Self-adjusting difficulty feature for an amusement game device

A method of managing a play session on a pinball machine comprising:

• determining an ideal game time of the play session occurring on a playfield of the pinball machine prior to an initiation of play, wherein the play session is divided into a plurality of rounds;
• initiating a game timer to track an elapsed game time for the play session;
• launching a first ball to begin an initial round;
• Notice of Non-Compliant Amendment activating an autosave for an initial amount of time, wherein for the duration equal to the initial amount of time the autosave prevents an ending of the initial turn,
• monitoring the user's play for a concluding signal,
• completing the initial round in response to the concluding signal;
• launching a subsequent ball to begin a subsequent round;
• activating the autosave for a second amount of time determined by the elapsed game time, wherein for the duration equal to the second amount of time the autosave prevents an ending of the subsequent round;
• completing the subsequent round in response to the concluding signal;
• launching a final ball to begin a final round in response to the concluding signal;
• activating the autosave for a final amount of time determined by the elapsed game time, wherein for the duration equal to the final amount of time the autosave prevents an ending of the final round, and
• completing the final round in response to the concluding signal;
• wherein determining the initial, second, or final amount of time for an intermediate round or a final round is proportional to the ratio of the difference between an ideal game time and the elapsed game time;
• a mechanical stop configured to be moved into the playfield to block a ball from entering a drain.