Episode 11: “X-Men vs. Avatar - FIGHT!”
This episode discusses the epic pinball showdown between The Uncanny X-Men and Avatar! It’s Stern versus Jersey Jack, battling it out for your hard-earned money. Let’s discuss what happened this week and why Stern might have shot themselves in the foot with a half-baked livestream video—was there a reason for it? Did Jersey Jack win this week with such an outstanding presentation, or was it all just a great show? There’s much to discuss, and I hope you’ll join me in the conversation!
Kineticist’s take
X-Men livestream underwhelming due to incomplete code; Avatar impresses mechanically despite theme concerns.
Synopsis
Retro Ralph compares the recently revealed Uncanny X-Men and Avatar pinball machines, criticizing X-Men's unpolished livestream presentation and incomplete code while praising Avatar's innovative theme integration and mechanical design. He discusses Stern's MVP (minimal viable product) development philosophy, Jersey Jack's premium positioning and quality, and his desire to own a non-Stern game if the theme appeals to him.
Highlights
- George Gomez revealed that another Stern game was bumped from the release schedule because X-Men development progressed faster than expected
- Stern released X-Men LE early to private collectors before Pro versions went to locations, breaking their normal release pattern
- X-Men's livestream showed incomplete code and unpolished gameplay that was likely rushed due to Jersey Jack's Avatar announcement timing
- Stern uses an MVP (minimal viable product) development model similar to video game industry, releasing incomplete code that improves over time
- Jersey Jack games have more advanced lighting capability than Spike 2 system used by Stern
- Jersey Jack's games cost $12,000-$15,000+ with weaker flipper strength than Stern machines, though Elton John resolved this issue
- Avatar features innovative gameplay mechanics including single-flipper challenges and dual underworld playfields with smaller pinballs
- John Wick lacks a jukebox/DJ mixer music mode, suggesting incomplete music track implementation
Entities
- Jersey Jack Pinball· company
- Stern Pinball· company
- Pinball Expo· event
- Avatar· game
- Elton John· game
- Godzilla· game
- John Wick· game
- Metallica Remaster· game
- The Uncanny X-Men· game
- Toy Story· game
- Electric Bat Arcade· organization
- Phantom Tilt Pinball Podcast· organization
- George Gomez· person
- Jack Danger· person
- Kale Hernandez· person
- Kaneda· person
- Mark Seiden· person
- Retro Ralph· person
- Tim Sexton· person
- Zach Sharpe· person
- Insider Connected· product
- Spike 2· product