# Episode 985: "How I Would Handle Stern's LE Problem"

**Source:** Kaneda's Pinball Podcast (Patreon feed)  
**Type:** podcast_episode  
**Published:** 2024-08-15  
**Duration:** 17m 30s  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-985-how-110161080

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## Analysis

Kaneda discusses Stern's upcoming Marvel game in August (hinting it's a previously-made Marvel IP, likely with Jack Danger design and Zombie Yeti art) and confirms Metallica Remastered is coming on Spike 3 in September/October. He critiques Stern's LE pricing and production strategy, proposing split art packages for LEs to create perceived exclusivity. He also covers upcoming releases from Jersey Jack, Spooky, CGC, and expresses frustration with Chicago Gaming Company's communication and operational issues.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Stern has a new Marvel game coming in August; it is not X-Men 97, not a remake, based on a Marvel IP Stern has already made — _Kaneda, speaking as industry insider/content creator with Stern connections_
- [HIGH] The new Marvel game will feature Jack Danger design and Zombie Yeti artwork — _Kaneda predicting based on Stern's pattern and his insider knowledge_
- [HIGH] Metallica Remastered is confirmed for Spike 3 platform, coming September/October, before Expo — _Kaneda stating as confirmed fact, positioning it as a birthday gift to listeners_
- [HIGH] Metallica Remastered will use the original John Borg playfield layout but with new art, lighting, and speakers — _Kaneda describing the remake approach with asterisk_
- [MEDIUM] Jersey Jack Pinball's next game is 90% likely to be Matrix, not Margaritaville — _Kaneda's prediction based on theme fit with Jack Guarnari's design philosophy_
- [MEDIUM] Lawrence Fishburne won't grant likeness for Matrix game, which is a problem for the project — _Kaneda citing a rumor/concern he's heard in the community_
- [HIGH] CGC is making Medieval Madness Remake (500 units) and The Twilight Zone remake, both confirmed 100% — _Kaneda stating as confirmed insider knowledge_
- [MEDIUM] Mark Ritchie is working on Gremlins for CGC after Pulp Fiction LEs — _Kaneda stating as heard information about CGC's pipeline_
- [MEDIUM] Original Metallica cost $5,500 (Pro) to $6,500 (LE); new LE pricing is at least double that — _Kaneda comparing historical vs. current Stern pricing_
- [MEDIUM] Stern should split LE production (e.g., 500 with one art package, 500 with another) to preserve exclusivity — _Kaneda's proposed solution to Stern's LE problem, framed as opinion/advice_

### Notable Quotes

> "So if you are wondering what it's going to be, it's not going to be some Marvel theme we have not seen before."
> — **Kaneda**, ~5:30
> _Key hint about the mystery Marvel game—it's based on an IP Stern has already used_

> "I think Deadpool is the nicest pinball machine he's ever done... just perfectly laid out."
> — **Kaneda**, ~7:15
> _Praising Zombie Yeti's artwork and setting expectation for the new Marvel game_

> "If you're going to attract customers to another Marvel theme that they've already done they're gonna have to load it up—this can't be a game where the artwork is disguising a lack of mechanisms."
> — **Kaneda**, ~11:30
> _Core criticism of Stern's recent approach: over-relying on art/theme rather than mechanical depth_

> "I would make two different art packages for two different LEs... each owner feels special. Like they got one of 500."
> — **Kaneda**, ~13:45
> _Specific proposal to solve Stern's LE saturation problem and preserve collector exclusivity_

> "Stern's found a way to make money that makes everybody unhappy except for the newbies. And that is not how you're going to future proof the business."
> — **Kaneda**, ~15:20
> _Blunt critique of Stern's current strategy alienating loyal customers_

> "It's going to be called Metallica Remastered... I kind of like that titling. I like that marketing and that branding."
> — **Kaneda**, ~22:30
> _Confirmation of the Metallica title and Kaneda's approval of the remaster branding strategy_

> "Are you going to rush and go buy this Marvel game in August when you know in just six weeks to eight weeks there's going to be another game that comes out?"
> — **Kaneda**, ~26:00
> _Highlighting timing conflict: Marvel game overshadowed by imminent Metallica release_

