Cliffy Scoop Protectors for Stern Pinball's RUSH are In Testing

Knapp Arcade·article·analyzed·Mar 17, 2022

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.017

TL;DR

Cliffy and NinjaCamp compete to fix RUSH scoop protector durability with aftermarket solutions.

Summary

Cliffy's Pinball Innovations and newcomer NinjaCamp are both developing aftermarket scoop protectors for Stern's RUSH pinball machine, addressing OEM durability issues. Cliffy is in advanced testing stages with multiple protector types (scoop, VUK, target bank, ejects), while NinjaCamp is launching a 3D-printed TPU-based solution with flexible plastic construction designed to prevent ball wear and ugly wear spots, available in full ($55) and partial ($30) protection options in multiple colors.

Key Claims

OEM scoop protectors on RUSH have not been holding up for owners and no successful manufacturer replacement has been issued
high confidence · Article introduction and Cliffy's testing statement about front scoop 'not holding up as I would like'
Cliffy's protectors are in play testing as of 3/16/22 for rush scoops, VUK, target bank and ejects with front scoop still needing improvement
high confidence · Direct quote from Cliffy's website statement
NinjaCamp's TPU scoop protector has been tested in two locations for over three weeks with thousands of plays and zero issues
high confidence · NinjaCamp's announcement statement
NinjaCamp discovered premium/LE versions of RUSH may have an additional metal bracket on the underside requiring separate engineering
medium confidence · NinjaCamp announcement: 'Our engineering team has also discovered that premium/LE versions of the game may have an additional metal bracket'
NinjaCamp claims its TPU protector will not cause additional wear to the ball and will not develop ugly wear spots over time
medium confidence · NinjaCamp announcement statement about product advantages

Notable Quotes

“Rush scoops, vuk, target bank and ejects in PLAY TEST as of 3/16/22. Front scoop not holding up as I would like. Better than the factorys but not as well as I would like”
Cliffy @ 3/16/22 — Demonstrates Cliffy's honest assessment of his protector development status and willingness to iterate on design
“Unlike traditional protectors, the TPU version will not cause additional wear to the ball, nor will the protector develop any ugly 'wear spots' over time.”
NinjaCamp — Key differentiator claim for NinjaCamp's TPU approach vs traditional metal protectors
“We've been testing these protectors in two locations for over three weeks with thousands of plays and zero issues!”
NinjaCamp — Demonstrates real-world testing and validation of product reliability before market launch
“I highly recommend the full protection because it looks and works so awesome!”
NinjaCamp — Product recommendation showing confidence in offering despite acknowledging customer choice for partial protection

Entities

CliffypersonCliffy's Pinball InnovationscompanyNinjaCampcompanyRUSHgameSterncompanyOutpost KodeliacompanyPinsideorganization Rick and Mortygame

Signals

?
competitive_signal: Cliffy (established brand) competing with NinjaCamp (emerging innovator) on RUSH protector market using different material approaches and price positioning
medium · Cliffy testing multiple components vs NinjaCamp's focused TPU solution; pricing alignment ($30-55 range) suggests market rate but different value propositions (established reputation vs innovative material)
?
product_strategy: Aftermarket protectors addressing apparent durability and wear issues on RUSH scoop mechanisms
high · Multiple companies racing to solve OEM scoop durability; NinjaCamp's paper-thin edge design and testing claims indicate response to specific playfield ergonomics/durability problem
?
product_concern: OEM scoop protectors on RUSH pinball are failing to hold up under normal play, creating market opportunity for aftermarket solutions
high · Article opening: 'The OEM scoop protectors have not been holding up for owners' and Cliffy's statement that front scoop is 'not holding up as I would like'
?
technology_signal: 3D-printed TPU flexible plastic representing new manufacturing approach for scoop protectors as alternative to traditional metal designs
high · NinjaCamp's TPU protector uses '3D printed flexible plastic' and claims superior durability/aesthetics compared to 'traditional protectors' which cause ball wear and develop wear spots

Topics

Aftermarket scoop protector solutions for RUSHprimaryOEM durability issues on RUSH machinesprimary3D-printed TPU manufacturing for pinball protectorsprimaryCompetitive market for pinball aftermarket modificationssecondaryProduct testing and validation processessecondaryPremium/LE vs Pro variant engineering differencessecondary

Sentiment

positive(0.75)— Article presents market competition as healthy and beneficial to RUSH owners. Both Cliffy and NinjaCamp are portrayed positively with legitimate solutions to a real problem. Tone is informative and enthusiastic about aftermarket innovation. No criticism of manufacturers or products, only recognition of OEM durability gaps.

