Roanoke, VA
Cool article, Dennis... thx. Am continuing to watch the progress of Total Nuclear Annihilation. 
(Topic ID: 153738)
I would love to do a deep-dive on TNA, especially on BoM specifics. Maybe after the final run is built and such details wouldn't risk impacting sales (though it could always be kept to percentages, like what percent of the BoM were the traditional displays, what percent the RGB lighting, etc.). It's got too much bling (for lack of a better word) to really be a successor to "street level", but given it is single-level I imagine the comparison will always be out there.
Episode 48: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-48
The pinball segment starts with a few news items (songs in Stern's GotG pin, update on the new TBL prototype, and latest regarding Alien production). After that, we have a bit of follow-up on the "street level" segment. We conclude with System 11 (wrapping up our tournament, and talking about our Top 5 System 11 picks).
Episode 49: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-49
Yup, an off-schedule release! NicoVolta was in town and so we've done an entire episode regarding EM pinballs. We cover the three major manufacturers, the gameplay styles common of the era, both IPDB and Pinside's EM Top 10 lists (why is Whoa Nellie on Pinside's?!?), Nic's favorite EM games, and some restoration talk (focusing on the ever-controversial issues of LEDs and clearcoating).
Audio quality is below the norm, as we ended up needing to use a single microphone and that always presents interesting volume challenges, but hopefully I've got it edited together in a clean enough way that you all can enjoy!
1 week later
For those that have heard our last episode, when going over Pinside's Top 10 EMs with NicoVolta we discussed Skyrocket and how it was interesting that it was one of two Harry Williams games made by Bally. Since then I have spent considerable time working on a research project to try and figure out why he had a couple games, in a very short window, produced by a company that for a long time was a competitor. Pinball News published that about a half-day ago... here is a link: https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2017/11/30/harry-williams-and-bally/
I want to extend my thanks to @frobozz, not only for providing that Firecracker playfield scan, but also doing Harry design comparisons and finding several more Bally submissions, including two which are discussed as being produced but credited to Ted Zale. Also, I want to thank rotordave and
EMPins for allowing me to use their Firecracker and Skyrocket photos, respectively.
Normally I would have announced the article earlier. However, shortly after Martin (the editor at Pinball News) took it live he got a message from Gary Stern with some accuracy concerns. I had a brief conversation with Gary this morning, and the issues revolved around some of Steve Kordek's claims referenced from one of his old podcast interviews. As such, there may be a slight revision to the article at some point with Gary's thoughts (I'd hoped for earlier than now obviously, but I was in a rush and couldn't record or take detailed notes so I really need Gary to sign off on the statements I want to attribute to him to ensure I am accurate). I'll post here if an update happens. Thanks all!
Episode 50: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-50
The pinball segment covers the code update for The Walking Dead, Heighway Pinball's announcement regarding Alien production, a discussion on TWiP's interview with deeproot Pinball, and some happenings regarding my Pinball News article on Harry Williams.
2 weeks later
Episode 51: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-51
In pinball we talk node boards and capacitors, the Star Wars v1.0 code, the TWIPY pinball awards, our upcoming "shame" tournament, and the 2018 Texas Pinball Festival.
Melbourne
1 week later
Episode 52: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-52
Our year-end review for 2017. Also, the start of our best "shame" pinball machine... vote here in round 1: https://goo.gl/forms/dVSm69UDvpeuGNRU2
Quoted from DennisK:Episode 52: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-52
Our year-end review for 2017. Also, the start of our best "shame" pinball machine... vote here in round 1: https://goo.gl/forms/dVSm69UDvpeuGNRU2
Homepin! Not Hankin 
And yes, team America! But he already said no when I suggested that!
Oops, looks like I get to start 2018 with a correction (some things never change)! Got myself confused since they get to do Hankin-branded arcades. I'm sure we'll follow Homepin more closely in 2018 given how close they are on the pinball front.
I don't recall how successful of a film Team America really was. But, with the Thunderbirds puppet style, it's the only thing Americans might know. As far as any type of puppet, I suppose Muppets would be the most popular over here (but I wouldn't recommend it as a theme).
