Exactly, What are the New 2005 Pachinko Game Standards?

[Bilko44]

Several members have alluded to the new performance standards for pachinko games produced after mid 2005. Is there a list of these changes out there that explains the impact of these changes on the player?

I recall reading about some of the changes in one of the threads here or elsewhere in my ramblings. Arby, I believe you may have been the source of some of the information.

I remember that one provision eliminates the requirement for an advance notice or clue before a fever bonus begins.

Perhaps, this is an attempt to make the game more spontaneous and to remove the feeling that the game play is not a series of random events. Of course, the game computer still controls all events and sequences. The player only influences how many times the balls trip the start gates.

Another provision lowered the minimum payback from 4 balls to three.

Here, it seems to be a strictly economic decision to put more money into the parlor's pocket. On the other hand, it does allow the game manufacturer to build a play field in which more balls can trigger frequent small payouts keeping the player more into the game.

Let's face it, most game play fields on the market up to this point have at least one or two virtually impossible to hit gates. Under the new standard, if all gates were attainable, then new play strategies could evolve.

The ratio of plays to a jackpot or fever rounds has also been changed. Now, it takes more spins before the big one trips. This provision seems logical if more frequent small wins are included in the new play strategies.

That's all I recall of the new changes. Please feel free to correct me or add more information regarding additional regulation changes.

Now, what's in it for US pachinko enthusiasts?

1. If the Japanese players embrace the new game standards, there will be a glut of "old standard" games on the market at bargain basement prices if a few more vendors enter the US marketplace.

2. If US players decide that the "new standard "games are the thing to have, then the current prices of games for sale in the US will tumble in the same way that older non-LCD pachislos have languished.

3. Pachinko players are looking for entertainment value for their dollar. Since US players own their games, they are more interested in entertaining game sequences, spectacular light shows, colorful cases and great themes. It seems to me, that the 2005 game standards will actually make the newer games even more desirable to US players.

4. I do not see Japanese pachinko players rejecting the new games. As a matter of fact, I think they will love the games! There is way too much money being made with pachinko for the parlors and manufacturers to kill the goose that lays the golden pachinko ball.

[slotter]

Excellent analysis, Bilko... especially agree with your point #4 above.

[arbycoffee]

There is a date that all the older style machines have to be out of service and deseralized. In my minds eye i thing it is mid 2007, but not sure.

[biigdaddy]

As a newbie here I felt I should speak up on this one. I am typically an optimist but in this case I am not so sure. My impression of these changes are all to put more money in the hands of the parlor owners. For example removing the advance notice of a fever will eliminate the opportunity of the player to try harder to get the fever going, thus reducing the chances of the big payout. The other 2 items mentioned are obvious to reduce the odds and amounts of payouts. So if the machines pay out less, and less frequently how will that make them more attractive? It may be an unrealistic assumption that the manufacturers will provide more frequent small wins. I believe that now that the masses in Japan are hooked on the game, that those in the money chain are upping their profits by these changes, and the masses will have nowhere else to go to get the same release/excitement. (except maybe to Pachislots!)

So my view of what that may mean here is that if these new machines are less desirable, then the prices on the current machines may increase as they become collectors items. It's like when they added smog protection on cars (wayback for you youngsters) and the older cars without it became more desirable due to less garbage to deal with and retaining more horsepower. I hope that this will NOT be the case because I am still trying to land my first pachinko, but the ebay frenzy is ridiculous, and the retail vendors also have relatively high prices, in part driven by the ebay frenzy as has been stated elsewhere herein.

I have gotten the Pachislo bug and acquired my 3 machines off ebay over the last month (sniped at good prices too - KC for $97, Beast for $102). I am on my way to turning my basement into a game room. I love the different technologies that my 3 machines have, which was the reason for choosing the ones I did. However, my wife has said cease and desist on the slot machine buying since it was getting out of control. So I am going to turn to Pachinko since technically it's not a slot machine, and see how many I can buy before I get cut off again! (and they will certainly compliment the Pachislots and my two boys will love them too )

First on my wish list is Thunderzone, based on what I have read in this forum (by the way this forum is excellent and I have spent the last few weeks lurking through all the topics feverishly trying to get caught up). However, it appears that even though some were sold earlier this year, and the desire for this machine from members on this forum is not insignificant, that there may not be much of an opportunity in the future, unless someone with more experience here says "have faith, another one will show up sometime." Other than that it is hard to be patient to see what the ebay "irrational exuberance" (Alan Greenspan quote I believe) will do over time.

[slotter]

Welcome, biigdaddy. I agree with much of your above post and it was a good read! Thanks for jumping in!!!

[arbycoffee]

TZ is becoming a Spin Luck, I think

[Bilko44]

Welcome Biigdaddy!

It's anybody's guess as to how the new standards will impact the market there and here.

I view some of the new changes the equivalent of what happened when the US casino industry embraced the multiline video slot complete with more frequent small payouts, a higher return to the casino and players going crazy over penny slots.

This is exactly what I think will happen with the new standard pachinko games. Players will last longer with frequent small ball wins but will have to play longer and subsequently, more balls, to achieve fever bonus rounds.

[JamesM]

If the new law eliminates a requirement,
the feature(bonus tell-tales etc.) just becomes optional, and may still be incorporated.