# Episode 994: "Uncanny X-Men 811"

**Source:** Kaneda's Pinball Podcast (Patreon feed)  
**Type:** podcast_episode  
**Published:** 2024-08-30  
**Duration:** 14m 38s  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-994-x-111101941

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## Analysis

Kaneda discusses Stern's teaser for Uncanny X-Men 811, a Jack Danger-designed machine featuring a Sentinel mechanism that shoots balls into its mouth. He contrasts this with Jersey Jack's upcoming Avatar reveal, analyzes the competitive dynamics between the two manufacturers, and praises Stern's limited production decision (811 units vs. 1,000), while criticizing Don Pinball Podcast for removing Kaneda's logo from leaked Avatar images.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Stern will produce exactly 811 Limited Edition units of Uncanny X-Men, signifying Earth-811 from X-Men comics — _Kaneda citing George Gomez at Stern; confirmed as intentional marketing/product decision_
- [HIGH] Stern's teaser revealed a mechanical Sentinel with opening mouth that will shoot pinballs inside it — _Kaneda describing the official teaser trailer from Stern Pinball_
- [MEDIUM] Jersey Jack Avatar will have 1,000 CE (Collector's Edition) units, which diminishes its exclusivity vs. X-Men's 811 LEs — _Kaneda speculation/analysis; not officially confirmed in content but stated as known fact about Avatar production_
- [HIGH] Jack Danger designed Uncanny X-Men; Mark Seiden designed Avatar — _Kaneda's direct statement and industry knowledge_
- [MEDIUM] Both X-Men and Avatar will be revealed/available in early September — _Kaneda prediction: 'Most likely early September, we're gonna see both titles'_
- [HIGH] Don Pinball Podcast removed Kaneda's Pinball Podcast logo from a leaked Jersey Jack Avatar exclusive image — _Kaneda describing the incident directly; claims he was sent the image showing this occurred_
- [HIGH] Stern historically only unveiled game titles in teasers, but now reveals mechanical/gameplay elements — _Kaneda's observation about shift in Stern's marketing strategy_
- [HIGH] Stern machines are cheaper than Jersey Jack machines (Pro ~$7,000-$8,000 vs. JJP Premium ~$15,000) — _Kaneda: 'You get $15,000 a pop' for JJP vs. implicit Stern Pro pricing_
- [MEDIUM] Uncanny X-Men is a better theme than Avatar for mass market appeal — _Kaneda opinion: 'I would absolutely say Uncanny X-Men is the better theme for most people'_
- [MEDIUM] Pulp Fiction LE has been available for two years and no longer has market appeal or 'mojo' — _Kaneda market analysis/opinion about secondary demand_

### Notable Quotes

> "They couldn't get the shark to eat the damn ball, but the sentinel will."
> — **Kaneda**, Early in episode
> _Humorous reference to mechanical design, contrasting failed shark mechanism from another game with the Sentinel mouth feature_

> "Kaneda's Pinball Podcast has had an impact on the pinball world. Now we're getting earlier images of games."
> — **Kaneda**, Mid-episode
> _Self-promotion; claims his podcast influences manufacturer marketing strategies_

> "George Gomez told me... we heard you on a thousand le's and now Stern pinball is going to make 811 uncanny X-Men le's"
> — **Kaneda (quoting George Gomez)**, Mid-episode
> _Direct attribution to Stern designer George Gomez confirming the 811 unit limit was responsive to community feedback_

> "When you make a petty move like that you look like a real big baby Don, you just got to get over it."
> — **Kaneda**, Mid-episode
> _Criticism of Don Pinball Podcast for logo removal; indicates interpersonal drama in podcast community_

> "The pinball world is changing. These companies are realizing that we don't want to spend this much money and not get anything."
> — **Kaneda**, Mid-episode
> _Commentary on industry shift toward justifying premium pricing with mechanical content_

> "If I was Jersey Jack, I would reveal Avatar tomorrow... I wouldn't wait until after X-Men."
> — **Kaneda**, Late-mid episode
> _Strategic advice about competitive timing; indicates urgency for JJP to counter Stern's momentum_

> "Stern is making a move in the right direction. And when someone makes a move in the right direction, we need to give them credit."
> — **Kaneda**, Late-episode
> _Reversal of prior skepticism; positive sentiment shift toward Stern as company_

