[New Future Pinball]Medieval Madness (Williams, 1997) (FizX 3.3)

[GeorgeH]

View File

Medieval Madness (Williams, 1997) (FizX 3.3)

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Although Medieval Madness was not a huge commercial success at launch, it quickly became a fan favorite and is now widely considered one of the greatest pinball machines of all time. The game features a medieval theme combined with modern elements and tongue-in-cheek humor. It was designed by Brian Eddy, who also created the highly acclaimed Attack From Mars (AFM), which I recently finished modifying. While AFM remains my favorite table, Medieval Madness is a close second.

 

Video Overview of the Table:

 

As with Attack from Mars, my goal was to enhance Medieval Madness to be functional, visually appealing, and play well using the latest BAM tools—without overloading it with excessive models or animations. As a result, the table now features four light settings, FizX 3.3, Surround Sound Feedback (SSF), and numerous new graphics. Additionally, it allows users to adjust more than 50 parameters in real-time through the Game, Lighting, and FizX menus (referred to as "tweakers"). I also installed a four-color Dot Matrix Display (DMD). Please refer to the included PDF for instructions on installing the table and the zip file.

 

On the MEGA 1.3.5 version of Medieval Madness, Flug added two game modes to Slamt1lt's ULTIMATE 1.02 version that are easier to play.  Flug's version ended up having Slamt1lt's Normal play mode, "Mega-Multiball" and "Mega-Easy".  This table modifies Flug's version.  The game modes can be switched after the game loads but before the game starts by pressing the Special 2 key.  There is also an option on the game tweaker that can switch game modes.  The tweaker is started by pressing the Special 1 key.  The instruction PDF provides discussion on how to operate the tweakers.  You should however be able to navigate and operate the system by reading the overlays that appear when you start it.  The only thing you really need to remember is to open the tweaker with the Special 1 key. 

 

Video Demonstrating the "Tweakers" Menu System:

 

Slamt1lt’s original audio was decent, but I knew it could be improved. To enhance the sound, I added the "Sound Level Control Panel," a feature I previously developed in AFM. This tool categorizes sounds into music, game mechanical sounds, special effects, and voice quotes, each with separate volume adjustments for loud and soft levels where necessary. I also integrated these sound categories into the Game Tweaker. Since Medieval Madness contains four times as many voice quotes and more than double the total number of audio files as AFM, the process of fine-tuning the sound was much more time-consuming.

 

I’ve heard that some cabinet users have trouble hearing the ball rolling sound on some tables. To address this, I added the same option I used in AFM to lower the volume of all other sounds except for the ball rolling sound. Note that Future Pinball provides two options to adjust music and game sounds. I recommend setting both to maximum and not using them, as the music manager includes various non-musical sounds that are best managed through the Game Tweaker’s sound options.

 

Since I don't have a cabinet setup myself, a user known as Enthusiast generously helped me test the table on his cabinet. I’ve put in my best effort to provide the best playing experience on both desktop PCs and pinball cabinets. As part of this effort, I included three versions of the table in the download:

 

1. Main Version – For desktops, cabinets with two monitors, and virtual reality headsets.
2. Three-Monitor Version – For cabinets with three monitor displays, which removes the speaker panel from the backbox texture and aligns the lights to the texture.
3. Rotated Display Version – For desktop PCs with a single desktop PC monitor that can rotate to a portrait orientation.

 

Be sure to follow the instructions in the included PDF for setting up these three versions correctly.

 

I prefer to play the rotated display version on my desktop PC, as it fills about 90% of the monitor's available space. In contrast, the full table 2 view in Future Pinball only occupies about 50% of the screen, not including the HUD, which isn't necessary for the rotated display version. The rotated display offers a much more immersive and engaging gameplay experience. I’ve recorded a video that explains the simple setup process and showcases some gameplay:

 

Video Demonstrating the Rotated Display Version:

 

I want to express my sincere gratitude to Enthusiast for his invaluable help testing the table on his pinball cabinet.

 

I’m always looking for ways to improve my table modifications. In this version, I figured out how to display a color background on DMD frames that show text. I also enhanced the lightning effects added by Slamt1lt. I’ve added several new frames of lightning on the backwall and thunder sounds, which now play randomly, and I’ve introduced a spotlight effect that illuminates the castle during the lightning sequence. This effect now plays during several game modes, as well as during the attract mode, greatly enhancing the drama of the game.

