Journalist Tool

Kineticist

  • HDashboard
  • IItems
  • ↓Ingest
  • SSources
  • KBeats
  • BBriefs
  • RIntel
  • QSearch
  • AActivity
  • +Health
  • ?Guide

v0.1.0

← All beats

Pinball

/pinball

DashboardKnowledge Base2772IntelligenceTools1SettingsChangelog
← Back to KB

Lyman

person12 mentionsFirst seen Feb 24, 2007Last seen Feb 9, 2026

Profile

Lyman is an elite pinball code designer and programmer who has been a key figure in Stern Pinball's design team since the early 2000s rebuilding phase. He is recognized as one of the greatest coders in pinball history, having designed or co-designed code for multiple acclaimed games including Batman 66, The Walking Dead, Metallica, Elvira, and Cactus Canyon. Known for perfectionism and quality-focused work, he later transitioned from Stern employment to independent consulting. He is also an accomplished competitive pinball player, ranking #2 in world rankings.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • designedIron ManLyman credited with code improvements and skill shot enhancementsmedium
  • affiliated_withRoger SharpMentor to Lyman; encouraged him to leave MITRE for game design careermedium
  • works_atStern Pinball Inc.Former Stern software developer and member of early design team during rebuilding phase; later left to start consulting businessmedium
  • designedBatman 66Code designer and programmermedium
  • designedThe Walking Dead

Facts

  • achievementAttended European Championshipshighfrom 2007
  • achievementCo-developed Cactus Canyon upgrade with Josh Sharphigh
  • achievementRanked #2 world competitive pinball playerhighfrom 2007
  • affiliationMember of early Stern design team during rebuilding phasehigh
  • attributeKnown for perfectionism and code qualityhigh
  • roleProgrammer on Monster Bash after taking over with George Gomezhigh
  • roleRules designer for Elvira

Claims (12)

  • opinionhigh

    Lyman's code work was essential to masking design flaws in games like The Walking Dead

    Source: JeffThe Pinball Podcast Episode 219 – Divergent Concurrence
  • predictionhigh

    Lyman DLC code for Cactus Canyon Remake is not yet available but is anticipated to significantly enhance the game

    Source: Knapp Arcade authorBeautiful Cactus Canyons Continue to Ship…Without Toppers
  • predictionmedium

    Lyman will make the code for Elvira's House of Horrors 'killer'

    Source: Knapp ArcadePICTURES OF BROOKLYN'S ORIGINAL PINBALL SPEAKEASY... SUNSHINE LAUNDROMAT
  • factualhigh

    The new Stern AC/DC Premium code removed the bell from Hell's Bell VIP award, preventing easy playfield multiplier acquisition

Recent Mentions (12)

  • Elite player Bowen studied at PAPA 4, influenced Bowen's learning approach

    Episodes 3 & 4: Bowen Kerins, part 1 & 2Nov 8, 2016
  • Ranked #2 world competitive pinball player

    TOPCast 7: Tech showFeb 24, 2007
  • Attended European Championships with Trent and others

    TOPCast 41: Tech showJun 30, 2007
  • Programmer who took over with George Gomez on Monster Bash after Uban transitioned to Pinball 2000 systems work

    TOPCast 24: Tom UbanApr 8, 2007
  • Original Walking Dead code designer; Walt expresses personal connection despite never meeting him

    TALKIN PINBALL BABY!!! 1/30/26....WHAT UPPPPPPPPPPPPJan 30, 2026
  • Former Stern software developer; co-developed Cactus Canyon upgrade with Josh Sharp; left Stern to start consulting business; known for perfectionism

    Ep 185 Cactus Canyon Upgrade Kit | Deep Dive with Josh SharpeDec 31, 2025
  • Original Metallica designer; praised for foundational work that required minimal improvement for remaster