Transcript

raw_text · $0.000

Kleenex, Band-Aid, Coke...when your brand's name essentially becomes a synonym for a particular item that you sell you know that you've been successful. Cliffy and his pinball scoop protectors are like that. News broke late yesterday that Cliffy's Pinball Innovations is working on an aftermarket replacement for Stern pinball's RUSH pinball machine. The OEM scoop protectors have not been holding up for owners and as far as I know a successful manufacturer replacement has not yet been issued. Oh his website yesterday, Cliffy said the following: "Rush scoops, vuk, target bank and ejects in PLAY TEST as of 3/16/22. Front scoop not holding up as I would like. Better than the factorys but not as well as I would like Here's some pictures of the protectors that Cliffy is currently working on: In addition to Cliffy, another newer company has thrown its hat into the RUSH scoop protector ring. A vendor on Pinside named "NinjaCamp" has been teasing a new "Rush TPU Scoop Protector" product. Made from 3D printed flexible plastic, NinjaCamp has said that its product may be available as early as next week on its Pinside store for $30 for a single scoop protector and $55 for a double. Here's the company's initial announcement: "Hey everyone, I wanted to announce a new option to fix your scoops and protect your delicate parts...the "Rush TPU Scoop Protector" is real! Using NinjaCamp's "near-patent pending" technology we've been able to create what I believe is the ultimate fix for our scoop issues. Why is it the ultimate you ask? (I'm glad you asked) There are a couple of reasons: 1) Easy to install 2) No metal on metal 2) Excellent protection 4) Color choices! Unlike traditional protectors, the TPU version will not cause additional wear to the ball, nor will the protector develop any ugly "wear spots" over time. Furthermore NinjaCamp's process allows for a paper thin top-side edge which improves the overall performance of the scoop. Don't believe me?? Well, first, go fuck yourself and second...just kidding about the first thing. In all seriousness, we've been testing these protectors in two locations for over three weeks with thousands of plays and zero issues! I'll also mention that the solution is aesthetically pleasing. We teamed up with Outpost Kodelia's amazing design team to produce a part so perfect that the "tuning fork" sound from the factory scoop is still in tact. We will be selling this solution in two versions, full and partial protection. This allows for owners to decide if they wish to improve the front facing (extremely problematic) protector or both protectors using the same solution. Our engineering team has has also discovered that premium/LE versions of the game may have an additional metal bracket on the underside. We've developed this solution for both configurations, however we would prefer to know as we can slightly tweak the part to ensure a perfect fit. I've attached a couple of pictures of the protector in "Ghost Rider Grey" and "Bastille Day Black". These should wet your appetite while we configure the store and finalize the details. Partial protection will cost $30 whereas the full protection will be $55. I highly recommend the full protection because it looks and works so awesome! Everything will be listed on Pinside (sales support these forums) and available to ship globally starting next week. Lastly: A little bit about NinjaCamp: NinjaCamp, entered into the mod business around the time that Rick and Morty was ending the production run. There were some problems to solve, including a very similar TPU portal protector (https://pinside.com/pinball/market/shops/1326-ninjacamp-mods/05107-rick-and-morty-tpu-portal-protector). We've had fantastic success with that part and subsequently have literally worked to patent the process of producing 3D printed TPU protectors. The quality and fit are amazing! You can read a little more about us on this thread https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/ninjacamp-mods. I encourage you to post questions there or PM me directly so that we don't clog up this thread too much, but hell...it is a forum so do whatever you like ." Here's a link to the company's Pinside Shop and some pictures of its prototype protectors: https://pinside.com/pinball/market/shops/1326-ninjacamp-mods