I have to slap you guys on the wrist again for leaving Multimorphic and the P3 out of the year-end review (I'm pretty sure you left them out but I may have zoned out for a bit). I know you have your doubts about the platform but Multimorphic revealed the mini-games Grand Slam Rally, Heads Up! and Wizard at TPF and started shipping machines this year so it was a pretty huge year for them. My prediction is that 2018 is going to be a break-out year for the P3 as they will reveal another game and playfield module (Cosmic-cart Racing). With 3 playfield modules available we will start to see the full potential of the system.
1 week later
We're getting ready to order another run of shirts (orange with green logo this time), and as usual we're going to give some away (at least four). Naturally, we're tying it in for some (relatively) painless promotion work.
Click the link below to enter. Just entering gets your name into the randomized drawing. However, you can get more entries:
*1 additional entry for following us on Facebook
*1 additional entry for following us on Twitter
*1 additional entry for following us on Instagram
*1 additional entry for leaving an iTunes review
Form includes links to all relevant locations, and what info is required for us to confirm. All actions are free of course. Limit 1 shirt per person. We'll ship anywhere in the U.S. or bring the shirt to the Texas Pinball Festival for pick-up. Good luck!
https://goo.gl/forms/CmIsn8VjRWXz0XFu1
EDIT: Original post said 5 entries for iTunes, it's 1 entry like all the rest (want to be totally sure we're complying with U.S. law on how giveaways work, sorry for any confusion!). Deadline is midnight (U.S. central) on 1/26/2018 (form has this information, as well as an alternative entry method).
Episode 53: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-53
For pinball, we’ve got a year-end review of Multimorphic’s P3, a bit of Alien and Stern at CES news, and round 2 of our “shame” pinball tournament.
Round 2 voting: https://goo.gl/forms/4kUfg2p8DJ3TvA7z1
T-shirt giveaway: https://goo.gl/forms/CmIsn8VjRWXz0XFu1
Our Discord server: https://discord.gg/sgnrsBT
2 weeks later
Episode 54: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-54
Steve Bowden (Fun With Bonus) guest hosts this episode. Pinball topics are the third round of our "shame" tournament, the AC/DC "Luci" vault edition by Stern, This Week in Pinball's follow-up interview with deeproot, the TWIPY award results, the IFPA's $1 fee, fatal pinball rulesets (for tournaments) and how to fix them, and ways to attract new players into the local, competitive pinball scene.
You can vote in round 3 of the "shame" tournament here: https://goo.gl/forms/JlxcKP7EWTFCl8lB3
1 week later
Episode 55: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-55
The pinball segment has my deeproot Pinball interview, and then Tony and I discuss/analyze that. We follow with setting up the final round of the "shame" tournament, talk about TNA being Spooky's best-selling pin to date, and the Oktoberfest theme for American Pinball.
Vote in the final "shame" round here: https://goo.gl/forms/Ur3EWLMoIuXGR0Ce2
2 weeks later
Episode 56: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-56
TaylorVA (from This Flippin' Podcast and operator of Reese Rails) joins in to talk pinball. We cover the results of our "shame" tournament, the Supreme pin, a Skit-B legal update, AFMr colorization issues, Ben Heck's departure from Spooky, ways to start a pinball collection, and pinball "conventional wisdom" we disagree with.
Congratulations to The Bally Game Show for winning the "shame" tournament. Here is the full bracket result (we keep an archive of all these tournaments on our website, if one ever wants to go back and review results from prior tournaments): https://eclecticgamerspodcast.wordpress.com/past-tournament-results/
2 weeks later
Episode 57: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-57
In the pinball section we cover two news items (CGC not revealing a new remake at TPF, and the Pinball Palooza announcement as a separate show from Pinball Expo). I also discuss a Laser War pinball project I helped with and an article I co-wrote for Pinball News about Ted Zale (famed Bally designer).
Here's a link to the Zale article: https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2018/03/10/the-ted-zale-story/
Due to poll results mentioned in the prior episode, we will have a negative tournament coming up (worst pinball machine over some set number of years), but with so much stuff going on before TPF it'll obviously be launched after (since this was the last show prior to TPF; though I'm not sure if we'll get to it in the following episode due to the TPF coverage).
Quoted from DennisK:article I co-wrote for Pinball News about Ted Zale (famed Bally designer).
