# Bonus: Why Avatar?

**Source:** Don's Pinball Podcast (patreon feed)  
**Type:** podcast_episode  
**Published:** 2024-12-17  
**Duration:** 20m 19s  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-why-avatar-118162515

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## Analysis

Don explains his decision to purchase a Jersey Jack Avatar collector's edition pinball machine despite initial skepticism about the theme. He discusses the game's aesthetics, build quality, playfield manufacturing (Bader vs. Mirko), topper design, code/gameplay depth, and personal connection to the Avatar theme via Disney's Animal Kingdom. He plans to receive the machine in February and will document an unboxing video.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Jersey Jack playfields for Avatar collector's editions are being made by Bader, not Mirko — _Don speaking directly from factory visit; discussed with JJP representatives Jeff and Matt_
- [MEDIUM] Jersey Jack is planning to make around 1,000 Avatar units with relatively low demand currently — _Don paraphrasing conversation with JJP representatives; noted as current status at time of recording_
- [MEDIUM] Jersey Jack radcals cost approximately 6x more than decals (estimated $100-$120+ vs ~$27) — _Don reporting information from conversation with Eric (implied JJP designer/representative)_
- [MEDIUM] Mirko playfields have had a bad reputation that may be improving — _Don's observation; notes later runs have been better but cites this as reason for preferring Bader manufacturing_
- [MEDIUM] American Pinball uses the same playfield manufacturer as Spooky Pinball (Bader) — _Don citing what he's heard; describes this as a point of pride for American Pinball_
- [LOW] There was a falling out between Jersey Jack and Bader that has since been resolved — _Don speculating: 'I think there was a falling out at some point'; characterized as inference rather than confirmed fact_
- [HIGH] Avatar collector's edition ships with an exclusive topper unavailable on other editions — _Don discussing design differentiation between LE and CE; confirmed preference decision point_
- [HIGH] Avatar delivery expected in February — _Don stating: 'sounds like we're going to get this game here February when I was talking to Ken Cromwell'; Ken Cromwell is identified as JJP contact_
- [HIGH] Jersey Jack allows factory pickups unlike Stern — _Don stating: 'unlike Stern, are actually going to let me come down to the factory and pick it up'_
- [HIGH] Mark Seiden is the creator and designer of the Avatar game and helped secure the license — _Don meeting Mark Seiden at the factory; identified as 'the creator and the designer of the game' who 'helps secure the license'_

### Notable Quotes

> "It's got the same flipper mechs and strength that Elton John has. It's got a creative layout, it's got a great feel."
> — **Don**, early in content
> _Initial positive gameplay impression that changed his mind about the game_

> "blue people, come on, what are you doing Jersey Jack with these licenses? Get out of here!"
> — **Don**, opening
> _Captured his skepticism about the Avatar theme license choice_

> "The fact that the playfield on the collector's edition wasn't made by Marco was a selling point for me."
> — **Don**, middle section
> _Playfield manufacturer choice was a material factor in purchase decision; speaks to resale/long-term value concerns_

> "If you was to get one, want the good one, man. The good one."
> — **Don**, middle section
> _Emphasizes consistent preference for collector's editions over limited editions across multiple JJP games_

> "This I want to be kind of my showpiece game that I go to the long player, you know, to just get in that mood and just like lose myself in the lights and the blueness and whatever."
> — **Don**, late middle
> _Reveals Avatar will be kept long-term as a display/immersion piece, not a quick flip_

> "I got a connection to him. I got a connection to JJP. I got a connection to Disney, the theme parks. This game came out of there."
> — **Don**, near end
> _Identifies personal relationship-building as a factor in purchase decision; notes Disney Park origin story_