 

I worked on this table every day for the last two months. It required a lot of effort, but it was also incredibly fun. I hope you enjoy playing it as much as I have.

 

— George

 

List of Changes:

 

1. Added color DMD with a newly discovered method for adding background color to DMD text.

 

2. Added two new loading textures: one for desktops and one for cabinets.

 

3. Darkened the red side rails and lockdown bar.

 

4. Fixed the right ramp to prevent the ball from getting stuck and ensure smoother performance. Replaced the half-circle section of the right ramp with a new ramp and removed the kicker assist.

 

5. Replaced the old dynamic flippers with FizX, using the latest version of the tweaker.

 

6. Added Surround Sound Feedback (SSF) and ball rolling sound on ramps using Fleep's recordings.

 

7. Changed the start game sequence to allow the game to begin at any time, instead of requiring a timer to run out in the attract mode.

 

8. Changed the "execute" command in the script to use alternate coding to prevent stuttering.

 

9. Replaced the exposed wood in the playfield area around the catapult with hand painted.  Also edited the seam between two playfield photo merges to make it seamless.

 

10. Reworked the texture for the three stationary targets to make them larger and more visually appealing.

 

11. Changed the color, edited, and upscaled the texture of Merlin above Merlin's magic kicker.

 

12. Replaced the exterior cabinet textures with new high-resolution versions.

 

13. Found a higher-resolution version of the art for the game room, upscaled it, and installed it.

 

14. After upscaling the textures, added bump maps to the castle texture, two castle gates, and the dragon to create a 3D effect.

 

15. Changed the color of the castle interior floor and upscaled it.

 

16. Resized the six overlays on the backbox to make them smaller and moved "Troll Bombs" to the right so it aligns with the other overlays.

 

17. Upscaled the textures for the plastics, adjusted the color to make them brighter with less purple, and filled in numerous holes. Increased the brightness and contrast of the archers on top of the slingshots. Touched up the texture on the left ramp. No changes were made to the plastic with the flags below the catapult.

 

18. Changed the metal surface around the sides and back of the castle from bronze to black metal.

 

19. Created a custom texture for the flippers.

 

20. Fixed the right inlane barrier so that the top surface aligns with the bottom layer. Made changes to the texture to fit the new shape.

 

21. Found that the original texture of the damsel was too dark. Brightened it, touched it up, and upscaled it.

 

22. Deleted all unused audio files to improve table performance.

 

23. Revised Slamt1lt's lightning effect on the backwall. Updated the coding, added 9 new backwall textures, and 7 lightning sound effect files. Added a spotlight and 4 bulbs on the castle to simulate lightning flashes. Increased the number of calls to run the lightning effect.

 

24. Added a topper above the backbox.

 

25. Added a missing bulb to the plastics in the back area of the table.

 

26. Added lighting and game tweakers.

 

27. Added 3 spotlights and 1 nanoflasher to provide general illumination, controlled by the lighting tweaker.

 

28. Added specular lighting controlled by the lighting tweaker.

 

29. Added code for 63 light inserts, allowing control of 3 lighting options via the tweaker. Made many adjustments to backbox lights and added settings for each light mode in the lighting tweaker. Also adjusted the brightness of approximately 50 textures for each of the 4 light modes.

 

30. Added 8 missing voice quotes from the original table.

 

31. Changed the color of all light inserts on the playfield to use richer, less garish colors.

 

32. Changed the background color of the light lenses on the catapult tower to make them easier to identify.

 

33. Added another bulb to the castle-on-fire sequence and slightly adjusted the timing.

 

34. Added Flug's game modes to the Game Tweaker, which can also be changed by pressing the Special 2 key.

 

35. Adjusted the 14 desktop views from Attack From Mars to work with this table.

 

36. Categorized all audio files, added variables for each, and integrated a "Sound Level Control Panel" into the script. Added adjustment options to the Game Tweaker.

 

37. Replaced one of Merlin's voice quotes, which had significant noise, with a cleaner version of the same quote. Also adjusted the sound level of one of the damsel voice quotes to match the level of the others.

 

38. Created a version of the table for pinball cabinets with three monitors.

 

39. Created a version of the table for desktop PCs with swivel monitors.

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• Submitter
  GeorgeH
• Submitted
  11/14/24
• Category
  Future Pinball Tables

 

[DeWe]

Thx a lot for the update!

During play of this mod table, I've recognized serveral times,  that during multiball 1 ball is somewhere fixed in the left upper area (near the sidereal) .

