Brilliant, thanks Jeff!

Filled up the form and bump to the top

If I understand this new voting system, everyone is basically going to have to vote twice? I’d guess some people could get confused and vote just this first time and think that’s all they need to do.

A suggestion for next year is to have a selection committee choose what they think are the top contestants to form the drop downs and then have a write-in category.

I'd like to see a category for tournament announcing. There are some great announcers out there that really know game rules and how to build excitement (and I'd finally get a chance to vote for CrazyLevi!).

Half the fun of listening to the PAPA streams is hearing the great Yinzer accents.

It's a crime pinshaker did not make best new mod list

Some of these options to vote on are ridiculous. Who came up with this stuff?

Favorite Pinball Location? Favorite Pinball League?

The people who live in that city are voting for that cities league or location. Someone in St Louis isn't voting for a place in San Antonio. Let me put it to you another way, if you have a location in Chicago and another in Memphis clearly Chicago is going to win because the market has 6 million people living there vs 1 million.

Pinball is fun but you seriously don't have someone from Kansas City going to a league in New York, no they're playing local. These are simply ridiculous categories because every city in America has a league or spot where people play. C'mon! These are local events and will be voted on by locals. Cities with the most players will win! Dumb category.

I also think there should have been an award for best of the Decade considering we transitioned from 2019 to 2020

Best game of the decade should be added right now! Best New Mod of the Decade! Ect... someone should have thought of that.

This has been a big decade for pinball, one that btw might never be repeated so it should be honored rather than what city has the most voters for a local league.

Just saying.

Best Pinball Company 2010 - 2019
Best Pinball Game 2010 - 2019
Best Pinball Designer 2010 - 2019
Best Mod of the Decade

Lets put more thought into honoring those who've done the most during the single more transformative decade in the history of pinball.

Oh and yes Best Local League of the Decade lets not forget that one. LOL

No VFW in Michigan for Clay? Yea his collection sucks...

Isn’t that place only open twice a year?

Whatever location should be open year round imo.

Hello

Were you planning to do something for the decade that was 2010-19? I think this would be informative. A lot of games from 2019 that are not quite finished and/or people have never seen.

I have a list of pins released int he decade 65+ pins

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/best-pinball-of-the-decade-2010-2019

Yes, I couldn't even vote on the 2019 candidates (too soon) but the decade is a big bad time of great pinball.

Best code/rules (?) of the decade?

Best toy of the decade?

Best new feature?

Best newcomer?

Lifetime achievement award?

I have to agree with this. Some of the categories I had to leave blank, not because I wanted to, but because there wasn’t an option for anyone in the northeast (unless they’re a “pinball traveler”).

NEPL was an option for best league, and obviously only people in New England will be voting for that. But in said league there are a half dozen collectors with un-freggin-real collections that don’t make this list, and then we also have a handful of kickass public locations with killer collections. Not one makes it. So the league makes it, but this hotspot region for pinball that makes this category possible gets no love for locations.

Also, it killed me to see F’ing Cosmic Carnival listed so many times in so many categories. That should only have a spot under artwork and NO other mentions. FFS, they had to redo the PF layout when people thousands of miles away like me took 1 quick look of the PF and reminded those geniuses that there’s no reason to have top rollovers if there’s no way to get up there after plunge! They had to introduce a drop bank with nothing behind to allow a ball to get back up top, and the resulting “orbit” shot just went back into the shooter lane to get up there. That company was dead on arrival. Their ramps, toys, MSRP, and YouTube streams should be in their own category for “biggest laugh of the year”. My local bowling alley with 1 pin has more of a case to be in the “best location” category than Cosmic Carnival has a case to be in the “best layout” category.

...Just so everyone knows how I really feel.

Thanks for the reply, Jeff.

The league thing sort of proves my point. It’s not the best league that wins. It will probably end up being the league with the most players. That’s more of a “regional headcount” poll vs. other categories for things like commonly available pins that one can order regardless of location.

Also as it pertains to the best location category, I looked at the first two as I’ve never heard of them. The one in TX with 50 games according to Pinside looks sweet. The next one in TN, may be a great location for TN, but as I mentioned above is at least on par, if not even inferior (IMHO) to some of the private collections and public locations in the northeast. Heck the below photo is a ridiculous location in a local amusement park and these location games are stacked with ColorDMDs and toppers. I’m sure many would consider this a Mecca and yet it’s basically an afterthought up here which again makes me question the selection process.
3E3DEA15-5C68-46DE-A2F3-41BD04EAAF34.jpeg

I don’t know the selection process from the committee, nor do I really care to learn. I voted within the options selected. I just think a “best of” should truly be a “best of” competition and I sincerely question if the best of each category is listed. That’s all.

