claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.036
Pinball art, licensing constraints, and Stern's concept art strategy analysis.
Christopher Franchi is not employed directly by Stern but is a contractor linked to Stern
high confidence · Martin states this explicitly when introducing the concept art discussion
Jack Danger (Deadflip) is not directly employed by Stern but has some support/funding and is linked to Stern
high confidence · Martin's framing of Deadflip's relationship to Stern
George Gomez confirmed that Beetlejuice artwork was passed to Stern for consideration, but stated he had never seen Superman 78 artwork before
high confidence · Joe references George's comments on 'Twippy' (This Week in Pinball)
Spooky Pinball wanted to make Evil Dead but licensing costs for a particular actor made it prohibitively expensive
high confidence · Martin explicitly states he held information about Evil Dead licensing issues, which has since come out publicly; Ben Heck was involved in the project
The Walking Dead pinball machine originally had assets from the TV show that were removed at the last minute, leaving a generic zombie game
medium confidence · Martin states 'from what I was told' regarding the asset removal; this is secondhand information but widely reported in the community
Stern concept artwork (Muppets, Pokemon, Little Shop of Horrors) was released to test market reaction and gauge demographic appeal
medium confidence · Joe and Martin speculate this is Stern using 'feelers' and market research to understand what themes resonate without official commitment
The Muppets theme was previously rumored to be in development at Jersey Jack Pinball
medium confidence · Joe references this rumor, noting that Jersey Jack leaks are '100% accurate'
Cosmic Carnival ramp redesign changes the cadence and timing of play despite shots remaining in similar locations
high confidence · Martin describes the playfield redesign in detail, citing George Gomez' commentary on ramp timing and cadence
“I do think you need to understand what playfield integration is all about. Because I know that people have slapped art all over a machine and you go, okay, the art looks fine, but I'm not seeing the connection to what's actually happening on the game.”
Martin @ early discussion — Articulates the core challenge for non-pinball artists transitioning to the medium; defines playfield integration as a critical skill
“It's cadence, it's timing... The pace is the same. With the old version of Cosmic Carnival... they felt the same, whereas now because that left ramp goes behind the backbox and comes around... that makes it feel radically different rather than just the shots are still in the same location.”
Martin @ mid-discussion — Explains subtle playfield design principles that affect player experience beyond visual layout
“I think that this is like little feelers. Let's see what people think of these things. Get their reactions... It's brilliant. It's freaking awesome.”
Joe LaMare @ concept art section — Joe's interpretation that Stern is using concept art as market research disguised as fan art
“Since Zach took over... the stuff they're doing behind the scenes is just so good. I mean, as far as I'm concerned, I don't like trolling in general, but I love the trolling that happens in the pinball community.”
Joe LaMare @ mid-discussion — Attributes strategic marketing moves to Zach Sharpe's leadership at Stern
“I find it weird that... I'm pretty sure it was George that came up on Twippy and was like, this is the first time I've seen this [Superman]. Which I was like, whoa. Like, I didn't see that coming.”
Joe LaMare @ Superman concept art discussion — Indicates surprise that George Gomez had no prior knowledge of Superman 78 artwork, suggesting it may not have been officially submitted to Stern
“Pokemon, I don't know how you can't make money making a Pokemon pinball machine... That could probably be an evergreen that they could just print money and it's just going to be fine.”
Joe LaMare @ theme analysis section — Assesses Pokemon as a commercially safe, generational IP with consistent appeal
design_innovation: Cosmic Carnival's ramp redesign demonstrates how altering ramp return timing and cadence changes player experience despite maintaining similar shot locations. Described as achieving a 'fishtail' feel through rhythm rather than symmetry.
high · Martin's detailed analysis of ramp timing: 'The pace is the same... whereas now because that left ramp goes behind the backbox... that makes it feel radically different'
market_signal: Stern appears to be using contractor concept artwork (Muppets, Pokemon, Little Shop of Horrors, Superman 78) to gauge market interest in themes without official commitment. Strategy leverages 'feeler' releases to test audience reaction.
medium · Joe: 'I think that this is like little feelers. Let's see what people think of these things. Get their reactions.' Martin speculates on demographic targeting and brand visibility maintenance.
personnel_signal: Christopher Franchi operates as freelance contractor with multiple employers (Stern, Kapow, mobile gaming); not directly employed by any manufacturer. Jack Danger similarly positioned as contractor with Stern ties but independent artist status.
high · Martin: 'Franchi is not employed directly by Stern. He's a contractor but is linked to Stern.' Describes him as 'a free spirit' with diverse project portfolio.
licensing_signal: Major licenses increasingly unavailable due to actor/rights holder costs. Spooky's Evil Dead project shelved entirely due to one actor's licensing fee being prohibitively expensive; pattern emerging across industry.
high · Martin: 'It was one person in particular that was just going to cost way too much.' Cites precedent with Walking Dead where assets were removed mid-production.
groq_whisper · $0.357
Haggis Pinball put out a call for a pinball artist with a retainer to work on their machine 'Celts'
high confidence · Martin introduces Sam Greenwood (Most Ill) as the selected artist for this opportunity
Licensing constraints will force pinball manufacturers toward original IP because major licenses are becoming too expensive or restrictive
medium confidence · Joe's prediction based on the industry's inability to secure assets for major licensed themes
“If you cannot do a machine without the main asset, then don't do it.”
