Outravirtual Pinball

Pinball tables are typically large, heavy, expensive, and difficult to maintain. Many used pinball tables require considerable restoration before they are even playable. While these machines are a lot of fun to play, and certainly hold a very important place in gaming history, they're simply not appropriate for most people to own. Video pinball can be fun, but doesn't really come close to modelling the experience of a real pinball table. The virtual table is usually projected onto the computer screen in such a way as to look reasonable with the monitor in the default position. This results in a player experience which is more akin to looking at a pinball table through someone's window than to looking at an actual pinball table. This project seeks to more accurately emulate the player experience of a real pinball table. This will be accomplished in several phases. The first step is to create a pinball game which will look natural when the computer monitor is oriented parallel to a normal playfield. Headtracking to adjust the render would be nice, but is not strictly necessary. The next step would be to create a control system which gives the players flipper buttons and a plunger, followed by the ability to bump (and possibly tilt) the machine. Finally, some type of haptic feedback system would complete the experience.