A pro-emulator argument

There's been quite a discussion about the MPU3/4 emulator on the Visual Pinball forum (of all places). Visual Pinball is a piece of software that allows old pinball machines to be recreated and played on a PC. Using a plug-in for VP called VPINMAME, newer machines can be simulated as well, utilising the ROM images from the real pinball tables. Anyway, I digress, someone posted to the VP forum on the subject of fruit machine emulation, I mentioned MPU3/4 and the rest is history.....

You can take a look at the thread by following this link:
http://www.hippie.net/shivasite/UltraBoard/UltraBoard.cgi?action=Read&BID=24&TID=1505&P=1&SID=110822

However, I have reproduced my reply to a suggestion that the emulator represented a threat to Barcrest's business on this page, as I think it makes some important  points. Also, assuming that someone from Barcrest will come across this page sooner or later, maybe they'll take the time to read it. (We can but hope....).

Many of the machines emulated are now so old that you couldn't find them on-site anywhere for love nor money. (14 out of the 39). Their payout cycles, any strategies that you might use and overall play style are positively antiquated by modern standards. It'd be like learning Pac-Man inside out and expecting to be a grand master on Gran Turismo as a result.

Of the newer machines emulated, a good chunk of those are now well past their commercial peak, and will only be found in seaside arcades (if at all) with £5 jackpots, set to 5p play (and as such are played for fun, not profit).

The few machines that *can* still be found on site in the UK (very few machines in very few locations) have been rechipped several times from the versions of the ROMs that are available for the emulator. (And they were rechipped long before this emulator even existed, let alone been released, the reasons for this are explained in the PS). If you "learnt" a machine using the emulator and then set about the real thing using your tactics you'd get a nasty, and expensive shock. (This particularly applies to some of the club machines).

The machines included in the emulator are of no use even for trying to learn general trends and tactics. You talk of recognising "signs" and learning when a machine isn't worth playing. If this emu had been released 3 or 4 years ago then yes, that might be a valid point. However, the nature of fruit machine software (from all manufacturers, not just Barcrest) has changed *dramatically* in the last 18 months or so.

All machines can, and do, take large amounts of money over a long period of time before streaking. They streak much less often, and the streak can no longer be predicted, or "forced" in the way that used to be possible. The "signs" (good bonuses, offering high wins easily, flasholds etc) can no longer be interpreted as a machine getting ready to pay.

As many pro and semi-pro players in the UK will attest (and I'm one of them), the old tactics and methods (the kind that someone might develop using the emulator) WILL NOT WORK on the machines that you'll find in the pubs, arcades and casinos these days.

MPU5, Barcrest's current fruit machine technology is not emulated, and it isn't likely to be for a long time, if at all. There are no ROM images in circulation for MPU5 machines. The MPU3/4 emulator is a bit of fun, nothing else, anyone who thinks they can "learn" a machine, or even just develop general tactics and skills using the emulator, would be sorely disappointed if they set about a modern fruit machine.

The only effect that I can see the emulator having on Barcrest is a positive one. People who already play real fruit machines are going to play machines on the emulator *as well as* the real thing (how many of you have stopped playing real pinball since you've installed Visual Pinball.....). People who never play real fruit machines may well find the MPU3/4 emulator entertaining and enjoyable, and who knows, next time they're down the pub they might consider putting a few quid in the real thing. If they don't, no one's lost a penny.

This emulator is free advertising for Barcrest, it gives their brand name and their machines exposure to people who previously didn't even know they existed. It costs Barcrest nothing, it loses them nothing, if anything, it may gain them something. Barcrest can't lose. Full stop.

Alex.

P.S. The reason behind machine rechips and the general change in how fruit machines play is as follows.

It's the growth in the number of web sites, mailing lists, message boards and players' clubs dedicated to fruit machines and the exchange of information. Any weaknesses in programs, and general strategies for winning become common knowledge very quickly, manufacturers have to respond to this. Needless to say, the emulator has absolutely nothing at all to do with this.

The discussion on the Visual Pinball rumbled on for quite some time (it's still making the odd gurgling noise now (end June 2001)), I replied to a post suggesting that Barcrest were more concerned about people "learning" their fruit machines than they were about copyright infringement.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, this emulator is *good news* for Barcrest, it's free advertising, free brand awareness and free exposure for their product. Even if MPU5 *were* emulated, even if you could play every Barcrest fruit machine in existence on your PC, it'd *still* be good news for Barcrest.

In the same way that Visual Pinball enhances the appeal of real pinball, MPU3/4 enhances the appeal, and generates interest in, Barcrest's fruit machines. There's a fundamental difference between playing a table in Visual Pinball and playing the real thing, playing Visual Pinball makes you want to go out and play real pinball.

In the same way, there's a fundamental difference between playing a fruity in MPU3/4 and playing the real thing. I'll bet there are many people out there now who would like to have a bash on a real fruit machine, people who'd never considered playing them before they came across MPU3/4. The emulator doesn't emulate the cabinet, the flashing lights, the fun of pressing the buttons, in short, it doesn't recreate the real thing.

The only possible result I can see from people playing MPU3/4 (and if there were such a thing as MPU5, that too) is that they'll be more likely to put a few quid in real fruit machines next time they come across them. MPU3/4 gives people a chance to gain familiarity with the basic operation and conventions of fruit machines, perhaps making them less daunted by the prospect of gambling real money on the real thing.

Barcrest's latest rechips and new fruit machine programs are *very* tough, they're programmed to be largely unlearnable and unforceable, even if you could sit down on your PC and play a new machine solid for days, you'd only have developed a good knowledge of the various features and maybe have formulated a general strategy, but as I said, you'd be *more* likely to put money in the real machine as you'd have more confidence in your ability to get a good game for your cash. (It's no coincidence that every fruit machine manufacturer has some sort of "players' club" on their website, designed to give away tips and tricks to give the novice player some information and a degree of confidence in their chances of winning - just as the emulator does.....).

Fruit machines are ALWAYS going to make their profit from the money that's put through them, there's no beating that simple fact. And therefore, emulation is good for us and it's good for Barcrest.

Alex.

July 22 2001