> "I think it's Matrix. The problem I hear with Matrix is that Lawrence Fishburne won't give his likeness. How can you make a Matrix game without Morpheus?"
> — **Kaneda**, ~35:45
> _Jersey Jack's potential next game with a licensing obstacle_

> "It doesn't seem fun to be into Chicago Gaming Company. And they've done it to themselves."
> — **Kaneda**, ~50:15
> _Sharp criticism of CGC's operational and communication failures_

> "I'm so over CGC. I don't really care anymore about them."
> — **Kaneda**, ~51:00
> _Sentiment shift: longtime observer expressing disengagement with a major manufacturer_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Kaneda | person | Host of Kaneda's Pinball Podcast, industry commentator, collector, and insider with apparent Stern connections |
| Brenda | person | Kaneda's wife; birthday is being celebrated in the episode (born 1986) |
| Jack Danger | person | Pinball game designer at Stern, expected to design the new Marvel game |
| Zombie Yeti | person | Pinball artist at Stern, likely to provide artwork for the new Marvel game and Metallica Remastered |
| Jeremy Packer | person | Artist at Stern, known for artwork on Deadpool and Ghostbusters; Kaneda mentions him positively |
| George Gomez | person | Pinball designer at Stern; Kaneda had a conversation with him about marketing/strategy |
| Christopher Franchi | person | Former designer at Stern, known for prioritizing Pro cabinet aesthetics for location play |
| John Borg | person | Original designer of Metallica (the 2008 game being remastered) |
| Jack Guarnari | person | Designer at Jersey Jack Pinball, associated with Toy Story 4 and The Godfather themes |
| Mark Ritchie | person | Designer at CGC working on Gremlins after Pulp Fiction |
| Butch Peel | person | Former employee at CGC who left, attributed by Kaneda to poor internal communication |
| Doug | person | Implied leader/owner at CGC (Chicago Gaming Company); Kaneda suggests he needs marketing/communications help |
| Lawrence Fishburne | person | Actor (Morpheus role in Matrix); rumored to be withholding likeness rights for potential Jersey Jack Matrix game |
| Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer releasing new Marvel game in August and Metallica Remastered in Sept/Oct on Spike 3 |
| Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Manufacturer; Kaneda predicts next game is Matrix (90% confident), not Margaritaville |
| Spooky Pinball | company | Manufacturer with new game coming soon; Kaneda sees potential but has mechanical concerns |
| Chicago Gaming Company (CGC) | company | Manufacturer making Medieval Madness Remake and Twilight Zone; Kaneda critical of communication and quality |
| Dutch Pinball | company | Manufacturer Kaneda would trust with his dream themes |
| Barrels of Fun | company | Manufacturer with Labyrinth; Kaneda sees potential for future improvement |
| Homepin | company | Manufacturer Kaneda doesn't favor for producing his dream themes |
| Metallica Remastered | game | Confirmed Stern game on Spike 3, coming Sept/Oct, remake of original John Borg Metallica with new art/lighting |
| Medieval Madness Remake | game | CGC game, 500 units confirmed |
| Twilight Zone | game | CGC remake, 100% confirmed by Kaneda |
| Alice's Adventures in Wonderland | game | Upcoming release, limited to 500 units, mentioned alongside Marvel and Metallica |
| Spike 3 | product | New Stern pinball platform; Metallica Remastered will be first game on it |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Stern's upcoming August Marvel game (unannounced), Metallica Remastered confirmation and specs, Stern LE pricing strategy and saturation problem
- **Secondary:** Jersey Jack Pinball's next release (Matrix vs. Margaritaville), CGC pipeline (Medieval Madness Remake, Twilight Zone, Gremlins), Chicago Gaming Company's operational and communication failures
- **Mentioned:** Zombie Yeti's artwork quality and role in future games, Licensing challenges (Lawrence Fishburne/Matrix, dream themes)

### Sentiment

**Mixed** (0.45) — Kaneda is enthusiastic about upcoming games (Marvel, Metallica, Matrix) but deeply critical of Stern's LE strategy, pricing, and CGC's operational mismanagement. Celebratory tone about personal life (Brenda's birthday) contrasts with frustration about industry direction. He expresses cautious optimism about Jersey Jack and Spooky while dismissing CGC almost entirely.

