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Dwight

person20 mentionsFirst seen Jul 22, 2017Last seen Feb 17, 2026

Profile

Dwight is a code designer and programmer at Stern Pinball with a career spanning from at least 2008 to 2025. He has been a key developer on multiple major Stern titles including Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Game of Thrones, Dungeons & Dragons, The Mandalorian, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, with particular expertise in complex rule set architecture and gameplay balancing. He has also worked on modernizing Stern's operating systems and has collaborated with notable industry figures like George Gomez and Keith Elwin.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • affiliated_withGeorge GomezCollaborator on pinball game designmedium
  • affiliated_withKeith ElwinColleague who worked together on Star Wars Pinball and other Stern titlesmedium
  • designedThe MandalorianStern team member credited with Foundry RPG mechanic conceptionmedium
  • designedTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesLead programmer during COVID-era remote developmentmedium
  • affiliated_withBrianCollaborated with Dwight on Venom Pinball designmedium

Facts

  • achievementWorked with Keith Johnson at both Williams and Stern on operating system modernizationmediumfrom 2008
  • achievementLead programmer on Dungeons & Dragons pinball gamehighfrom 2024
  • achievementConceived the Foundry RPG mechanic for The Mandalorian pinballhighfrom 2022
  • achievementCollaborated with George Gomez on Playboy pinball game designmediumfrom 2026
  • achievementWorked on Munsters pinball code and accessibility featureshighfrom 2019
  • achievementCode programmer for Star Wars pinball gamehigh

Claims (7)

  • factualhigh

    Stern's Dwight discussed Pokémon licensing difficulty at Expo

    Source: Ed/Gary (Wild Dog Arcade)2025 Pinball Machines Reviewed: What We Loved (and Didn’t) PLUS Highlights and Outtakes For The Year
  • opinionhigh

    The social aspects of the expo (meeting people and designers) are as valuable as seeing new machines

    Source: Video testimonial2025 Pinball Expo Recap
  • factualhigh

    Dwight is a Stern employee who led the factory tour with high energy

    Source: Joel and Tom referencing the tour guideTriple Drain Pinball Podcast Episode 52 - Wiping Buns.
  • factualhigh

    Venom's XP system is a core innovation by Dwight the code designer, reflecting his natural design philosophy around progression/RPG mechanics

Recent Mentions (20)

  • Stern pinball game with 77 achievements (used as comparison benchmark for Godzilla's 39 achievements)

    Flip N Out Late Night Show: Talking Insider Connected, JP: The Pin, Godzilla First Impressions, andOct 22, 2021
  • Stern Pinball programmer/code designer; worked with Elwin on Star Wars Pinball score balancing and tournament mode

    Episode 59: Keith Elwin, new guy at SternJul 22, 2017
  • Customer attendee; highlighted community connection aspect of expo

    2025 Pinball Expo RecapOct 23, 2025
  • Stern designer; worked on Munsters accessibility features; emphasized Monster Multiball mode as attainable for beginners per podcast discussion

    Episode 2: Introducing Scott!Jan 18, 2019
  • Stern programmer who implemented God mode adjustment for Jurassic Park that inspired minigame development

    Ep 28: Laundry Day with Keith ElwinFeb 20, 2020
  • Stern code designer for Dungeons and Dragons; praised for leveling system improvement over Venom

    Episode 261 - 2025 Year-End ReviewDec 22, 2025

Contradictions

  • Existing: Dwight is a code designer/programmer at SternvsConflicting: Mention 1 suggests Dwight collaborated with George Gomez on Playboy pinball, which is not a Stern game and predates modern Stern
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 3, 2026
  • Existing: Dwight worked on Ghostbusters code at SternvsConflicting: Mention 4 states he has been working on Game of Thrones rather than Ghostbusters
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026
  • Existing: Dwight worked on Ghostbusters code at SternvsConflicting: Mention 4 states Dwight has been working on Game of Thrones rather than Ghostbusters, suggesting he may not have been the primary Ghostbusters developer
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026
  • Existing: Dwight is a code designer/programmer at Stern Pinball

