Ask Uncle Willy #2: June 30, 1995

Here is this week's (actually, last week's -- Uncle Willy took a little
vacation) installment of questions for Uncle Willy.

Please keep in mind that some of the questions take a bit of research, so
that answers to some questions may not show up right away.  Be assured that
your questions are being kept on file, and those that are answerable will
receive Uncle Willy's attention.

Send all questions and comments to:

         uncle_willy@wms.com

Uncle Willy enjoys hearing from you!

Question:	I'm looking for the optional printer kit for a
		Williams/Bally pinball, but am having a hard time finding
		one.  Can Uncle Willy help?

Answer:		Have your local distributor order a "PRINTER OPTION KIT",
		part number 63110 from WMS Part Sales.  This kit comes
		complete with cables and instructions.

		The Printer Option can be installed in any Williams/Bally
		game, starting from Funhouse.  The Printer circuit board
		mounts in the backbox on the studs above the CPU circuit
		board.  In games with a Fliptronics circuit board (Addams
		Family and later), the Printer board mounts in front of the
		Fliptronics board with standoffs.

		Cables are run from the backbox into the cabinet to connect
		to a small interface board.  The interface board should be
		mounted in the cabinet where it will be easily accessable
		from the coin door.  Uncle Willy likes to mount the
		interface board just to the right of the coin door on the
		inside front of the cabinet.


Question:	What games did designer Ward Pemberton work on?

Answer:		Mr. Pemberton designed the following games:

		Fathom, BMX, Dungeons and Dragons, Hard Body, Mousin'
		Around, Riverboat Gambler, and Gilligan's Island.

		Uncle Willy has not been keeping careful tabs on Mr.
		Pemberton, but he has heard that Mr. Pemberton worked
		for Capcom pinball for a while, and is now employed by
		Sega pinball.


Question:	Does Williams/Bally plan on making a three level game?

Answer:		Uncle Willy is unable to comment on any particular plan
		of development.  However, each design team is free to spend
		its game budget in any way that results in a fun game.  You
		can be sure that Williams/Bally designers are always
		busy evaluating possible features to include in a game.

		(As a side note, the original design for Popeye had a third
		playfield.  The third playfield was visible through a
		plastic window in the main playfield.)


Question:	I have seen some information about "H" or "Home" version
		ROMs for some games.  What is the deal with these
		software versions?

Answer:		"Home" version ROMs are not official software releases
		for Williams/Bally pinballs.  Home ROMs are made for very
		few games, and only at the whim of the software developer.

		Since Home ROMs are not officially released, they are not
		intended to be used in games on location.  In general,
		it is usually safe to do so, however.

		While Home ROMs are typically meant to be used in the
		design team's games only, they are sometimes given to
		friends, etc.  It is through this "underground" channel
		that these ROM versions surface.


Question:	Does Williams/Bally use computer simulations during the
		development of pinball games?

Answer:		No.  Uncle Willy keeps checking at the local computer
		software shop, but he hasn't seen a package to do this.


Question:	I have purchased a Williams/Bally pinball at home, and
		I have noticed some software bugs in the program.  Is
		there a possibility that these bugs will be fixed?

Answer:		Unfortunately, the possibility of a fix for minor bugs is
		very slim.  The longer a game has been out of production,
		the slimmer this possibility becomes.

		While Williams/Bally is concerned about any serious software
		bugs in its pinballs, it just doesn't have the resources
		to fix bugs of a lesser nature, especially in older games.
		Besides, the Williams/Bally software developers are busy
		working on the NEXT game, and don't have room in their
		offices to keep older games around.

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