Electronic Arts, Incorporated, which eventually branched off into and nearly cornered the market on the sporting games genre, really introduced something new and innovative with Pinball Construction Set. It was the first game of its type, and spawned the release of several similar games with different themes. (Some of the popular titles using a similar engine include a Music Construction Set; Racing Deconstruction Set; and the Adventure Construction Set). It is a building and editing game, specifically of pinball tables, that was released in the middle eighties.
Electronic Arts, Incorporated, which eventually branched off into and nearly cornered the market on the sporting games genre, really introduced something new and innovative with Pinball Construction Set. It was the first game of its type, and spawned the release of several similar games with different themes. (Some of the popular titles using a similar engine include a Music Construction Set; Racing Deconstruction Set; and the Adventure Construction Set). It is a building and editing game, specifically of pinball tables, that was released in the middle eighties. Bill Budge did the programming for this game, and it was sent to many formats. It features the third person perspective and offers a unique challenge for the user.
The user, in this case, has to use strategy
and forethought to build a rocking pinball table from the ground up. This is a great opportunity for true fans of pinball to eliminate the aspects of popular tables that are annoying and add the designs that offer the most fun for any specific individual. The gamer is in charge of placing hoops, flags, bumpers, ramps, targets, rails, holes and many other classic pinball obstacles around the board design of his choosing. Not only is the player in charge of choosing and placing the obstacles on the table, he is also in charge of defining the physics of the game. The user controls the strength of gravity, the speed of the balls, the amount of “kick” featured on the rails and bumpers, and the bounce of the ball as it moves around the custom table. The size, number and design of the flippers can be changed according to the user’s preferences as well. The user paints the table’s background, offering it a theme that is unique to the user. Even the point scoring system is user-defined, and series of targets can be wired together to create bonuses in scoring.
The best part of the game is that when all is said and done, and the “perfect” table is laid before the gamer, the table can be saved and played. This is where all gamers find flaws in other tables, and the Pinball Construction Set will be no different. When the user realizes how things “should have been done” it is a matter of flicking a button to go in and edit the creation, shaping and changing until it is as perfect for the designer as it can get.
Pinball Construction Set is certainly a unique idea that started quite a craze in construction and editing games. It provides a fun opportunity for the big pinball fan to try his hand at building a table, and possibly gain more appreciation for the designers in the field, all the while having a great time.