### Signals

- **[announcement]** Kaneda confirms Metallica Remastered as the official title of the Spike 3 remake coming September/October (confidence: high) — It's going to be called Metallica Remastered, okay? Remastered.
- **[machine_intel]** Stern Marvel game in August confirmed (IP not yet specified but already made by Stern, with Jack Danger design and Zombie Yeti art expected) (confidence: high) — Stern has already made this game... it's not going to be some Marvel theme we have not seen before... all original new game.
- **[product_strategy]** Kaneda proposes splitting LE production into two 500-unit runs with different art packages to preserve exclusivity and justify $13K pricing (confidence: medium) — If they're going to make a thousand LEs... I think they need to split it. I think they need to have 500 with one art package and 500 with another.
- **[sentiment_shift]** Kaneda expressing disengagement and frustration with Chicago Gaming Company's operational direction and communication (confidence: high) — It doesn't seem fun to be into Chicago Gaming Company... I'm so over CGC. I don't really care anymore about them.
- **[leak_detection]** Mark Ritchie confirmed to be working on Gremlins for CGC after Pulp Fiction LEs (confidence: medium) — I also hear that Mark Ritchie is working on Gremlins as his game coming out after Pulp Fiction
- **[product_concern]** Lawrence Fishburne reportedly unwilling to grant likeness for Matrix pinball game, threatening the viability of Jersey Jack's Matrix project (confidence: medium) — Lawrence Fishburne won't give his likeness. How can you make a Matrix game without Morpheus?
- **[market_signal]** Marvel game (August) and Metallica Remastered (Sept/Oct) release timing may cannibalize each other's sales, reducing incentive to buy Marvel LE early (confidence: medium) — Are you going to rush and go buy this Marvel game in August when you know in just six weeks to eight weeks there's going to be another game that comes out?
- **[gameplay_signal]** Kaneda critiques recent Stern releases for relying on art/theme to mask lack of mechanical depth; expects new Marvel game to be 'loaded with mechanisms' (confidence: high) — If this game isn't loaded with mechanisms I'm gonna be disappointed... this can't be a game where the artwork is disguising a lack of mechanisms.
- **[design_innovation]** Stern using 'Remastered' branding for Metallica, positioning it to open door for similar retro remakes (though term may limit applicability to non-music themes) (confidence: high) — I kind of like that titling. I like that marketing and that branding from Stern Pinball because now it opens the door for a whole line of the old stuff. Remastered.
- **[industry_signal]** CGC's lack of internal communication and public transparency contributing to brand erosion and employee departures (Butch Peel cited as example) (confidence: medium) — There's absolutely no communication over there. I'm not surprised like Butch Peel left because there's just no communication... It's not the way you're supposed to run a pinball company.
- **[rumor_hype]** Strong community speculation about Jersey Jack's next game; Kaneda rates Matrix at 90% likelihood vs. Margaritaville (confidence: medium) — I still think there's a 90% chance it's going to be Matrix... I don't think Margaritaville is a banger, people.
- **[historical_signal]** Original 2008 Metallica cost $5,500–$6,500; new Stern LEs now at least double that price, illustrating significant market inflation and perceived value reduction (confidence: medium) — Metallica was like 5,500 bucks. Maybe the LE was 6,500... It's at least double the price of what you get now in an LE.