Here's a link to the Zale article: https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2018/03/10/the-ted-zale-story/
Dennis, loved the article, but as I suggested on Facebook, the history of the gaming division is intrinsically tied to the history of the flipper games. The 110V and 50V transformer setup was a direct transplant from the non-flipper games that Bally produced, and cannot be credited to Zale as it predates his time at the company. Via your FB page, I was speaking with your co-author about that point yesterday. I think it worth noting that there were many individuals at Bally, including famed engineer Don Hooker, that are also responsible for many of the innovations at that company by the time they decided to get back into amusement/flipper pinballs.
Quoted from bingopodcast:Dennis, loved the article, but as I suggested on Facebook, the history of the gaming division is intrinsically tied to the history of the flipper games. The 110V and 50V transformer setup was a direct transplant from the non-flipper games that Bally produced, and cannot be credited to Zale as it predates his time at the company. Via your FB page, I was speaking with your co-author about that point yesterday. I think it worth noting that there were many individuals at Bally, including famed engineer Don Hooker, that are also responsible for many of the innovations at that company by the time they decided to get back into amusement/flipper pinballs.
Yes, that was an interesting discussion, as I had not seen the source material for the electrical claims (that was from research Steven had already worked on). I'd sent him an email to see if he felt it should be altered, but given the context was just flipper pinball for the article he remains comfortable with the language.
Edit: If you want, it could be good to share the additional gaming aspect in the comments on the article (there's a spot at the bottom of each Pinball News article for comments; I got some good ones back with one I did on "street level" games a few months ago). That way people who want to learn more can see some of those references and start digging into the other sides of Bally!
Quoted from DennisK:there's a spot at the bottom of each Pinball News article for comments; I got some good ones back with one I did on "street level" games a few months ago). That way people who want to learn more can see some of those references and start digging into the other sides of Bally!
Good call! Despite being huge at the bottom of the page, I didn't think to post the comment there.
Glad you enjoyed the article. As Dennis mentioned, for archival reasons, we should probably carry over that conversation into the comments section in the article.
Hooker was no doubt a genius, and quite influential in his role as Chief Electrical Engineer. I'm sure he influenced Zale's decision to move to the 50v circuit for pinball. I really wish there was better documentation of his career, as information about him is pretty scant.
Quoted from bingopodcast:Good call! Despite being huge at the bottom of the page, I didn't think to post the comment there.
The old version didn't allow it, but this new website is slick (I like the social media sharing tools; I forgot how handy they are until I started sharing articles on the podcast Facebook page).
Are you going to TPF and bringing your multi-bingo? I still haven't tried it (though humoring me is probably not the best motivation to go all the way to Texas).
Quoted from NicoVolta:“Re-turn to base...
Re-turn to base...
You're fight’n
A Laser War!”
Hahaha so perfectly 80’s
Thiel did the sound and music, I guess that's why it was integrated so well! 
Quoted from DennisK:Are you going to TPF and bringing your multi-bingo? I still haven't tried it (though humoring me is probably not the best motivation to go all the way to Texas).
I would love to, however, cannot this year. Next year is in the cards, though, as long as a work conference does not coincide!
I will definitely be at York this year, and maybe Allentown.
Quoted from drsfmd:As Dennis mentioned, for archival reasons, we should probably carry over that conversation into the comments section in the article.
Hooker was no doubt a genius, and quite influential in his role as Chief Electrical Engineer. I'm sure he influenced Zale's decision to move to the 50v circuit for pinball. I really wish there was better documentation of his career, as information about him is pretty scant.
No problem, will do!
1 week later
Episode 58: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-58
Sorry, my audio has more echo in it than normal (virtual mixing board on a new laptop and a setting got bumped; Tony sounds good though so I guess that's nice). We talk all about the 2018 Texas Pinball Festival, our thoughts and what was announced.
Tony's new negative tournament is now live. Worst of the Fall, where you vote for the WORST game to move on in each match-up, covering the decline of pinball (1994-1999). Round one voting is here: https://goo.gl/forms/MMNJxI6tRsNZ99Vx2
Hi Dennis and Tony,
Thanks very much for the in-depth discussion of the P3 games in this episode, very interesting to hear your take.