> "I would cut it back and I would make it 500. I think there should only be 500 CEs of any Jersey Jack game moving forward."
> — **Kaneda**, Late-episode
> _Unsolicited business advice to JJP on production strategy; indicates collector/market FOMO dynamics_

> "To the boutique company we will not mention who didn't want to launch their game in all of this frenzy, good luck. Nobody's going to buy that video game theme that nobody wants when you finally do release it."
> — **Kaneda**, Final segment
> _Cryptic criticism of unnamed boutique manufacturer's game strategy; suggests missed window for market entry_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Kaneda | person | Host of Kaneda's Pinball Podcast; self-describes as running 'world's number one pinball podcast'; provides industry insider commentary |
| Jack Danger | person | Designer of Uncanny X-Men for Stern Pinball; noted for envelope-pushing layouts and strong player engagement |
| George Gomez | person | Stern Pinball designer; provided confirmation to Kaneda about 811 unit limitation and Earth-811 comic reference |
| Mark Seiden | person | Designer of Jersey Jack Avatar; described as less-proven compared to Jack Danger |
| Don Pinball Podcast | person | Rival pinball podcast personality; accused by Kaneda of removing Kaneda's Pinball Podcast logo from leaked Avatar image; criticized for petty behavior |
| Genghis | person | Associated with Don Pinball Podcast; criticized alongside Don for unprofessional conduct |
| Zombie Yeti | person | Artist on Uncanny X-Men; also worked on Venom, Avengers, Deadpool; experiencing 'Zombie Yeti fatigue' in community but well-suited for X-Men |
| Jeremy | person | Mentioned in passing; appears to be podcast co-host or associate; referenced regarding Avengers artwork opinion |
| Uncanny X-Men | game | Stern Pinball machine designed by Jack Danger; features Sentinel mechanism with ball-eating mouth; 811 LE units planned; themed around X-Men comics Earth-811 |
| Avatar | game | Jersey Jack Pinball machine designed by Mark Seiden; premium platform; planned for 1,000 CE units; Avatar IP theme |
| Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer; historically produces mass-edition games; shifting strategy toward limited editions and mechanical complexity |
| Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Premium pinball manufacturer; higher pricing (~$15,000); advanced platform; competing with Stern on upcoming releases |
| Star Wars | game | Historical Stern pinball game; used as comparison point for limited edition production (fewer units than X-Men 811) |
| Pulp Fiction | game | Stern Pinball game released approximately 2 years prior to this episode; secondary market shows diminished appeal/demand |
| Godzilla | game | Recent Stern Pinball game; mechanical building feature compared unfavorably to Sentinel mechanism in X-Men |
| Venom | game | Stern Pinball game featuring Zombie Yeti artwork; comic-book themed game in same artistic universe as X-Men |
| Avengers | game | Stern Pinball game featuring Zombie Yeti artwork; artwork criticized by Kaneda as one of Yeti's weaker packages |
| Deadpool | game | Stern Pinball game featuring Zombie Yeti artwork; comic-book themed game in same artistic universe as X-Men |
| Kaneda's Pinball Podcast | organization | Pinball news and commentary podcast; claims high influence on industry; conflicts with Don Pinball Podcast; Patreon feed source |
| Don Pinball Podcast | organization | Rival pinball podcast; accused of removing Kaneda's Pinball Podcast attribution from leaked images |
| Sentinel | product | Mechanical X-Men villain featured in Uncanny X-Men; mouth mechanism designed to 'eat' pinballs; primary teaser element |
| Earth-811 | product | X-Men comic book storyline reference; explains '811' designation in Uncanny X-Men product name |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Uncanny X-Men teaser and mechanical design, Limited edition production strategy (811 vs. 1,000 units), Stern vs. Jersey Jack competitive dynamics, Avatar game reveal timing and strategy
- **Secondary:** Podcast community interpersonal drama (Kaneda vs. Don Pinball), Pricing and value proposition (Stern Pro vs. JJP Premium), Manufacturer marketing evolution
- **Mentioned:** Collector psychology and FOMO dynamics

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.78) — Kaneda is enthusiastic about X-Men teaser and Stern's strategic shift, praising the 811 limit decision and mechanical innovation. However, sentiment is tempered by criticism of rival podcasters and skepticism about future boutique manufacturer releases. Mixed frustration about secondary market saturation (Pulp Fiction) and production decisions.