Martin @ licensing discussion — Core principle: licensing integrity is more important than forcing a machine that lacks key theme assets
“Walking Dead... ended up being amazing because of code. But... I wouldn't be surprised if that ends up getting vaulted at some point because of the fact that people love that machine now.”
Martin @ late discussion — Notes that Walking Dead succeeded despite poor licensing integration due to excellent code, and predicts it may be re-released or vaulted
“If you look at the titles that have been made right now, currently in LCDs, there's not many big licenses... I think that we're going to start seeing a lot of licenses that might not ever happen because... Stern is comfortable enough that they can just pass on a title if it doesn't make sense.”
Joe LaMare @ LCD licensing section — Articulates concern that LCD implementation is limiting licensing availability and driving manufacturers away from major IP
“Pinball, which I think a lot of people talk about how they need original stuff. I think that's just going to come now because of necessity. Because I think that people aren't going to be able to get a licensing anymore.”
Joe LaMare @ final segment — Predicts original IP will become dominant due to licensing becoming prohibitively expensive
business_signal: Stern and other manufacturers increasingly willing to pass on major licensed themes if asset licensing is restricting or expensive. Represents shift from historical willingness to release machines with minimal IP integration.
medium · Joe: 'I think that Stern and other companies... is comfortable enough that they can just pass on a title if it doesn't make sense.' Contrasts with 24 machine example of past willingness to ship with minimal license content.
product_concern: Implementation of LCD screens in modern pinball machines is reducing ability to secure major IP licenses due to animation/asset requirements. Manufacturers now passing on significant themes that don't include sufficient licensed content.
medium · Joe: 'I feel that... the implementation of the LCD is going to put a huge damper on Theme integration in games... there's not many big licenses' in LCD titles. Lists Guardians, Pirates of Caribbean, Hobbit, Wonka as examples lacking significant movie assets.
design_philosophy: Playfield integration (artwork integration with insert placement, ramp routing, visual flow) is becoming recognized as a distinct, teachable skill separate from general illustration talent. Examples cited: Donny Gillies, Zombie Yeti, Franchi successful; unnamed Star Wars artist unsuccessful.
high · Martin: 'I think you need to understand what playfield integration is all about... I'm not seeing any sort of illustration around the inserts or any sort of grading that goes up to ramps.' Discusses failures and successes in artist transition.
industry_signal: Industry trajectory suggests licensing will become so expensive/restrictive that manufacturers will be forced toward original IP as default strategy rather than exception.
medium · Joe: 'Pinball... they need original stuff. I think that's just going to come now because of necessity. Because I think that people aren't going to be able to get a licensing anymore.'
community_signal: Haggis Pinball's public YouTube development series (19+ episodes) positioning them as transparent, community-engaged manufacturer. Recent artist hiring signals progression from prototype to production phase.
high · Martin: 'An Australian company set out to build a machine and had done it very publicly. I think they're up to now episode 19.' Describes YouTube series as following 'discovery of creating a pinball machine.'
leak_detection: Superman 78 artwork by Franchi circulated unofficially; George Gomez's statement that he 'had never seen that before' suggests it was not officially submitted through Stern channels, contradicting Beetlejuice precedent.
medium · Joe: 'Superman, they kind of said they'd never seen that before, which was a little surprising to hear.' Martin: 'I respectfully do not leak this information... I had seen this some time ago.'
collector_signal: Walking Dead pinball speculated to be future vault candidate despite current acclaim, based on pattern of initially underperforming licensed machines gaining value over time.
low · Martin: 'I wouldn't be surprised if that ends up getting vaulted at some point because of the fact that people love that machine now, but they didn't back when it was actually in production.'
content_signal: Stern appears to be using media engagement (podcast appearances, concept leaks) to maintain brand visibility and monitor community sentiment during production gaps (e.g., Wonka in production).
medium · Martin: 'Just also don't forget that they monitor how many times Stern is mentioned... this could be just a way of being able to keep Stern the name mentioned in everybody's eyes because Wonka's not out.'