Episode 137 - Dark Days of Avengers
Pinball: The guys discuss Project Pinball's translites' auction, JJP's new approach on chipped playfields, and whether pinball is in a darkest days period despite all the purported demand. Video Games: Discussion focuses on Activision-Blizzard's layoffs, Tony's experience with Valheim, and the latest from Square Enix. Project Pinball's Two Weeks of Translites: Website: EGP T-shirts: iTunes: SoundCloud: Stitcher: Facebook: Twitter: Twitch: YouTube: Email: eclecticgamerspodcast@gmail.com
Kineticist’s take
Pinball market shows healthy demand but unhealthy manufacturer execution.
Synopsis
Dennis and Tony discuss the pinball industry's paradoxical state: record demand, price increases, and sold-out games (notably Guns N' Roses), yet manufacturers except Stern appear to be struggling with production, customer service degradation (JJP's pivot from free playfield swaps to refunds only), and delayed releases (CGC's Cactus Canyon, American Pinball's Hot Wheels). The hosts suspect supply chain and parts bottlenecks as primary causes, drawing parallels to their own industries, but express concern about manufacturer financial health and the overall viability of the niche market, citing closures like ReplayFX and underfunded initiatives like Pinball Hall of Fame.
Entities
- American Pinball· company
- Chicago Gaming Company (CGC)· company
- Deep Root Pinball· company
- Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP)· company
- Stern Pinball· company
- ReplayFX· event/organization
- Batman 66· game
- Cactus Canyon· game
- Elvira· game
- Guns N' Roses· game
- Hot Wheels· game
- Pirates of the Caribbean· game
- Willy Wonka· game
- Pinball Hall of Fame· organization
- Project Pinball· organization
- Dennis· person
- Gary Stern· person
- Jack Guarneri· person
- Tony· person