### Signals

- **[announcement]** Stern officially teased Uncanny X-Men with Sentinel mouth mechanism that shoots pinballs inside; represents shift in marketing strategy to show gameplay elements rather than just title reveal (confidence: high) — Kaneda describes official Stern teaser trailer showing 'sentinel coming up from underneath the playfield' with opening mouth
- **[product_strategy]** Stern Pinball announced 811 LE units for Uncanny X-Men (vs. historical 1,000+ standard limits), positioning as response to collector feedback for exclusivity (confidence: high) — George Gomez told Kaneda: 'we heard you on a thousand le's and now Stern pinball is going to make 811 uncanny X-Men le's'
- **[competitive_signal]** Stern and Jersey Jack are in direct competition with X-Men and Avatar reveals happening within days of each other; timing and theme differentiation are strategic factors (confidence: high) — Kaneda: 'next week Jersey Jack versus Stern. Who's going to show the game that really wows people' and discusses Battle between X-Men vs. Avatar themes
- **[design_innovation]** Sentinel mouth mechanism in X-Men designed to accept and hold pinballs; referenced as major mechanical centerpiece with gameplay significance (confidence: high) — Kaneda describes mechanism as key attraction; compares favorably to Godzilla building and negatively to failed shark mechanism from unspecified game
- **[community_signal]** Conflict between Kaneda's Pinball Podcast and Don Pinball Podcast; Don removed Kaneda's logo from leaked Avatar image; characterized as petty/unprofessional behavior (confidence: high) — Kaneda: 'He uploaded on Facebook the exclusive image that I had of Jersey Jack Avatar game and he removed the Kinnitus Pinball Podcast logo from the image'
- **[market_signal]** Pulp Fiction LE has lost appeal after 2+ years on market; no longer generates 'mojo' or excitement; indicates rapid secondary market depreciation cycle (confidence: medium) — Kaneda: 'it just doesn't feel cool anymore to unbox a Pulp Fiction because it's been out for two years'
- **[product_concern]** Kaneda suggests JJP machines at $15,000 should contain proportionally more content/mechanics than Stern Pro machines; value justification is becoming critical for premium pricing (confidence: medium) — Kaneda: 'You get $15,000 a pop... You would expect there to be almost twice as much in that Jersey Jack game'
- **[manufacturing_signal]** Stern shifting toward limited edition strategy (811 vs. 1,000+) to create exclusivity; JJP producing 1,000 Avatar CEs, which Kaneda criticizes as excessive for premium platform (confidence: high) — Kaneda proposes JJP cut Avatar CEs to 500 units; praises Stern for 811 decision as 'really good move' differentiating from mass production
- **[content_signal]** Kaneda claims Kaneda's Pinball Podcast has direct influence on manufacturer marketing strategies and product decisions (confidence: low) — Kaneda: 'Kaneda's Pinball Podcast has had an impact on the pinball world. Now we're getting earlier images of games'
- **[product_launch]** Both Uncanny X-Men and Avatar expected to be officially revealed/available early September 2024; end-of-week timing around Labor Day (confidence: medium) — Kaneda: 'Most likely early September, we're gonna see both titles' and references Labor Day weekend timing
- **[sentiment_shift]** Kaneda expressing renewed confidence in Stern Pinball after years of criticism; crediting company for listening to feedback and improving product strategy (confidence: high) — Kaneda: 'Stern is making a move in the right direction... I think it is awesome that Stern is making 811 and not a thousand'
- **[industry_signal]** Unnamed 'boutique company' delayed game release to avoid competing with X-Men/Avatar launches; Kaneda predicts failure due to missed market window and unpopular video game theme (confidence: low) — Kaneda final statement: 'To the boutique company we will not mention who didn't want to launch their game in all of this frenzy... Nobody's going to buy that video game theme that nobody wants'

