Vito, co-founder of Slam It Pinball has dropped a BOMB on the virtual pinball world! We caught wind of a project of theirs brewing on the horizon ... The SlamIt Pinball Editor!
     Several of VPF's greatest authors have been asked to beta test the Editor. Once tested, they'll have a chance to provide vital input to make the SlamIt Editor truly special.
     I had an opportunity to discuss this development. With answers come only more questions. So check out the interview!

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David Pannozzo
(AKA panootz)

     Recently, I went on a trip to a place called Ybor city in Tampa Florida to go to a Gameworks arcade, and the place was closed for good. All the machines were gone, and the only thing I saw was the sign. I was pretty upset. I was looking forward to going there, and, of course, I wasted gas getting there. It's about a two hour ride for me to go there.

     I remember a time when arcades pretty much ruled the world. I would go inside an arcade, and it would be pretty dark. I would see all the video games lined up on an angle with lights flashing and sounds coming from all the machines. It really felt good going into them and playing the machines for about an hour or so, and I didn't want to go home. I also miss the 80's music playing in the background for atmosphere. Let's just say the 80's were good times for arcades and are truly missed.

     Today, in the 2000's, we really don't have arcades anymore because the home consoles took over. Don't get me wrong, I love my Wii, X-box 360, and Playstation 3, but I really miss going into a decent size arcade and playing a game like Dragon's Lair and having people watch you and say, "Wow, he is really good!", or playing Street Fighter 2 against another player. Online is great, but not the same as someone standing next to you and showing him who's boss. I miss those days and other kids will never get a chance to experience the feelings we had. I lived in the arcades, and in the early 90's, I worked in a Dream Machine arcade fixing video games and wiping down the playfields on the two pinball machines we had, Fire! and High Speed.

     In conclusion, I have to say that we will all miss these places called Arcades, but most of us will always have fond memories of being in them and having a great time playing our favorite video game or pinball machine. Maybe someday when the economy gets better, we might see a few arcades. You never know if one might pop up some place. In the meantime, we at least have Emulation and Home Consoles to enjoy our favorite past time, and new games with amazing graphics.

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     We have BIG plans ahead for a very special month. All month, we will be honoring pinball's past, present, and future legends! The celebration will include Legends of Pinball in our chatroom, tournaments, games, contests, and prizes!
     Originally planned for May, then moved to June, our 'Pinball Forever' celebration is now scheduled to take place annually in the month of July. The reason for the change is simple ... the various features required to make this a special event are just not ready to our level of satisfaction. The staff here at VPF refuse to do anything, unless it's done right! July will bring many great changes and additions to our board for everyone to enjoy!

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     How would you like to take an active part in the future of Visual Pinball development? Destruk is looking for a few brave souls knowledgeable in C++ to lend a hand in making Visual Pinball 9 even better! Last month, we set up an entire VP Development Section which has been thus far underutilized. Come on, folks, this is it! THIS is what we've waited for for years! Let's all pitch in and make VP the best it possibly can be!

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     Iceman 5000, Flying Dutchman, and various other contributors continue to dazzle and delight with what seems like dozens of new UVP Backglasses every week. We here at VPF cannot thank them enough for all their hard work and dedication in enhancing the cabinet experience for everyone! A BIG THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!
     Some notable additions include FS versions of Whirlwind, Twilight Zone, Theater of Magic, Simpson's Party Pinball, and The Addams Family for use with 3 screen setups.

Check them out!