# Dear Robert,

**Source:** Cary Hardy  
**Type:** video  
**Published:** 2021-08-23  
**Duration:** 6m 48s  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85nIWM5SNf0

---

## Analysis

Cary Hardy provides detailed, critical feedback to Deep Root Pinball founder Robert Mueller following a studio visit. While acknowledging innovative ideas and potential, Hardy raises serious concerns about manufacturing readiness, hardware design flaws (glass removal, wire management, HDMI connector fragility), aesthetic issues (orange peel armor coating), missing physical start button, and playfield balance problems. Hardy strongly recommends delaying the launch, warning that shipping the current product will damage Deep Root's reputation and market reception.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Deep Root's 'Pen Armor' playfield coating has an orange peel effect that won't be appreciated by customers and the coating process hasn't been perfected. — _Direct observation during studio visit; Hardy states coating process is still being perfected despite plans to start production soon._
- [HIGH] The pin bar lockdown bar removal design still leaves a loose cover segment that creates a 'piece in hand' issue, similar to previous designs. — _Hardy examined the mechanism during the visit and noted it would be better if the pin bar cover was attached to side rails._
- [HIGH] Wire management under the playfield is disorganized and unsafe, with most wires the same color, resembling 'a rats nest' and creating confusion for repairs. — _Direct observation of playfield during glass removal examination; Hardy expressed concern about consumer reaction._
- [HIGH] An HDMI cable connector broke off during typical playfield lifting/lowering, indicating design flaws that could occur during home and location use. — _Witnessed incident during studio visit; Hardy attributes to design issues with the connector slot._
- [HIGH] Deep Root has only one game that boots, no line workers hired or in training, and is still seeking suppliers for parts. — _Observation during manufacturing area visit; Hardy cites as 'huge red flags' for imminent production launch._
- [MEDIUM] The right ramp shot is too easy to make, meaning the right lane will rarely be used during play. — _Hardy's observation during limited playtest; notes this is a playability/balance issue in the unfinished game._
- [HIGH] Deep Root's new cabinet design lacks a traditional back box, which will face resistance from consumers expecting conventional machine aesthetics. — _Hardy's prediction based on modern pinball market expectations and consumer preferences for unchanged styling._
- [HIGH] The game's lack of a physical start button makes it entirely dependent on a screen that is vulnerable to damage, creating a non-functional game if the screen fails. — _Hardy's concern about location and home use durability; notes that wiring layout makes screen replacement difficult for typical consumers._

### Notable Quotes

> "Although, if you launch and ship what was shown to us as the final product, I don't see good things coming your way."
> — **Cary Hardy**, early in letter
> _Core thesis of Hardy's entire feedback; sets the tone for detailed concerns about launch readiness._

> "The machine honestly looked like a polished homebrew machine, which is not good for a company that has supposedly been working on this for years."
> — **Cary Hardy**, mid-letter
> _Damaging comparison to amateur projects; questions Deep Root's development timeline and professionalism._

> "Walking into that area and not seeing multiple games even semi put together was a big red flag. Then we are informed that you are still working on getting a supplier for parts. Red flag. No line workers hired or being trained for such work. Red flag. Only having one game that doesn boot Huge Red Flag"
> — **Cary Hardy**, manufacturing section
> _Manufacturing readiness assessment; multiple critical operational failures for imminent production claim._

> "I would strongly recommend you reconsider your launch date. You asked for feedback, good or bad. Here is mine."
> — **Cary Hardy**, conclusion
> _Direct recommendation to delay launch; frames entire letter as response to Mueller's request for feedback._

> "The edges of the metal seem sharp and it didn't feel entirely comfortable either There is a reason lockdown bars have rounded edges"
> — **Cary Hardy**, safety concerns section
> _Safety issue; suggests Deep Root overlooked ergonomic and industry standard design practices._

> "If you ship what we experienced this weekend, I do not think things will go well."
> — **Cary Hardy**, near conclusion
> _Direct warning about market reception and potential business failure._