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## Transcript

 So with that in mind.. We are going to check out N Bantam Attain. JOKINGOR proposed to be subscribe this ad Jack, if you're just gonna show flippers and UV light and armor, we're gonna show off a mechanism, a sentinel coming up from underneath the playfield where clearly the mouth of the sentinel is gonna open up and you're gonna be able to shoot the pinball into its mouth. They couldn't get the shark to eat the damn ball, but the sentinel will. But OMG people, what a great teaser trailer from Stern! And clearly Kaneda's Pinball Podcast has had an impact on the pinball world. Now we're getting earlier images of games. They're starting to realize we've got to get people excited more than just the theme. Let's show them some of the magic. Let everybody dream about this game and I was just talking to George Gomez and he said to me and I mean this he said Chris we heard you we heard you on a thousand le's and now Stern pinball is going to make 811 uncanny X-Men le's and the 811 signifies from the comic book earth 811 it's like a different moment in K Atomicünkü, we don't want a thousand LEs of every single game. Stern Pinball has listened. This game is not going to be empty. It's not going to be without mechanisms and I'm just super excited right now because we're going to get next week Jersey Jack versus Stern. Who's going to show the game that really wows people and it's going to be competitive right? As we know that JerseyJack has absolutely the nicer platform and it has the ability to make a game that's just going to be gorgeous, but Stern Pinball's got Jack Danger and his designs in just one game have really excited people. Stern's got a really great coding department. Now, albeit they're going to make you pay probably $1,000 or $2,000 for a topper to unlock another mode in the game, but just looking at this Uncanny X yes it not X 97 and you heard it here first I love that people just do not want to give credit to Kinnitus Pinball Podcast Did you see the petty move by Don Pinball Podcast Someone sent this to me So he uploaded on Facebook the exclusive image that I had of Jersey Jack Avatar game and he removed the Kinnitus Pinball Podcast logo from the image I don I don understand why I still living rent Free in this guy head But when you make a petty move like that you look like a real big baby Don, you just got to get over it. I don't know who touched Don and Cengiz in a really weird spot, but these guys are still babies and can't get over the fact that this is the world's number one pinball podcast because we gave you that information, right? He didn't have it. And look, if Don's Pinball Podcast broke an image and had an exclusive thing, I would absolutely give him credit. It just goes to show you what babies and what petty men they are over there, Don and Cengiz. Anyway, let's get back to this. So Stern Pinball has got a teaser out today. And look, they never did this before. When Stern used to tease games, they would just unveil the title. But they went a step further and they said hold my beard Jersey Jack and they now revealed an element of the game that is getting everybody excited. And again, just want to remind everybody this is great. This is what we want. We want to have more to chew on. You can't just give us nothing and expect people to hand over money and just expect people to get excited. And if you can hear the excitement in my voice, it's because the pinball world is changing. These companies are realizing that we don't want to spend this much money and not get anything. And you got to put mechanical magic into the games. You got to have great themes. You got to go the extra mile if you really want to succeed now. And look, all that news about Costco and the news about other things, it's not the real news. The real news is this Jack dangers, second game, uncanny X-Men, major mechanism in the game. George Gomez is saying wait until you see the entire thing. Now look, George Gomez always tells me wait until you see the entire thing. He of course loves every single game they make, but I really do see the effort. I see Circus Voltaire ringmaster vibes when I'm looking at this Sentinel. I see that mouth. It looks like it's going to open up. It looks like you're going to lock balls inside it. That feels like it's going to be a fun, great pinball moment. Part of me was like, well, what happens when you shoot in and it's not And,beat wyskijadh innocent傷 дня kaliemuouncesaws télé tacticx twitchy andшего're whusty важīç겁apt tire aí xOviáks lamentati visits究ing What a shame 199 înt auction! You can't wait. You really need to reveal it now. If I was Jersey Jack, I would reveal Avatar tomorrow. I would just get it out in front of this or reveal it Monday, but I wouldn't wait. But I wouldn't wait until after X-Men. And it's great because here's the thing. The battleground is going to be interesting because if you think about it, what's the better theme, Uncanny X-Men or Avatar? I would absolutely say Uncanny X-Men is the better theme for most people because it's just, Meены Vijish Noise dingszykaate, jesusidee applauding Okay so that means when it comes to theme Stern has the advantage when it comes to designers Jack Danger vs