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In this episode of Pinball Minority Report, Erika and Manu sit down with Elizabeth Gieske, Transformers lead software developer at Stern Pinball. Elizabeth was a tournament player before she was a developer. We get into how a college Pac-Man assignment led her to pinball, what her Stern interview was really like, and why a confusing game is the game’s fault, not yours (it’s all about doors). She also takes us behind the scenes on Transformers: the Optimus vs. Megatron split-flipper mode, the new Prime Training mode that teaches real flipper skills, how version numbers actually work, and how she turned a conversation into the Scars mode on Jaws. Plus, our dev friends’ rapid-fire questions on debugging, AI, and flipper codes. We recorded this one just before Pinball Expo 2026 in Schaumburg, IL, where Elizabeth spoke on the Transformers panel and the Women in Pinball panel, moderated by Erika. Thanks to everyone who came out! 🐛 Found a bug in a Stern game? Report it to [email protected] Find Manu and I on our socials! Drop your questions for Elizabeth in the comments, and we might send them her way! Stern Pinball – Transformers 00:00 Introduction 00:48 Pinball Expo Preview & Panels 06:40 From Video Game Classes to Pinball 11:37 Interviewing for Stern 16:17 Game Design Philosophy 19:20 Bad Games are like bad doors 23:06 Elizabeth's life outside of pinball 25:16 Code vs Rules 30:26 Building the Transformers Modes 32:46 Gamifying Jaws 38:04 Future of Pinball Technology and Innovation 47:41 Prime Training Mode 55:52 Rapid Fire Dev Questions 01:01:29 Flipper Codes & Easter Eggs 01:04:57 Team Shoutouts and Outro #pinball #sternpinball #transformerspinball #pinballexpo #pinballminorityreport

Manu and Erika talk about a once-in-a-lifetime visit to a private pinball collection: 100+ games, pristine wood rails, 1950s and 60s electromechanical arcade pieces, and a one-of-a-kind wood rail homebrew. We also cover our plans for Pinball Expo in Schaumburg, IL, then answer listener questions on shots vs. toys, home maintenance costs, and running a Multimorphic P3 on location. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: PLEASE READ ⚠️ We are NOT sponsored by, paid by, or employed by Multimorphic. We both own a P3 because we genuinely enjoy the platform, and that’s it. Every player, home owner, and operator is different. Play one first, do your own research, and think about your own skill and comfort level with repairs before you buy. Erika has a small partnership with For Amusement Only Games (Nick Baldridge) that gets buyers a free engraved tumbler, but she earns no money from it. These are just our opinions and experiences. 🎯 CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 01:06 Upcoming events and community shout outs 03:52 Private Pinball Collection Tour 07:37 Homebrew Woodrail - Screamo 10:33 Pinball Roadtrip to Pinball Expo 15:23 Homebrews at Pinball Expo, Marco Booth 20:49 Women in Pinball Panel moderated by Erika 24:48 Viewer Questions and Shoutouts 25:44 Toys Vs Shots? How Important is Flow? 32:13 How much maintenance costs in a home machine? 39:00 P3 Maintenance Questions 52:03 Closing Remarks 56:28 Pinball maintenance costs and common issues 📍 SEE US ON THE ROAD & AT EXPO Saturday, Oct 10: Erika and Aaron Davis at the Electric Bat Arcade with two homebrews to play: Bootleggers and Dark ChaosPinball Expo, Schaumburg, IL: Homebrew creator interviews streamed live on Marco Pinball’s TwitchSaturday, Oct 17, 8 PM: Women in Pinball panel moderated by Erika, with Cayman Kai (CayFlips / Austin Pinball Collective), Deborah Tahlman, Elizabeth Gieske (Stern Pinball), and Krystle Gemnich (Jersey Jack Pinball). It follows the JBS Show live chat with Jamie Birchell, Retro Ralph, and Cale Hernandez.💛 SPONSOR: Rewind Pinball Northern California’s distributor for Stern and Barrels of Fun. Reach out to Adam for Fallout, Transformers, Pokémon, and more. You can also visit his arcade The Rewind Arcade in Sebastopol, CA. 🔗 LINKS Pinforge Pinbalm Fast Pinball For Amusement Only Games Electric Bat Arcade Titled Orbit Arcade Podcasts not mentioned but listened to in the car: Dirtypool Pinball Wedgehead Pinball Podcast Silverball Chronicles 📬 ASK US ANYTHING Email: [email protected] • Comment below • Find Manu on Discord Find us on Socials: Erika’s Pinball Journey, Mystery Pinball Theater 3000 #pinball #pinballexpo #homebrewpinball #multimorphic #P3 #woodrail #pinballcollection