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Robert Mueller | person | Founder of Deep Root Pinball; recipient of Hardy's critical feedback letter; reportedly showed Hardy studio innovations and requested feedback. |
| Cary Hardy | person | Pinball industry analyst/content creator who visited Deep Root Pinball studio, observed prototype hardware, and provided detailed critical feedback to Mueller. |
| Deep Root Pinball | company | Boutique pinball manufacturer with unfinished game in development; currently planning imminent launch despite manufacturing and engineering concerns identified by Hardy. |
| Pen Armor | product | Deep Root's playfield protective coating/armor; features orange peel effect that Hardy criticizes as aesthetically unappealing and incomplete in development. |
| pin pod | product | Deep Root's optional premium shipping container; Hardy sees appeal for collectors/elite but concerns it's unnecessary for majority of customers. |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Manufacturing Readiness & Production Capacity, Hardware Design Flaws & Engineering Issues, Launch Timeline & Market Readiness, Quality Control & Product Polish
- **Secondary:** Cabinet Design & Aesthetic Differentiation, Playability & Game Balance, Safety & Ergonomics

### Sentiment

**Negative** (-0.78) — Hardy opens with gratitude and acknowledgment of innovative potential, but the substantive content is overwhelmingly critical. He identifies multiple critical failures in manufacturing readiness, hardware design, engineering polish, and operational capacity. The conclusion warns against launch, suggesting business failure if current state ships. Mixed emotions mentioned but heavily weighted toward concern and alarm.

### Signals

- **[business_signal]** Deep Root's manufacturing infrastructure is unready for production: no multiple games in assembly, parts suppliers not secured, no trained line workers. (confidence: high) — Hardy's observation of manufacturing area: 'not seeing multiple games even semi put together was a big red flag,' plus notes about supplier search and lack of worker training.
- **[community_signal]** Deep Root's industrial shield design contradicts market expectations; manufacturer prioritizing durability over aesthetics contradicts what consumers purchasing premium machines expect. (confidence: high) — Hardy critiques Pen Armor aesthetic despite Mueller's stated strength/protection focus; notes orange peel effect will not be appreciated compared to accepting dimples over time.
- **[design_philosophy]** Playfield balance issue: right ramp shot is too easy, making right lane essentially unused during play. (confidence: medium) — Hardy's observation during limited playtest: 'the right ramp that directs to the right in lane will rarely, if ever, be used.'
- **[design_philosophy]** Deep Root's new cabinet design removes traditional back box, which conflicts with modern consumer expectations for conventional machine aesthetics. (confidence: high) — Hardy warns: 'These days modern pinball machines don't need a back box. They haven't changed the style because they know people want certain things to remain the same... be prepared for haters.'
- **[product_strategy]** Deep Root planning imminent launch despite incomplete engineering, manufacturing setup, and hardware issues. (confidence: high) — Hardy recommends reconsidering launch date; notes hardware and construction still in development phase, manufacturing area shows no semi-completed games, no suppliers secured, no line workers hired.
- **[product_concern]** Glass/lockdown bar removal mechanism design leaves loose cover segment ('piece in hand' issue) similar to previous industry designs, failing to improve on traditional problems. (confidence: high) — Hardy examined mechanism during glass removal and noted engineers were hesitant about lockdown bar removal, with existing issues identified.
- **[product_concern]** HDMI cable connector design flaw causes breakage during routine playfield lifting/lowering, indicating broader durability concerns. (confidence: high) — Hardy witnessed connector break during typical maintenance operation at studio; attributes to design issue with connector slot.
- **[product_concern]** Wire management under Deep Root's playfield is severely deficient: most wires same color, described as 'rats nest,' creating safety and repair concerns. (confidence: high) — Hardy's direct observation during playfield examination; expressed concern about typical consumer reaction to disorganized wiring.
- **[product_concern]** Deep Root's playfield armor (Pen Armor) has unfinished orange peel coating effect and lacks aesthetic appeal despite strength focus. (confidence: high) — Hardy observed coating process still in development; states orange peel will not be appreciated by customers.
- **[technology_signal]** Deep Root's reliance on screen-based start button without physical backup creates single-point-of-failure vulnerability during home and location use. (confidence: high) — Hardy notes HDMI connector broke during typical playfield operation; warns screen failure makes game non-functional with difficult repairs given wiring state.

