That’s right.
You can’t Shill AND Bill

Ahem, can I interest anyone in a $6 a month Silverball Chronicles Patreon? www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles ? Hmmmmmm?!

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It's a good thing you're so damn charming, David!

Is that 6 Canadian Loonies? What type of return can I expect for my $6 a month with the Dennis Financial sponsored Silverball Chronicles? If I can't expect at least 2 listener corrections per episode I'm out

TPS is my favorite podcast. I look forward to a new episode every week. Well, fortnight of late (aside: is this a permanent scheduling change?).

I get more than $10 worth of enjoyment from it per month. And I have for a couple of years. So I joined patreon to show my appreciation and support. And I would have done so even if no perks were offered.

I dont have a strong opinion either way about how much they charge, but it's a basic math problem. Will they have twice as many supporters at $5 a month vs $10?

With all due respect, I'm not talking about Chris. (I refuse to call him by his "alter EGO")

You and Dennis provide alot of entertainment in your podcast. So do the other podcasts I subscribe to who provide 2 hour shows every week that charge $5 a month.

To be honest, I would have no issue if you put the entire show behind a paywall and charged $5 a month. I'd sign up on day one.

Not trying to be critical. Like I mentioned earlier, I subscribe to several Patreon podcasts, most of which don't involve pinball. Some provide video feeds and bonus shows and do very well. The standard rate is $5 a month. One of many examples; https://www.patreon.com/whoarethesepodcasts

Stern should be making a monthly patreon contribution to TPS for disseminating their production schedule to the consumers, to be honest.

Side note: I'd be more inclined to contribute the $10 if you were still a scrappy youtube channel or an indie podcast that I wanted to motivate, but I get the impression you're doing okay these days... and I've got a couple 529 plans I probably ought to be showing that love instead. Doesn't bother me that you're doing the patreon thing, though-- I appreciate y'all regardless!

I guess in this context, I used "indie" to mean a podcast that is probably on the fence about whether they should continue spending time churning out episodes, or a couple guys that could use the extra cash to buy better microphones or editing software, etc.

I didn't mean to discourage anyone from patreon-izing you guys, so I'll shut up now-- You guys do great work, I just personally prefer to target the "little guys" when it comes to patreon-age. That doesn't mean I fault you for the decision to solicit patreon donors.

Edit: did I just implicitly admit that I'd rank an indie podcast as "more deserving of my money" than my own childrens' college funds? It appears so... damn

Perhaps he is referring to the fact that your financial means are looking quite comfortable. You have many many machines, go on fancy vacations, speak of your purchases on your podcast. It is maybe weird for someone in your fairly privileged position to ask for money from some people that maybe can't really afford this hobby, but still sticks with it for the love of said hobby.

I do feel many here are well to do (lord knows I've seen some breathtaking homes while in this hobby), but not everyone is so lucky.

They aren't starting a GoFundMe so they can buy a pinball machine. They are offering a paid service. Don't want the service, or think it costs too much, don't pay. Implying someone should offer their time and effort for free because they are well off is kinda weird.

The man had/has an above ground pool. Everybody knows that no well off person would be caught dead with an above ground pool.

I bet there's a way you could paypal Zach $5 a month if that's the level of support you'd like to offer (which I'm sure would be appreciated).

This sounds so much like YouTube. Become a member at 20 bucks, visit my website and pay $2.99 to unlock interviews. If you wait paitently, it all comes out.

Now I fully understand if you want to try to get back some of the costs of the nice microphone, laptop. Oh and the fancy , comfortable gaming chair that supports your shoulder blades just right.

If Zach did ASMR once every quarter year, That would rake in.

This is a great point— I think I’ve projected the GoFundMe mindset unfairly onto Patreon, just because that’s how I liked to think of it or how I’ve rationalized patreon-age in the past for other podcasts.

My Patreon is currently over $50 a month. When I add in the shirts, mugs, models, stickers and whatever else, it's well over $1000 annually. Patreon is like having grandkids; I'm providing support to those whom I believe in and the expectation is that it will assist them to do well in their endeavors. The joy comes from experiencing their tribes and tribulations while having the opportunity of sharing my own.

I don’t get it. TPS provides a 90-120 min show, every two weeks and for free. You don’t have to join to listen. Free means free. Now if you enjoy what you hear AND want some more action, pay $10. If you don’t want more, then just continue listening for free. You don’t even need to sign up to listen for free as a few non-pinball podcasts require, just point your podcatcher.