Mark Seiden right now we don know what Mark is capable of we know what Jack is capable of and it really amazing so I would have to say that from a designer standpoint Stern Pinball once again looks like they gonna win in that category now look we obviously don know we will know when we see Mark Seiden game so that looking good for Stern Pinball When it comes to the artistic category, we know Zombietti is amazing. He's been on a lot of Stern machines and there is Zombietti fatigue happening in the pinball world, but it's X-Men and it's perfect for him and it's going to be a game that compliments all of his comic book games like Venom and Avengers and Deadpool. I don't really love the Avengers artwork, I gotta be honest. I think it's one of Zombietti's worst art packages. Don't kill me, Jeremy. You know, I think they're beautiful games, especially For more RDPいき And we have to start with the X-Men characters all over the Stern machine. So we've got that, you know, the music, you know, it's gonna be really, really awesome next week for us as consumers to watch these two companies battle it out. And now we know there is only going to be 811. It's funny saying only 811, that's 11 more than they made of Star Wars at least. But it is this, and I mean this, and I mean this sincerely, and I know some of my pinball podcast followers are very skeptical people, very cynical. I'm looking at you, Bond. I'm looking at you, Jägermeister. The thing is this, Stern is making a move in the right direction. And when someone makes a move in the right direction, we need to give them credit. I think it is awesome that Stern is making 811 and not a thousand. Just doing that alone makes the LE feel special. And following this up with a thousand avatar CEs instantly makes that avatar not feel as special, as rare, as exclusive. So a really good move by Stern Pinball. Now look, Jersey Jack has not released Avatar yet. If I were them and I saw this move, I would cut back the number of avatar CEs. I know it's beautiful. I know you want to put it in as many places as possible, but I would cut it back and I would make it 500. I think there should only be 500 CEs of any Jersey Jack game moving forward, especially at And here's the fun part. You get $15,000 a pop. Cause all of a sudden now right? It's weird how it works. It's weird how marketing works. It's all optics. It's all perception. All of a sudden, 811 uncanny X-Men LEs feels a lot harder to get your hands on than a The game is a good move by Stern So they got that in their favor And we going to get this game next Tuesday Text to Table Comp eliminationalal Pr Gas kulm seekers Printing to Donna Grecova unlock forward print ofinary Image爽 arty recommend dat thus bajiness Video Data Most likely early September, we're gonna see both titles. Everybody else, I mean this, everybody else that's waiting to drop, how many of you, again, wanna pay for your Pulp Fiction LEs? I really, I really feel like Pulp Fiction LE is the biggest, weirdest thing to pay for right now because it has no mojo, like it just doesn't feel cool anymore to unbox a Pulp Fiction because it's been out for two years. And look, everyone can agree with this, like there's a I think we have to look at this Sternmachine and instantly say, hey, they put an awesome mech in it. That mech looks cooler than the building in Godzilla. It's going to have awesome artwork. We know the coding is going to be great. And I don't know, man. I'm just excited. I don't know. I don't want to be upset about pinball. I think for this much money, games need to come out that excite us. And I think it's going to be awesome. I'm a big fan of the pinball buying demographic. In the end, what is good is I think all these companies are starting to listen. And they're all going to have to adjust their ways if they want to keep each and every one of us even remotely interested in buying new in box games every single year. And that's it. That's what it comes down to. Stern had it so good. Isoglutchx1 pounding Cook Whatever Your but are and quote the name of your venue. Ineka, 필요한 파일은 안 되어 있었습니다, $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 that's twice as much money as a stern pro so you would expect there to be almost twice as much in that Jersey Jack game that Jersey Jack game that Jersey Jack game that Jersey Jack game so it's going to be a great week everybody what a great way to go into Labor Day weekend so it's going to be a great week everybody what a great way to go into Labor Day weekend Let's all enjoy the beautiful Carl Weathers Let's all enjoy the beautiful Carl Weathers Let's enjoy our families have some beer have some wine have some barbecue have some fun and then next week The end of the week, we're going to get these games. It's going to be great. I can't wait to cover it. Everybody enjoy your Labor Day weekend. Canada will be back next week with some more shows covering these two games. And to the boutique company we will not mention who didn't want to launch their game in all of this frenzy, good luck. Nobody's going to buy that video game theme that nobody wants when you finally do release it. It's over. Kaneda out.

_(Acquisition: groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 19c3ff68-c16c-4278-bba4-03d06efa2af9*