Chrono Compendium

Kajar Laboratories - Fan Works and Submissions => Submissions => Topic started by: GenesisOne on August 02, 2009, 02:41:18 am

Title: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on August 02, 2009, 02:41:18 am
I've played my share of awe inspiring pinball games (lots of them based off of summer blockbusters).  So I figured, why aren't there more pinball games based of highly praised video games like Chrono Trigger?

For the past several weeks, I've been working out different details of a potential Chrono Trigger pinball game.  This includes elements of the playfield (ramps, orbits, out-lanes, and so on), element-triggered sound-bites featuring lines from the CT game, and different playing modes and end-ball bonuses.  I will gladly post a list of those details for those who wish to comment on or add to it.

Yeah, lots of lingo from the pinball enthusiast.  Moving on...

I haven't gotten to the more difficult elements such as playfield and backboard art, DMD (Dot Matrix Display) sequences, and so on.  There are online programs out there (Visual PinMAME) where experts can code different sequences and triggers for gameplay.  This, however, has proven to be too difficult for me to do since the coding itself is complicated.

The question, however, stands: if you were on the Game Design Team at Stern Pinball (currently the last operating pinball manufacturing company in the world) for the upcoming Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game, what game-play elements would you add?

Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: Zephira on August 02, 2009, 02:47:09 am
A Black Hole "spell" that swallows your pinballs. If enough pinballs survive, you get lots of points. It'd have to play this evil laugh when the play mode starts :D
Maybe other character themed spells for different play modes or powerups. I don't really know how pinball works.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: Acacia Sgt on August 02, 2009, 02:49:48 am
Well, how about using Gates to bring the pinball from one place to another. Like how those are usually holes in a regular pinball, but instead using Gates to be Chrono related.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: utunnels on August 02, 2009, 03:29:36 am
Gato will punch it start.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: IAmSerge on August 02, 2009, 04:03:36 am
No, it starts by the ball shooting out of a gate!

And the track would be dynamic, in a way that there are certain areas of it that can flip, invert, or twist around to give the gameplay a feel of different eras.

And something about Zeal too.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: Truthordeal on August 02, 2009, 11:35:52 am
Maybe shooting the ball into one of the slots a certain number of times destroys Zeal?
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: mav on August 02, 2009, 12:16:23 pm
Well, how about using Gates to bring the pinball from one place to another. Like how those are usually holes in a regular pinball, but instead using Gates to be Chrono related.
Brilliant. I'm also a fan of Gato punching it to start (or at least being on there somewhere). I haven't played pinball in a while, so I'm gonna need to go take a look before I come up with any wacky ideas.

This is a great idea though--I'm sure people would have a pretty fun time playing it, especially if you have some CT music playing in the background.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on August 03, 2009, 03:55:46 am

As a pinball enthusiast myself, I can easily decipher people's ideas for additions to the game itself.

I can see what you're getting at, Zephira.  Pinball machines utilize a device called a hole or a scoop . Basically, it "sucks up" the zooming silver orb in question, awards the points, and send another silver orb flying out of a different scoop on the playfield.

Acacia Sgt. and mav, pinball lingo coming your way.  A gate is a blocking mechanism that will allow the silver orb in question to come through one way but will block the ball from going the other way.

To help get an idea of what different pinball terms mean and polish your ideas, I'd say visit here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_pinball_terms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_pinball_terms)

The general consensus states that we'd like to Gato punching the ball to start a three-ball game.  In that case, the plunger will be an automatic (which eliminates any possibility of skill shots) with a Gato prop toy mounting behind the entry lane and in front of the launch trigger.  By the way, what prop would you like to see being using for the launch trigger?

Later on, I'll be posting a chart of different soundbite features and their correlation with different in-game events.  In the meantime, does anyone has any ideas for Backglass art?

Finally, to get your creative juices flowing on what the Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game can look like, go to this page: http://pinballnews.com/games/batman/index.html (http://pinballnews.com/games/batman/index.html) for The Dark Knight™ Pinball Game. Have fun.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: Zephira on August 03, 2009, 04:08:18 am
For the background art: http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs21/f/2007/242/d/a/Chrono_Trigger_Fan_Art_by_XGoldenboyX.jpg (http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs21/f/2007/242/d/a/Chrono_Trigger_Fan_Art_by_XGoldenboyX.jpg)
Probably better to find something with all the characters, but this is awesome enough on its own.

