claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.035
Final Round returns after hiatus; hosts discuss InDisc 2022, Rush/Godzilla impressions, and community resilience.
Both hosts turned 52 years old; Jeff just turned 52 four days before recording
high confidence · Jeff Teolis speaking directly about his age milestone
The hosts took a break due to personal security issues involving leaked personal information and involvement of lawyers and police
high confidence · Jeff Teolis: 'it's sad that i had to get lawyers and police involved but everything's good anyway'
Haggis Pinball transitioned from producing Kelts to Fathom during the hiatus
high confidence · Marty Robbins: 'Haggis, we moved from producing Kelts into Fathom. And so that was really quite time consuming.'
The Shoopy Stern heads-up invitational is filmed in advance (from months prior) with COVID restrictions affecting participant location diversity
high confidence · Jeff: 'this was filmed at Jack Danger's studio in advance quite some months ago'
InDisc 2022 featured tournament-winning modifications like a screw on Party Zone's rocket ramp to redirect balls into pops
high confidence · Marty describing Jim Belsito's mod: 'he basically put a screw in the ramp so it bumps off the ramp and falls into the pops'
ZMAC came from 300,000 points with zero locks to win the first match of Roller Games finals after hitting multi-ball
high confidence · Jeff detailing ZMAC's comeback on Roller Games game one of finals
Zach McCarthy, age 16, won the IFPA World Championship and is now considered a world champion
high confidence · Jeff: 'I was handing 16-year-old Zach McCarthy the trophy in which he is now considered a world champion'
Raymond Davidson is the number one player in the world for a few years and a two-time IFPA World Champion but has never won the IFPA Open
high confidence · Jeff: 'Raymond Davidson, the number one player in the world for a few years now. In fact, a two-time IFA world champion. He can't crack the IFPA Open.'
“just because you happen to find some information that you think is really exciting and you're going to be the first person to announce it to everybody doesn't mean you should”
Jeff Teolis @ ~00:05:00 — Addresses the core incident that prompted the hiatus—commentary on ethics of sharing leaked personal information
“when you're involving loved ones and other things like that and not just shots but security and safety that's that's a whole fucking other game”
Jeff Teolis @ ~00:08:00 — Explains why the security breach escalated beyond typical online criticism
“Show those that want to cause harm that there's kind of this group that might have my back”
Marty Robbins @ ~00:12:00 — Reflects on positive community response and solidarity following the incident
“the most entertaining streamers we've got at the moment, without a doubt. They are hilarious. Hilarious. Hilarious. They do know how to work video.”
Jeff Teolis @ ~00:18:00 — High praise for Hup Challenge as content creators on TPN
“Heads up challenges, as they stand, are the best video form of pinball to me. For the layman”
Jeff Teolis @ ~00:28:00 — Articulates preference for heads-up format as most accessible for general audience
“I want to see players pushed to their limits of their skill. Now, you know I owned Roller Games. It is the first game I ever bought.”
Marty Robbins @ ~00:42:00 — Defends difficult game selection at tournaments, emphasizing skill showcase over accessibility
“Sometimes I think there just needs to be a bit of light and shade. That's what I've seen with Rush.”
Marty Robbins @ ~01:18:00 — Design philosophy critique comparing Rush's pacing to Godzilla's overstimulation
“unbelievable layout. Love the Borg layout. The shots are so much fun.”
Marty Robbins — Positive endorsement of Rush's playfield design despite initial skepticism
community_signal: Community rallied behind Jeff Teolis following a personal security incident involving leaked private information. The response was described as 'very humbling' and demonstrated significant grassroots support.
high · Jeff: 'it was very humbling, very fucking humbling for myself. Made me feel good.' Marty: 'Show those that want to cause harm that there's kind of this group that might have my back.'
product_launch: Rush pinball showing strong early reception despite incomplete code. Non-pinball fan spouse plays regularly; Marty recanted negative initial assessment after streams.
high · Marty: 'my wife is not a pinhead. Yes, she is a Rush fan. She goes and plays the machine when I'm not even there' and 'I would own that machine.'
