# SDTM Exclusive: Houdini pinball gameplay: Part 1

**Source:** Straight Down the Middle  
**Type:** video  
**Published:** 2017-06-18  
**Duration:** 11m 24s  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF17Axn5uL0

---

## Analysis

Straight Down the Middle hosts gameplay footage of Houdini Master of Mystery at Flippin' Out Pinball, showcasing the machine's mechanics, shot sequences, and thematic integration. The hosts express enthusiasm for the game's design and playability, noting it is still in prototype/pre-production phase. The segment serves as early promotional content for American Pinball's flagship title.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Houdini Master of Mystery is not yet in final production; still a prototype machine being refined — _Hosts state 'this is a good production yet. I think what they say later, they're gonna go production, hopefully' and reference the machine's continued development_
- [MEDIUM] Josh Kugler (designer) requested even more accuracy in the machine's mechanics beyond current state — _Host quotes: 'Josh Kugler said he'd like to see it even more accurate, and I thought man, if it's as accurate already, we got it'_
- [HIGH] Dialed In is available or shipping soon at Flippin' Out Pinball — _Larry (operator) states: 'We've got Dialed In coming in. Those get shipping as well'_
- [MEDIUM] Houdini features a Magnus save mechanic with approximately 30% quota/allocation — _Host mentions hearing on podcast that 'it's only like a little over 30% quota' regarding Magnus mechanic_
- [HIGH] Flippin' Out Pinball stocks machines from Jersey Jack Pinball, Chicago Gaming Company, and American Pinball — _Sponsorship segment and operator interview confirm inventory of 'Dialed In, Attack from Mars remake, and Houdini Master of Mystery'_

### Notable Quotes

> "As of right now, this thing's not even nearly completed and I'm ready to buy one right now. This thing is unbelievable."
> — **SDTM Host**, Closing segment
> _Demonstrates strong community enthusiasm for Houdini despite pre-production status; indicates design resonance with content creators_

> "Josh Kugler said he'd like to see it even more accurate, and I thought man, if it's as accurate already, we got it."
> — **SDTM Host**, Early gameplay
> _References designer intent for mechanical authenticity; suggests iterative refinement process ongoing_

> "The spinner is very stressed, Barnyard."
> — **SDTM Host (Larry)**, Mid-gameplay
> _Technical observation about playfield component performance and behavior_

> "We've got Dialed In coming in. Those get shipping as well. Attack from Mars remake. Anything Chicago Gaming Company."
> — **Larry (Flippin' Out Pinball operator)**, Closing interview
> _Confirms current inventory pipeline and multi-manufacturer retail distribution_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Houdini Master of Mystery | game | American Pinball's flagship title featuring Harry Houdini escape artist theme with trunk catapult mechanism; shown in prototype gameplay state |
| American Pinball | company | Manufacturer of Houdini Master of Mystery; product featured in content |
| Flippin' Out Pinball | company | Pinball arcade and retail venue; content location and podcast sponsor; operator of featured machines |
| Straight Down the Middle | media | YouTube show and podcast; content creators/hosts featuring pinball gameplay and reviews |
| Josh Kugler | person | Referenced as designer/developer with input on Houdini's mechanical accuracy and refinement |
| Larry | person | Operator/owner of Flippin' Out Pinball; played Houdini during segment; interviewed regarding machine inventory |
| Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Premium pinball manufacturer; Dialed In and other machines stocked at Flippin' Out Pinball |
| Chicago Gaming Company | company | Remake specialist manufacturer; Attack from Mars remake stocked and available through Flippin' Out Pinball |
| Dialed In | game | Jersey Jack Pinball game; referenced as currently shipping through retail channels |
| Attack from Mars | game | Chicago Gaming Company remake of classic Williams title; available through Flippin' Out Pinball |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Houdini Master of Mystery pre-production state and gameplay mechanics, Early access content and manufacturer exclusivity with media partners, Pinball gameplay demonstration and rule explanation
- **Secondary:** Retail distribution and inventory pipelines for pinball machines, Community enthusiasm and collector interest in American Pinball titles

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Hosts express strong enthusiasm for Houdini's design, mechanics, and playability. Positive tone throughout gameplay segment. No critical feedback or concerns raised. Retail partner relationship reflected in sponsorship and content access.