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## Transcript

 Oh, don't you dare look back. Just keep your eyes on me. I said you're holding back. She said shut up and dance with me. This woman is my destiny. She said, ooh, ooh, shut up and dance with me. Welcome everybody to Canadas Pinball Podcast. It's a Thursday, the sun is shining, and it is Brenda's birthday. I'm really, really happy to be alive and to have married this Galwegian princess who has decided that I'm good enough for her. And I think many of us out there can relate that the wives are definitely the better halves, And they're the ones that are not collecting pinball machines or spending this much money on now the most depreciating asset maybe in the entire hobbyist world. All right. So let's talk about what's around the corner. What's about to happen in this Marvel month, right? It's coming. You know, we've heard the rumors for so many months. We've heard X-Men 97. You know, I blew up that whole thing that it's not going to be X-Men 97. You're not going to see X-Men 97 on a trans light. I know people are speculating like, well, the show's not really X-Men 97. It's a continuation of a show from back in the 90s, and that's why it's called X-Men 97. But no, the show is called X-Men 97. I don't understand what people are saying. Like, nobody talks about it like that. It is labeled something. So we know that Stern has billed this as the month of Marvel, and we know that something is coming out in August. Now, there's only two more weeks to go. So I can't tell you exactly what it is, but let me just say this. And I know everyone's been guessing. I will give you the best hint anyone's ever given, and here it is. Stern has already made this game. So if you are wondering what it's going to be, it's not going to be some Marvel theme we have not seen before. Now look, within the themes they've made in the Marvel Universe, there might be some expanded elements of those themes that we haven't seen yet. So is it going to be something like that? I can see people guessing about Into the Spider-Verse, stuff like that. We've seen the Avengers, right? Is it going to be some new Avenger game? Is it going to be another X-Men game? Is it going to be another Spider-Man game? Is it going to be another Deadpool game? I see people speculating maybe it's Deadpool and Wolverine. Maybe it's a new version of that game. I will say this. It is not a remake. It is not a vault. It is going to be an all original new game. Now, if it's based on Marvel, I am going to tell you right now, I think 100% you're going to see Jeremy Packer (Zombie Yeti)'s Zombietti on the art package on this game. And his art style is absolutely phenomenal. I still think Deadpool is the nicest pinball machine he's ever done. And I think the second on his repertoire might be Ghostbusters, but I really do think that Deadpool, that whole game, like the cabinet, the playfield artwork, it's just perfectly laid out. And I love that it's just got that big Deadpool smack dab in the middle. So I am really looking forward to a Jack Danger Marvel game with Zombie Eddie on artwork. Look, and I think the reaction to this game is going to be very interesting because I do hear people be like, you know, they just keep making Marvel. They keep making Marvel games. And the truth is, yeah, they've made a decent amount of Marvel games, but not that many. I would say like 80% of what Stern puts out there is not Marvel. The other thing is this. If you want to make AAA themes that are culturally relevant, that are out there in the world, I mean, Marvel is Marvel, right? It's huge. Like, Marvel's been doing much more than DC. I think the Marvel stuff has been much better than the stuff happening in the Star Wars universe. So, you know, it's not surprising that if Stern's going to pick something, they're going to pick a Marvel theme. Now, here's the problem. And there is a problem. The problem is simply this. I just think a lot of people have a Marvel Stern game And they also really good games I mean the original Spider is phenomenal The old X not the greatest but it also like a really fun game with a lot of toys If you've played it, it's really fun. There's also like an original Avengers game, which is not the best. It's crazy when you go look at the original Avengers game with like the Hulk smash and all those drop targets. It's really interesting because if you put that next to John Wick, that game looks loaded. so I really do think if Stern's going to attract customers to another Marvel theme that they've already done they're gonna have to load it up like this can't be a game where the artwork is disguising a lack of mechanisms so if this game isn't loaded with mechanisms I'm gonna be disappointed I think this game needs to come with the expression lighting kit and you know I'm really curious to see what Stern's going to do to make an LE worth $13,000. I mean, that's the big question too. It's like, and I'm curious to see if they make a thousand LEs and if they're going to make Marvel again and they're going to make LEs, if it is a Marvel game, like maybe, and I think Stern needs to think about this. If they're going to make a thousand LEs, I think they need to split it. I think they need to have 500 with one art package and 500 with another. That way you've got a thousand total LEs, but 500 of them are unique to themselves. And I think that would really be an interesting way to go. And look, Zombie Yeti is the artist to do this with. The guy's so prolific. He makes stuff amazing. Like look at Deadpool. You