Are you really going to make this game?
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: IAmSerge on August 03, 2009, 04:14:34 am

As a pinball enthusiast myself, I can easily decipher people's ideas for additions to the game itself.

I can see what you're getting at, Zephira.  Pinball machines utilize a device called a hole or a scoop . Basically, it "sucks up" the zooming silver orb in question, awards the points, and send another silver orb flying out of a different scoop on the playfield.

Acacia Sgt. and mav, pinball lingo coming your way.  A gate is a blocking mechanism that will allow the silver orb in question to come through one way but will block the ball from going the other way.

To help get an idea of what different pinball terms mean and polish your ideas, I'd say visit here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_pinball_terms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_pinball_terms)

The general consensus states that we'd like to Gato punching the ball to start a three-ball game.  In that case, the plunger will be an automatic (which eliminates any possibility of skill shots) with a Gato prop toy mounting behind the entry lane and in front of the launch trigger.  By the way, what prop would you like to see being using for the launch trigger?

Later on, I'll be posting a chart of different soundbite features and their correlation with different in-game events.  In the meantime, does anyone has any ideas for Backglass art?

Finally, to get your creative juices flowing on what the Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game can look like, go to this page: http://pinballnews.com/games/batman/index.html (http://pinballnews.com/games/batman/index.html) for The Dark Knight™ Pinball Game. Have fun.

Skillshots are a must though...

...could you just put gato there and attach one of his arms to the plunger to make it look like he hits it?

...and I think, G1, That when everyone else was talking about gates, they meant Chrono Trigger blue time gates...
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: Mr Bekkler on August 03, 2009, 12:44:22 pm
You need a Lavos mouth that spits the ball straight down the middle toward you, so you can't hit it with the bumpers. At the same time it should make the lavos squeal.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: kid123 on August 03, 2009, 01:07:24 pm
How about Lavos as attack bumper? Meanwhile, imitated its shell, inner Lavos and Lavos core as the rank of attack bumper. The attack bumper need to be cumulatively hit to reach each rank, and each rank distinctively differ in score accumulation. Although I assume this is basic stuff >_>

In addition, apply a randomly generated spot (whether hidden or exposed doesn't matter for this suggestion) which when stroked will activate bonus round or minigames.

Chrono related suggestion: Silver point as the score rates, tech skills and items as powerups or advantageous instance, and Roly Bomber as the ball and Imp as the kicker/launcher  :lol:,and any kind of weapon as flippers.

Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on August 03, 2009, 06:00:53 pm
I now present to you the features of the brainchild that is the fabled Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game:

Features

“Gato” manual plunger toy (timed skill shot on the entry lane gate)

Skill shot awards (randomized): Super Bumpers, Advance “Epoch” Letter, Advance “Lavos” Letter, Random Character Award, and “Extra Ball” Lit  

Crono Ramp (ends behind “Time Gate” Lanes)
Marle Ramp (ends at left inlane)
Lucca Ramp (ends at right inlane)

Mystic Monster Bumpers

Left and Right “Robo” and "Frog" Orbits (respectively)

“T-I-M-E Gate” Lanes (Light letters to get random character award; details to come)

“Mini-Quest Mode” Drop Hole (Detailed index to come)

Time-Egg Mystery Scoop (Mystery Award Index to come)

“Epoch” Drop Targets (Epoch prop mounted over drop hole; barrier covers the drop hole; each letter advances to lower the barrier; shoot drop hole to start “Epoch Multi-ball”; details to come)

“Dark Matter” Center Field Magnet (depends on “Mode”)

L-A-V-O-S Lock (Lavos prop; Barrier covers mouth opening; completing a Mini-Quest lights a letter and lowers the barrier; shoot the lock to raise the barrier and trap a ball; repeat for other letters to start “Lavos” Wizard mode; details to come)

*     *     *     *     *     *

The challenge here is to house all these features (for the skeptics out there, it's very possible) within a standard Stern™ pinball machine.  Concept art and blueprints are gladly accepted.

