claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.035
Live Deadpool stream reactions, Steve Ritchie interview announcement, Expo preview, and Monster Bash dual-code rumors.
Deadpool is currently shipping and units are heading overseas in containers; machines should appear in homes and locations within a couple weeks
high confidence · Ken Cromwell discussing Deadpool's production and distribution timeline during live stream commentary
Jersey Jack's Pirates of the Caribbean first production units are expected to ship today or imminently, confirmed by designer Eric Menier
high confidence · Ken Cromwell: 'he's the designer of Pirates of the Caribbean, the new effort that is in production right now by Jersey Jack Pinball. And he had let me know today that the first Pirates of the Caribbean that is getting ready to ship out, he anticipated being in box today.'
Monster Bash remake may launch with two different code sets: original Lime and Sheets code plus alternate new code
medium confidence · Ken Cromwell: 'there's a rumor that's going on, and I actually saw this posted on Pinside from a Pinside member who said that there's a possibility or there's rumors floating around that Monster Bash Remake may launch with two different code sets'
Deadpool is not complete code as of the stream date
high confidence · Bill Webb: 'And it's not complete code either' during discussion of Tim Sexton's stream demonstration of modes
Deep Root Design will have a public speaking panel at Expo with designer John Papaduke appearing for first time since earlier fallout
high confidence · Ken Cromwell: 'Deep Root will be speaking there for the first time since their last the last time they showed up on a podcast. So it'll be interesting to see what Robert Mueller has now. He is bringing in his design team to the conference.'
Batman 66 Premium models are available on secondary market in mid-$7,000 range
medium confidence · Bill Webb: 'there was one locally that was for sale yesterday for $7,600 or $7,200, something like that. I mean, they sold fast'
Batman 66 has advanced past version 0.90 in code updates and gained momentum
medium confidence · Ken Cromwell: 'I think they're over .90 with code, and it gained steam'
“it's really hard to capture that depth. So I think to have full appreciation of what's happening on the play field and on this machine, it's something that you're going to have to just probably with most pinball machines, you've got to sit down and play the game.”
Ken Cromwell@ 8:39 — Addresses fundamental limitation of pinball streaming—flat camera perspective obscures playfield depth and complexity that only in-person play reveals
“There's a lot going on. No, it looks crazy as it is. You know, between the Juggernaut mode, the Chimichanga truck, which is pretty awesome in my opinion.”
Bill Webb@ 14:49 — Initial positive assessment of Deadpool's rule complexity and specific mode design highlights
“Love it or list it. Right. Save or drain.”
Ken Cromwell / Bill Webb@ 16:04 — Summarizes their stance on Deadpool—can't form final opinion until hands-on play; using collector/player shorthand
“for location play i think for a player to get into any type of multi-ball is rewarding and that kind of makes you want to put more money into a machine so i'm glad that it's easy to get to a multi-ball”
Bill Webb@ 11:07 — Operator/location perspective on Deadpool's accessibility—easy multiball encourages coin-in for casual players
“He is bringing in his design team to the conference. So you will have for the first time in a long time people have an opportunity to hear or at least see John Papaduke J show up at Expo”
Ken Cromwell @ ~52:00 — John Papaduke's public Expo appearance signals potential redemption arc for Deep Root after previous litigation and unfulfilled pre-orders
“So we have an interview that we will be conducting next week... Steve Ritchie, King of Flow, is going to graciously or we're graciously going to accept an opportunity to go into Stern Pinball to interview him”
Ken Cromwell@ 26:38 — Major announcement of upcoming Steve Ritchie interview at Stern; significant for community access to legendary designer
product_launch: Deadpool confirmed in production shipment phase; units heading overseas in containers with expected location/home arrival within 2 weeks
high · Ken: 'I would imagine and there's some pins that have already gone overseas, right?' Bill: 'Yeah, because they typically start with their Europe stuff first, I think. Yeah, so these are in containers and boats, and we should start seeing these within a couple weeks, I would imagine.'
product_launch: Jersey Jack Pirates of the Caribbean first production units expected to ship today; directly confirmed by designer Eric Menier
high · Ken: 'he had let me know today that the first Pirates of the Caribbean that is getting ready to ship out, he anticipated being in box today'
code_update: Deadpool code not finalized at stream time; additional updates expected post-launch
high · Bill Webb: 'And it's not complete code either. Okay. I mean, as far as like exposing modes.'