But if you want some more, join Patreon for $10 a month. That gives you “something more for your money”. Basically the perks are access to TPS chat channel and additional bonus content broadcasts (like 3 rumored titles and other stuff). I’m pretty sure you are not going to want the perks, so stay a regular listener. Nothing to complain about then because you’ve chosen the plan you want.

When I think of Patreon, what it means to me is I’m joining a club. The club costs money and it has perks. I outlined TPS’s general perks. Now let’s look at how another company does it - Spooky. Spooky requires you to join their club for $5/mo = $60 in order to have early access to buying their game before public launch. If you don’t intend to be buying one of their pins you probably won’t join. Then there is K-Man’s Facebook and he charges $5/mo for access to his shows behind a payroll. So that perk is defined as a key to library of current and past shows. If you want to listen, it is $5. Otherwise K-man provides a Sat show on YouTube for free. If you don’t want rumors or other stuff, then stay a listener for free. Most other pinball podcasts are available for free or can be turned into a Patreon membership with specific perks (which are most similar to TPS’s model).

In my younger days I would be looking for ways to not spend and probably wouldn’t have joined any of the Patreon shows. However being older, I don’t mind throwing around a little cash on things I value.

I’ve got no problem with Patreon - I support a couple of struggling comedians on it now. What a day to day existence those guys have! Most can’t afford any health insurance …

Anyway …

I just thought the way you guys rolled yours out was a bit weird.

Generally - well, on the other 20 mainstream comedy/metal music podcasts I listen to, Patreon is from $5.

For that $5, you usually get an extra “Patreon only podcast”. That’s where you might hear some gossip and rumours, and more interaction with the Patreons. There is generally an option to pay more if the person wants to.

None of these podcasts have “chopped out bits” of the free to air podcast. Just a weird way to do it IMO. Even though the content is free, the listener feels like they’re somehow being gyped — if you know what I mean.

Having a bunch of options is a bit too much IMO - again, not the normal way it’s done. Just confusing. Make it $5 minimum and more if the person wants .. and they all get an extra episode twice a month or something. $5 is a supporter, $10 is a super supporter, $20 is a “pay for an in-ground pool” supporter. But they all get the same stuff. KISS principles apply.

Dean Delray does a “zoom fest” every couple of weeks - any of the Patreoners (whatever they pay per month) can zoom in and they all chat together with Dean. Not my scene but the punters seem to like it. Costs $0 (except for your time) to do it.

Hey, just my 10c!

I enjoy the show and appreciate everyone who takes the time to do podcasts. I know the crazy amount of time it takes to do it.

rd

having "tiers"(including free tier) is smarter than "everyone has to pay $5/mo to listen to anything".
Good example is video games. Used to be all video games were $60.
Now, video games are free, but a handful of people pay hundreds/thousands of dollars on that free game.
Many consumers bitch about the model there too. But which makes more money? Which gives more exposure to the content the creators made?
Some people are cheap, and will not pay for things. Some people will pay a lot to "have it all". Not many in the middle.

Not sure how Zach has time to do all the videos/podcasts/featurettes and still sell all those pinball machines. Yes, I realize it all helps sell the pinball machines but at some point if you run out of time you have to make the most out of the time you've got...

I subscribed on the previous episode to hear the GTF content because I had a deposit on it and was trying to figure out if I really wanted it. There was nothing special there. Similar take to everyone else really. This week was better, got some insights into IP licensing for pinball and some specific rumours about some IPs. The discord is fun. I don't know if if I'll stay subscribed long term but I think the model makes sense, and at $10 it's not a huge risk to check it out (compared to the $$ you put down for a Scooby Doo deposit and are now taking a bath on trying to get rid of)

As long as they keep Pinball Market Trends on the free podcast, I'll be happy.

Best of luck to them and hope they continue to provide something in front of the paywall.

Video games are now free? That isn't the case, majority are are still $60 - $70 new on average if you want to own them. Sure there's some free to play ones but they don't represent the majority of games, Call of Duty Warzone being of the largest. "Free" may be referring to subscriptions like XBOX Game Pass Ultimate for $15 a month. That's $180 a year and you never actually own the games. As for Nintendo Switch games those are all still purchased individually, no subscription available.

Fortnite is one of the biggest games in years and it is zero dollar entry fee.

educate yourself, brother:
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/06/how-free-to-play-and-in-game-purchases-took-over-video-games.html
https://www.wepc.com/statistics/video-gaming-monetization/
https://edvice.pro/articles/en/220/free-to-play-games-how-they-work-and-generate-revenue
etcetra...

