Flamin' Finger

[mhkohne]

There was one a couple of auctions ago up in Mesquite. There was a dead spot on the screen. I don't know if it is a touch screen or iR matrix, but if the maze encompassed those dots on the screen, you were dead. Since it was on freeplay and there weren't any prizes, I sat and tried it about a dozen times and whenever that part of the screen was in the maze, your position couldn't get past it.

As with any "skill" payout redemption, if it cheats, it should be blown up.

ken

Ouch. IR touch screens can do that when you lose a single LED or a single photo-diode. Nasty stuff.

Cheating machines pretty much suck. We've just about got my 10 year old understanding that crane machines are a waste of time, but the 7 year old hasn't got it yet (he understands we don't let him play them, but he doesn't get WHY just yet).

Now that I think about it, it's really nasty. If you tried to make a device that paid out (say a 'Flamin Finger slot machine') that cheated, the relevant authorities would kick your ass. But when it's redemption (which is only not considered gambling because your winnings are in the form of junky toys), they can do all sorts of dumb stuff. How weird.

 

[MasterFygar]

Ouch. IR touch screens can do that when you lose a single LED or a single photo-diode. Nasty stuff.

Cheating machines pretty much suck. We've just about got my 10 year old understanding that crane machines are a waste of time, but the 7 year old hasn't got it yet (he understands we don't let him play them, but he doesn't get WHY just yet).

Now that I think about it, it's really nasty. If you tried to make a device that paid out (say a 'Flamin Finger slot machine') that cheated, the relevant authorities would kick your ass. But when it's redemption (which is only not considered gambling because your winnings are in the form of junky toys), they can do all sorts of dumb stuff. How weird.

Agreed entirely on all accounts, but I would argue that the situation is even worse--it's not always just junky toys. They have these set up at Namco arcade locations attached to huge cases with PS3s, 360s, iPads, etc. in them and the prize is to open the case of your choice and keep what's inside. At that point you're looking at $300+ in prizes and it really does start to overlap with gambling. It's ridiculous.

 

[gamefixer]

Now that I think about it, it's really nasty. If you tried to make a device that paid out (say a 'Flamin Finger slot machine') that cheated, the relevant authorities would kick your ass. But when it's redemption (which is only not considered gambling because your winnings are in the form of junky toys), they can do all sorts of dumb stuff. How weird.

Wait... You guys aren't under the impression that slot machines are "skill games" are you? Where do you think this industry got the auto percentaging idea from? Slot machines ONLY pay out after they have taken in X amount of money. Same with the Flamin Finger and most Stackers/Pile Ups.

FYI, California law PROHIBITS the operation of auto percentaging games. So that means cranes, Pile up/Stacker and even Flamin Fingers in the state of CA are actual skill games. There are ways around this though...

 

[kencinder]

I've figured out which claw machines to play and which ones not to, by manufacturer/type.

So much so I was able to nonchalantly tell my GF when we started dating, out somewhere with my brother and his GF, "See that big cute pink cow there? $1 1 play, it's yours".

I didn't lie...and I could probably have emptied the machines large bin at $1 a prize.

There is one crane machine where I don't even need to look at it's name, I recognize the color of the fucking sign...you CANNOT EVER win a big prize.

The claw couldn't pick up a hollow foam ball covered in super glue, every one of them the claw is loose as all shit until it's closed enough to grab a little prize in the 2nd bin and you will NEVER win a big prize.

 

[pookdolie]

The faster you go the quicker the timer goes, they key to winning the jackpot in the way the maze is drawn. If the it is drawn with a few inches of straight lines towards to goal it is very easy to win the jackpot. Draw slow and stready, then quick swipe to the end. I've been pretty successful playing this at CEC, and Gameworks. Oh, and trying to be to accurate will kill you

Just saw this. I remember one guy in front of me using these tactics, and they worked.

I'll try it next time.

 

[mhkohne]

Agreed entirely on all accounts, but I would argue that the situation is even worse--it's not always just junky toys. They have these set up at Namco arcade locations attached to huge cases with PS3s, 360s, iPads, etc. in them and the prize is to open the case of your choice and keep what's inside. At that point you're looking at $300+ in prizes and it really does start to overlap with gambling. It's ridiculous.

I hadn't thought about that, but the stacker machines are obviously the same way - big prizes are in there. I wonder how they don't get nailed by the gaming laws in most places? The skill factor shouldn't really be enough (gambling on card games is forbidden in most places, and that clearly has a large skill component).

Fascinating.

 

[metahugh]

I like Flamin Finger but I'm not surprised it cheats. I know I have been to the end of the maze more than a few times and it cheated me out of a win.