Any comments, additions (if possible), or modifications to this list?  I worked it out as hard as I could.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: KillaGouge on August 03, 2009, 07:20:29 pm
So this would be a physical table, I thought you where talking about something in Visual Pinball.  I think the first would be rather hard to do without SE's permission.  The other however, would be totally awesome
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on August 03, 2009, 10:31:14 pm

Well, yes, a physical table.  But it's only a concept at this point.  If it can be done in Visual Pinball, I'd like to see it.  On the other hand, it would be awesome to see a physical table eventually made.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: IAmSerge on August 06, 2009, 04:14:16 am
may I also suggest a multitude of many strange ramps and 2nd level areas with an extra set of flippers?

And other crazy wacky things that you only find once in a blue moon in terms of pinball machines, you know?
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on August 06, 2009, 04:22:38 pm
Instead of Visual Pinball for my programming software, I am using something better called Future Pinball (perhaps you've heard of it and seen such videos on YouTube).

It has much flexibility and scripting options than the previously mentioned software.

Since this project is a humongous undertaking on my part, this is the time to start recruiting whoever is interested in this multimedia project.  The following positions are up for grabs:

- Game Design Team (Features, props, etc.)
- Playfield Design Team
- Art Design Team (Backbox, etc.)
- Scoring System Team (Jackpots, Bumpers, Targets, etc.)
- DMD Animation Team (Dot-Matrix Display)
- Music & Sound Design Team (From CT, of course)

These are the umbrella teams for the general design of the game itself.  Whoever participates in its production will, of course, get credit for its design and its (eventual) addition to the Compendium.

So, anyone up for this CT Multimedia Game?


Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on August 17, 2009, 08:12:28 pm
To help get things started, I created this title piece for the DMD animation (courtesy of Photoshop).

It was hard to find the best possible font and the correct sequence for the waving "Trigger", but I managed to render the Japanese text as clearly as possible. Plus, there was only so much room for the "C" clock. 

Still, I think it's a good first attempt.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: Mr Bekkler on August 18, 2009, 12:02:54 am
Very neat! The chinese modders could have used it as the NES CT intro animation  :lol:
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on August 19, 2009, 04:09:07 am
My latest upload shall be what would happen if someone came along and wanted to start a game.

Try to imagine the sound of coins plinking into the machine and the start-up sounds that would be made.

Enjoy!   :)

*      *      *      *      *      *

Also, at this time, I will take animation requests for any event in the game that may take place so there can be more steam generated for the DMD animation team and to get this multimedia project rolling along for future production.

Example list:

1. Mini-Quest Mode Begin (Video Modes)
       a. Bekkler's Clone Search
       b. Jet Bike Race
       c. Books of Zeal
2. Character Award
       a. Your playable character of choice w/ quote
3. Skill Shot Awarded
       a. Super Bumpers Awards
       b. Advance “Epoch” Letter
       c. Advance “Lavos” Letter
       d. Random Character Award
       e. “Extra Ball” Lit  

4. Epoch Multi-Ball Begin
5. Extra Ball!
6. Replay!!
7. Player One: Don't Move! (aka Ball Save)
8. Other (Please Specify)

Looking forward to the requests.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on August 23, 2009, 03:29:07 am


The latest edition in my CT Pinball animation archive is...

Player One: Don't Move!  (aka the 10-second Ball Save)

Hint: Try and imagine, if you will, the sound of the "Life" Tech being used.

Enjoy!   :D
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: mav on August 23, 2009, 02:27:33 pm
Now that is just plain awesome. Well done.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: KebreI on August 24, 2009, 07:56:11 pm
I know people who refurbish, repair, and build Pinball/Arcade Machines. Ive done projects with them before(most recently my MAME cabinet). If your get some where with this I may become inspired...
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on August 24, 2009, 08:06:33 pm

I do hope to get somewhere with this.  You can help by sending in a request for a custom animation for a pinball event (courtesy of the list I provided).  The next one will be on its way before you know it.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on August 24, 2009, 10:45:38 pm

My latest addition of custom pinball animations.

Enjoy!   :D

Hint: You can only pick one when you take the shot.