---

## Transcript

 Robert, first of all let me thank you for the invite and showing us some of the things you've been working towards. Everyone was super nice and welcoming to our needs. I truly believe that you guys have some extremely innovative ideas that could change the hobby in positive ways. I saw many things that I perceived being great in this hobby, but there were also some big concerns that I noticed and didn't want to bring up on camera. I know that things haven't been going the way you wish they would, and I didn't want to rain on the parade, while it was being filmed at least. Understand that I want Deep Root to succeed and to be a contender. Although, if you launch and ship what was shown to us as the final product, I don't see good things coming your way. The playfield, Pen Armor, isn't aesthetically pleasing. You noted that you weren't going for aesthetics but for strength and protection. You also state that you are still working on perfecting the coating process. The orange peel effect will not be appreciated and people would just rather have dimples occur over time. stating that you haven't perfected the process and are wanting to start production on this title soon is concerning. Thankfully the pin pod is just an option. If this was the mandatory shipping container I would strongly suggest changing it. I can see it being a nice shipping option for the collector and the elite but majority of customers would be just fine with the regular shipping box During the presentation about glass slash lockdown bar removal I noticed that even with your new version we are still in the same pool of having a piece of machine to deal with. The cover segment of the pin bar is no different than what we had before. I am on board with how the glass comes up. That is damn cool, but it would really be beneficial if the pin bar cover segment was attached to the side rails because this would eliminate the piece in hand issue. During our final moments at the studio later that night, it really became obvious the game's hardware and construction are still in the development phase. I'm pretty sure if I wouldn't have asked to raise the glass, I wouldn't have seen the problems. The engineers seemed very hesitant on removing the lock down bar. They noted there are issues with it right now. Believe me there was an issue alright. I was also having a small panic attack with the wiring under the playfield. The wire management was non-existent and almost every wire being the same color draws some major confusion when it comes to repair. It looks like a rats nest to be frank. I can only imagine what a typical consumer's reaction to under the playfield would be. During the same time an HDMI cable connector broke off while it was in its slot. This is due to the design and can be fixed, but this occurred during a typical lifting and lowering of the playfield. I also have concerns with safety around the rigid edges of the pin bar area. The edges of the metal seem sharp and it didn't feel entirely comfortable either There is a reason lockdown bars have rounded edges I have concerns with the lack of a physical start button I feel that your games will be highly dependent on the pin bar being fully functional I have no doubt that I see it being a cool addition but to really depend on a screen that is completely vulnerable to having damages during home and especially during location use is asking for trouble. If the screen goes out, at least you would have a backup physical button and be able to utilize the main display for choosing items and stuff. not in your current setup. You would have a non-working game. And with the wiring layout in its current state, I would be very worried about a typical consumer attempting to replace the screen. When it comes to the playability of the game, we didn't get the full experience and that wasn't very pleasing at all, but in the short time I noticed that the ramp shot is very doable. In fact, too doable. Meaning that the right ramp that directs to the right in lane will rarely, if ever, be used. Also noted during my examination of the game were very apparent wire management issues, and the machine honestly looked like a polished homebrew machine, which is not good for a company that has supposedly been working on this for years. Now let's talk about manufacturing. This is where you lost me, and almost everyone else too. Walking into that area and not seeing multiple games even semi put together was a big red flag. Then we are informed that you are still working on getting a supplier for parts. Red flag. No line workers hired or being trained for such work. Red flag. Only having one game that doesn boot Huge Red Flag Others have brought up valid concerns about the marketing plans and game launch schedules That isn't my forte and I leave that up to them to bring to you with concerns. The cabinet for the extra edition is different. That won't be widely accepted off the cuff. These days modern pinball machines don't need a backbox. They haven't changed the style because they know people want certain things to remain the same. telling you to change it, just be prepared for haters on that. I am sending this email to you directly and offering my opinion because I really want Deep Root to succeed, Robert. This visit left me with very mixed emotions. I saw so much potential on what is being developed. If you were just giving us an update on the R&D of your innovations, then I wouldn't be too concerned. But you are talking about shipping out games very soon, with not having things ready to go. More engineering and polish needs to be done before this product will be widely accepted to the masses. That is your tagline on the shirt, pinball for the masses. If you ship what we experienced this weekend, I do not think things will go well. I would strongly recommend you reconsider your launch date. You asked for feedback, good or bad. Here is mine. I eagerly wait for your announcement to the public tomorrow and people are eager to hear what I have to say. Sincerely, Cary Hardy.

_(Acquisition: youtube_groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_

---

*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 524f564f-4edf-436c-b60d-254dfb1a0074*