> "I need to get myself a loincloth so we can make this the best slash creepiest unboxing."
> — **Don**, closing
> _Humorous tone about commitment to themed content creation around the machine_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Don | person | Host of Don's Pinball Podcast; pinball collector and content creator; purchased Avatar CE; visited JJP factory |
| Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Manufacturer of Avatar pinball machine; premium-priced games; uses Bader for Avatar CE playfields; offers factory pickups |
| Mark Seiden | person | Designer and creator of Avatar pinball game; helped secure Avatar license; met with Don at JJP factory |
| Avatar | game | Jersey Jack Pinball machine based on Avatar IP; features day-night cycle, lower playfields, creative layout, Bader playfields on CE; limited availability |
| Jeff | person | Jersey Jack Pinball representative; discussed CE availability with Don |
| Matt | person | Jersey Jack Pinball representative; discussed CE availability with Don |
| Eric | person | Jersey Jack representative (implied designer); discussed radcal vs. decal cost tradeoffs with Don |
| Ken Cromwell | person | Jersey Jack contact; discussed Avatar delivery timeline (February) with Don |
| Bader | company | Playfield manufacturer; produces Avatar CE playfields; also used by American Pinball and Spooky Pinball |
| Mirko | company | Playfield manufacturer; associated with Avatar LE; has reputation issues in collector community |
| American Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer; uses Bader as playfield manufacturer (same as Spooky Pinball) |
| Spooky Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer; uses Bader as playfield manufacturer |
| Elton John | game | Jersey Jack pinball machine; referenced as comparable build quality and flipper mechanics to Avatar; has flipper strength Don appreciates |
| Godfather | game | Jersey Jack pinball machine; referenced as spectacle game with great aesthetics and gameplay; CE edition preferred by collectors |
| Toy Story 4 | game | Pinball machine; referenced as having preferred CE (red) over LE edition |
| Stern Pinball | company | Competitor to Jersey Jack; does not allow factory pickups (unlike JJP per Don's statement) |
| Disney World | organization | Theme park where Pandora/Avatar land is located; source of thematic inspiration for Don's Avatar purchase |
| Animal Kingdom | venue | Disney theme park; features Pandora/Avatar land; referenced as high-quality immersive environment |
| Rainforest Cafe | venue | Themed restaurant; referenced multiple times as comparison point for immersive aesthetics; borders Avatar land at Animal Kingdom |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Jersey Jack Avatar CE purchase decision, Playfield manufacturing (Bader vs. Mirko) and quality implications, Jersey Jack build quality and component choices (radcals, toppers), Limited Edition vs. Collector's Edition differentiation strategy across JJP games, Theme immersion and Disney Parks aesthetic as purchase motivator
- **Secondary:** Avatar game code and gameplay depth, Content creation and factory unboxing video plans, Personal relationship-building with designers and manufacturers

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.82) — Don expresses genuine enthusiasm about Avatar CE despite initial skepticism. Positive about JJP build quality, manufacturing improvements, and personal connections. Playful, conversational tone. Main negativity reserved for initial theme skepticism and acknowledgment of Mirko playfield reputation, but both are framed as overcome. Closing remarks highly positive about future ownership experience.