gameplay_signal: Deadpool designed with easy multiball access for casual/location players; described as rewarding for non-skilled players to encourage coin-in
high · Bill: 'it's pretty easy to get a multi-ball so the people that are just casual players... it's exciting so i do like the fact that you can get into a multi-ball' and 'for location play i think for a player to get into any type of multi-ball is rewarding and that kind of makes you want to put more money into a machine'
design_philosophy: Deadpool balances depth for serious/tournament players with accessibility for casual players; extensive rule set with quick-entry multiballs
positive(0.78)— Hosts are enthusiastic about Deadpool's potential but withhold final judgment pending hands-on play. Excited about Steve Ritchie interview and Expo 2025. Monster Bash dual-code rumor adds intrigue. Overall industry optimism despite some concerns (bonus cutscenes length, fighting game sequences not universal appeal, Deep Root litigation still unresolved). Tone is collaborative, speculative, and community-focused rather than critical.
groq_whisper · $0.108
Deadpool features 90s/16-bit pixel art animation style (Sega Genesis/Super Nintendo era aesthetics)
high confidence · Bill Webb describing artwork; Ken clarifying: 'you're looking at like 16-bit pixel artwork which is ridiculously hard to replicate or to compile'
Deadpool animations include adult humor with hidden jokes (e.g., 'Pot meet Jack' puns on jackpot calls)
high confidence · Bill Webb: 'It's got a lot a lot of adult humor and um hidden ways' and Ken noting examples like 'Pot meet Jack'
Deadpool bonus calculation sequences take 8-12 seconds, potentially slowing multiplayer flow
medium confidence · Ken Cromwell: 'there's two ways of looking at that. you're letting everybody else know that you racked up a pretty big bonus uh but i could see that maybe shortening up that up a little bit just to kind of keep multiplayer going'
“I mean, the game flows. It's a good Gomez design. It looked like it flowed real well and fast.”
Bill Webb@ 15:10 — References designer George Gomez; indicates Deadpool design pedigree and playfield flow quality
“Well, I mean, there's going to be, you know, I don't want to say this. There's going to be a lot going on at Expo this year, it seems like. You know, you've got more pinball manufacturers coming.”
Bill Webb@ 17:06 — Signals elevated stakes and industry activity at 2025 Expo—more manufacturers and announcements expected
high · Ken: 'it's going to probably pull most in' regarding fighting game modes; Bill: 'There's a lot going on. No, it looks crazy as it is' and discussion of modes available without deep rule mastery
event_signal: Expo 2025 positioned as higher-stakes event with increased manufacturer participation, new product announcements, and notable design panels
high · Ken: 'I found this to be interesting... 62 days left until Expo... Well, I mean, there's going to be... a lot going on at Expo this year, it seems like. You know, you've got more pinball manufacturers coming.'
personnel_signal: Deep Root Design's John Papaduke making first public appearance at Expo since prior litigation/fallout with unfulfilled pre-orders; framed as potential redemption/face-saving opportunity
high · Ken: 'John Papaduke will have a public appearance. He'll be at Expo. I think a lot of people question the fact that he would ever be at a pinball expo again. So I'm wondering if there will be any type of additional redemption or saving of face that will happen'
rumor_hype: Rumor (sourced from Pinside) that Chicago Gaming Monster Bash remake may ship with two code sets: original Lime & Sheets code plus alternate new code; uncertainty on implementation (bundled vs. micro-charged)
medium · Ken: 'there's a rumor that's going on, and I actually saw this posted on Pinside from a Pinside member who said that there's a possibility or there's rumors floating around that Monster Bash Remake may launch with two different code sets'
market_signal: Batman 66 Premium models available on secondary market at $7,200-$7,600; described as fast-moving inventory
medium · Bill: 'there was one locally that was for sale yesterday for $7,600 or $7,200, something like that. I mean, they sold fast, but, so, I mean, they're out there.'
content_signal: Special When Lit securing exclusive interview with legendary designer Steve Ritchie at Stern Pinball facility; contest giveaway (autographed Star Wars Translight); announcement generating community hype
high · Ken: 'We were fortunate enough to have an opportunity to sit down with somebody who's been in pinball for a super long time and is absolutely considered a pinball god by many, many, many people. And his name is Steve Ritchie.'
design_innovation: Deadpool features 90s/16-bit pixel art animations with Street Fighter-style fight sequences; game-within-game mechanic using LCD monitor as combat/animation display
high · Ken discussing 90s style and Bill: 'there's a lot of um cut scenes for like video game type fight scenes with energy bars like Street Fighter' and Ken: 'you're kind of in Deadpool's environment where there's pinball machines and there are arcade games in the animations'
product_concern: Deadpool's end-of-ball bonus animations take 8-12 seconds; potential flow concern for multiplayer speed, though serves purpose of showcasing good play
medium · Ken: 'there's two ways of looking at that. you're letting everybody else know that you racked up a pretty big bonus uh but i could see that maybe shortening up that up a little bit just to kind of keep multiplayer going... it seems like it could take 8 to 12 seconds'