I agree. He's the best in the business.

Pinside is best interpreted 3 beers deep and a half smart-ass attitude on at all times.

...because most posts here are made by people trying to be witty after 3 beers deep?

No, but a lot of them sure read that way.

Chris left JJP quite a while ago. This is common knowledge. In fact, he left in October 2012, more than 1.5 years ago! (You can check his LinkedIn page to verify. )

Few companies can afford to have creative types sitting around with nothing to do. Least of all a startup.

I'll admit that I didn't know the investors bailed either. Was there a separate thread on this, or was it buried in one of the JJP threads?

They did not bail. Just someone failing at sarcasm or succeeding at pot stirring.

I will also say that a designer leaving a company after the majority of the work is done is really a non-issue that did not need a second thread.

Hobbit it designed and on the 3 interation. Don't need the top/expensive guys sitting around getting paid to wait when the work is done.

Are you sure?

Funny because as much as Jack jumps in lately he never did on that entire thread. He dodged the hall out of the question.
So is anyone sure, No. Was it a rumor that JJP would not address...yes.

So why is it not on the JJP website anymore? Just curious.

Source?

Or just your opinion?

we need a JJP roster thread

Shouldn't you be asking the person who said the investors bailed for the source? Not the guy saying they didn't bail. How would there be a source for that? JJP releasing a statement once a week saying who didn't bail?

I believe they actually did bail, no sarcasm. I've heard it from too many sources to not believe it (before the press release vanished off JJP's site). Jack was asked about it point blank and ducked and dodged but never denied it. As far as I'm concerned it's a done deal fact. You can believe what you want of course, it's difficult to actually prove.

I could fill a fu**ing page with real reasons .. All it will accomplish is more people asking questions, or more people shitting on decisions of why this guy is here or that guy left, Or that guy was let go. It's pointless to add any exact info then to just fuel the fire of those who just want something to talk about. The company is making a product how ever slow or how ever fast they can. We all have designers or programmer we like more then others. We root or support them like professional athletes. Inside guys can tell u this guys great but a asshole to work with, or that guys talented and a great guy to work with. This guy or that guy moved on for a better job or a higher paying job, this guys gone and now I know why the other guy didn't want him, what ever the reasons it doesn't make a difference. The product the company makes is held to a high standard, even if it gets missed/ or has issues they were shooting for that standard of quality. The company will continue to do that... Other people will step up, the glass is half full the glass is half empty. That guys gone he sucked to work with, that guys gone we loved his designs...that guy quit that guy left. Look at it how ever u want!..... Don't ask me if this makes any sense.

I heard they wanted too much control over the products bottom line, and Jack would not compromise on the quality of any machine he put his name on! so no deal..

Like many industries, the pinball one is a mobile one, with people joining/leaving places all the time, job titles and responsibilities changing, etc. It makes for interesting gossip, but in the end should mostly be taken with a grain of salt from the consumer end. What matters ultimately is the availability of products etc., and we bystanders have no control over the behind-the-scenes stuff. And I'm sure everyone in the business is making the best decisions they can to make the best pinball possible.

Assuming the investor deal fell through, it blows my mind that it would be publicly announced before being finalized and locked in. There has got to be more to this story.

Completely disagree with something like this not deserving it's own thread.

People can decide for themselves just how big (or not) a deal this really is to them, but it is most clearly deserving of it's own thread. This is a pinball forum, is it not?

How many people have spoken up indicating that they never would have known about this if it wasn't for this separate thread?

Another vote in favor of this thread being started. Thank you. I had no clue on Balcer leaving or the investors "allegedly" bailing. Wow.

So Stern has Borg, Ritchie, Trudeau and Gomez (occasionally) in the rotation. JJP has Lawler on one and mystery designer on another. Something to be said for consistency of working teams as they grow working together. If JJP becomes a revolving door of design will that work in the long run? Is Lawler taking Balcer's spot and not just one and done?

Interesting.

I meant it did not need a second thread because it did not need the first

I was trying to make a point that it is no big deal that he is on to the next project elsewhere.

very interesting indeed...if a company trumpets and advertises the hiring of specific talent or investors, shouldn't they inform likewise of departures or investors bailing out. i personally still believed that investors were in place with capital to deploy and there was a full bullpen of talent working on games.

i am sure there's nothing to worry about but if public announcements are made regarding hiring of specific people and investors shouldn't they also report publicly when things change?

Nah. Press releases are to tout positive things that can bolster your brand and revenue. Only other type of press releases are to ease consumer confidence after a controversial or catastrophic occurrence. Someone leaving does not meet that requirement.

They have Keith too. Yeah, he's mainly known for software, but he has some design work to his credit too.

True, he has some design credit on TSPP I think. I mean this in a respectful way, but I would hope he would stick with programming, let someone else worry about the design so he can keep doing it. Only because he's a rare talent at it, the world is better off with his code in it.

Very true and well respected. But then I add Lyman to the Stern list. I was trying to keep it more to primary designers than programmers - knowing Keith has some design credit.

Agree with Aurich - love Keith's design work and hope he keeps creating his magic there.

Keith was the reason I preordered a WOZ

He's a bad M'r F'r in my book

Stern hasn't had an epic deep game since he left. Makes me sad

Joe Left and Drew Left and Brian Left and Brian is now back

Eric replaced the Electronics Engineer and Pat has replaced Joe.

I think we are still in good hands,

I know this guy with a famous quote.

It goes something to this effect

"collecting pinball.......first world problems"

It always sounds better when being discussed while playing Jolly Park or IJ........Def not Xmen though.

As noted, it's likely contract work for machines, and now Lawlor is up. Who's to say he won't be back in the future, as he and Keefer have a pretty good history with each other on machines.

Don't worry about it, we don't take anything you say as face value !