I know free to play video games are popular but saying that video games are now free isn't true. Take the new Zelda coming out soon by Nintendo, that game is $70 and will generate millions in sales. Same goes for a ton of other games that are still charge based on the title versus using a free to play model. The new God of War, New Horizon, and other popular Playstation titles are other examples. Those are not free to play games yet generate millions in sales.

Maybe it's just because I'm now older lol but I personally find the quality of many free to play games to be underwhelming. The deep high quality story based games, some I mentioned above, are all still purchased individually (or "purchased" using XBOX Game Pass, EA Play Pro, etc).

Ha you sound really old and out of touch. Seriously, click the articles.

Most games, and most game revenue, is mobile not console.
Like 80% of total gaming revenue comes from "Free" to play games.
Even for games that have an up front cost, a lot of their revenue comes from microtransactions.

So yes, there are plenty of games released every year that have up front cost. But it's a minority, by both number of games and revenue. Of those games, the ones that don't have some sort of way to milk more $ out of you are a very very small portion.

Well you kinda claimed that all video games are now free and that isn't the case lol. Another example, Nintendo has sold over 120 million Switches to date. All Nintendo Switch games made by Nintendo are paid for by the title, not free to play. Just wait under Zelda Tears of the Kingdom is released next month, that's another title that will generate huge sales yet is a paid for game. There's still millions of gamers that want deep story based games and are not into Fortnite or whatever the latest basic mobile game is. Same goes for other big upcoming paid titles such as Bethesda's Starfield.

I appreciate the free to play article, that's very interesting. I didn't realize that much money is being generated from those titles or that the market share is 80% of all game sales, crazy.

An old quote often attributed to Dale Earnhardt comes to mind, watching this thread for the last couple days:

"It doesn't matter if fans boo or cheer, as long as they're making noise."

Lotsa noise in here, gotta love it!

podcasters are nothing more than drug dealers... they let you listen for free until you are hooked, and then when you cant go without, they start charging...

dammit!!!!

LOL

pic wouldnt post. sorry

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WildRover - Please have Blake back again. He makes a great third host with you and Cale.

Oh you mean @balkeboy? I'll pass on the kind words if he doesn't see them.

It was interesting to hear Jason's thoughts on audio upgrades .
I'm no audio expert but I think the best bang for buck is to add a subwoofer . I added a sub to The Hobbit and the audio came alive , especially Smaug .

thekaiser82 Thanks, man! I was expecting to sound like a total loser and luckily only sounded like a moderate one. I'm def game to sit on my closet floor and learn how to make my mic sound better anytime Jason wants me back. Highlight of my week to be a third wheel!

Agreed on what Cale said on Who Dunnit. This is the most popular game in my collection (Along BKSOR) when I have people here, even non pinball people.

So about checking under the cabinet…. My IJ which I picked up in the past year, has the whole front part of the underside, say the bottom third of the cabinet, all swollen for God knows what reason. It’s holding strong and everything is in place, but if you stick your fingers to pick up the machine, some of that wood will come off in a dusty manner and it don’t feel nice. Couldn’t miss it when picking up, but if it were shipped and there wasn’t a disclosure, I wouldn’t have any other way of knowing til I got the game… so there’s one good reason I guess

FOO FIGHTERS PREMIUM IS SO FOCKIN GOOD M8

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Since we are international can we now pay in Yuan? US currency is so yesterday.

Podcasters bitching and whining about the bitchy and whiney Pinside community.

I do find it pretty funny when podcasters (and others) bitch and moan about Pinside … but then they’re the first to use Pinside to promote their shows, or to advertise any pins they have for sale ….

One guy in particular (not TPN) is very vocal about his dislike of Pinside - but I always see his pins up for sale here. A bit hypocritical if you ask me.

rd

What was the bitching about? From what podcast? That might actually make me listen.

I’d like to hear more about the bitching. Probably more interesting than the first 15 minutes of any of these podcasts. I’d even enjoy listen to them single out guys here they don’t like.

That wildgrover fella from pinball party has me totally blocked and I’d really get a kick outta hearing why. I like that pinside shows that and I don’t think people who block know it does show. Makes me laugh.

If someone blocks you…they know you know they blocked you. And they don’t care.

What do you see if you're blocked ?
I've never blocked anyone , if someone's being arsehole I want to see what they're saying