We talked more about it after finishing the record also. It is complicated for us (lots of things we really like but also that the games are not clicking for us), but I think that came through during the episode. I want to play Cosmic Cart again once out of beta code and see if my feelings change.
2 weeks later
Episode 59: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-59
We talk Iron Maiden, Pinball Expo, the Trash Talker Podcaster Bloodbath, and of course the thrilling introduction to Round 2 of our Worst of the Fall pinball tournament.
You may vote in round 2 at this link: https://goo.gl/forms/pDN8ZurORASdItff1
Sorry that my sound is still subpar in episode 59. Fixed the echo from #58 (so overall it is better... slightly) but the multiple USB mics are not playing nice in the virtual mixing board and we did not have the time to fully test (plus limited USB ports; I've got a hub coming so I can hook up the headsets) so I did not catch it until I was editing. We hope to have that fully resolved next episode (I do hate poor sound ever so much). Thanks for bearing with me (seems every time we change recording methods to solve an issue a new one crops up; first world recording problems).
2 weeks later
Episode 60: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-60
FalconPunch (Ryan) from Head2Head Pinball joins us for a vast array of topics. In pinball news we talk about ACNC at MGC 2018, the feature changes to JJP's Pirates game, and an article I wrote on Atari's failed pinball division. We follow this with a collector segment (Ryan provides his thoughts on collecting from the perspective of someone who wants well-playing games).
We then have a couple data segments (thanks to robin for supplying the data!). The first examines game ratings based around various ownership tags. The second explores the ratio of wishlist to owned games, to understand those pins most in demand and hardest to get.
We then play a couple games. Slam the Top 101-200 and a continuation of our ongoing Worst of the Fall tournament.
You may vote in Round 3 of Worst of the Fall here: https://goo.gl/forms/YKoOaZrIaMf8wnxK2
You may vote for the winner of Slam the Top 101-200 here: https://goo.gl/forms/vd01iZ29Ia4mG5fB3
2 weeks later
Episode 61: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-61
The pinball segment talks a little bit about Iron Maiden LE's gameplay, but spends most of the time on two topics: JPop's civil suit loss regarding Zidware's failure to complete pins, and the collapse of Heighway Pinball. We also share the results of Slam the Top 101-200 and set up Round 4 of Worst of the Fall.
You can vote in Round 4 of Worst of the Fall (where you select the WORST pin of each match-up) here: https://goo.gl/forms/Dafzodm6HuhClzp53
2 weeks later
Episode 62: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-62
Bruce, of the Slam Tilt Podcast and The Silverball Saloon, joins the show to talk a bunch of pinball (and a bit on the virtual side).
Pinball: Discussion revolves around liquidation details for Heighway Pinball, that former pinball designer John Trudeau was arrested yet again, the pricing range currently proposed by deeproot Pinball, the Women's International Pinball Tournament happening at Replay FX this year, Dutch Pinball's announcement of litigation beginning between them and their former contract manufacturer, and a bit about the evidence regarding the growth of the pinball hobby as noted in an article with This Week in Pinball.
From there, Bruce provides some details regarding operating the Silverball Saloon (and how pinball integrates into that venture). Tony walks everyone through the next round of The Worst of the Fall (a tournament where you vote for the WORST of any given pinball match-up), and the pinball segment concludes with a discussion of code and what old games can be salvaged from being disappointments and transformed into winners.
Video Games: Discussion revolves around The Pinball Arcade and Farsight Studios announcing that the licenses to the Bally/Williams tables was lost and soon will be unavailable for purchase.
You can vote in Round 5 of The Worst of the Fall here: https://goo.gl/forms/m9hTluIWwwwj2vIn2
1 week later
Quoted from DennisK:Glad you enjoyed it. We should have another guest host on the next episode. Should drop on Sunday.
Where are the clues y'all?
Clues? This isn't ColorDMD, just how much work at being clever do you expect?!?
I'll give a couple hints though, for I am kind. His scathing assessment of Iron Maiden rings across the land. And, his favorite thing to do is load up a pin with red LEDs and let them wash upon him like the blood of his foes.