The chosen one will become my next custom animation.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on August 27, 2009, 05:03:43 pm
After refreshing my memory and playing abilities, I have found some better fonts to put into my animation and not just the same old stuff.

Also, I'm hoping to start programming on Future Pinball.  It'll be a long process, and a difficult one at that, but I'm willing to make a one-of-a-kind CT multimedia game.

Finally, I'm looking for beta testers and script writers for the scoring system and video/music library.  If anyone likes to volunteer, then PM me. I'm working to get this project into full swing.
For the script writers - visit this website:

http://futurepinball.com/ (http://futurepinball.com/)

You can download the software for free.  It comes with a manual that gives you all the details you need to know about scripting and so on.

Best of luck and perseverance towards this project.  It'll be worth it.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on September 01, 2009, 11:26:07 pm

For this post, I release nothing new, but two remakes of some previous animations I have done thus far on this thread.  The first one will be the Pinball Title Screen, followed by the Skill Shot Screen.

Enjoy v2.0 of these animations, now more crisp and updated than before.  :D

Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on September 01, 2009, 11:27:43 pm

Now for the next one: the Skill Shot Screen.

Enjoy. :D

P.S. Don't be afraid to PM me for requests.  I'm quite adept at these sorts of things.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on September 02, 2009, 12:31:55 am

My latest incarnation from the Animation Dept. of the unofficial Chrono Trigger Pinball Game. At 60 frames, it's my largest animation yet. Enjoy it... if you dare.  :D

This animation is the winner of the Skill Shot contest I held earlier in my previous animation.

Hint: Flying off to distant times, it carries the pinball with it so we can advance.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on October 02, 2009, 04:48:59 pm
Wow.  It's been a while anyone posted in here.  Well, time for me to shatter the silence.

For almost a month, I have worked on the schematics for the table.  Here it is.

I had to make some sacrifices and modifications in light of table-top dimensions. This includes:

- Wittling down the original Crono, Marle, and Lucca ramps to just “Character” and “Element” Ramps.

-  Instead of entry lanes for the ramps, I amped it up with some Vertical Kickers on both ramps.

- Modifying the orbits to end behind the T-I-M-E lanes on the left side.

- Eliminating the Epoch barrier, lock mechanism, and Lavos prop in favor of bank shots that spell out “experience” and light up “Mini-Quest Mode”

- Changing the "Dark Matter" center field magnet to the "Black Wind" spinning disk

- Adding “Guru Spinners” to the orbit entries

*      *      *      *      *      *

Hope you like the look.  Now for the fun part; adding the table-top artwork and lights.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: neo-fusion on October 12, 2009, 11:12:29 pm
Wow this looks freaking awsome.

You outta get this to go in an infomercial lol.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on October 13, 2009, 12:02:13 am

Well, if anyone can take the current schematics (mind you, it's just the prototype; I'm contemplating some modifications for it in order to update it) and make some awesome table-top art...

I'll give them credit in the project.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: neo-fusion on October 14, 2009, 04:55:23 pm
Sadly, I don't have the money to do that
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on October 14, 2009, 05:21:58 pm
No need.

Just use the current schematics as a background in Photoshop, lower the opacity, and work from there with added layers.

Heck, you can even use the official art from the series and some custom art boxes and arrows for the targets, lanes, orbits, central field area, etc.
Title: Re: Chrono Trigger™ Pinball Game
Post by: GenesisOne on December 07, 2009, 06:10:00 pm
Wow.  Time keeps on slipping, doesn't it?

Well, it's time I face the music, Compendiumites.  

This project was far too ambitious and complicated for one person like me to progress with, let alone complete.  As such, until a time comes when there is more assistance, more knowledge in programming such codes, then this project is doomed to reside in the Sun Keep (secretly, I'm not about ready to toss this into the Darkness Beyond Time).  

Nonetheless, I am shutting the doors on this project for now, but I plan to release a tribute to the project that could've been.  I am currently working on a Dot Matrix Display animation of a single round on the game should a plucky young player decide to pop in seventy-five cents and have a shot at it.

You'll be seeing the animations that I've posted so far (as part of the game experience) along with several other features that I'm not going to spill the beans about.  You'll just have to wait and see.

Until then, Chrono Trigger simply isn't ready for the silver ball.