Update #1 on the PinStation project. PC and VR pinball controller

Here an update of the PinStation project. The fantastic yet affordable digital pinball controller for PC and VR. With haptic feedback! Kickstarting right after the summer.
I'll talk about the project and why it is taking longer than originally planned. In short: the project is bigger than foreseen because of the massive interest and response. Because of this things have changed and there are a few developments. The controller itself is still the same. With the addition of a budget version.
We are talking to hardware production companies as well as software companies.
Summer season and the holidays is not the best time for doing business with other companies and starting a Kickstarter/Indigo campaign. The campaign is now foreseen for September 2024.
I am specifically explaining how the PinStation works with native Meta Quest pinball, in this case Star Wars pinball VR by Zen Studios. Using the PinStation instead of the VR controllers changes everything. We have tested it with many people and the response was unanimous!!!
The audio is not that great and sometimes acts weird. But you'll get an impression of the haptic force feedback when using a Meta Quest controller. There are different settings and you can switch it off completely if needed. When the kids are asleep. Or perhaps just the other way around, when the kids want to play and daddy and mommy are sleeping :)
A VR headset in combination with the PinStation is really great for playing digital pinball. We see a bright future for VR pinball! And of course regular PC pinball as well!!
gibsonpinball.com

[@h3xag0nal]

PLEASE do more frequent updates :))

[@gibsonpinball]

YES!!!!!

[@adaptle]

Thanks for the update can’t wait to order and review. Will you provide information on setup for PCVR in particular VP settings on the feedback and plunger as I imagine this will need some tweaking as everyone’s setup will be different 👍 Well done on a fantastic looking product I expect this will sell very well within the virtual pinball community.

[@gibsonpinball]

Of course we will provide all information. But is is quite easy. Only for a special extended VPX PinStation version there is more to it. But that one is for later.

[@BodhiRook]

I've been waiting to buy this for a long time now... Keep up the great work! :)

[@gibsonpinball]

thank you!

[@soma_rc]

I hope this will be compatible with vpinball standalone (linux/mac) and not require Windows only software. (Desktop, not VR) Let me know if you need testers for that.

[@sergemayer8901]

What an exciting project - awesome! Thank you so much for doing this!! I'm thinking about building a wooden pinball cabinet with monitors and a pc and being able to install the pinstation into it as a removable device. What are the dimensions of the Pinstation? (in cm)

[@joosthaanraadts6774]

Please also release the full wide version…i built one myself, but love to upgrade to yours with all the feedback (and optional sound-feedback) …maybe even with (optional?) dock on which we can attach real pinball-legs to let it stand on its own?

[@gibsonpinball]

Yes, I fully understand what you mean. As I said in the video, first focus is on the standard and budget version. If all this runs properly we will look at extra's. For a standup like you describe we have a nice idea that will enhance the feeling even more.

[@dannyjones296]

How wide is the unit? it looks very narrow. Standalone looks impressive.

[@The1Dijk8]

Great stuff guys. Looking forward to the Kickstarter. If you ever need a fellow Dutchman to do some testing for you, please lmk!

[@gibsonpinball]

hallo Ronald, als je duidelijk ervaring hebt met digital pinball en wilt testen en feedback geven mail ons: [e-mail]

[@sociallyresponsiblexenomor7608]

Mnhh I am skeptical, but if it ever comes to fruition I would definitely buy one. I've seen a lot of projects like this that are ambitious and don't take root however; so I will hold my excitement for the time being- but I am pulling for you.

[@martymcflo1910]

I'm following this project with great interest. What kind of controller do you use, klz25, dude's? How's the input lag?

[@gibsonpinball]

Hi, The controller is a custom solution. The input lag is next to nothing. You don't notice any. Very good question because it's a very important aspect. We ourselves do not want input lag so that was one of the main objectives during design.

[@nerdloftgaming]

Looking good! Can’t wait to give this a try!

[@pcraenme]

I am currently using a game controller, but as soon as this comes available I will certainly buy it. I recently broke one of the controller buttons. If that would happen to the Pinstation, how easy would that be repairable by ourselves? Will you also sell replacement parts or are you using standard available flipper buttons?

[@gibsonpinball]

Hi, easy to repair yourself. And we will sell spare parts at a very reasonable price. The things you mention we recognise ourselves:). The buttons are not the most common but still general arcade parts. Silent arcade buttons for the flippers.

[@theelz1482]

Looks good, I like the price points and that it works with Windows VR & the force feedback.

[@liquidsn8ke529]

I’m so excited for this I’ve been waiting so patiently for this!

[@STRINGTHING]

Yes! Can’t wait!

[@hadeees]

Can you add legs?

[@leanderquest]

Thanks for the update! 150$ sounds cheap. I was expecting something like up to 300€ if it works well with high quality parts.150$ is a no-brainer. :) I have an idea...isn't there room for a screen on the top of the controller? You could place a screen there to use as an external DMD for Pinball FX/M/VPX etc.

[@mariolestingi6078]

nice one ! How many standalone games are available atm ?

[@uncleremus7484]

Please get this out ASAP!!!!

[@gibsonpinball]

will do!

[@MaartenOtto]

Top, laat maar komen.

