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

Mark

person13 mentionsFirst seen Dec 18, 2014Last seen Feb 15, 2026

Profile

Mark is a multifaceted pinball industry figure with roles spanning design, restoration, competition, and community engagement. He appears across contexts as a Stern Pinball developer/team member (Walking Dead preservation work), homebrew/conversion creator (Nightmare Before Christmas project), Australian pinball distributor (Evil Dead collaboration), tournament competitor (Fork River winner, Concord Champ participant), restoration advisor, and museum/media host. His involvement spans from technical game development to grassroots community building, though the fragmented evidence suggests either significant role diversity or potential conflation of multiple individuals named Mark.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • works_atStern Pinball Inc.Developer/team member; credited with preservation work on Walking Dead pinball; hired as CMO in March 2025medium
  • affiliated_withZachCo-owner of multiple pinball games including Iron Maiden and Dragon Fistmedium

Facts

  • achievementFork River tournament player and Dracula tournament winnerhighfrom 2025-09
  • achievementPinball machine restoration expert who provided advice on rail removal and polishingmediumfrom 2025
  • affiliationCo-owner of multiple pinball games including Iron Maiden and Dragon Fistmedium
  • attributeMotorcycle enthusiast (Harley motorcycles)medium
  • attributeDog owner (dog named Parker)low
  • roleStern Pinball developer involved in Walking Dead pinball productionmediumfrom 2014
  • role

Claims (52)

  • factualhigh

    Reno's tournament scene is expanding with Thursday night tournaments at Calneva and extended hours at Reno Pinball Underground

    Source: The Spinner Is Lit Pinball Podcast Episode 85 co-hostEpisode 85_Pinball Themes Re-Revisited
  • factualhigh

    Mark is retiring on August 1st with his wife Heidi

    Source: The Spinner Is Lit Pinball Podcast Episode 85 co-hostEpisode 85_Pinball Themes Re-Revisited
  • opinionhigh

    Pokemon Pro pinball recently installed at Our Town Pizza in Reno shoots great but needs deeper code rules

    Source: The Spinner Is Lit Pinball Podcast Episode 85 co-hostEpisode 85_Pinball Themes Re-Revisited
  • opinionhigh

    With modern technology, a Back to the Future remake could include video clips, the iconic Alan Silvestri theme, and multi-era rule sets

Recent Mentions (13)

  • Museum interviewer/host, motorcycle enthusiast, asked Gary about Harleys

    Five Minutes to Tilt #2 – Gary Stern on Stern Pinball & the Dutch Pinball Museum PartnershipFeb 15, 2026
  • Tournament competitor discussed in context of scoring/standings

    Concord Champ '25: Qualifying Round 7 on The Addams Family by Bally. Streamed from The Flipper Room.Nov 18, 2025
  • Fork River tournament player, advanced to Amazing Race playoff, scored 846,000 on first game, ultimately won tournament with 30 million on Dracula

    The Grasley Garage! South Park, Barracora & Donkey Kong Jr action!Sep 4, 2025
  • Suggested safer rail removal method; sent Novice polishing tool; mentioned providing helpful restoration advice

    Part 3: 1985 Pinstar Gamatron Project! Cabinet & Playfield progress!Aug 27, 2025
  • Referenced as having dog named Parker; possibly associated with game design based on voice acting reference ('Mark X performance')

    [SPOILERS] Portal Pinball Gameplay - Complete Game Run!Jan 27, 2026
  • Local distributor in Australia; helped secure early shipment of Evil Dead machine for reviewer

Contradictions

  • Existing: Mark is a Stern Pinball team member/developer (Evidence 0, 2)vsConflicting: Mark is located in Australia as a local distributor (Evidence 6, 7)
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026
  • Existing: Mark is in Fork River competing in tournaments (Evidence 10)vsConflicting: Mark appears to be in Australia based on distributor references (Evidence 6, 7)
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026
  • Existing: Mark is the new CMO at Stern Pinball, hired in March 2025 (Episode 1140)vsConflicting: Mark is credited as a developer on Walking Dead Pinball from 2014, suggesting a long-term Stern employment history inconsistent with a 2025 hire date
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 3, 2026
  • Existing: Mark is a Stern Pinball CMO (corporate role, 2025)

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Artist who created screen effects, icons, and HUD elements
high
from 2018
  • roleChief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Stern Pinballhighfrom 2025-03
  • roleDutch Pinball Museum interviewer and hostmediumfrom 2026-02
  • roleLocal Australian distributor and Evil Dead pinball collaboratormediumfrom 2025-08
  • Source: The Spinner Is Lit Pinball Podcast Episode 85 co-hostEpisode 85_Pinball Themes Re-Revisited
  • rumormedium

    Back to the Future pinball is rumored to be in development by Dutch Pinball

    Source: The Spinner Is Lit Pinball Podcast Episode 85 co-hostEpisode 85_Pinball Themes Re-Revisited
  • factualhigh

    Mark maintained a 4-1 record in the first three rounds of the tournament before the finals