I partially did the ballot and though I commend you (and team) in arranging and running it, I thought some of it wasn't balanced. I must of missed the community vote thing and disappointed in some of the options in this ballot and sad to see no This Flippin Podcast as well as other things in the options. For example best homebrew personally should a list of games finished in the year of 2019 like the commercial options - you see a game like Dead Flip's as cool as it is looking is not playable, no art etc so odd choice to put in and then where rotordave custom game Led Zeppelin was not included.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/homebrew-pinball-games-released-2016-to-current

Things like best league are very localised and seems odd for a global ballot. And favourite competitive player could maybe the top 16 from the IFPA and you list the top 16 players as of their rankings at the very end of the year.

anyway just thoughts, please don't take offense just trying to give helpful feedback

I've found on pinside that some of the overall inconsequential things will get some so fired up its guns a ablaze. There are a lot of different opinions, views, old school, new school, no tech, high tech, collectors, players, stern army, JJP haters, its so all over the place bringing this group together would be harder than getting Nancy and Trump to agree on anything. The fact is none of that has to do with all that matters is results. You may love this new game and your opinion matters because it's your money. But overall 50 people buying a pinball won't keep a company in business, meaning the majority doesn't agree.

So when you say silly to me but important to other I scratch my head there. We already know that. What does that have to do with the point made. You can't have best league or best location, because people on pinside live around the WORLD! I'd bet only 1% of people on pinside has even played in any of the locations you mentioned or leagues you nominated. How can someone judge a league they've never attended? You can't!

However you can judge whether you like the new Stranger Things, because you can go somewhere LOCAL and play it. You should only give out awards on things ALL pinsiders can feel, touch, or experience. Otherwise the person, event, company, location has just won a FALSE award. It would be one thing if you said what locations in America has the best website, digital marketing commercial, you could submit those, review and watch them. What location has the best pinball atmosphere, or the best collection. Those things can be judged because those people trying to win those awards can showcase thru the internet via photos and video. Interesting categories that could actually inspire other leagues, locations to learn from their peers, and inspire them to do better. I think these categories and honestly some of the others make no sense and just can't honestly be voted on.

So lastly, as far as this comment. Again this makes no sense. It doesn't matter what TWIPY was set up for, because look at the Olympics, they've changed now they have snowboarding, and this summer they'll offer skateboard. Look at the Academy Awards that has drastically evolved over the years, as categories are added to accomodate how things change. Now they have 8 films nominated instead of 5, new categories have been added like animation films... and I hope one day they add Best Horror/Sci Fi movie.

The point is it doesn't matter what it was originally intended to do but how its used to recognize great things that happen within the industry and to hopefully inspire better things into the future. Each year it should be evaluated, expanded, improved, and if need be totally evolve.

I don't think its a matter of how it was intended originally, I think honestly you just didn't think about it.

How many more decades will any of us last? For many this will be the last decade flip we ever see! We should celebrate the best decade in pinball's history and beg pinball companies to top themselves over the coming decade.

Just my two cents.

So the real question is what is the best company this past decade? What is the best pinball that changed the landscape? What one mod changed how we play and experience pinball? Is there one defining thing that changed the pinball landscape between 2010 and 2019?

Those are things we should be handing out awards to because those answers gave us everything we have today! To ignore that is a massive mistake.

You take Wizard of Oz... I think everyone would have to agree that game is the biggest game changer in pinball history. Massive color screen, movie clips, two upper playfields, first led pinball game, no color inserts, two upper playfields, radcal artwork, operated by computer with the most sophisticated backend we've ever seen! Amazing artwork, with a rail system under the game, wide body, that probably no one could have ever imagined could get built. Stern saved pinball but JJP kicked in the door and showed a blueprint for other pinball start ups. During this decade we went from 1 pinball company to several... would there ever have been an Aliens or Big Lebowski if it wasn't for Wizard of Oz? That game changed everything even if you don't like the game itself. I remember listening to Jack tell a story about how they went to a supply house to buy inserts, and they got screamed at and run out of the store because they only wanted clear inserts. Man that is history right there.

To ignore those accomplishments is simply WRONG!