Episode 63: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-63
Tony and Dennis are joined by ZMeny (Zach), of Straight Down the Middle: a pinball show, to talk about the silver ball.
Pinball: In pinball news, discussion focuses on This Week in Pinball being open to donations, John Popadiuk filing an appeal in his civil case regarding Zidware, a leaked image of the Deadpool playfield from Stern Pinball, the rapid sell-out of the Supreme pinball machine, the announcement that Star Trek pinball is getting a Vault Edition, and Homepin indicating their second pinball machine will target the Chinese market.
After the news, Tony leads everyone into the final round of The Worst of the Fall. Zach then describes his approach as a pinball collector, and how SDTM handles reviewing pinball machines. Finally, everyone tries the SDTM approach and reviews Wrestlemania.
Video Games: Zach, Tony, and Dennis have a brief discussion on the best video game consoles of all time.
Links:
Straight Down the Middle: a pinball show (YouTube channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAoeA05zcyksTEN3dEXCzCA
Straight Down the Middle: a pinball show (audio podcast): http://www.podcastgarden.com/podcast/httpyoutubeubovjgfcizw
This Week in Pinball donation and giveaway details: http://thisweekinpinball.com/june-giveaway-extravaganza/
Round 6 Worst of the Fall voting: https://goo.gl/forms/5Oco4gF94pukjdf83
1 week later
Episode 64:
https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-64
Tony and Dennis are joined by Eric and Don to deep dive into the happenings at E3.
Dennis starts the podcast solo, answering questions about the show and bypassing the typical introduction segment.
Pinball: Dennis covers the pinball news alone, talking about Sandra Bullock wanting a Demolition Man pinball machine, Scott Danesi designing a second game for Spooky Pinball, Joe Schober joining American Pinball, and David Thiel becoming exclusive to deeproot Pinball.
After the news, Tony joins the show and wraps up the results of The Worst of the Fall.
Video Games: Tony and Dennis open with what they've been playing. After that, Eric and Don join as guests, and the rest of the episode is dedicated to E3, revolving around the announcements from the major press conferences (EA, Microsoft, Bethesda, Square Enix, Ubisoft, the PC Gaming Show, Sony, and Nintendo).
2 weeks later
Episode 65:
https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-65
Tony and Dennis are joined by Martin Martymainframe (of Head2Head Pinball).
Pinball: In pinball news, the guys discuss Dutch Pinball's GoFundMe announcement, the U.S. Supreme Court's sales tax decision and how it will impact new pinball sales, and This Week in Pinball's giant information update on deeproot Pinball.
After that, Martin talks about streaming pinball for an audience, and gives his thoughts on what makes for good competitive pinball events.
Video Games: Discussion starts around VR (virtual reality) and whether it will become a mainstream thing. After that, Martin, Tony, and Dennis talk about their favorite console video games, going over all eight generations released.
Links:
Head2Head Pinball: http://www.head2headpinball.com/
Melbourne Silverball League: https://www.twitch.tv/melbournesilverballleague
This Week in Pinball's Deeproot Coverage on 6/28/2018: https://thisweekinpinball.com/deeproot-update-plus-interview-new-hire-new-building-new-creative-studio-new-licenses-and-help-offered-to-those-who-lost-money-on-pre-orders-from-other-companies/
2 weeks later
Episode 66:
https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826/episode-66
Tony and Dennis are joined by Mrs. Pin (of Mrs. Pin's Pinball Podcast).
Pinball: In pinball news, the gang discusses CPR's new digital printing approach to creating reproductions, the launched GoFundMe to help Dutch Pinball, and beginner's guide to manufacturers Dennis put together for This Week in Pinball.
After that, Mrs. Pin challenges Tony and Dennis to a game of pinball trivia! Dennis follows this with a sort of mini-update to Premier's `street level' series of games by talking about BOM differences between the first game (Silver Slugger) and the last (Hoops). Finally, everyone talks about the most fun elements to pinball.
Video Games: Mrs. Pin brings her WOMP philosophy to the video game arena, and each host picks two women worthy of the title.
Links:
Mrs. Pin's Pinball Podcast: http://www.podcastgarden.com/podcast/mrspin
A Beginner's Guide to Manufacturers: https://thisweekinpinball.com/4551-2/
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