know, those Deadpool cabinets are amazing. I think they should just start doing it like that. And then the premium and the pro should have the same cabinet. And then the premium should just have the fully loaded playfield like the LE. That's what I would do. If you really want to sell a thousand games at $13,000 a pop, I would make two different art packages for two different LEs. And then each owner feels special. Like they got one of 500. You're not going to see it. Like it's not everywhere the way the LEs are now. They don't feel special. And I'm sorry, but like if you want a premium, you know, for 10 grand, you know, you just make the premium and pro cabinet really nice. Remember the good old days when Christopher Franchi used to make the pro cabinet the nicest cabinet because he was like, well, that's the one you're going to see on location. And that's the one most people are going to see. So they get the nicest. I mean, it doesn't make sense. The LE should be the nicest, but you can make a damn nice premium and pro cabinet, you know, but they don't listen to Canada. I had a great conversation with George Gomez. I wish I worked at the marketing department over at Stern. I could walk in there and in just a week really make impactful changes that all of you would be celebrating and they would be celebrating because there's a way to make money and also make people happy. And I think what Stern's done is they found a way to make money that makes everybody unhappy except for the newbies. And that is not how you're going to future proof the business. If you turn off all the people that have been celebrating your brand for the last 10, 15 years just to attract the new guys who are clueless and are just excited to have a new version of a game, you're not going to survive very long. All right. So that's what's going to happen first in August. And then after that, we're going to get Metallica. Now, the Metallica rumor has been floating around, but I'm here to confirm for you 100%. It's going to be Metallica. Now, we've all known this. It's going to be the first game on Spike 3. That's another thing that's going to work against this Marvel game is if you know that the new Stern platform is right around the corner, are you going to go in on the last game on the old platform? It's weird. They did this with Ghostbusters. Weird that Ghostbusters should have been the first LCD game. And now we're going to get it here. Now, I'm curious with this Spike 3 if Stern makes the screen a little bit larger. I don't think they're going to. I think they still want to have that lineup of games look really good. And if they go to like a 27-inch screen like JJP, I just don't see them doing it. I also don't see them doing it because we all know Stern is pretty cheap. Like I don think they going to really increase their bomb that much So I think we going to see Metallica on Spike 3 Now this is going to be a 100 remake of the John Borg game Now, when I say remake, I say it with an asterisk because it's going to be the same layout, but I don't think it's going to be the same art package. I think we're going to see Zombie Eddie on this game as well. I also think it's going to have all new lighting. I think it's going to have new speakers. I think it's going to have new everything other than the layout. Now, will they add any new toys to the game? They don't need to because Metallica was a game in which they actually put toys into it back in the day. Twelve years ago, a Stern machine had more in it than it does today. And now the machine is almost, I mean, this is crazy, people. A Stern Ali fully loaded with a topper is almost three times the price. that Metallica was when it came out. Metallica was like 5,500 bucks. Maybe the LE was 6,500. It's at least double the price of what you get now in an LE. And we know that this game is only gonna come in like premium and LE format, probably just premium. I think they're just gonna call it one thing, and that's that. Now, what you don't know, and I told you I was gonna give you a gift on Brenda's birthday. You don't know the name of the game. I'm going to tell you what the name is right now. It's going to be called Metallica Remastered, okay? Remastered. And I kind of like that titling. I like that marketing and that branding from Stern Pinball because now it opens the door for a whole line of the old stuff. Remastered. Tron Remastered sounds cool. Lord of the Rings Remastered doesn't sound great. And now that I think about it, maybe remastered is a term used in the music industry. So they probably won't use it for other themes where that doesn't make sense. But Metallica Remastered, John Borg, Spike 3 coming out. Now, here's the thing. Here's the thing. This game is coming out sooner than you think. This Metallica game is coming out sometime in end of September, October. It's going to be out before Expo. So that's another thing when you think about it. are you going to rush and go buy this Marvel game in August when you know in just six weeks to eight weeks there's going to be another game that comes out? So you know me, you might as well just wait and see. Because if you wait and see, by then you're also going to be able to see Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. There's only going to be 500 of those. We also know Spooky Pinball has its next game coming out very soon. You know, we're going to get new games from Jersey Jack Pinball probably before Expo. It's been a year since Elton John. And so is it going to be Margaritaville or is it going to be Matrix? Now, look, I still think