Contradictions

  • Existing: Lyman was a world-class competitive pinball player (ranked #2)vsConflicting: Mention 11 suggests Bowen Kerins studied Lyman's approach at PAPA 4, implying Lyman's competitive play influenced others, but timeline and context are vague
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026
  • Existing: Lyman is a code/rules designer for pinball gamesvsConflicting: Mention 3 describes him as 'Member of early Stern design team' with no specific game or role context; Mention 9 describes him as 'Programmer who took over with George Gomez on Monster Bash' with unclear attribution of which person did what
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026
  • Existing: Lyman is a code designer/programmer for pinball machinesvsConflicting: Evidence 10 claims Lyman ranked #2 world competitive pinball player; Evidence 11 claims elite player Bowen studied Lyman's approach at PAPA 4
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 3, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Original code designer
medium
  • designedMetallicaOriginal designer of foundational codemedium
  • designedElviraRules designermedium
  • designedCactus CanyonCo-developed upgrade kit with Josh Sharpmedium
  • designedMonster BashProgrammer who took over with George Gomez after transition workmedium
  • affiliated_withGeorge GomezCollaborated on early Stern design team and Monster Bash programmingmedium
  • affiliated_withJosh SharpCo-developed Cactus Canyon upgrade kitmedium
  • high
  • roleOriginal designer for Metallicahigh
  • roleFormer Stern software developerhigh
  • roleCode designer for The Walking Deadhigh
  • roleCode designer for Batman 66high
  • statusLeft Stern to start consulting businesshigh
  • Source: Sunshine VaughnINDISC 2019 - Women's Playoffs - Finals
  • factualmedium

    Lyman is handling the code for Elvira House of Horrors

    Source: Cary Hardy (reporting rumors)Stern's 'Elvira House of Horrors' Leaked Images
  • opinionmedium

    Lyman's games emphasize beginner accessibility with deep rule complexity

    Source: Ryan Kuyper (pinball design analysis)Episode 13 Top 5 Pins for a Single Collection and Your Typical Geometric Mess.
  • opinionmedium

    Lyman is the superior code designer among all pinball industry programmers

    Source: Dave PaulsEpisode 91 – Rotordave Returns
  • factualmedium

    Metallica code 3.8 made 'crank it up' multiball easier based on podcast feedback to programmer Lyman

    Source: Ron HallettEpisode 118 – Underworld
  • factualhigh

    Metallica code 1.80 was released with updates to Crank It Up difficulty and Fuel double scoring mechanics

    Source: Hosts discussing code release notesEpisode 117 – The Final Countdown
  • factualhigh

    Batman 66 code reached version 1.0 the same week as Metallica 1.80

    Source: Hosts comparing release timelinesEpisode 117 – The Final Countdown
  • opinionlow

    Aerosmith's programmer has not done anything original in game design since Nibbler in the early 1980s

    Source: Bruce NightingaleEpisode 35 – The ArcadeExpo Post Show Spectacular
  • factualmedium

    Lyman is ranked number two among professional pinball players

    Source: Host in ranking discussionTOPCast 7: Tech show
  • Episode 434: Raymond Davidson remasteredFeb 9, 2026
  • Code designer for Batman 66 and Walking Dead, known for quality code

    Kaneda's Pinball Podcast Saturday Morning Spectacular November 1Nov 2, 2025
  • Code designer for Batman 66, Walking Dead, and Metallica; praised as elite-level designer transcending mechanical/theme limitations

    Episode 91 – Rotordave ReturnsMay 6, 2019
  • Rules designer for Elvira; hosts describe as highly skilled with strong track record in code quality and game longevity

    Episode 110 – Bustin’ Makes Me Feel GoodSep 23, 2019
  • Code developer/programmer for Batman 66; referenced as 'greatest coder of all time'; contrast to unknown coding team for Winchester

    FREE SHOW: Episode 1148: Barrels of Fomo Suspends Common Sense And It's Fun To Watch!Oct 14, 2025
  • Member of early Stern design team during rebuilding phase

    Drinks with Jack Featuring George Gomez (Part 1)Jan 7, 2026