WHAT GAMES WIN THE ULTIMATE PRIZE BEST OF THE DECADE?

Who would want to vote on that in 2021? Ahh a year late and a dollar short.

We can do it NOW!

Also one year like 2019 has what 6-7 pins most with incomplete code. Or perhaps many have not got a chance to play at all. I just left the whole vote blank because there is not enough information about the games of 2019 yet. Stranger Things came out a minute ago and I’ve never played it or SW home pin or Cosmic Carnival.

I would vote for a decade award ticket and watch the stream. I have no interest in a single year award show of incomplete code pins.

I voted early and realized when I listed to a podcast that what I voted for for best mod has now been removed as an option. Does this mean my vote won't count?

I also think the best location and league aren't meaningful categories since very few people are likely to experience more than a few. Thus these just become contests of where most people live.

Best pinball topper: Some prototype of the BKSOR topper was shown at a show but nothing is available to order and few people have actually seen it. Same goes for the MMR Royal topper and ACNC topper. The Beatles topper came out before 2019 and is no longer available. I feel like I had to vote for something I'd actually seen which narrowed it down quite a bit.

Rookie of the year: Zach Meny, Jack Danger, and Christopher Franchi are all established members of the community who have all been around for a while. How am I supposed to compare a new artist, with a new coder, someone who started a podcast or someone who bought into a distribution business? It seems arbitrary.

Sorry none of this makes Any sense? Maybe (1) category for best game of the decade but otherwise no sense at all. Be like going to the Olympics and awards are given to the best 50 yard dash runner for the last 3 Olympics or the Movie Oscars to compete over movies 10 years ago? It’s a Simple celebration and Acknowledgment of the efforts, individuals, accomplishments over the year. Would Stranger Things beat MMr for the decade? Hmmm... based on 20k owners of MMr my guess is no and of little value to know. The show and work they have Voluntarily put into it is Great as is and I am Certain they will continue to refine it for many Decades to come.

Does the ballot not result in an email upon submission? I got one during the write-in phase but didn't get an email when I submitted a final ballot.

Homebrew
that's why I reached out 2 years ago with the thread which shows finished games and why not apply the same parameters like stern games etc - consider it for the twippy when it is playable, with art, general rules and sounds. Listing half baked games isn't a fair listing as there are a heap of others as well that are half baked - eg Jack Dangers may be flippable but doesn't have art etc is not fair to the guys like Led Zepp and Spaceballs that put alot of effort and finished games is a bit of a kick in the guts for those guys. You are also isolating guys that don't have a show near them, in their state or country - maybe for next year base the selection off finished games with art, music, sounds and general rules as well as posted youtube videos instead of show attendance. I think your categories are getting very biased to pinball shows etc and locations and not aimed at a global melting pot of pinball involvement. Here are the ones I found that deserve to an option for the award.

( 4 Games)

1. Led Zeppelin
Boardset - Original Bally Boardset
Retheme - Led Zeppelin , which was a Freedom
rotordave , NZ
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/1976-bally-led-zeppelin-retheme

2. Legends of Camelot
Boardset - P3-ROC
Original Theme
matirwin , USA
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/legend-of-camelot

3. Spaceballs - The Pin
Boardset - FAST
Original Theme
wolfmarsh , USA
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/spaceballs-the-pin

4. Undertale
Boardset - Custom
Original Theme
@KellyCorcoran, USA
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/a-very-physical-undertale-fangame/page/2#post-4898171

Podcasts
Why not you just add those other common ones to the list as I am sure many people missed the pre-votes announcement.

I'd like to suggest a Rotten Tomatoes category for next year. (Or a Raspberry award) I realize that might be against your easy going nature, which I appreciate, but it appeals to me and judging by the many characters on Pinside I'm not alone. I'll leave it to you and the committee to deiced how to handle it, if you choose, but it could be fun and I'm certain it would generate a lot of additional interest.
I can envision one guy winning both Podcaster and Rotten Tomato in the same year.

Best wishes, Jeff, and thanks for all of your efforts.
b00ef470883730eb2ba47dc6bba24ebdc8b48775 (resized).jpg

Afterthought: I've always wanted to start a Pinside Survivor thread where we all could vote people off the island.

Just a random Happy Hour thought.

I was excited to go vote only to see bizarre choices in some of the categories. The community pre-voting was an interesting idea but, for example, a great podcast like the Slap Save podcast doesn't even make the list? How is that even possible? I didn't even hear about this strange pre-voting and I'm guessing others didn't as well.

