Why Pinball? [Discussion]

[@OutlandishZathrus]

I sometimes compare pinball competitions to playing in a bowling league. If you're playing in a pinball league or a local weekly tournament, it's mostly to have fun and hang out with your friends that share your hobby in friendly competition while you strive to improve your game and see your "average" gradually improve. And if you get really good, you can test your skills against the "pros" on the "pro tour". But pinball is soooo much more fun and interesting than bowling -- it's not the same shot over and over; the games and the challenges are constantly changing. Bowling is on the decline, but there's still a million people that play in bowling leagues. Maybe we can slowly convert them all to pinball?

[@NightlitePinball]

The first ever pinball machine I have memory seeing was in a bowling alley! Worlds collide 🎉

[@Mo_Ketchups]

@@OutlandishZathrus Like above, _bowling alleys_ were the first places **I** ever got to put my hands on a pinball machine. In many areas, they’re the ONLY places that still stock a few pins. I hope the pinball renaissance will get here faster w social media.

[@Eurosteve1992]

We need more tournament directors. Takes a lot of time to do these tournaments even if small. Also the new players losing a lot in competition I believe just makes them stop playing. Happens in all competitive sports and video games especially. I came from the fighting game community which say just get good. So I took it as a challenge and after 2 years got as high as 265 ranked. I don’t take it now that seriously for ranked cause it more pay to rank then skill level. I rather look at ifpa rating vs ranked to see how I’m doing. Keep it up and hopefully I’ll see you at indisc 2025 this year. Steve Ward CA

[@NightlitePinball]

Agreed. For many, I think directing a tournament is daunting, so maybe I’ll consider putting out some videos talking to directors and how the process goes!

[@wimzilliacus7443]

Good critical points in this video, I also really like pinball. The competitive scene in Finland is great!

[@NightlitePinball]

Thanks for watching!!! Would love to make my way overseas for a big tournament someday 🙂

[@truthsocialmedia]

fx3 gives me the cheap pinball fix i didn't know i was craving. Williams playfields are legendary

[@NightlitePinball]

I agree that FX is the best virtual option out there by a long shot!

[@jarons]

The physicality and skill ceiling is the draw for me. Not only does pinball allow you a wide variety of competitive options, it also allows you to make a lot of mistakes and recover from them. On the demographic focus, something I do like about pinball is that because of its legacy, you often get people of different generations in the same round. Similar to in chess, nothing scares me more than facing a child prodigy. Pinball makes travel a lot more fun, visiting machines and other pinheads is like a side quest for every trip. Lastly, I think that on-location playing is the answer to game ownership. I recently did the math on how much I've spent playing in bars, and realized I would have owned 3 machines by now 😮

[@NightlitePinball]

I do love the collision of different generations and worldviews! There is a world where there’s space for everyone, and we’re sooooooo close I think!

[@NightlitePinball]

0:00 - Intro What We Love About Pinball: 3:01 - Physicality 7:42 - Skill Ceiling/Future of Competition Things that Hinder Pinball: 11:55 - Demographic Focus 16:24 - General Accessibility

[@dookski]

Nice videos. But one thing- the entry price of pinball is the coin drop, not a new game for your home. The whole point of a big giant crazy machine is that people need to come to it, not own it. Pinball creates its own scene. It's fringe for a reason, and thriving for now- let money flow somewhere else. You don't need to be elite to be a star on a Tuesday night, winning it all on ball three in round four. (but yeah go get those wpprs!)

[@NightlitePinball]

I’d like to think that, but most of the modern pin production model seems to be catering towards home play, as that’s where the manufacturers are making the majority of their money. I don’t think you need to own to be a player, because that would be crazy! I just think that owning a piece of a hobby elevates it, and in pinball it’s VERY difficult to do so versus other hobbies.

[@dookski]

@@NightlitePinball owning a game is pretty cool but it really isn’t as cool as playing in the wild.

[@CtrlWaltDe1337]

Very well said. Started playing about 6 months ago and got hooked after a few visits to the arcade. Bought a low use TWD pro and have been getting better in many aspects of play. Recently took games off of a few of the top 25 in my state but still struggling to be consistent through a whole tournament. Keep it up man, S tier content.

[@NightlitePinball]

6 months in and already taking games off the big players??? you're on the path for success don't even sweat it! also, great choice of game. TWD is incredible for practice.

[@Micky.Michael.88]

Pinball is better than chess! More noise, more lights, more multiballs! What was your rank in Rockt League?

[@NightlitePinball]

Been holding onto champ 3 for years and have touched GC maybe twice since beta 😂

[@gr6569]

Realistically the reason the pinball community is so awesome is because there is no money in it. Everyone chasing dollar signs and clout is off doing something else. This unintentionally acts as a filter that sifts out douchebags and keeps the chill people who are (for the most part) just out trying to have a good time... I grew up skateboarding in the 90s and I watched a slice of heaven get polluted and ruined by the introduction of money. Once the money came we saw the rise of the "skate-jock". Skateboarding quickly went from being a fun way of goofing off with your friends to a pissing contest between lowlife-wannabes. The immediate spark you would feel when you met another skateboarder went right out the window once everyone started doing it. After all, why get excited when you meet another person who does the exact same thing as every other person? The moral of the story is that money ruins everything and I believe there's a certain level of gratitude we should have that it hasn't ruined pinball... yet. Cheers

[@practicalpat1036]

Great points!

[@NightlitePinball]

Thanks for watching!