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

from 2017 until 2025
  • achievementWorked on Game of Thrones pinball codehighfrom 2018
  • achievementImplemented bug fixes and feature development during remote COVID-era developmenthighfrom 2020
  • attributeDesigned complex rule sets and leveling systems for pinball gameshighfrom 2017
  • attributeKnown for orchestrating complex four-to-five-hour gameplay experienceshighfrom 2025
  • roleCode designer/programmer at Stern Pinballhighfrom 2017
  • Source: Freeplay Pinball Podcast (paraphrased by hosts); Hosts' observation of Dwight's prior gamesTriple Drain Pinball Podcast Ep 41: Too Much Stacking!!!
  • factualhigh

    Dwight's design philosophy has evolved progressively from Game of Thrones (character selection) through Turtles (co-op) to Venom (XP leveling)

    Source: Hosts' analysis of game historyTriple Drain Pinball Podcast Ep 41: Too Much Stacking!!!
  • factualhigh

    The XP system in Venom is designed to let casual/family players experience game depth without requiring elite skill over a single game session

    Source: Joel citing Dwight's stated design intent in Free Play Pinball interviewTriple Drain Pinball Podcast Episode 41 - Too Much Stacking!!!
  • factualhigh

    The Mandalorian's Flamethrower multiplier is multiplicative with playfield multipliers

    Source: Presumed game coder/designer confirmation during streamStream 490: The Mandalorian (Stern) PRO
  • Stern code designer known for deep, immersive rule sets; designed Dungeons & Dragons; praised for orchestrating complex four-to-five-hour gameplay experiences

    Stern's Star Wars Fall of the Empire PinballSep 16, 2025
  • Colleague who worked with Keith at both Williams and Stern; focused on modernizing Stern's operating system alongside Keith

    TOPCast 63: Keith JohnsonNov 2, 2008
  • Stern representative discussed at Expo; emphasized Pokémon licensing complexity

    2025 Pinball Machines Reviewed: What We Loved (and Didn’t) PLUS Highlights and Outtakes For The YearDec 22, 2025
  • Code programmer for Star Wars pinball game

    EP 17 - Were You Fooled By These Pinball Myths?Jan 8, 2026
  • Code developer at Stern for Dungeons & Dragons; credited with unique rule set structure

    EP 16 - 2025 Holiday ShowDec 24, 2025
  • Collaborator with Gomez on Playboy pinball game

    Drinks with Jack Featuring George Gomez (Part 1)Jan 7, 2026
  • Friend participating in gameplay demonstration at Stern headquarters

    Dungeons and Dragons: The Tyrant's Eye Pro Pinball GameplayFeb 16, 2025
  • Code designer at Stern; associated with Monsters Out and implied to work on Ghostbusters code

    Episode 95 – Multiple JackpotsJun 10, 2019
  • Stern team member credited for conceiving the Foundry RPG mechanic

    The Making of The Mandalorian Pinball From Stern! (2022)Mar 16, 2022
  • Designer mentioned as influence; worked on Payback Time

    Drinks with Jack Featuring George Gomez (Part 3)Jan 12, 2026
  • Game designer discussed on Pinball Profile regarding Munsters code philosophy and wizard mode debate

    Episode 84 – Tales from JailMar 18, 2019
  • Associated with original Star Wars game design; criticized by Kaneda for mode stacking

    Kaneda's Pinball Podcast Saturday Morning Spectacular! August 2Aug 3, 2025
  • Stern developer; has been working on Game of Thrones rather than Ghostbusters

    Episode 100 – The 3 StoogesJul 15, 2019
  • Recipient of bug reports and wish lists during COVID-era remote development; appears to be a lead programmer

    The Making of Stern Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pinball! (2020)Nov 6, 2020
  • vs
    Conflicting: Mention 17 describes Dwight as a 'customer attendee' at 2025 Pinball Expo highlighting community connection
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026