there's a 90% chance it's going to be Matrix. And there's people out there that are like, Kaneda's an idiot. He said it was going to be a banger and it's Margaritaville. Of course, I don't think Margaritaville is a banger, people. Come on. How stupid do you think I am? I'm pretty dumb to do a pinball podcast for 10 years But the thing is, I know that Margaritaville and a Jimmy Buffett theme is not a banger. But if there's any guy who I think thinks it's a banger, it's Jack Guarnari, the guy that thought Toy Story 4 was good, the guy that thought The Godfather would sell. So it doesn't surprise me, right? All of you, when you hear Margaritaville from Jack Guarnari, a lot of you are like, I could see it. I could actually see Jack thinking that's a good theme. Now, I think it's Matrix. The problem I hear with Matrix is that Lawrence Fishburne won't give his likeness. How can you make a Matrix game without Morpheus? Like that is essential to this game being done the right way. You know, Brenda's birthday was in 1986 and she just read for me like the top movies of 1986. And I kept thinking to myself, man, there's a lot that needs to be done in pinball. It's like Top Gun, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, like just right there. Those are two themes we need in pinball. And it was aliens. We've got that. I would love someone to do aliens right. I mean it Like aliens is all right but I want to see alien done by like imagine Jersey Jack making Alien I wonder how long a license can be held exclusively by a manufacturer Can Stern even make Toy Story 1? Why isn't Jersey Jack just freaking make Toy Story 1? Like, hey guys, we made Toy Story 4. Can we now make Toy Story 1? That seems like a really smart move. Why doesn't anybody make Up? How awesome would Up be with the balloons attached to the topper? People, there's so many amazing themes we want. Now look, wait and see. Back to the Future is also coming next year. For me, that's the big one, right? Out of all the ones I'm waiting for, I'm not a diehard Harry Potter fan. I am a diehard Matrix fan. I love that movie. If J.J.P. does the Matrix and does it right, I have to own that machine. It's going to happen. Where I put it, that's another question. But man, Top Gun, Karate Kid, Transformers, Akira, you know me. You know the ones I want. Big Trouble in Little China and Fifth Element. There's like this handful of games where if they were made and not made by Homepin and some of the other companies out there that I don't love their product or their platform, I'm not going to name names because then they get mad at me. You know who they are. I'm just going to say this. I hope my dream theme is made by Jersey Jack or Stern Pinball or Dutch Pinball. Right now, those are the three companies that I want to make my dream themes because they'll do it right. I think Spooky can get there. You know, they can get there. You know, I would just be nervous right now with Spooky that the mechanisms wouldn't do the theme justice. I hope on their next games, we see more mechanical. Wow. I also think Barrels of Fun is another company that can get there. They haven't wowed me with Labyrinth simply because the theme doesn't speak to me, but I want to see what they do with a theme that really pops. Before I end this show, because I hear Cassian starting to stir, I want to tell you what's next from CGC. It's going to be Medieval Madness Remake. 500 of them are coming back, and then they're making The Twilight Zone. That is 100% confirmed. I'm not sure why some content creators like dance around this. Just say it. It's the Twilight Zone. All right. We all know it's coming and it's coming from CGC. Nobody's going to get any money back from Haggis. I think that's what's going to happen over there. And I think all the momentum is gone from these Pulp Fiction LEs because here's the thing. I also hear that Mark Ritchie is working on Gremlins as his game coming out after Pulp Fiction and after all these remakes. I don't even know where you slot in the next Mark Ritchie licensed game when it takes this company forever. Because if they announce Twilight Zone, we're going to wait three years before it actually comes out. I'm so over CGC. I don't really care anymore about them. I think their quality has also slipped. It doesn't seem fun to be into Chicago Gaming Company. And they've done it to themselves. They've absolutely allowed that brand to be rudderless for so many years. I mean, they're the company I should knock on Doug's door and say, hey, you need a marketing guy. You need a communications guy. How about I help you out? Because I'm still shocked like Mr. Sharp doesn't really talk much. None of them do. There's absolutely no communication over there. I'm not surprised like Butch Peel left because there's just no communication. There's like nothing to do on a daily basis in a company that just goes dark. It's not the way you're supposed to run a pinball company. Everybody have a great day. I love that you're a member of the show. And hey, if you know anybody that wants to be a member who has an Apple product, they should sign up now in like just a week. Patreon is going to make me charge more than $5 for anyone on an Apple device because Apple is going to take a cut now, those greedy bastards. So just tell your friends, hey, if you canceled Kaneda or you know someone who wants to join, they should join now. Later, everybody. 700 people. Can't be wrong. Kinada out.

_(Acquisition: groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 3939b9e9-38ba-41da-912a-08a0a1a8cbb8*