Erika and Manu are back with pinball news, stories, and a recap of the Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown in Denver! This week: Stern's new Fallout pinball (Pro & Premium hands-on impressions), a Pokémon code update, Zen Pinball FX, Jason Zahler's historic three-peat as IFPA World Champion, and Erika's on-the-ground report from Denver. 🔗 Links mentioned: Pinballdex (by Nick Multiball)PAX WestSubstack NudgeSubstack Mayor of PinballZen Studios NewsMultimorphic 3rd Party SoftwareZahler 3rd WinZahler PinballAbe FlipsRocky Mountain Pinball ShowdownErika's Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown 360° walkthroughFast PinballMarco PinballPinforgeJohn Hancock YoutuberDon't Panic Flip👀 Follow along: Erika's Pinball JourneyMystery Pinball Theatre 3000🎁 Erika's closing in on 2,000 YouTube subs — giveaway coming soon (shoutout to 4evertheflip for the swag)! #Pinball #PinballMachine #Fallout #Stern #IFPA #RockyMountainPinballShowdown Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the episode and pinball scene 01:00 Latest pinball news and game releases 03:56 First impressions of Fallout pinball machine 07:12 Pinball in different markets and demographics 10:17 The relationship between Stern and Bethesda 12:21 Upcoming pinball events and shows in Denver 18:01 Digital pinball updates from Zen Pinball 22:10 Pinball community and tournament highlights 26:39 Recap of the Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown 35:51 Reflections on the show and community involvement 39:54 Upcoming projects and giveaways in the pinball community

This week on Pinball Minority Report, Manu and Erika are joined by rules designer and industry veteran Steven Bowden (FunWithBonus) for a deep dive into CNC Dan's real-life Space Cadet Pinball build and whether the classic Windows game can actually be translated into a physical machine. Steven talks about Deeproot Pinball's unreleased Space Cadet-inspired project designed by Barry Oursler, shares the story behind designing Barry O's Barbecue Challenge as a tribute to the late Barry Oursler, and breaks down his math-brained, come-from-behind win on Twilight Zone at District 82. We also get into diversity in competitive pinball, women in the scene with Bells and Chimes, and the story behind Steven's t-shirt. Chapters: 00:00 Cold Open & Show Intro 00:37 Welcome to Pinball Minority Report 01:42 Introducing guest Steve Bowden (Fun with Bonus) 02:56 What is Space Cadet Pinball? 05:50 Can CNC Dan's Physical Build Actually work? 09:23 Steve's History with the Unreleased Space Cadet-inspired Machine 11:34 Pinball Worlds Colliding in the Comments 14:30 Time Shock Pinball 15:44 Shoutout to Indie Gamer Chick 17:00 Marketing Story Behind Space Cadet on Windows 19:34 Steve Bowden Pinball History 22:15 Who is Barry Oursler? 22:39 Barry O's Barbecue Challenge Pinball Machine 23:50 Barry O's Deep Dive 34:05 Diversity in Pinball: Steven's Experience 40:12 Women in Pinball & the Belles & Chimes League 43:44 "We Don't Get Your Kind Around Here" T-Shirt Story 49:44 What is District 82? IFPA Ratings Explained 54:56 Steven's Insane Mathematical Comeback Win on Twilight Zone 01:01:22 Lord of the Rings Rules Secret You Didn't Know 01:03:22 Wrap-up & Where to Find Steven Links: CNC Dan: https://youtu.be/BU_02HABZ4s?si=BlIbwTbtITWFmHNQ Indie Gamer Chick: https://indiegamerchick.com/ Space Cadet Instagram video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C92qettIJwQ/?igsi=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Belles & Chimes: https://bellesandchimespinball.com/ Foxcities: https://www.twitch.tv/foxcitiespinball 👤 Guest: Steven Bowden (FunWithBonus) 🔗 funwithbonus.com | @funwithbonus on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok & Twitch 🎙️ Hosts: Manu — Mystery Pinball Theater 3000 (Twitch/YouTube/Facebook/Instagram) Erika — Erika's Pinball Journey (Instagram/Facebook/YouTube) #pinball #spacecadetpinball #pinballpodcast #arcade