It is visible,  if after multiball the "last active" ball reached the Jackpots and if the ball is lost the bonus is not counted and after time the table search the ball. To find the ball,  I must nudge the table up and from the side and the missing ball goes back into the game.

 

Cab Mode, 3 Screens, Vpin 10.8

Edited November 17, 2024 by DeWe

[digitalarts]

@DeWe "Vpin 10.8" ??

Do you know THIS table is a FuturePinball (req. BAM) table ?

[GeorgeH]

3 hours ago, digitalarts said:

@DeWe "Vpin 10.8" ??

Do you know THIS table is a FuturePinball (req. BAM) table ?

Yes it is Future Pinball and requires BAM 1.5-373 or later to function properly and avoid crashes or error messages.

[GeorgeH]

6 hours ago, DeWe said:

Thx a lot for the update!

During play of this mod table, I've recognized serveral times,  that during multiball 1 ball is somewhere fixed in the left upper area (near the sidereal) .

It is visible,  if after multiball the "last active" ball reached the Jackpots and if the ball is lost the bonus is not counted and after time the table search the ball. To find the ball,  I must nudge the table up and from the side and the missing ball goes back into the game.

 

Cab Mode, 3 Screens, Vpin 10.8

 

I am not able to repeat the problem.  I have played this table several hundred times and not had this problem.  I just finished dismantling the ramp and other objects in this area and cannot find the cause.  Could you post a screenshot of the stuck ball?  If it is difficult to see, you can start the wire frame mode by pressing the F10 key and then make the screenshot. 

[DeWe]

On 11/17/2024 at 8:24 PM, GeorgeH said:

 

I am not able to repeat the problem.  I have played this table several hundred times and not had this problem.  I just finished dismantling the ramp and other objects in this area and cannot find the cause.  Could you post a screenshot of the stuck ball?  If it is difficult to see, you can start the wire frame mode by pressing the F10 key and then make the screenshot. 

I'll try my luck .. Sorry for the late answer, I've found your comment right now

[DeWe]

4 hours ago, DeWe said:

I'll try my luck .. Sorry for the late answer, I've found your comment right now

I've try to recreate the issue, till now with a multiball with no luck.

 but on another place the ball was hanging (with nutges the ball was released).

Pls have look: It's left just before the castle gate at the left metall corner and the screw(?) of the metal ground

 

 

 

[DeWe]

On 11/17/2024 at 7:52 PM, GeorgeH said:

On 11/17/2024 at 4:15 PM, digitalarts said:

Do you know THIS table is a FuturePinball (req. BAM) table ?

Yes it is Future Pinball and requires BAM 1.5-373 or later to function properly and avoid crashes or error messages.

Upps ...... my mistake.... Im using the VPX version 

Sorry for the mistake 

[GeorgeH]

4 hours ago, DeWe said:

I've try to recreate the issue, till now with a multiball with no luck.

 but on another place the ball was hanging (with nutges the ball was released).

Pls have look: It's left just before the castle gate at the left metall corner and the screw(?) of the metal ground

 

 

 

 

OK very well.  Thanks for letting me know that the problems were on the VPX version of the table.  You should try my Future Pinball version.  I am pretty sure it won't have any stuck balls.  I spent a long time adding high resolution textures and lighting.  I added FizX to it that many think is as good as the physics on VPX or at least comparable. 

[Sandro]

Hi I installed this for desktop I have all the necessary and updated files installed(had to do this for the new He-Man table) and though that table works fine I'm still getting the same script error as seen in the screenshot. Any help on getting this resolved is greatly appreciated.

Edited December 24, 2024 by Sandro

[GeorgeH]

13 hours ago, Sandro said:

Hi I installed this for desktop I have all the necessary and updated files installed(had to do this for the new He-Man table) and though that table works fine I'm still getting the same script error as seen in the screenshot. Any help on getting this resolved is greatly appreciated.

 

Try opening the FP editor for the table. Then click on the "Table" pull down menu and select "Table Info". Then click on the button named, "Reset fpRAM file to defaults". Then try playing the table.

 

This may not help if you are using an AMD processor.  I posted a different version at the link below that LordTheRon said worked on his AMD Ryzen processor:

 

 

[Sandro]

11 hours ago, GeorgeH said:

 

Try opening the FP editor for the table. Then click on the "Table" pull down menu and select "Table Info". Then click on the button named, "Reset fpRAM file to defaults". Then try playing the table.

