Basic things before you put the coin in!
Sunday, August 3, 2014 | 4:57 AM | 1 comments
So you've spotted your favorite stuffed toy and you're all ready to catch it - only to realize that the toy can't be picked up and carried to the chute.
It's very common, even we have fallen into this trap before and spent unnecessary amounts on NOTHING.
Before we get started, you'll have to understand that there are more than 1 specie of UFO catchers out there in the market of Singapore. The type of claw/ machine determines HOW you are going to catch the toy.
Type 1: UFO catcher (2 legged)
Popular in Japan, this is the fairest UFO Catching can get.
Techniques for this include pushing, lifting parts of the toy, and grabbing things up (it's quite rare to be able to grab)
You'll realize that the moment you try to grab the toy, the claws just slide off. That doesn't mean it's unfair. It's just a change of strategy. We'll talk about it in a while.
Type 2: Claw catcher (3 legged)
Not exactly the fairest type of machines around...
They usually set it to have 1 win after a number of tries. Eg: 20 tries, 1 win
So people realize that these claws can pick the toy up, but the toy drops the moment the claw withdraws. Some say the claws are weak - yes. But on the 20th try the grip is stronger and the toy stays grabbed and is able to make its way to the chute and dispense as a prize. (this is just an example, it could be the 30th, 40th...) In Singapore, we have seen people throwing $30 and get nothing. You can spot these machines in some of the shopping mall arcades.
So what we usually do before we put our coin(s) into the machine...
For UFO catchers (2 legged)
Check these aspects of the claw:
a) Strength of the claw
b) Amount which the claw descends
c) Shape of the claw tip
a) Check the strength of the claw by either watching someone else play or testing it yourself. You'll need 1 to 2 tries to see if the claw is strong in grabbing or pushing. This will determine if the machine is worth your money. If you see the claw sliding off the toy no matter how you try to push or grab it, it's probably not a good idea to continue.
b) Sometimes toys are placed in a way that it requires you to push it downwards. This is important because the amount which the machine descends will mean how much it can push the toy downwards into the chute. Some machines are set to only descend 4cm, some more than 10cm. The moment you realize that the claws of the machine cannot reach the toy, it's time to either run or ask the crew to re-position.
At Marina Square Prize Stage: The UFO catching machine was able to descend enough to press the head and arms, but not the legs.
c) The claw tips can come in 2 possible shapes.
Machine A makes a huge difference as to whether you can lift the toy up to move it. Sometimes it's possible to grab toys with this kind of claw tip.
Machine B is less advantageous for grabbing. It's more useful for pressing as it has a pointed tip that can aid in pressing, like the ted stuffed toy!
2. For claw catcher machines (3 legged)
One thing to note is that these machines can pick the toy UP but it will let go before it moves to the chute. Means that the toy will drop back to the same position and roll around upon impact.
Check these things:
a) Layout of the toys
b) Presence of 'wheel of fortune'
Some scenarios where your odds are dependent on the positioning of the toy and overall layout:
(Case 1) This 3-claw machine has its toys placed in a way that once you grab it up, it will drop and chances are it will roll away from the chute. Look at the chute size, it's blocked by other toys, how is the smurf going to drop into the chute? In many Singapore arcades, they often have a clause saying "prizes are only considered won when it falls into the chute".
This arcade definitely isn't being quite fair. Possible scenarios are that if the toy gets stuck above the chute, the claw will not be able to reach the toy as the starting position of the claw is often away from the chute. (Note that this image is captured before the coin is placed into the machine. Once you put a coin in, the claw will move to the right as a starting position. Most machines do not allow it to move back into the chute position once the game is activated). To sum up, if the toy gets stuck above the chute, it's not considered a win.
Another thing to take note of is the gradient of the slope around the chute. In case 1, the area around the chute is sloped downwards. The toy will roll away from the chute and that decreases your chances of winning the toy.
(Case 2) However, when the path towards the chute is a relatively flat plane, grabbing the back of the stuffed toy will give you a chance to push it or flip it towards the chute. Some toys are also placed to hang slightly towards the chute. I feel that the odds are better for these layouts.
The arrow will start to spin when you insert a coin. When you hit the button to drop the claw, the arrow will stop, landing on once of the numbers on the plate.
