# Episode 31 - BOTTOM OF THE BARREL **Source:** Macho Pinball Podcast **Type:** podcast_episode **Published:** 2020-08-29 **Duration:** 3m 8s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://soundcloud.com/macho-pinball/episode-31-bottom-of-the-barrel --- ## Analysis In this chaotic Macho Pinball Podcast episode, the host criticizes Deep Root Pinball's lazy teaser campaign (featuring cryptic "9D" imagery) while praising Stern Pinball's confirmed Avengers teaser and generally acknowledging podcast content creators during COVID. The episode is heavy on irreverent commentary and light on substantive industry analysis. ### Key Claims - [MEDIUM] Deep Root Pinball released a poor-quality teaser image featuring the number 9 and letter D in blue aerial font — _Macho Pinball Podcast host, describing what he saw on Deep Root's social media_ - [HIGH] Stern Pinball is working on an Avengers-themed pinball machine — _Macho Pinball Podcast host citing confirmed art from Zombie Yeti's Facebook page_ - [MEDIUM] Wonka machines had quality control issues and some units did not pass QC — _Macho Pinball Podcast host joking about rough Wonka units_ - [MEDIUM] Deep Root Pinball ran a teaser campaign lasting at least 9 days (and previously 5 days) — _Macho Pinball Podcast host criticizing the extended teaser duration_ ### Notable Quotes > "I just wonder how rough those Wonkas looked if they didn't pass quality control, hey-oh!" > — **Macho Pinball Podcast host** > _Suggests quality control issues with recent Wonka pinball machines_ > "If you saw the image, you know what I'm talking about. Bobby, what gives? Did your art department walk already?" > — **Macho Pinball Podcast host** > _Criticism of Deep Root Pinball's teaser image quality, directed at company leadership (Bobby)_ > "First we get this neat haunted house image teaser and then their next post shows what I can only assume is their cracked playfield with the number 9 and the letter D in blue aerial font. Boredom. Talk about lazy." > — **Macho Pinball Podcast host** > _Describes Deep Root's teaser evolution and criticizes it as lazy marketing_ > "Looks like the Avengers are assembling again, confirmed art from Zombie Yeti's Facebook page." > — **Macho Pinball Podcast host** > _Official confirmation of Stern Pinball's Avengers machine coming from Zombie Yeti social media_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Deep Root Pinball | company | Manufacturer criticized for weak and extended teaser campaign with cryptic imagery | | Stern Pinball | company | Released teaser for confirmed Avengers-themed pinball machine | | Zombie Yeti | person | Posted confirmed art about Stern's Avengers pinball machine on Facebook | | Big Miss Mona | person | Twitch streamer with pinball-focused stream (podcast sponsor, mentioned in advertisement) | | Macho Pinball Podcast | organization | Podcast discussing pinball industry news and culture | | Wonka | game | Pinball machine with apparent quality control issues mentioned in episode | | Avengers | game | Confirmed Stern Pinball upcoming machine with Marvel Avengers theme | ### Topics - **Primary:** Teaser campaign strategy and effectiveness, Deep Root Pinball marketing and communication, Stern Pinball upcoming releases - **Secondary:** Quality control and manufacturing issues, Pinball podcast community during COVID, Marvel licensing and IP themes ### Sentiment **Negative** (-0.65) — Host is highly critical of Deep Root Pinball's marketing approach and teaser quality, mocking and frustrated in tone. More positive about Stern's announcement and broader podcast community effort, but overall the episode emphasizes criticism and 'hitting rock bottom' with weak content. ### Signals - **[announcement]** Stern Pinball Avengers machine officially confirmed via Zombie Yeti's social media post (confidence: high) — Confirmed art from Zombie Yeti's Facebook page per podcast host - **[product_concern]** Quality control issues with Wonka pinball machines; some units did not pass inspection (confidence: medium) — Host joking about rough Wonkas that didn't pass QC - **[industry_signal]** Deep Root Pinball's extended teaser campaign criticized as lazy and poorly executed (confidence: medium) — Host criticism of 9+ day teaser with cryptic '9D' imagery; poor visual quality complaints - **[content_signal]** Pinball podcast community expanding during COVID, including experimental formats (puppet pinball podcast mentioned) (confidence: medium) — Host acknowledging podcasters creating free content during lockdown; mentions puppet pinball podcast - **[licensing_signal]** Marvel Avengers theme confirmed for Stern Pinball machine, signaling continued use of Marvel IP (confidence: high) — Confirmed Avengers machine announcement from Stern - **[sentiment_shift]** Deep Root Pinball facing criticism over marketing execution and perceived laziness in product communication (confidence: medium) — Host directly mocking Bobby (Deep Root leadership) and calling their art department lazy --- ## Transcript This episode of the Macho Pinball Podcast is brought to you by Big Miss Mona's Pinball Stream. Struggling to reach affiliate status on Twitch? Simply strap on your chesticles and watch the Pinball Horndogs pile in. You'll be raking in those biddies with Big Miss Mona's. Available on size D through Triple G, oh yeah! I just wonder how rough those Wonkas looked if they didn't pass quality control, hey-oh! Let's just hope they figure that debacle out before their next title, whatever that could be, hmm? Hey Jeff, I got a new Twippy category: worst pinball teaser of 2020, and the award goes to Deep Root Pinball! If you saw the image, you know what I'm talking about. Bobby, what gives? Did your art department walk already? First we get this neat haunted house image teaser and then their next post shows what I can only assume is their cracked playfield with the number 9 and the letter D in blue aerial font. Boredom. Talk about lazy. 9 days of Deep Root now as if 5 wasn't overkill already. Is Bobby gonna bust out of the playfield like a coke Kool man? Only time will tell, yeah. But what about poor timing on Deep Root's part? We get a teaser trailer from Stern Pinball. Looks like the Avengers are assembling again, confirmed art from Zombie Yeti's Facebook page. Oh Macho was thinking it's a crappy home pin, but the Yeti has spoken and confirmed otherwise. So are we getting a vault or a cornerstone title? Ooh, dun. Podcast watch: coulda see a big macho bravo to all the podcasters pumping up that free content during COVID. Some of you really scraping the bottom of the barrel, but you scraped and that's what counts. And speaking of hitting rock bottom, who woulda puppet pinball podcasting on your 2020 bingo card? Talk about left field. Look, Macho is pro puppet, but this came out of nowhere and died faster than a good old fashion government sponsored chloroquine chemtrail flyover. Well, I'm just lost for words there, baby. Alright, Macho Nation, you be good. Macho's thinking about you all year. _(Acquisition: groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 4dcbca81-f209-4fd6-b990-49a53ebd6af9*