### Signals

- **[product_strategy]** Don identifies consistent JJP strategy of making CE superior to LE (better art, playfields, toppers, features) across multiple titles (Elton John, Godfather, Toy Story 4, Avatar). This positioning incentivizes CE purchases among collectors. (confidence: high) — Don systematically compares editions across 4+ games, noting CE is always the preferred collector choice; this pattern demonstrates intentional product differentiation
- **[manufacturing_signal]** Jersey Jack shifted from Mirko to Bader for Avatar CE playfields, signaling either quality improvement initiative or resolution of previous manufacturing relationship issues. (confidence: high) — Don states Mirko had 'bad reputation,' notes switching to Bader was 'a selling point,' and speculates about 'falling out' that has been resolved
- **[product_concern]** Mirko playfields carry reputation for quality issues within collector community. Don frames Bader switch as positive resolution, but underlying concern about long-term playfield durability/resale value is evident. (confidence: medium) — Don's emphasis on playfield manufacturer as resale differentiation factor; reference to Mirko's 'bad reputation' despite possible improvements
- **[market_signal]** Avatar CE reportedly has low current demand despite planned production of ~1,000 units. Collector's editions currently available for import rather than domestic shortage. (confidence: medium) — Don states: 'things gonna make a thousand of these and it's not in huge high demand so of course they're gonna be available currently they're going imports right now'
- **[business_signal]** Jersey Jack invites customers to factory, facilitates pickups (unlike Stern), and connects them with designers. This relationship-building approach contrasts with industry standard distribution. (confidence: high) — Don's factory visit, meeting with Mark Seiden, Ken Cromwell's direct communication, and explicit mention that JJP 'let me come down to the factory and pick it up' unlike Stern
- **[collector_signal]** Don's decision to purchase CE despite not desiring LE indicates successful JJP strategy of making CE the aspirational collector choice through exclusive features (topper, playfield, art). (confidence: high) — Consistent pattern: Don rejects LE across multiple titles but chooses CE; explicitly discusses wanting 'the good one' with exclusive features
- **[design_philosophy]** Avatar designed with emphasis on thematic immersion (day-night cycle, Rainforest Cafe-style ambiance, Disney Park aesthetic connection) as primary appeal beyond pure gameplay. (confidence: high) — Don's extended discussion of day-night cycle, comparison to Rainforest Cafe and Disney World, emphasis on 'losing himself in the lights and blueness' rather than competitive depth
- **[technology_signal]** Jersey Jack using radcals (expensive custom graphics) instead of standard decals as differentiator. $100-120+ cost per game justified as premium finish for five-figure product. (confidence: high) — Eric reported radcals cost 6x more than decals; Don frames this as worthwhile investment for game quality
- **[personnel_signal]** Mark Seiden identified as both designer and license negotiator for Avatar, playing dual creative and business development role. (confidence: high) — Don: 'Mark Seiden, he was over there working on his Avatar...he's the creator and the designer of the game. He helps secure the license.'
- **[content_signal]** Don (major pinball content creator) invited to factory, given exclusive early play time, offered pickup accommodation, and facilitated meet with designer. Signals JJP's media strategy. (confidence: high) — Multiple references to factory invites, factory visits without appointment, Ken Cromwell coordination, planned unboxing content with 'special guests in the mobile studio'
- **[product_launch]** Avatar CE delivery expected February (per conversation with Ken Cromwell). Indicates production/shipping schedule known to JJP management. (confidence: high) — Don: 'sounds like we're going to get this game here February when I was talking to Ken Cromwell'
- **[licensing_signal]** Avatar pinball described as originating from Disney Park relationship; theme immersion strategy tied to Animal Kingdom/Pandora land experience, suggesting co-development or heavily inspired by park IP. (confidence: medium) — Don: 'I got a connection to Disney, the theme parks. This game came out of there'; extensive discussion of Animal Kingdom Pandora as thematic inspiration