Manu and Erika dig into the economics of the pinball hobby: what it actually costs to keep up with new releases, why the market has shifted from arcades to home collectors, and whether pinball would even survive without licensed IPs like Godzilla, Harry Potter, and Jaws (spoiler: 78 of the current Pinside Top 100 are licensed). Then, an honest look at Wonderland Amusements' budget home machine, Alice Goes to Wonderland - what it gets right, who it's actually for, and why comparing it to a $10k Stern misses the point entirely. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Pinball Minority Report Intro 01:19 Ai in Pinball and Erika's Extra Fingers 04:14 Pinball in Vegas 05:26 The Current State of the Pinball Market 18:20 The Role of Licenses in Pinball's Survival 28:37 Freelancing and Film Work 33:44 Wonderland Amusement an Honest Review 46:09 Affordable Pinball Machines 53:09 Upcoming Guests and Future Topics LINKS: Loserkid Pinball Market Videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr24Oi9HCMkzjEnHPR1mN5Pgy-hNHLv_c&si=9DHMCDZ7Tq_78oBl Pinball Ranker: https://pinballranker.com/ Detroit Love's Alice Goes to Wonderland review: https://youtu.be/tcACdBx-unk?is=MsKYYGorQSvdS7hZ Pawlowski Pinball: https://www.youtube.com/@pawlowskipinball Wonderland Amusements: https://wonderlandamusements.com/ Austin Pinball Collective: https://austinpinballcollective.org/ Cayflip: https://www.twitch.tv/cayflip FOLLOW US: Erika's Pinball Journey: YouTube / Instagram / Facebook MPT3K (Manu): YouTube / Twitch / Instagram Manu's Patreon: patreon.com/MPT3k Podcast links: https://beacons.ai/erikaspinballjourney/podcast Shoutout to Rewind Arcade, Rewind Pinball, and Free Gold Watch in San Francisco. #Pinball #PinballMachine #Wonderland Amusements #PinballCommunity

The conversation covers various aspects of the pinball industry, including pinball news, community engagement, and the impact of pinball shows on game launches. It delves into the excitement and anticipation surrounding new pinball releases and the influence of community events on the industry. It explores the emotional connection to music pins and the impact of music on pinball gameplay. Additionally, it highlights the engaging and fun experiences Erika had at Comic-Con, including interactions with fellow pinball enthusiasts and the excitement of playing new pinball games. Takeaways Pinball NewsPinball CommunityPinball Shows Passion for Music PinsComic-Con Experience Mentions Links: Manu's Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/mpt3k Dirtypool Bon Jovi Video - https://youtu.be/W6YBzGMkR_I?si=C6KVT6nY4r_UuBJ6 Kongs R Us - https://www.youtube.com/@KongsRUs Erin Winick Anthony - https://www.youtube.com/@erinwinickanthony Cooltoy - https://youtu.be/pQLkd5DwpQg?si=WK0Y46vtb37-ws6f Insatiable Blonde - https://www.instagram.com/insatiableblonde/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Episode and Main Topics 00:43 Discussion of Recent Pinball Game Announcements 02:19 Experience at Multimorphic and the Dungeon Crawler Carl Reveal 05:29 Details on Ender's Game and Its Development 08:22 Comparison of Dungeon Crawler Carl and Ender's Game Mechanics 11:24 Industry Trends: Home vs. Arcade Pinball 16:12 Community Reactions to New Pinball Titles 21:12 Marketing Strategies and Industry Events like Gen Con and Southern Fried Gaming Expo 27:10 Music Licensing and Thematic Choices in Pinball Machines 39:13 Personal Experiences at San Diego Comic-Con and Community Engagement

