Episode 235 - 2024 Year-End Review

Eclectic Gamers' 2024 year-end pinball review identifies American Pinball in severe financial and operational distress following layoffs of key staff (Jack Haeger, Steven Bowden, David Fix), litigation from co-designer Paul Reno over payment, and a failed Barry O's Barbecue Challenge release. The hosts predict American Pinball collapse in 2025, citing dysfunctional corporate structure (employment contracts with parent company Ametron, disconnected leadership), poor game reception, and insufficient IP strength (Cuphead deemed too niche to rescue the company). Spooky Pinball showed resilience by scaling back production, consolidating model tiers, and releasing Evil Dead to positive reception.