Episode 383: Cliff Albert
The reigning Pinball Degenerates award winner (for Trolling), Cliff explains his joking nature, his hot takes, and his conversation starters. Also, find out what’s cooking for Cliff in the Poconos. Enjoy!
Kineticist’s take
Cliff Albert on building pinball communities and taking controversial design stances.
Synopsis
Cliff Albert, a Pennsylvania-based pinball enthusiast and tournament organizer, discusses his approach to community building in the Poconos and his philosophy on pinball game design through deliberate provocative takes. He's establishing tournaments and location play in Stroudsburg while advocating for more affordable machines to grow the hobby beyond collectors. The interview explores his 'troll' persona on social media, his hot takes on game design (criticizing System 11s, defending reused playfields, questioning expensive new releases), and his belief that pinball's high cost prevents mainstream appeal.
Entities
- Mayhem Amusements Arcade· company
- Rock Fantasy· company
- Spooky Pinball· company
- The Beast· event
- Bond 60th / James Bond 60th Anniversary· game
- Future Spa· game
- Gorgar· game
- Halloween· game
- Iron Maiden· game
- Looney Tunes· game
- Metallica· game
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre· game
- Ultraman· game
- Bartari· organization
- Delaware Pinball Collective· organization
- Project Pinball· organization
- Slam Tilt· organization
- Bowen Kerins· person
- Cliff Albert· person
- Jeff Teolis· person
- Keith Elwin· person
- Pat Lawlor· person
- Ron Hallett· person
- Steve Ritchie· person
- Tim Sexton· person
- System 11· product_line