The Pinball Minority Report podcast features a conversation with Imoto Arcade, co-owner of Captain Crazy's Paradise in Foley, Alabama, and the creator of the Imoto Pinball Challenge. The discussion covers Imoto's pinball origin story, her journey into the pinball industry, and the significance of pinball in her life. The conversation also delves into the challenges and excitement of pinball, as well as the importance of supporting local arcades and the pinball community. The conversation covers a range of topics including pinball machines, Oscar-nominated movies, pinball trivia, and the challenges of maintaining pinball machines. It also delves into the importance of inclusive spaces in pinball and the experiences of women in the pinball community. The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to pinball, including pinball games, the pinball community, pinball shows, and the homebrew pinball experience. Imoto shares insights on the pinball community and the process of creating and showcasing homebrew pinball games at pinball shows. The conversation also delves into the challenges and excitement of being part of the pinball community. Takeaways Pinball is a significant part of Imoto's life and has played a crucial role in her personal and professional journey.The conversation highlights the importance of supporting local arcades and the pinball community, as well as the challenges and excitement of being part of the pinball industry. Pinball enthusiasts are passionate about collecting and maintaining specific pinball machines and parts.Creating inclusive spaces in pinball is essential for welcoming diverse communities and ensuring a positive experience for all players.Homebrew pinball games are a significant part of the pinball community, and showcasing them at pinball shows provides valuable feedback and support for creators.The pinball community is a passionate and supportive group that values creativity, collaboration, and the sharing of experiences and knowledge.Imotos Arcade: https://captaincrazysparadise.com/ https://www.marcospecialties.com/control/main Pinball Profile 3 Thank you Jeff! https://www.pinballprofile.com/ Links to Homebrew mentioned https://beacons.ai/erikaspinballjourney/homebrewpinball More about the Podcast: https://beacons.ai/erikaspinballjourney/podcast Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest 00:49 Guest introduction and episode overview 02:59 Pinball catalog and parts support at Marco Pinball 06:39 Guest's origin story and how they got into pinball 11:32 When Manu met Imoto 13:15 When Imoto got into pinball 16:44 Manu and Imoto Origin Story 19:56 When Imoto met Erika 21:37 Meeting industry peers and community connections 23:26 Pinball Movie Trivia 28:40 What is Marco Pinball up to 35:23 Making Pinball an Inclusive Space 47:58 Pinball Confessions 50:02 Imoto's quest for collecting all the 6803 Pinball Machines 57:21 Pinball Confession Continued 59:21 What's something about the pinball community you privately find exhausting? 01:03:12 Shoutouts and closing thoughts 01:09:09 Outro