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## Transcript

 Hey everybody, thanks for joining Don's ExtraHours here. A little story time. And I was going to go through the reasoning behind my decision to purchase myself one of these Jersey Jack Avatar machines. So gather round. We're all friends here. We'll hang out, new friends and old, and talk about the Avatar. We'll let the music play in the background. Alright, so I went down to the Jersey Jack factory to go play this thing after the announcement and everything. Reveal trailer was cool. A game I wasn't expected to purchase, right? Jersey Jack games are very expensive. I'm not sure if I would want to have it in my collection for that long, especially at those prices. So that was an easy skip for me, and Avatar, blue people, come on, what are you doing Jersey Jack with these licenses? Get out of here! Get out of here with that business. And then I went and I played it, and it played well, right? It's got the same flipper mechs and strength that Elton John has. It's got a creative layout, it's got a R R R R A F U J Before I learned more about the Natalieخت from Schick MondayI and I think I think that may have been what did it but the toppers were there and then I talked to the guys and found out that the playfields for the collectors were being made by Bader and not Mirko and then like it kind of played through my head I went home thought about it and then reached out to Jeff and Matt and I'm like did you have any any of these collector's editions of course he's got collector's editions things gonna make a thousand of these and it's not in huge high demand so of course they're gonna be available currently they're going imports right now But I decided, you know what, I think I, I think I kind of want this game. And I want to explain my reasoning because I don't think it's going to be the same with everybody. There were several things that led to me to make that decision. I thought I'd go ahead and talk about them here. Now first off, just the superficial aesthetics of the game. Got a fun layout, alright? It's got some flow, it's got some repeatable loop shots, you know, on the upper flippers. It's got lower playfields, which everybody hates. I just thought it was normal for hertziban to put his Star Festival logo in verblogs and make A athletes name thought it needed an easy Azre但是 Tr Brasil' Yeah, so, I just want to look up Hargo towards the dutch,风 Nobelprime has been specializing www.KnappArchive.com I love the day-night cycle. I love how the eclipse comes in and like everything just slowly evolves and changes just like the Rainforest Cafe does. I know that sounds stupid, but even though the food is terrible and it's overpriced, it's still fun. Every time I go by a Rainforest Cafe, I go in there. I hang out in the gift shop. I pretend like I'm eating there and I walk through the dining room. If I get caught, I say I'm heading to the bathroom or whatever or my table is just about to be seated or something. But so far, I've got unfettered access to wander amongst the monkeys. Thank you for watching. n I not a pinball in my period in my period in my opinion Maybe slightly above because they do make more games and titles and Dutch has made But big Lebowski impressed me with its craftsmanship on the cabinet taking off the glass looking underneath lifting that thing up super heavy Nearly impossible me for me to set up on my own. I did it but like I was I was risking great personal risk to myself These things are beasts ask anybody this move one of these things I like how they're put together. I do like the Radcals that they're using now on the sides. Why not? When I talked to Eric, he said that the cost increase over a decal is like six times. And I'm thinking, well, okay, if a decal's $27 to get printed on a sheet printer, then you're talking about $100, $120 or something. That's reasonable for a five-figure game. To go ahead and kick in a couple hundred bucks on Radcals, maybe more than that, but, you know, relatively speaking, you know, come on. Let's do it. Let's make these things shine. And I love that texture and that feel. So I guess build quality would be point number two. Point number three. Should I go theme? I don't even know if I have exactly five of these things. I'll list off some more stuff, some more stuff. Alright, so the playfield. Alright, point number three. Marco Playfield's bad reputation. Maybe they're better now and from what I'm hearing, you know, the later run Here's theachactive description byちゃ I know American Pinball is very proud of the fact that they use the same people that Spooky Pinball use, which is Bader. So, I think there was a falling out at some point between Jersey Jack and them. They've gotten back together, which is great. But the fact that the playfield on the collector's edition wasn't made by Marco was a selling point for me. And that speaks kind of towards when I'm done with this game and I want to move it on, is it going to have a point of difference? And this is where we start differentiating things, okay? The limited edition, I don't really want. The playfield's fun, it's got the gameplay, but like, I want those finishes if I'm getting a game such as this. That topper, that topper, that could be point number four, is how cool that topper is. And it's only available with that edition. When it comes to Elton John, the collector's edition is the one that I want. It's got the better art, the better playfield, the more glitter, it's got the better