WHY PINBALL?
Playing pinball is an exciting and rewarding experience that offers numerous benefits and reasons to give it a try. Regardless of solo play or league play, the game itself is a constant test of one's own ability, skill, and willingness to learn and practice.
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To some, this game is steeped in nostalgia. Going back to the 1930s, these games come in an
endless array of themes, mechanics, styles, and game-play.
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This page will introduce the new player to the history and draw of this timeless hobby as well
as introduce seasoned players to some fun facts and elements that they might not know.
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Enjoy!
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Pinball Was Illegal
Pinball was illegal in some parts of the United States during the 20th century, particularly from the 1940s to the 1970s, due to concerns about its association with gambling and organized crime. In the eyes of authorities, pinball machines were often seen as a form of gambling because they awarded replays or prizes based on a player's skill and score. To address these concerns, various cities and states implemented bans on pinball machines. However, these bans gradually began to be lifted as the perception of pinball shifted from a gambling device to a legitimate form of entertainment and skill-based gaming.
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The Greatest Shot Ever Taken
"Calling his shots is what Robert Sharpe is known for. In 1976, as the New York City Council reexamined the city’s ban on pinball as gambling, Sharpe testified that the game involves more skill than luck. After he successfully called several shots on a machine of the council’s choosing, the officials had seen enough. They voted unanimously to lift the ban, and then-mayor Abraham Beame signed it into law."
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-OnWisconsin Magazine
The Beauty of Sight and Sound
The advancement of sound in pinball games has seen significant improvements over the years. Initially, early pinball machines had simple, basic sound effects produced by mechanical bells and chimes. However, with technological advancements, sound in pinball games has evolved:
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Newer machines have full video capability as well as full soundtracks, the same as any movie (and often pulled from that movie).
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And much like movies and modern video games, pinball sound and video is both dynamic and interactive and will change the entire atmosphere and mood of a game.
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From Humble Beginnings to the Modern Age
What do you think of when you imagine a game of pinball? To many, it is the relentless dinging of the bumpers and the numbers advancing on the scoreboard. That description does, essentially, describe the early machines that relied on mechanical components.
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As time and technology progressed, modern games now include branching story-lines, cinematic cutscenes, as well as complex mechanics and endless ways to control and aim the ball(s).
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This series covers the history of the technological aspects of the game we love.
Popular Culture
Pinball has had a lasting impact on popular culture through appearances in movies, music, and arcades, as well as the rise of digital versions, competitive play, and dedicated museums.
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