### Signals

- **[community_signal]** Straight Down the Middle granted exclusive early-access gameplay footage of Houdini prototype, indicating manufacturer partnership and media confidence in SDTM's audience reach (confidence: high) — Sponsorship integration, exclusive gameplay access, and retail partner collaboration
- **[sentiment_shift]** Strong collector enthusiasm for Houdini evident in host commentary despite prototype status, indicating positive market reception trajectory for American Pinball's flagship title (confidence: high) — Host states: 'As of right now, this thing's not even nearly completed and I'm ready to buy one right now. This thing is unbelievable.'
- **[market_signal]** Flippin' Out Pinball reporting incoming inventory of Dialed In with shipping confirmation, indicating Jersey Jack Pinball production and distribution acceleration (confidence: high) — Larry's statement: 'We've got Dialed In coming in. Those get shipping as well'
- **[announcement]** Houdini Master of Mystery gameplay formally featured in SDTM exclusive content, confirming continued development and retail availability pathway through Flippin' Out Pinball (confidence: high) — Full gameplay segment with commentary on prototype state and stated shipping timeline
- **[product_concern]** Designer Josh Kugler continues iterating on Houdini's mechanical accuracy despite hosts already perceiving it as 'accurate,' suggesting ongoing refinement and potential mechanical tuning through production phase (confidence: medium) — Host comment: 'Josh Kugler said he'd like to see it even more accurate'

---

## Transcript

this episode of SDTM is sponsored by flipping out pinball flipping out pinball provides the best pinball machines and accessories out there whether you're looking for a family machine or you're an enthusiast looking to add to your collection flipping out pinball is the place to find jersey jack pinball machines like the all-new dialed in or chicago gaming company's new remake of attack for Mars or American pin balls Houdini master of mystery Col Airy now for your next pinball purchase at WWF lip and out pinball comm hi guys you guys wanna see some Houdini I know I do we're here at flipping out pinball with Larry and he's gonna play me and show me how to done just now stepping up to the game I really have no clue how to play it but it looks fun to shoot please try that again [Music] there goes BAM that's a that's an arrow shot too [Music] I heard him talking about that Jill Balzer said he'd like to see it even more accurate and I thought man if it's is that accurate already we got here combo mission one shoot and breathe and then directly shoot scooter which is not an easy thing to the other like I know I'm doing this I think that Randy oh you may not shotgun for the mechanisms in this game really cool the spinner is very stressed by oh I knew that's gonna get out of there [Music] Ram there it is three No [Music] magician too is now let's try that again should spin no to open magic shop and all of them [Music] logician real feeling it's your truth not like that turn wet wet very smooth honey bee slings as you guys are watching the 50 the prototype machine so this is a good production yet I think what I say later they're gonna go production hopefully by the eggs here his famous swallowing needles ocean [Music] to the rail 15 in addition to what they smell really what anymore that they've got all these company next before his famous swallowing needles illusion the train in the back this a glass of needles and thread and then I will pull the needles from my mouth all swishes score points hit the key of magic standard targets to increase value I will now start the sales by shooting above the planchette Oh I love that shot I enrolled logician one because you children it's fair deal you wanna next be suiting up in a street check holding fest a incredible escape in plain sight nothing I'll blow it blow it might fail I see new magic in you Oh [Music] Oh almost a backhanded particular one of these days right back well let that little bit too nice get up there Zak get up there you're lucky to make it possible that no deal get up there it is like a charger as I escape this the burger flippers oh no this is the one day what is the oldest ooh Wow really Oh whole thing don't they did you guys just see that I've never seen that symbol at all whoever thought of that need to race to stack multi Bob really wanted Josh no balls in with the team I love that dropping them off Oh stay up there I think I'm celebrating this thing is lovely oh I see you got a lot of cool school I know that I heard on the party that they're going up Magnus she heard on the podcast he said it's only like a little over 30% Kota [Music] for sure of the years we'll find what they are looking for [Music] come on bang them here we go o clock does leprosy I the middlee hand I don't know we now have Right Scoop no okay why am i hitting that shot like it's easy there we go pure rock like [Music] - it's your turn [Music] I like to see right there the stretches I win [Music] we go [Applause] [Music] what oh that's how we do things Larry it's straight down the middle oh my god that's a win I'm gonna go hide my head you guys have to start saving your pennies and get a hold of Larry a flipping out pinball for one of these Houdini machines as of right now this thing's not even nearly completed and I'm ready to buy one right now this thing is unbelievable so get a hold of him and go to flip and out pinball you can find them on Facebook you can find them on the web where else yet Larry on my website website that would be the web when is it flipping out pinball Cove that's correct flip FL IP the letter n o UT pinball comm or call Larry he's a nice fellow he'll set you up with Houdini or all kinds of other machines that he has here it's great got to deal with yeah we've got dialed ins coming in those get shipping as well tacked for Mars remate anything Chicago gaming so oil boy you won't play again uh yeah let's do that

_(Acquisition: youtube_auto_sub, Enrichment: v3)_

---

*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 95e4901d-3db5-4268-a8f5-901ef591c051*