Add-a-ball issue

[Nixco]

Hi everyone,

i noticed an error count with add-a-ball.

Here is the bug report:

config.yaml

machine:

    balls_installed: 4

multiball.yaml

multiballs:

    multiball_3b:

        ball_count: 3

        ball_count_type: total

        start_events: start_multiball_3b

        shoot_again: 4s

        add_a_ball_events: add_a_ball

If i have 3 balls on the playfield and the add-a-ball event is launched, it gives me one more ball. This is maybe not an issue, but it goes beyond the 'Total'.

The issue is :

if i send again the add-a-ball event with 4 balls on the playfield, obviously nothing happens (i only have 4 balls in my machine) but,  if i drain 3 balls, the bonus_mode start while there is still one ball on the playfield.

Any idea on this one ?

Thanks :D

[Dan - aka BorgDog]

I would say the first part of adding balls beyond the 'total' is expected behavior as docs say "total: Means the ball_count: setting will provide a target for the total number of balls that should be in play when this multiball starts."

the second part of the ball ending with 1 ball still in play is weird, possible bug, but I don't know.  Did you happen to notice if the multiball ends when you are down to 2 balls?  which would be 2 of the original 3 drained. 

if you want add_a_ball to NOT go beyond the 3 balls you could add a conditional something like  add_a_ball_events: add_a_ball{game.balls_in_play < 3 } or you could add that conditional to whatever posts the add_a_ball event

[Nixco]

Thank you for your answer.

I did a few tests, and there is only one scenario where the count is wrong.

It's when the event add_a_ball try to add WHILE all the balls are on the playfield. 

- multiball 3 balls

- add_a_ball event

- 4 balls on the playfield

- add_a_ball event {nothing happens, only 4 balls in the game} --> 4 balls on the playfield

- if i drain 1 ball,  mpf gives me back 1 ball {i think mpf count the fifth ball i asked for} --> 4 balls on the playfield

- i drain 2 balls 

- multiball ends --> 2 balls on the playfield

- i drain 1 ball

- the ball end with 1 ball on the playfield

[Nixco]

Using game.balls_in_play with a limit works well, thank you.