topper with the laser projection from Spencer's Gifts at the Mall. Like, that's, if I was to get one, I want that. It's got screens on top, all those unsold ones from Toy Story 4, whatever, that's the one I want. When it comes to Godfather, I don't want either one, but if I was to get one, would be the collectors. I want those gold lions, I want that big topper. If, for Toy Story 4, I don't want the limited, I want the red one, I want the collectors one. I want the, I want the good one, man. The good one. Lost act Nered mysteries of Cambridgeuties travelers and the huge I'm David David Van Es, and I'll see you next time. Mon zach, Anymore questions? But so what So was Godfather Godfather was a spectacle Gameplay wasn great but you know it looked pretty Fantastic even Elton John, also a spectacle, also looks fantastic, plays fantastic. Code-wise, doesn't have it in for me. Let's do this as number 4.5. The code in this game and the gameplay is a story that you're playing. There's things to accomplish and the multiballs to get to. We'll be right back. transm kilomet Thank you for watching. I'm a fan of the Disney World Resort. I've been to France and Japan. Disneyland. I grew up there. So I love the Disney Parks and that aesthetic. I like being in the themed environments. No secret. I've talked about this before. When I go to Animal Kingdom, one of the funnest things to do is to walk around their Avatar region. Not because I love the movie so much, but because the theme immersion of what they've created there is a fun place to hang out. It's like even better, of course it's better, than Rainforest Cafe, right? There's a Rainforest Cafe at the Animal Kingdom at the entrance, which borders right up against Avatarland, which is right up on the other side of the wall, past some dumpsters in non-guest areas. But when you go to Animal Kingdom, you look off to the Rainforest Cafe. Right behind it is the whole world of Pandora right there. So, like that whole aesthetic, that place and time for me is fun. Like I used to deliver pizzas and go to junior college and I didn't have a car. I had a skateboard and a bus pass when I could afford it. But I would make time to grab a cheap Southwest ticket, travel down to Oakland, California and fly out to Florida to spend a couple days at Disney World. I would save up my money and that's what I would go do. I'd have to take like local buses to get around like it was not a glamorous trip. I stayed on Erlo Bronson Memorial Highway 192 in some absolute fleabag hotels because it's all I could barely afford. But I would take the bus over to the Disney property and like I got to participate in all the fun stuff that like the people with actual jobs and things got to do with their families. I was a solo traveler at first then me and Monica started doing it and you know we found And if you enjoyed watching this video, please don't forget to hit subscribe, like and subscribe for new videos for varietyGeorg C. I'm going to be doing a little bit of a and so I would go and buy 10 of those 495 pins and then I would go around to the cast members who were obligated to trade you as long as you have an official trading pin and that how I built my collection out of Rainforest Cafe pins And they wouldn't really give me any pushback and if they did I just casually mentioned, hey, the rules say that any pin sold on property is okay and this is sold on property, it's right outside the gate of the park. And, you know, it was no problem, right? Thank you for watching.убDash Thank you for watching. I'm not on a show floor is where I'll really be able to tease that apart. And it's a game I'm not looking at having for a couple of months and then moving it on. This I want to be kind of my showpiece game that I go to the long player, you know, to just get in that mood and just like lose myself in the lights and the blueness and whatever. So for me, that was compelling enough to call Jeff and say, I'll go ahead and get one of those CEs. Now, the rumors, I'm excited. I'm excited for it. And it didn't hurt that, you know, I had an invite to the factory. I got to meet the designer. I even went over to Interium one day on my own, and Mark Sidon, he was over there working on his avatar, adjusting it and things. And so I got to spend some time talking with him. And, you know, he's the creator and the designer of the game. He helps secure the license. Right? And so I got a connection to him. I got a connection to JJP. I got a connection to Disney, the theme parks. This game came out of there. So I'm going to say that's my jam. The Elevator I'm going to let you guys know first once I get to where I'm going. Otherwise, there's going to be a bunch of cool Facebook lives coming up. Maybe I'll stream on YouTube as well. And then some special guests in the mobile studio. So, yeah, it's going to be awesome. Thank you, Avatar, for being fun and giving me something cool to look forward to playing. It sounds like we're going to get this game here February when I was talking to Ken Cromwell. Now they, unlike Stern, are actually going to let me come down to the factory and pick it up. Thank you so much. I always appreciate that. And so we'll do the whole unboxing thing. I got blue paint left over from X-Men so we can really do it up. I need to get myself a loincloth so we can make this the best slash creepiest unboxing Subtitles by the Amara.org community

_(Acquisition: groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: fe9527fc-91f1-4288-86af-d3c168a7574d*