The conversation covers the latest pinball news, including the release of Sonic by Jersey Jack Pinball and the impact of different pinball companies' strategies on the market. It also delves into the influence of licensing, limited runs, and the outreach of pinball companies to YouTubers for promotion. The conversation covers pinball marketing strategies, the considerations for owning a pinball machine, and new pinball machine releases and modules. Pinball companies are leveraging content creators for promotion, and owning a pinball machine requires careful consideration of space, budget, and technical support. Additionally, new pinball machine releases and modules are discussed, highlighting the excitement around potential new games and experiences. Takeaways Pinball news and releasesDifferent pinball companies and their strategies Pinball companies are reaching out to content creators to review and promote their pinball machines.Owning a pinball machine requires consideration of space, budget, and access to technical support. Show Notes Links: https://www.pinballpirate.com/ - Norcal Pinball Dealer https://youtu.be/j_bl2g6PKEg?si=BnY2hrsjD4OMaeRo - TOTAN Footage https://youtu.be/6f-XDgJw8b8?si=P8Ov9pBKlVYRToCN - Short Circuit https://youtu.be/fZtBT7dL3n0?si=ZLy2-yI_0KukWfLb - LGR https://www.pinballremakes.com/ - Pedretti https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YBcPj5I5yfq-Ge1FxZSfKM2C-06CoXhu/view?usp=sharing - Carni-ball Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pinball Minority Report 01:44 Jersey Jack Sonic Pinball 09:26 Jersey Jack vs Stern & other pinball companies 16:39 Pedretti Tales of the Arabian Nights 20:17 Game Units & Licenses 23:36 Stern's Marketing & Insight 29:56 Owning Your First Pinball Machine: Key Considerations 34:31 Building a Community Around Pinball 40:20 The Future of Pinball: Upcoming Games and Trends 50:48 New Multimorphic 3rd Party Game 53:40 Outro

Erika and Manu discuss their experiences at the Golden State Pinball Festival and Fanime, highlighting the community involvement, pinball tournaments, and cosplay culture. They also share insights from the impact of pinball on the anime community. The conversation also covers the distinction between operators and home buyers, the challenges of pinball design and serviceability, and the discussion of Stern's newest Transformers pinball game. Takeaways Community involvement in pinball events is essential for creating a fun and engaging experience.Pinball has the potential to bridge gaps and introduce new audiences to the game through eventsDistinction between operators and home buyersChallenges of pinball design and serviceabilityDiscussion of Stern's Transformers pinball game Chapters 00:00 Intro03:24 Community Engagement at Golden State Pinball Festival08:39 Challenges and Triumphs of Bringing a Pinball Machine to an Event19:43 Experiencing Fanime: A New Perspective26:56 Fanime Experience and Community Engagement32:09 Operator vs. Home Buyer Perspectives48:49 Transformers Pinball: Anticipation and Insights54:37 Outro

In this episode, Manu and Erika discuss the true story of Sarah Winchester, pinball at FANIME, and the LGR pinball machine. They delve into the debunking of the Winchester Mystery House story and share insights about the Fanime convention. Erika discusses her excitement about bringing pinball to the Fanime convention and the impact it will have. They also talk about the outreach efforts within pinball and the potential for pinball to reach new audiences through YouTube. Takeaways Sarah Winchester's story is debunked, revealing her as an innovative and intelligent woman.Fanime is a vibrant anime convention with cosplay, art, and merchandise. Pinball's potential to reach new audiences through events like the Fanime convention and YouTube outreach.The impact of pinball outreach efforts and the potential for pinball to grow in popularity. Expert Investigation: https://youtu.be/VPtMOgZ2Vi4?si=pUtWmuPuMGiI66vM 40 Reasons The Winchester Mystery House is a Total Scam: https://youtu.be/rlEx7zY7Drs?si=62_yH3gVuBI-u_mn LGR Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZtBT7dL3n0&t=117s Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:52 Personal Updates 04:12 Winchester Mystery House - Section Intro 05:46 The Winchester Mystery House: Fact or Fiction? 22:18 Exploring FANIME: A Celebration of Anime Culture 24:18 Exploring Anime Conventions and Art 25:45 Bringing Pinball to Fanime 27:41 Engaging with the Community at Fanime 29:27 The Culture of Cosplay at Conventions 30:41 The Anticipation of Pokemon Pinball 33:27 Promoting Pinball and Community Growth 34:13 The Impact of YouTube on Pinball Awareness 46:03 Breaking Barriers in the Pinball Community