When I saw what a mess the categories were and the lack of choices I just abandoned my ballot and walked away. I never bothered to submit it as the awards will be meaningless if the choices on the ballot aren't representative of the actual choices in real life.

I just completed voting. I have to agree that I think the Twipy's have overstepped reasonable boundaries by adding so many categories for areas that no single person can possibly provide an informed position on. Examples like Best League, which appears to be meaningless really. I assume the largest league will win.

In any case, it's not really clear what purpose these awards are meant to serve? Doesn't really raise awareness of the pinball community if you need to be "in-the-know" to even find them/vote. And there are so few new games each year that enough people get a chance to play that it really excludes smaller vendors from any chance of winning. So basically to award a couple high profile games that everybody already knows about anyway and recognizes for their "greatness".

Frankly, the whole thing feels like a manufacturered drama to give podcasters something to talk about and pat themselves on the back with. Meh.

Totally agree! Best league? HTFSIK? If you are in a league, why vote for someone else’s? And if you’re not, why bother?

Best location? Please. There are at least 3 very high quality locations in NYC and one in Middletown NY that weren’t even mentioned!

Did you vote for Slap Save during pre-voting?

he stated he wasn't aware of the pre-voting ..... like many of us

Jeff - Thank you for all you do. I can't believe how much blowback you get over this, it is a wonder you guys keep putting it on! Seriously, someone doesn't want to vote because the code on games is incomplete? Stern can charge 9k for a pin but we shouldn't pick a favorite at the end of the year because they ship them with incomplete code? Ridiculous.

Lastly a suggestion. There is definitely a need for a "Walter Payton Man of the Year" type of award for community service. The acts of kindness that are generated in this community need to be celebrated!

No Galloping Ghost pinball.
You guys need to add that for next year. Its a great place to play. Really is.

I don't make sense I think you don't make sense. Actually you make no sense. I'm not saying there should be a category for best pinball of the decade every year... yeah that makes no sense. in case you haven't noticed this is now 2020, which means when TPF happens in March, it will be three months after the clock turned midnight and ended the decade of 2010-2019. Since this is the TPF directly after the clock switching us to a new decade it only makes sense to have best of the decade award.

Furthermore what manufacturer would work super hard to win the game of the decade? What Pinball company wouldn't want to be the company of the decade? MM that wouldn't count its a remake... there should be an award THIS YEAR for Game of the Decade and it can be added now. Why wait 10 years to add it in 2030? Who knows if there will even be a twippy in 2030. Who knows where pinball will be if it even is popular then... who knows. Many things happen over 10 years so we should honor the people who changed the game over the last 10 years. I'm seriously scratching my head why you think that makes no sense. It doesn't.

Fact is you love JJP, and I'm nearly positive they would win hands down.

As for the show being done by a volunteer group... huh? If you're going to say this awards mean something then you need to do a better job. Adding best league or best location that is just worthless. Totally and anyone who wins that award should accept with a grain of salt. Seriously!

I guess all I'm saying is add something that would inspire discussion, and people's passion for pinball!

voted just now. voted dead flip as best twitch streamer and special when lit as favorite podcast. Jurassic park will win game of the year. I would be shocked if it didn't

“As for the show being done by a volunteer group... huh? If you're going to say this awards mean something then you need to do a better job.”

Thanks Dr. Frightener for continuing to reinforce that stellar reputation you have built. We try to do a good job and we are proud of the outcome.

I nominate Dr. Frightener for the, Wall of Words, Rotten Tomato Award.

I beg to differ regarding Location and Leagues- If you're going to honor the best in pinball than you need to have locations and leagues on the ballot. If it wasn't for them the vast majority of people would never get to experience pinball. Big thanks to TWIP for shinning a light on the people that make pinball great.

I'd call it the "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit" award.

Do you ever Read what you reply to or simple bury it in words? I Said I agree there should be (1) ONE category for game of the decade??? Not asking you to conform but Consider this hobby and the efforts of others might Not be just about what you want. Lol. As for the categories you claim as worthless, if they mean nothing to you simply don’t vote for them! Seems they made that option simple enough no? I value your input but don’t see why you have to crap on the effort they made to help us celebrate pinball? It’s not the Golden Globes, it’s simply a look back at those that contributed to our hobby enjoyment. The Silver Ball ceremony.