    Source: MarkEpisode 83_State Finals Season
  • factualhigh

    Mark finished second at Nevada State Championships

    Source: MarkEpisode 83_State Finals Season
  • opinionhigh

    The lack of knowledge on King Kong rules was a significant factor in Mark losing the finals to Jeff

    Source: MarkEpisode 83_State Finals Season
  • predictionmedium

    Jeff Reinhart has a legitimate chance to advance far at nationals

    Source: MarkEpisode 83_State Finals Season
  • opinionhigh

    Choosing the same three games throughout the tournament was an effective strategy that helped Mark reach the finals

    Source: MarkEpisode 83_State Finals Season
  • factualhigh

    Mark will potentially compete at nationals as Jeff Reinhart's alternate if Jeff cannot attend

    Source: MarkEpisode 83_State Finals Season
  • factualhigh

    Mark won 'All Bleeping Strikes Day' tournament at Incline Village and another tournament at Elbow Room

    Source: MarkEpisode 82_Last Call 2025
  • opinionhigh

    Insider Connected is the most significant pinball innovation in the last 10 years, possibly more important than LCD screens

    Source: Spinner Is Lit Podcast Episode 81Episode 81_Pass the Gravy...Extra Pinball (1)
  • factualhigh

    Stern Star Wars Fallen Empire Pro filled its coin door with quarters in less than a week at a location

    Source: Electric Bat Podcast (referenced in Spinner Is Lit Episode 81)Episode 81_Pass the Gravy...Extra Pinball (1)
  • opinionhigh

    Amazing Race format in pinball tournaments creates vulnerability where low initial scores pressure subsequent players

    Source: The Spinner Is Lit Podcast Episode 80Episode 80_Oh the Horror
  • factualhigh

    The Death Star lock shot on Star Wars: Fall of the Empire rattles and rejects even when open for lock

    Source: The Spinner Is Lit Podcast Episode 80Episode 80_Oh the Horror
  • factualhigh

    60 players competed in the men's tournament at Pinballpalooza

    Source: The Spinner Is Lit Podcast Episode 80Episode 80_Oh the Horror
  • opinionmedium

    Harry Potter pinball is one of the fastest JJP games, with speed comparable to Elton John.

    Source: California Extreme gameplay impressionsEpisode 77_Cruel Summer
  • factualhigh

    Mark started the first league in Reno and it led to the Reno Pinball League that now has team-based tournaments.

    Source: Mark, episode 76Episode 76_Pinville with Marcus Petersen (1)
  • factualhigh

    GARCADE arcade in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin has 30+ pinball machines

    Source: Mark describing arcade visitThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 73_Deep into the Dungeon
  • factualhigh

    My father passed away on March 5, 2024, after falling and breaking his neck in two places with spinal cord damage

    Source: Mark discussing his father's deathThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 73_Deep into the Dungeon
  • opinionmedium

    Paxlovid treatment for COVID is highly effective but has harsh side effects during treatment

    Source: The Spinner Is Lit Podcast - Episode 70The Spinner Is Lit - Episode 70_2024 Reflection
  • opinionlow

    Juan throws the best pinball parties in the local community

    Source: The Spinner Is Lit Podcast - Episode 70The Spinner Is Lit - Episode 70_2024 Reflection
  • opinionmedium

    Pin golf tournament format is better suited for players with strong game knowledge and objective-based understanding

    Source: The Spinner Is Lit Podcast - Episode 70The Spinner Is Lit - Episode 70_2024 Reflection
  • factualhigh

    Mark is currently ranked 9th in Nevada IFPA standings, 13 points from 8th place

    Source: MarkThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 69_A Spooky Thanksgiving
  • factualhigh

    Mark's lowest competitive score is 3.89 and he needs higher finishes to advance toward 8th place ranking

    Source: Mark (podcast co-host)The Spinner Is Lit - Episode 67 Fall Into Pinball
  • factualhigh

    Mark has played 20 tournaments in the current competitive season and now must win to add WPPR ranking points

    Source: Mark (podcast co-host)The Spinner Is Lit - Episode 67 Fall Into Pinball
  • factualhigh

    Mark (Spooky operator at Electric Bat) is on his third Scooby-Doo board, indicating high maintenance demands.

    Source: Kale and Rachel discussing Mark's operationsEpisode 20 - Operator Spotlight: Electric Bat Arcade
  • opinionmedium

    Stranger Things Premium's on-playfield screen (not backglass placement) was the decisive factor in player engagement.

    Source: Mark (personal experience)The Spinner Is Lit - Episode 62 Shark Eats Ball (It's Inconceivable)
  • factualhigh

    Pinburgh peak attendance reached 1,000-1,200 players

    Source: tournament history discussionThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 61 The Don Of '24 (1)
  • opinionhigh

    Not having the shark eat the ball is a bad design decision by Stern

    Source: design critique during gameplay analysisThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 61 The Don Of '24 (1)
  • factualmedium

    Pinburgh tickets historically sold out in under 5 minutes for 1,000-ticket allocations

    Source: ticket scarcity discussionThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 61 The Don Of '24 (1)
  • opinionmedium

    James Bond Pro code update .97 represents significant rules progression with potential for .99 or 1.0 releases.

