Hexa Pinball has officially unveiled the full details of its much-anticipated second pinball machine, The 3 Musketeers, a title inspired by Alexandre Dumas’s iconic literary masterpiece. The announcement, which follows a teaser video released in October of the previous year, was slated for a dual reveal at the esteemed Bouillon d’Art gallery in Bordeaux, France, and the prominent Texas Pinball Festival in Frisco, Texas. However, unforeseen logistical challenges, specifically delays in U.S. customs clearance, prevented the machine from reaching the Texas event in time for its scheduled unveiling. Despite this minor setback, comprehensive details of the game are now available, offering enthusiasts a thorough look at Hexa Pinball’s latest creation.

A Tale of D’Artagnan and the King’s Guard

The 3 Musketeers marks Hexa Pinball’s sophomore effort, building upon the foundation laid by their debut title, Space Hunt. This new machine plunges players into the swashbuckling world of 17th-century France, casting them in the role of the ambitious young d’Artagnan. The primary objective for the player is to navigate a series of challenges and trials, all in pursuit of earning a coveted place among King Louis XIII’s legendary musketeers: Athos, Porthos, and Aramis.

The narrative of the game is intricately woven into the gameplay, with players facing formidable opposition from the cunning Cardinal Richelieu and his enigmatic secret agent, Milady de Winter. These antagonists are not merely thematic elements but are integrated into the playfield mechanics. Milady de Winter, in particular, is represented by a physical bash toy positioned beneath a lift ramp, providing a tangible target for players to interact with during their quest. This dynamic interaction promises to immerse players in the core conflict of the story, making each game a unique adventure.

Gameplay Features and Player Experience

Hexa Pinball has designed The 3 Musketeers with a variety of play styles in mind, offering three distinct gameplay modes: normal, competition, and simple. This tiered approach ensures that both seasoned pinball wizards and newcomers can find a mode that suits their skill level and desired intensity. Furthermore, the inclusion of a pause function provides players with an unprecedented level of control, allowing them to temporarily halt the action to strategize or simply take a brief respite.

Complementing these gameplay features is the integration with Hexa Pinball’s proprietary Plungr app. This digital platform facilitates achievement tracking, allowing players to monitor their progress, compare scores with a wider community, and engage with a gamified experience beyond the physical machine. This modern approach to pinball connectivity aims to enhance player engagement and foster a sense of accomplishment and competition.

Editions and Pricing: Classic Elegance and Immersive Luxury

The 3 Musketeers is being offered in two distinct versions, each catering to different player preferences and budgets: the Classic Edition and the upgraded Elegance Edition.

The Classic Edition is priced at €7,890 (excluding VAT). This version provides a robust and engaging pinball experience, featuring:

• A Dark and Bright Decal art package, offering a striking visual presentation.
• Musketeer’s Blue powder-coated finish armor, lending a regal and durable aesthetic.
• A Sunset printed translite, enhancing the backglass visual appeal.
• Standard glass, a reliable and functional component.
• Printed plastic decorations, adding thematic detail to the playfield.

For those seeking a more premium and immersive experience, the Elegance Edition is available at €10,390 (excluding VAT). This limited edition, restricted to only 200 units worldwide, boasts an array of enhanced features designed to elevate the player’s sensory engagement:

• A Dark and Bright SideShield art package, extending the visual artistry to the cabinet sides.
• Brilliant Splendor gold powder-coated finish armor, offering a luxurious and visually stunning exterior.
• A Sunset mirrored printed backglass, providing a more dynamic and reflective visual experience.
• Anti-reflection glass, improving visibility and reducing glare for an optimal playfield view.
• Handcrafted 3D decorations, adding depth and tactile richness to the game’s theme.
• Immersive side art, further enhancing the cabinet’s aesthetic appeal.
• A shaker motor by Pinsound, delivering haptic feedback that synchronizes with in-game events, intensifying the action.
• A numbered leather plaque, signifying the exclusivity and collectibility of each unit.
• A certificate of authenticity, providing official verification of ownership for this limited production run.

