see them eventually.

I think we could. Look at Mass Effect 1. When M.E. 2 came out for the PS 3, wasn't it said that the first one could never be released because of the publishing deal with Microsoft. Low and behold, time passes and Mass Effect 1 has been released on PS 3. So the same could be a possibility PBFX 2 core tables too.