[@TH-vw4qn]

Thanks for the update and will buy the standard version once it become available. Have you reached out to the creator of Sinden lightgun? Perhaps he can give you some insights in launching a product.

[@StevenFrankgg]

Wow those possible prices are way better than I was expecting. Will custom vinyl skinning be available?

[@gibsonpinball]

please tell us more what you would like.

[@StevenFrankgg]

An option to upload your own file to be printed and applied via vinyl stickers. Some of the virtual pin cabs offer that as an additional charge.

[@TH-vw4qn]

This is a great idea. Hopefully the custom vinyl skinning will be shared so customers can have more options.

[@frankdux5785]

Ive always wanted something like this for playstation also. But absolutely for vr. I dont have a gaming pc but if it works on standalone this will be awesome. Hope zen studios comes with some more vr content

[@foetwenny]

I have pretty much every VR pinball game for my Vive pro 2 and this will take the experience over the top. Can't wait!

[@NettiGaming]

is it ready yet? 😀

[@gibsonpinball]

The PinStation is ready. Preparing a kickstarter and everything else is a lot of work.

[@OkDisplay]

Brilliant combination! I can't wait for more updates.

[@dimecard3250]

Hope for an update soon 😃

[@gibsonpinball]

will do!

[@Schwift3D]

Does this also work for the pinball VFX 2 vr?

[@davidsnider6848]

Would this work for the PS5 as well, or strictly PC/Meta Quest only?

[@gibsonpinball]

sorry, for now only PC, PCVR and Meta Quest and probably Switch as well.

[@jesseco9964]

super excited

[@gibsonpinball]

good to hear!

[@tomatetomate2081]

I'm so excited about the next videos

[@tauyoyo]

Je pensais à vous justement et me voilà rassuré sur l'avancement du projet. Je serai sur Kickstarter, day one !!

[@gibsonpinball]

Merci tauyoyo!

[@gear323]

Needs full width and legs

[@gibsonpinball]

tell us more please! . Why exactly do you want this? Why full width? Why the legs? And for VR play only or also regular monitor play? Full size real pinball legs? Would you move it around or store? If we use real legs it needs to become higher and a lot bigger. Something like i.ytimg.com/vi/Ty4oGITSELY/maxresdefault.jpg And still it will be noty that stable. Nudging would really move it. Already pulling a plunger does. You are not the first to ask about this. We are working on a solution and need as much user input as possible. Thanks!!

[@mikejenni3916]

I also would love having a wide kit with adjustable legs. Especially for VR. With the legs I also could place the system in front of my Arcade cabinet and use the the included monitor ... for me it would add some flexibility and providing a even deeper immersion. Even it may cost at least the double..m

[@gibsonpinball]

@@mikejenni3916 Have a look at a new video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqPWaH9joL2pqdE

[@gibsonpinball]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqPWaH9joL2pqdE

[@joeyjojojunior4886]

I was pleasantly surprised about the projected cost. Cant wait to back this.

[@TheOtherArea]

Where did he talk about? How much about? I am at work with now speakers but i am sooo interested

[@fabienlelaurin7760]

150$ the standard édition if I hear well

[@MrScottysace]

this is so cool

[@snart]

Awesome awesome awesome!

[@gibsonpinball]

super!!!

[@RedBoyke.]

kijk hier al heel lang naar uit

[@gibsonpinball]

Mooi om te horen. Ja, het project is wat in omvang gegroeid maar gaat zeker door.

[@tonrotterdam]

@@gibsonpinball Wow, kom dit net tegen, maar ik begijp dat dit een NL project is?

[@gibsonpinball]

@@tonrotterdam Jazeker. Wij zitten in Nederland. Waar ooit iedere snackbar wel een flipperkast had :)

[@tonrotterdam]

@@gibsonpinball Inderdaad, vandaar mijn verslaving, dit zou een hele mooie oplossing zijn, want in een appartement met houten vloeren is een echte flipper geen optie! Ik houd dit in de gaten, veel succes!

[@ThinkerOnTheBus]

Cool concept! I wish you much success with this. Perhaps someday I will get to experience playing virtual pinball with a controller that feels like I'm actually playing a real pinball machine. I'm assuming you will program in the tilt feature that allowed players a minimal amount of manipulation to the ball. However, I did notice some lagging with the UI controller, and times where a button press did not register at all, but I'm assuming that is an issue that will be ironed out over time. Once again, good luck!!!

[@ThinkerOnTheBus]

Also, I noticed right at the end there that the UI controller will need some powerful suction cups or some other type of effective stabilization mechanism to prevent it from sliding around.

[@gibsonpinball]

Thanks. Let me briefly answer your questions: there is already a tilt function. You can push/shove the PinStation to nudge/tilt. I myself here use the nudge buttons. Somehow during development I got used to those and feels ok for me. Rest assured, the controller works fine and there is absolutely no delay or missing button presses. Perhaps has something to do with not properly syncing the playing video with the meta quest video or framerate issues. Yes, inevitably a compact gamecontroller like this can slide around if playing enthusiastically , even with the rubber feet it has. We have tested different solutions and by far the easiest is using a very simple a small anti sliding/skitting mat underneath. Will show it in another video