Erika and Manu discuss their pinball journey, share experiences with pinball machines, and talk about the upcoming Golden State Pinball Festival. The conversation covers a variety of pinball-related topics, including pinball events, pinball Reddit, and a pinball comic. It also delves into the recreation of Roger Sharpe's famous shot and the development of a homebrew pinball machine. Takeaways Pinball enthusiasts find joy in sharing their experiences and discoveries with the pinball community.The Golden State Pinball Festival is an exciting event that brings together pinball enthusiasts from all over. Pinball events like the Golden State Pinball Festival and the Pinball Capital in Stone Park, Illinois are discussed.Pinball Reddit is a platform where pinball enthusiasts share stories and experiences, and a pinball comic that explores an alternate universe where pinball was banned is in the works. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Pinball Fun 00:48 Fun with Emojis and Pinball 07:38 Slight backstory on this channel 08:39 A Pinball Game that Makes you Mad 13:26 The Golden State Pinball Festival 14:49 How Erika found out about Golden State Pinball Festival 18:03 Exploring Golden State Pinball Festival 22:27 The Vibrant Community of Pinball Enthusiasts 24:43 Pinball Comic Erika Found on Reddit 29:20 The Impact of Roger Sharp on Pinball History 30:33 New Pinball Spot Near Chicago 32:28 Exciting Developments in the Pinball World Show Notes: Erika's Emoji Post: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWeY5MsEv28/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== A Pinball Game That Makes You Mad: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3796230/A_Pinball_Game_That_Makes_You_Mad/ Golden State Pinball Festival: https://www.goldenstatepinball.org/ Pinball Comic from Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/pinball/comments/1qgl6cc/i_made_a_pinball_comic/ Pinball Capitol: https://pinballcapital.com/

Erika and Manu discuss their experiences at the Texas Pinball Festival, comparing it to other pinball festivals and highlighting the games and innovations showcased by Spooky Pinball, Multimorphic, and American Pinball. They also touch on the rebranding of American Pinball and its partnership with Electric Playground. The conversation delves into the Pinball Expo experience, highlighting the excitement and engagement within the pinball community. It also explores the culture and camaraderie of pinball enthusiasts, emphasizing the shared passion for the game and the sense of community it fosters. Takeaways Pinball festivals: Texas Pinball Festival vs. Pinball ExpoSpooky Pinball's Beetlejuice game and its receptionMultimorphic's innovative pinball games and the conceptAmerican Pinball's rebranding and partnership with Electric Playground Pinball Expo ExperiencePinball Community and Culture Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pinball Passion 01:39 Texas Pinball Festival vs. Pinball Expo 06:03 Spooky Pinball's Beetlejuice and Evil Dead 08:12 Yukon Yeti by Turner Pinball 13:26 Pokemon by Stern Pinball 16:05 Dungeons & Dragons Pinball Impact 16:55 Harry Potter and Multimorphic Portal 17:31 Avatar Pinball & Jersey Jack Upcoming Games 19:14 American Pinball's New Direction and Community Engagement 20:35 Multimorphic Portal 23:20 American Pinball's new chapter 29:20 Barrels of Fun & Fliptronics 30:57 Homebrew Pinball Machines and Community 33:37 The Impact of Streaming on Pinball Events 39:18 Scorebit and Competitive Pinball 44:41 Reflections on the Texas Pinball Festival More about Manu & Erika: Manu is one of the techs at Free Gold Watch Located in San Francisco, CA https://www.freegoldwatch.com/ Erika handles the social media for The Rewind Arcade located in Sebastopol, CA https://www.therewindarcade.com/

Erika and Manu, pinball enthusiasts from California, share their journey into pinball and filmmaking, discussing their experiences and plans for 'The Pinball Minority Report' podcast. Takeaways Passion for PinballIntroduction to Pinball Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Purpose 01:19 Erika's Background and Pinball Journey 02:22 Manu's Pinball History and Skills 03:38 Discussing Pinball Passion and Community 04:34 Future Episodes and Guest Plans 05:42 Closing Remarks and Sign-off