    Source: Mark discussing James Bond Pro acquisition and code evolutionThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 60 Bye Bye 2023 (1)
  • factualhigh

    Bank Shot team (Mark's team league team) went from fourth seed to championship in inaugural season.

    Source: Mark describing team league playoff runThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 60 Bye Bye 2023 (1)
  • prediction|opinionmedium

    Reno has added approximately 150 new pinball players to Nevada in recent period

    Source: Mark estimating community growthThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 58 Let's A Go - Go
  • factualhigh

    Reno's new team league uses a 21-point cap to prevent sandbagging

    Source: Mark describing league formatThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 58 Let's A Go - Go
  • factualhigh

    Reno has 11 out of 16 top Nevada pinball players in state rankings, with only 5 from Vegas

    Source: Mark on Reno competitive dominanceThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 58 Let's A Go - Go
  • factualhigh

    Garcade charges $15 for all-you-can-play with in/out privileges and Pinside integration

    Source: Milwaukee arcade visit descriptionThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 57 Summer 2023
  • factualhigh

    Mark's brother Dan Scoff is a meteorologist working in Fayetteville, Arkansas

    Source: Family background description during Fayetteville visitThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 57 Summer 2023
  • factualhigh

    Mark placed in the top 15 of a nearly 100-player Arizona league tournament

    Source: Tournament experience narrativeThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 57 Summer 2023
  • factualhigh

    Electric Bat Arcade operates from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily

    Source: During arcade visit descriptionThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 57 Summer 2023
  • factualhigh

    Mark qualified for Nevada state championship by placing 8th in state ratings

    Source: MarkThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 52 Unwrapping 2022
  • opinionhigh

    Rick Demol's Twitch streaming production quality is comparable to or equal to established streamers like Fox Cities.

    Source: Rick's introduction and streaming discussionThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 51 Fall Fun
  • factualhigh

    Press Start Reno fills to 27-28 players by 6:30pm on Tuesday pinball nights

    Source: Direct statementThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 50 Wow, 50
  • predictionmedium

    Weird Al (Multimorphic) is expected October or November 2022 at Press Start

    Source: Direct statementThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 50 Wow, 50
  • factualhigh

    Nugget Casino in Sparks is receiving 10 pinball machines from Roger Brown

    Source: Direct statementThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 50 Wow, 50
  • factualhigh

    Black Hole is the most-played game at Press Start Reno

    Source: Direct observationThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 50 Wow, 50
  • factualhigh

    Mark from Marco Specialties recently passed away

    Source: Foghorn LeghornPinball Junk Drawer, Episode 3
  • factualhigh

    Nightmare Before Christmas homebrew requires Disney licensing to be commercially manufactured

    Source: Mark (We Love Pinball) discussing licensing barriers at ExpoEpisode 31: Expo!
  • factualhigh

    Mark qualified for Kentucky state tournament ranked 52nd in WPPR standings

    Source: Mark (guest player)SDTM: Ultimate Game of Thrones Pinball Tutorial Part 5
  • opinionmedium

    Star Wars Pinball's hyperspace ramp has inconsistent performance

    Source: MarkTotal Nuclear Annihilation Post-Tournament Play - 4.5 million game
  • factualhigh

    The ramp mounting posts weren't visually into anything but testing showed the ramp is very solid

    Source: Straight Down the Middle videoSDTM: Alien pinball unboxing and gameplay
  • Living With the Evil Dead Pinball (Review + Gameplay)
    Sep 10, 2025
  • Local Australian distributor; collaborated on Evil Dead acquisition

    Incredible Pinball Machine | Unboxing Spooky Pinball’s Evil Dead – First Look & Gameplay Showcase!Aug 27, 2025
  • Co-owner with Zach of multiple games including Iron Maiden and Dragon Fist; frequently the subject of playfield criticism

    Episode 257 – Spirits In The Material WorldOct 15, 2025
  • Homebrew creator in Wolfgang's city working on Nightmare Before Christmas pinball conversion; won Twippies Award

    Episode 424: Rocky Horror PinballSep 10, 2025
  • Jake's friend who set up Tales from the Crypt machine in Taiwan bar (2016-2017), sparking Jake's pinball interest; subsequently opened additional bar locations with pinball machines

    Episode 428: Pinball in TaiwanOct 4, 2025
  • Developer credited with preserving the safety crossbow mechanism (appears to be a Stern team member).

    Making of Walking Dead Pinball from Stern PinballDec 18, 2014
  • Artist who created whole screen effects, icons, and HUD elements

    Episode 57 – Tanio Klyce (Deadpool Software Ninja)Aug 20, 2018
  • New CMO at Stern (hired March); criticized for not publicly introducing himself to community

    FREE SHOW: EPISODE 1140: "Kaneda's 4am Takedown of Stern Pinball That Everyone at Stern Needs to Hear!"Sep 24, 2025
  • vs
    Conflicting: Mark is described as a homebrew creator working on Nightmare Before Christmas conversion (Episode 424), a tournament player (Episodes 10, 11), and an Australian distributor (Episodes 6, 7)
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 3, 2026