 

This may not help if you are using an AMD processor.  I posted a different version at the link below that LordTheRon said worked on his AMD Ryzen processor:

 

 

Resetting the fpRAM to defaults did the trick. Thank you kindly!!

[serclaudio]

Un saluto a tutti, sono nuovo sull'argomento dei flipper digitali, scusate se segnala il problema che ho e che sicuramente è dovuto a qualche operazione che non ho eseguito.

 

Da qualche giorno sto provando Future Pinball e ho già utilizzato con successo un paio di tavoli semplici.

 

Ho provato ad utilizzare questa tavola, ma quando l'avvio mi segnala l'errore

 

" Errore meditazione flipper, errore script: riga 2033 Variabile non definita: xBam "

 

Dove devo mettere i file della cartella " FP_PUP_SSF_GEORGE " ?

Grazie

 

Vorrei creare un cabinato arcade dedicato a Future Pinball, ma di strada ne devo fare ancora tanta ...

 

 

Edited January 14, 2025 by serclaudio

[GeorgeH]

This table uses BAM coding and so you need to have BAM (Better Arcade Mode) installed with Future Pinball.  The "Pinball meditation error, script error: line 2033 Undefined variable: xBam" indicates you either don't have BAM installed or you may have a folder set up so the security does not allow Future Pinball access to the BAM folder.  If you have a desktop installation, you might try my guide at the following link.  There is a link at the top of the page that will load a copy of the page onto Google's translator. 

 

https://pinballnirvana.com/forums/threads/georges-installation-and-setup-guide-for-future-pinball-and-bam-beginners-start-here.20851/

 

If you have a cabinet, you will need to follow TerryRed's guide at the following link. I don't have a cabinet so I can't help with that although Terry's guide should help you. Terry discusses Pup Packs which is where you need to install "FP_PUP_SSF_GEORGE" but is only used on pinball cabinets.  I identify where the folder is supposed to be installed in the Instructions PDF file in the download.  You can ignore the "FP_PUP_SSF_GEORGE" folder if you have have a desktop installation. 

 

Edited January 16, 2025 by GeorgeH
Answer a question I forgot.

[serclaudio]

Grazie, proverò a fare tutte le verifiche che mi hai indicato. Nel caso non riuscissi a risolvere chiederò ancora il vostro aiuto

[Egon]

On 1/14/2025 at 10:56 AM, serclaudio said:

Ho provato ad utilizzare questa tavola, ma quando l'avvio mi segnala l'errore

 

" Errore meditazione flipper, errore script: riga 2033 Variabile non definita: xBam "

 

Hi,

I had the same error. I spend days re-installing windows, future pinball and updating BAM.
Finally I realized that I created a faulty shortcut to FuturePinball.exe.
You need to start FPloader.exe in the BAM folder :-)
Greetings,
Egon.

[Egon]

Hi design team,
Thanks for all the hard work on this table.
I have a 3 screen cabinet, but both the "Medieval Madness 1.03, 3 Monitor Cabinet.fpt" and the "Medieval Madness 1.03.fpt" versions don't show a fullDMD on screen 3. Any idea what I did wrong ?
Kind Regards,
Egon 🙂

[GeorgeH]

2 hours ago, Egon said:

Hi design team,
Thanks for all the hard work on this table.
I have a 3 screen cabinet, but both the "Medieval Madness 1.03, 3 Monitor Cabinet.fpt" and the "Medieval Madness 1.03.fpt" versions don't show a fullDMD on screen 3. Any idea what I did wrong ?
Kind Regards,
Egon 🙂

 

Unfortunately, I don't have a cabinet so I don't know what you are talking about.  What do you mean when you say that it doesn't show a fullDMD?  A picture or screenshot would help me figure out what you are talking about.  Are you having trouble with other tables?

 

Enthusiast has a 3 monitor setup with DMDExt installed.  He tested the "Medieval Madness 1.03, 3 Monitor Cabinet.fpt" version on his system and he said it worked perfectly.  With that said, I know nothing about the setup of DMDExt .  You might consult TerryRed's guide. 

 

I can tell you that the only difference between the "Medieval Madness 1.03, 3 Monitor Cabinet.fpt" and the "Medieval Madness 1.03.fpt" versions is I moved the backbox DMD above the table on the 3 monitor version so you can't see it.  I also removed the speaker grill from the backbox so all that is left is the translite.  When I play it on my desktop, the sides of the translite appear to be squeezed together.  I moved the lights on the backbox to match where they were on the version with the speaker panel.  My understanding is that DMDExt unsqueezes the translite so it looks normal on the cabinet and it passes the DMD content to the 3rd monitor.  Enthusiast provided directions on how to create the 3 monitor version and this is all I know about it. 

