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Fathom (Bally 1981) FrankEnstein MOD

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20469 Views
5090 Downloads
5 From 33 reviews
312.13 MB File Size
fathom.zip ROM Name
FrankEnstein, Uncle Paulie Created by
FrankEnstein, Apophis Scripting by
Bally Manufacturer
1981 Year

7 Screenshots

About 2 months ago, when I was suddenly faced with copious amount of free time I decided to dive into VPX table creation/modding and took at stab at using VLM/Blender to rejuvenate one of my favorites 80s table... Fathom. I hit so many walls and limitations of my knowledge that after 2 weeks I gave up and decided to tackle a simpler project (Stern's Cheetah). Having released that few weeks ago, I took what I learned during that process and what knowledge the fine VPW folks shared with me in meantime and felt more confident to revisit Fathom. The table has been cooking and been tested by the VPW Team for few weeks now and today, I'm finally ready to part with a version of it and share it with you guys. 

Hope you all enjoy it!

 

p.s. (Frankly, I could easily spend another week or 2 to nitpick even more details and get the VR setup to integrate better with the baked lighting (and use a proper cabinet), hope there is plenty to enjoy in the table in its current shape.)

 

# Version 3.0 by FrankEnstein based on Version 2.0 by UnclePaulie
**v3.0 info:**
This version is FrankEnstein's VLM/Blender makeover of UnclePaulies already excellent table from 2023 so it has all the goodies he and redbone put in, but jazzed up with raytraced renders and all the goodness Blender has to offer. Certain parts were replaced and remodeled for proper raytracing but the table still largely uses most of the assets from the previous version, therefore including the previous detailed credits below.
Thanks to Apophis for his code updates, code cleanup, tying the room brightness controls to the VR setup, and immense knowledge of all things VPX and the willingness to share it. Thanks to all the folks on the VPW team that helped with testing and advice (Apophis, tomate, Passion4Pins, DGrimmReaper, Sturdlygoorite, Sixtoe, Darth Vito, redbone...) as well as all contributors to the VLM Kit parts library. 
Most of all thanks to Uncle Paulie and Redbone for their excellent v2.0 that I used as a starting point and used most of the assets from and his permission to mod his table. 

 

**v2.0 info/credits:**
Table includes Hybrid VR/desktop/cabinet modes, new upscaled playfield by EBisLIT and Redbone, VPW physics, Fleep sounds, 3D inserts, new GI, sling corrections, targets, saucers, playfield mesh, etc.  Updated playfield, plastics, targets, apron, flippers, and more.  
This version done with UnclePaulie's prior Bally tables as a baseline to start.  Built everything ground up from there.  Used a few prims and images from Goldchicco's prior table, as well as some logic.  I used EBisLit's playfield as a baseline, and Redbone did lots graphics updates to that playfield, as well as the plastics, targets, apron, flippers, and others.  The VPW team did lots of testing and recommended that I use Circus's VR room as an option, as it has you playing on the ocean floor with fish swimming around you, so his very cool environment is also included, and is the default environment for VR users.  

___________________________________________________________

Required Software (64-bit versions):

VPX 10.8.0 RC4 or later: https://github.com/vpinball/vpinball/releases/tag/v10.8.0-1975-051104c

VPinMame 3.6.0-998 or later: https://github.com/vpinball/pinmame/releases/tag/v3.6.0-998-a77c2d2

B2S Server 2.1.2 or later (if B2S used): https://github.com/vpinball/b2s-backglass/releases/tag/v2.1.2

Edited by Frank_Enstein


Permission from ORIGINAL Author(s)?

Yes
written permission received.

Allow file to be included on a VPUniverse downloader app?

Yes
https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=829
https://vpuniverse.com/files/file/16046-fathom-bally-1981-b2s-full-dmd/ https://vpuniverse.com/files/file/16041-fathom-bally-1981-b2s/
Contact Author First.
10.8 GL beta required
Yes

What's New in Version 3.0.3   See changelog

Released

-Added an option to enable refraction to transparent plastics (can be turned off in F12 options for people that have no GPU/CPU cycles to spare)

 

p.s. This is a minor cosmetic change and not a required update. I just learned how to do the refractions while making Jungle Princess and thought I would throw it in here as well. :)

User Feedback

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hauntfreaks

   13 of 13 members found this review helpful 13 / 13 members

well holy fuck, look at this sumbitch!!..... god damn could it look anymore real?, I say NO!!... i'm blown away
I've always loved the machine, and now i can love the table as well...

robertms

   4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

Spectacular. I can finally retire the great Vintage Mod that I have enjoyed from @vogliadicane for the last 7 years. As awesome as UnclePaulie's latest version has been, I've missed the warmth and unique visuals of the Vintage Mod. Now we have the best of both worlds, a properly built VPX table with awesome VLM visuals!. Thank you so much for making this possible @UnclePaulie @Frank_Enstein and all who contributed along the way.