design_philosophy: Marty articulates preference for games with 'light and shade'—moments of accomplishment followed by focus reset—citing Lyman Sheets' design philosophy. Contrasts Rush's measured pacing with Godzilla's constant stimulation.
high · Marty: 'Sometimes I think there just needs to be a bit of light and shade. That's what I've seen with Rush' vs Godzilla: 'It's everything is happening.'
event_signal: InDisc relocated from Banning to Riverside, CA. New venue offers better hotel clustering, improved food service, and proximity to game studios. Tournament structure (card format) allows more social interaction than Pinberg.
high · Marty: 'you had three, four hotels right there, so you didn't even need a car' and Jeff notes InDisc has 'more of a balance between tournament and social' vs Pinberg's group-focused structure
groq_whisper · $0.167
Rush code is still in development at time of recording and has strong early reception from both players and non-fans
high confidence · Jeff: 'And I'll tell you this, my wife is not a pinhead. Yes, she is a Rush fan. She goes and plays the machine when I'm not even there'
Jeff found Godzilla's design overstimulating compared to Rush, criticizing it for not providing 'light and shade' or moments to feel accomplishment
high confidence · Jeff: 'It's everything is happening. You've done something great, then great, then great, and then monsters, and then this. It's all a bit too much.'
“I certainly would like to own that machine. In fact, I'm getting an Avengers Premium, part of my Stern Rewards program, and I might automatically flip that for Godzilla.”
Jeff Teolis @ ~01:32:00 — Strong interest signal in Godzilla despite mixed feelings, willingness to trade Avengers
“I know you hate him and want him dead But the guy makes good games”
Marty Robbins @ ~01:35:00 — Backhanded compliment about Keith (likely Keith Elwin or designer reference) despite personal animosity
competitive_signal: Tournament directors intentionally select difficult machines (Roller Games, Mystery Castle, Stargate) to showcase elite player skill. Marty defends this practice against criticism, emphasizing that major tournaments should showcase varied skill demonstration.
high · Marty: 'I want to see players pushed to their limits of their skill' and 'These games should be hard. It should show the elite players at their best.'
content_signal: Hosts discuss streaming formats with nuanced take: heads-up challenges most accessible to general audience; tournament streaming better for existing fans; sizzle reels/teasers better for marketing new games.
high · Jeff: 'Heads up challenges, as they stand, are the best video form of pinball to me. For the layman' but notes tournament streams may not attract new players
manufacturing_signal: Haggis Pinball transitioned from Kelts production to Fathom. Process was time-intensive for team. Build quality praised; only notable criticism is 'MR sticker' design element.
high · Marty: 'we moved from producing Kelts into Fathom. And so that was really quite time consuming' and Jeff: 'people that get their hands on kelts love it'
sentiment_shift: Marty stated initial skepticism about Rush but after watching streams has reversed position. Now considers it acquisition-worthy despite not yet playing it.
high · Marty: 'I was extremely down on Rush' but 'after watching a lot of streams of Rush, I would own that machine. There you go. I've said it.'
product_concern: Godzilla features complex ruleset with multiple systems (allies, jets, trains, tanks) that require coaching to understand. Even advanced players find it takes time to learn all interactions.
high · Jeff: 'And that helped me a little bit because I haven't been able to figure that out' and 'I think that's a game that's going to take a while to learn.'
personnel_signal: Zach McCarthy (age 16) won IFPA World Championship. Raymond Davidson remains #1 ranked but cannot win IFPA Open despite multiple high placements. Colin Urban finished 2nd two years in row while managing school obligations.
high · Jeff: 'I was handing 16-year-old Zach McCarthy the trophy in which he is now considered a world champion' and 'Raymond Davidson...two-time IFA world champion. He can't crack the IFPA Open.'
event_signal: Mini Pinberg tournament scheduled for Edmonton, Alberta with ~300 participants. Tickets expected to go on sale following website technical issue. Positioned as affordable alternative for North American players.
high · Jeff: 'There's a mini Pinberg, if you will. I think it's like 300 people in Edmonton, Alberta. And tickets are going to go on sale next week.'