[Egon]

12 hours ago, GeorgeH said:

Unfortunately, I don't have a cabinet so I don't know what you are talking about.  What do you mean when you say that it doesn't show a fullDMD?  A picture or screenshot would help me figure out what you are talking about.  Are you having trouble with other tables?

 

You might consult TerryRed's guide. 

 

Thanks for your support.
In the photo you an see that I don't get anything on the 3rd screen (between the speakers). I have a lot of experience with VP9 / VP10 (2 screen and 2 screen + pin2dmd) but not with FuturePinball. I just modified my cabinet to 3 screens + optional pin2dmd and upgraded the PC + changed from Windows10 to 11.
So, I re-installed using the BallerInstaller after clean windows install. Then used TerryRed's "Future Pinball and BAM essentials AIO - 2.7".
Obviously (looking at my cabinet) I started by installing Medieval Madness.. The only other table installed is HeMan which is using all 3 screens.

You are probably right that I missed someting while installing / configuring BAM. I am not yet very comfortable using FP. Fortunately  TerryRed is there whith his excellent guides...

 

[GeorgeH]

59 minutes ago, Egon said:

Thanks for your support.
In the photo you an see that I don't get anything on the 3rd screen (between the speakers). I have a lot of experience with VP9 / VP10 (2 screen and 2 screen + pin2dmd) but not with FuturePinball. I just modified my cabinet to 3 screens + optional pin2dmd and upgraded the PC + changed from Windows10 to 11.
So, I re-installed using the BallerInstaller after clean windows install. Then used TerryRed's "Future Pinball and BAM essentials AIO - 2.7".
Obviously (looking at my cabinet) I started by installing Medieval Madness.. The only other table installed is HeMan which is using all 3 screens.

You are probably right that I missed someting while installing / configuring BAM. I am not yet very comfortable using FP. Fortunately  TerryRed is there whith his excellent guides...

 

 

Wow, what a beautiful cabinet and topper!  I wish I had one like it.  You obviously love Medieval Madness!  So do I.

 

It looks like your translite is is unsqueezed and the lights appear to be in the correct location so the 3 monitor version of the table appears to be working correctly.  That is all the 3 monitor version is supposed to do.  It would appear that DMDExt is working on that part of it but not on the DMD.  All I know is that DMDExt displays the oldest DMD on the table and it doesn't really whether it is the Hud or backbox DMD, both work.  My understanding is it is supposed to be pretty much automatic.  All I can say is the correct DMD appears on Enthusiast's cab. 

 

I have never used Baller Installer or TerryRed's "Future Pinball and BAM essentials AIO - 2.7".  Unfortunately, I can't help. 

 

@Enthusiast or @TerryRed Can you help?

[Egon]

I viewed TerryRed's DMDExt guide and discovered that it needs to be started along with FP. This brings up the virtual / pin2dmd DMD as expected.
There's no decoration / picture on screen 3 besides the dmd which is probably not included with this table...
 

[Enthusiast]

4 hours ago, Egon said:

Thanks for your support.
In the photo you an see that I don't get anything on the 3rd screen (between the speakers). I have a lot of experience with VP9 / VP10 (2 screen and 2 screen + pin2dmd) but not with FuturePinball. I just modified my cabinet to 3 screens + optional pin2dmd and upgraded the PC + changed from Windows10 to 11.
So, I re-installed using the BallerInstaller after clean windows install. Then used TerryRed's "Future Pinball and BAM essentials AIO - 2.7".
Obviously (looking at my cabinet) I started by installing Medieval Madness.. The only other table installed is HeMan which is using all 3 screens.

You are probably right that I missed someting while installing / configuring BAM. I am not yet very comfortable using FP. Fortunately  TerryRed is there whith his excellent guides...

 

This is correct for your setup -for this table  to use 3 screens you have to provide your own fulldmd media and then ensure when you launch the game you are also calling dmdext - are you using pinup popper as a front end ?  That’s what I have and what George and I used for testing the cabinet setup 

[Egon]

Hi Enthausiast,
Sorry for the late response.
Thank you for confirming. I understand what to do now.
I am really a fan of this table.
Good Job ! Thank you all for making this possible !