Anthias

   3 of 3 members found this review helpful 3 / 3 members

a stunning table. Well done. Sadly my old GPU is not up to the task. But reducing the playfield image by 50% size got it running for now. And because the GPU wont run10.8 I had to do the old flipper reversion (set the primitices for the flippers not visible and set the VP native flippers to visible) so I don't get the full intended experience, however it is still beautiful and fully deserving of a five star rating. I can't wait to get a new GPU and play it as intended.

bietekwiet

   3 of 3 members found this review helpful 3 / 3 members

You sir, are truly TALENTED!  Not only by mastering the VLM rendering art but also for the ability to surround yourself with only the BEST people and talents to assist and learn from (UnclePaulie, Apophis, Redbone and all others who participated).

Kudos for this  piece of art, it looks like a million dollar and plays like a dream!

 

This is so good that it might put Haggis Pinball out of business with their Mermaid edition....oh wait...

 

Thank you so much!

 

 

Chairman7w

   2 of 2 members found this review helpful 2 / 2 members

Three years ago, I was NOT a fan of Fathom. Maybe I just sucked at it, maybe there weren't any versions I could vibe with, I don't know... but it did nothing for me.

Well, that has changed dramatically with the release of Uncle Paulie's table; Redbone's amazing work and now, THIS absolute masterpiece!!

Frank Enstein and the boys from VPW that pitched in have created a real gem here, and it is a blast to play.

Excellent control (due to the beautifully dialed-in physics), gorgeous new Blender table elements; and oh Mama that lighting!!!  MUAH!! Chef's Kiss!!!

I absolutely adore this table and look forward to many, many hours of playtime with it!
 

 

mikeairmax23

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

One of the best (maybe the best?!) VPX releases I have ever played. Absolutely stunning to look at and even better to play. Really captures the essence of the real cab and does it beautifully. A new benchmark?  

purcho

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

I play Fathom at least once every day and loved the last version of it that was out there...but THIS version is something else.

It's awesome!...You really took this to the next level.

Looks incredible, feels and plays as smooth as butter. I'd give it more stars if i could.

My hat is off to you!

Lifewater989

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

@UnclePaulie had already made this classic fan favorite pin awesome, you perfected it.  Damn does this thing look and play good!  Your tables just keep getting better.  Excellent work on this!  I love Fathom and I play it often.  What an upgrade!

bijanorama

  

Beautiful job! You guys really elevated this to another level. I loved this build so much, I built a cabinet around it. 

IMG_1756.jpeg

Response from the author:

That's awesome.

Dream is to do a from scratch build of a real table one day. Just need to find the time. 

HauntedHouse

  

Looks great in VR! Thanks for sharing.

Blacksad

  

Thank you for this recreation, which clearly makes me hallucinate with realism !

Huge thanks for all your hard work and for sharing !

💖💖💖

DomiKamu

· Edited by DomiKamu

  

Fathom is one of mine favorite pinball machines! Amazing stuff, thank you very much for this beauty 👍

Of course, I rate it as 5 stars.

studly_do_right

  

Oops, just realized I didn't come here and say thanks for this beauty, it sure it purdy. When I heard that it was Uncle Paulie's version being worked on I didn't expect much because, well, Uncle Paulie's creations are awesome. Happy to report that this VLM/Blender makeover (among other things) has really enhanced the beauty of this table and I am in awe while playing it. So thanks to everyone involved.

leeoneil

  

Amazing, thank's for this work !
Thank's everyone that could make this result possible, because it's crazy how well the result is.

Beautiful render, physics like real, wowowowow !

 

Eviljubs

  

Just looking at the screenshots I thought you had mistakenly uploaded reference photos of an actual table... absolutely gorgeous.

Rabmos

  

The table played already perfect with UnclePaulie's release and looked already okay. But FrankEnstein's version took the visuals to the next level. Especially after the 3.0.2 release it became one of the best early 80's tables of VPX. Highly appreciated work, very enjoyable to play this table in VR with these amazing visuals. Thank you!

GordonJames

  

Lovely work and attention to detail. Nice to see more and more tables getting the VLM blender treatment. Thank you Frank and everyone else who helped out with this work of art.

POKE78

  

Amazing job again😍👏

KRAKEN

  

Wow, this is quite the visual treat!  Well done sir!  Thanks to all involved for making this gem.  🍻

pacboy

  

Superb achievement, thank you very much 🤩.

RLC75

  

This looks and plays great! Thankyou

dEiCidE

  

gameplay de 1era, muy buena tabla! super divertida
Excelente calidad, a todos los involucrados GRACIAS GRACIAS GRACIAS

Badaud

  

Incredible table !

The rendering, the graphics, the lights, the physics, everything is stunning !!

Thank you very much Frank_Enstein :)

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