Creative Vision: Original Artistry and Sound Design

A notable aspect of The 3 Musketeers is its commitment to original content. Unlike many contemporary pinball titles that leverage existing movie or animation franchises, Hexa Pinball has developed all audio and video assets from the ground up. This creative independence allows for a unique artistic vision and a cohesive thematic experience.

The game’s captivating artwork is the product of renowned artist Tristan Fallon, whose distinctive style is expected to bring the adventurous spirit of the novel to life on the playfield. Complementing the visual artistry is the original music score, composed by Hervé Coussillan. This combination of bespoke visual and auditory elements promises to create an immersive and engaging atmosphere for players.

A Glimpse at the Playfield: Design and Features

The playfield of The 3 Musketeers is a meticulously designed environment intended to evoke the era and challenges faced by the characters. Images released by Hexa Pinball showcase a rich tapestry of interactive elements and thematic details.

Key Playfield Features Identified:

• The Milady de Winter Bash Toy: Located beneath the center ramp, this interactive element serves as a direct representation of the antagonist, offering a dynamic target for players.
• The Cannon: Positioned over the left slingshot, this feature likely plays a role in specific game objectives or scoring opportunities, adding a touch of explosive action.
• Left Orbit Lane Spinner: This classic pinball mechanism, found in the left orbit lane, provides immediate tactile feedback and contributes to scoring and progression.
• The English Fleet Swinging Target: This unique target, designed to represent the English fleet, introduces an element of dynamic movement and challenge to the playfield.
• Wireform Ball Lock: A sophisticated ball lock mechanism, utilizing wireforms, is present, suggesting strategic opportunities for multi-ball modes and complex shot sequences.
• Sculpts and Shots at the Top: The upper portion of the playfield features various sculpts and distinct shots, likely integral to advancing through game modes and achieving high scores.
• Playfield Inserts and Artwork: The detailed inserts and overall artwork on the playfield are visually striking, reinforcing the game’s theme and guiding players through objectives.

The game also includes a standard display and speaker panel, essential components for conveying game information, animations, and audio cues. The presence of two flippers is consistent with traditional pinball design, ensuring familiar and responsive control for the player.

Documentation and Further Information

To provide prospective buyers and enthusiasts with comprehensive details, Hexa Pinball has released both a game flyer and a product specification sheet. These documents offer a structured overview of the game’s features, technical specifications, and artistic elements, serving as valuable resources for understanding the machine’s design and capabilities. The flyer provides a marketing overview, while the specification sheet delves into more technical and detailed aspects of the machine.

Event Background and Future Outlook

The planned dual unveiling of The 3 Musketeers at the Bouillon d’Art gallery and the Texas Pinball Festival highlights Hexa Pinball’s strategy to reach both European and North American markets. The Bouillon d’Art gallery, known for its curated exhibitions and cultural events, provides an elegant setting for a sophisticated product launch. Simultaneously, the Texas Pinball Festival is one of the largest and most influential pinball gatherings in the world, offering direct access to a passionate and knowledgeable audience.

The customs delay at the Texas Pinball Festival, while a minor inconvenience, underscores the complexities of international product distribution. The team at Pinball News, who reported on the event, will continue to provide coverage of any rescheduled launch events or further developments regarding the game’s availability in North America. Their ongoing reporting, particularly their coverage of the Texas Pinball Festival, will be a key resource for updates on the game’s journey and any potential delay-related adjustments to its market introduction in the United States.

Hexa Pinball’s foray into the pinball market with The 3 Musketeers signifies a commitment to original themes and high-quality production. By drawing inspiration from classic literature and focusing on unique artistic and mechanical design, the company aims to carve out a distinct niche in the competitive pinball landscape. The blend of traditional pinball mechanics with modern features like app integration and diverse gameplay modes suggests a forward-thinking approach to the beloved pastime. As The 3 Musketeers makes its way into the hands of collectors and enthusiasts, its reception will undoubtedly be closely watched as an indicator of Hexa Pinball’s long-term potential in the industry.