From experience, the +1s and -1s are actually not of any use. We have observed enough people playing to notice that even if they land on a +2, the toy was not picked up by the machine. Sometimes they land on -2 and the toy was picked up. Of course, if you land on FREE GAME or CHANCE, you'll get another try or a sure win. But then again, we seldom see people land the arrow accurately. Perhaps the operator could set the odds and the wheel is just a puppet to make users feel that the machine is not as rigged and manipulated.
Conclusion:
The reason why Singaporeans feel that UFO catchers are scams and complete waste of money is because many arcades are too focused on profits rather than user retention. You've probably noticed that many arcades and prize centers withdrawn lots of ufo catchers and claw catchers because people stopped playing them altogether. The rate of winning is just too damn low. Most arcades in Singapore also use claw catchers instead of UFO catchers because the profit margin is higher. They can manipulate the odds of winning in claw machines where UFO machines are more difficult to do so.
In short, Claw machines are more luck-based and UFO machines are more skill-based. Do you agree? :)
Well we can't fully blame the operators because they have high rents to pay in Singapore. But won't it be a waste of fixed cost and investment if no one plays the machines? I guess it's really a hard balance to strike. Hmm.
Machine B is less advantageous for grabbing. It's more useful for pressing as it has a pointed tip that can aid in pressing, like the ted stuffed toy!
2. For claw catcher machines (3 legged)
One thing to note is that these machines can pick the toy UP but it will let go before it moves to the chute. Means that the toy will drop back to the same position and roll around upon impact.
Check these things:
a) Layout of the toys
b) Presence of 'wheel of fortune'
Some scenarios where your odds are dependent on the positioning of the toy and overall layout:
Case 1
(Case 1) This 3-claw machine has its toys placed in a way that once you grab it up, it will drop and chances are it will roll away from the chute. Look at the chute size, it's blocked by other toys, how is the smurf going to drop into the chute? In many Singapore arcades, they often have a clause saying "prizes are only considered won when it falls into the chute".
This arcade definitely isn't being quite fair. Possible scenarios are that if the toy gets stuck above the chute, the claw will not be able to reach the toy as the starting position of the claw is often away from the chute. (Note that this image is captured before the coin is placed into the machine. Once you put a coin in, the claw will move to the right as a starting position. Most machines do not allow it to move back into the chute position once the game is activated). To sum up, if the toy gets stuck above the chute, it's not considered a win.
Another thing to take note of is the gradient of the slope around the chute. In case 1, the area around the chute is sloped downwards. The toy will roll away from the chute and that decreases your chances of winning the toy.
Case 2
(Case 2) However, when the path towards the chute is a relatively flat plane, grabbing the back of the stuffed toy will give you a chance to push it or flip it towards the chute. Some toys are also placed to hang slightly towards the chute. I feel that the odds are better for these layouts.
b) If you noticed, there is a 'wheel of fortune' at the back of these claw machines.
The arrow will start to spin when you insert a coin. When you hit the button to drop the claw, the arrow will stop, landing on once of the numbers on the plate.
From experience, the +1s and -1s are actually not of any use. We have observed enough people playing to notice that even if they land on a +2, the toy was not picked up by the machine. Sometimes they land on -2 and the toy was picked up. Of course, if you land on FREE GAME or CHANCE, you'll get another try or a sure win. But then again, we seldom see people land the arrow accurately. Perhaps the operator could set the odds and the wheel is just a puppet to make users feel that the machine is not as rigged and manipulated.
Conclusion:
The reason why Singaporeans feel that UFO catchers are scams and complete waste of money is because many arcades are too focused on profits rather than user retention. You've probably noticed that many arcades and prize centers withdrawn lots of ufo catchers and claw catchers because people stopped playing them altogether. The rate of winning is just too damn low. Most arcades in Singapore also use claw catchers instead of UFO catchers because the profit margin is higher. They can manipulate the odds of winning in claw machines where UFO machines are more difficult to do so.
In short, Claw machines are more luck-based and UFO machines are more skill-based. Do you agree? :)
Check out how this lady got the Rilakkuma soft toy!
(Please mute this video if it is too noisy for you)
(Please mute this video if it is too noisy for you)