claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.036
Christmas special featuring Tommy's pregnancy announcement, Godzilla code update coverage, and tribute to Marco Mandeltort.
Stern released a code update for Godzilla jumping from version .81 to .85 with substantial changes including new light shows for Saucer Attack multiball and planned future Godzilla power-ups still to be implemented
high confidence · Taylor discussing the update on the episode; he has 400 games played on new code as of last night
Stern updated code on basically all Spike 2 games, including Turtles (scoring balancing), Mandalorian (upper playfield encounters altered), and Monsters (added content), primarily to integrate Insider Connected
high confidence · Taylor states this directly, noting Stern has been 'cranking things out here for the holiday'
Godzilla's Saucer Attack multiball now requires hitting the pop bumper five times to qualify destruction (previously required hitting a separate switch), and includes a timer (approximately 10-15 seconds) for the kill shot
medium confidence · Taylor cross-referenced Pinside rules thread after code update; notes this is a rule change from early code
Godzilla's Train mode has been altered so that shooting the right ramp repeatedly now triggers the building to lift, diverting the ball to the right flipper to prevent 'ramp spam' exploitation while maintaining high scoring potential (160+ million possible)
high confidence · Taylor describes playing the mode and observing the mechanical change in new code
Mandalorian's updated code makes the upper playfield encounters significantly easier by allowing continuous play instead of playing to bonus mode completion at each level, improving game flow and difficulty balance
medium confidence · Taylor reports feedback from 'everybody' who has played it; he hasn't tested new code himself yet
Tommy and Alyssa have been trying to conceive since May 2021, experienced a miscarriage in August 2021, and are now in the second trimester with genetic testing confirming a healthy baby
high confidence · Tommy's direct personal account on the podcast
Marco Mandeltort, founder of Marco Specialties, passed away recently (within the past week of the December 2021 recording)
“Alyssa and I have actually been trying to have a child since about May. And there was a point where we didn't talk for a while. We had a miscarriage in August, which it's been a very unique experience because I found like, we knew statistically how common it was. But until it happens to you, you kind of take that common, you know, the fact that it's not you for the most part, and that it was us.”
Tommy @ early in episode — Core personal announcement and reflection on the impact of miscarriage; explains the emotional weight of the journey
“We have had an ultrasound, and we got our genetic testing back telling us that everything is healthy and that we are going to have a baby that we'll reveal stuff on later.”
Tommy @ early episode — Confirms healthy pregnancy milestone and indicates gender reveal planned for later
“I have 400 games on the new code as of last night... Godzilla has new code. It only jumped up to .85 from .81, and there's a ton of updates, which is insane and also exciting about what's still to come because there's still a lot of stuff in there that's just not there, like Godzilla power-ups.”
Taylor @ mid-episode — Confirms Godzilla code update details and hints at future planned features not yet implemented
“I am really digging the new code, and I am like obsessed with starting Saucer Attack multiball. I don't know why, because it's, yeah, like it's not like it's the most lucrative thing, but it is so fun to shoot at, and the new light show for Saucer Attack now is amazing.”
Taylor @ mid-episode — Establishes Taylor's positive reception to specific Godzilla code changes and new visuals
“I took a Godzilla vinyl bank, painted it, and then I worked with Joe Zinkas. It goes by Toyota Boy on Pinside. And Joe printed up these, like, little 3D-printed trains that I used these, like, flame LEDs... basically like Godzilla, you replace the original Godzilla with this bigger Godzilla bank, which is like maybe three times larger.”
Taylor @ mid-to-late episode — Details Taylor's custom Godzilla mod project; reveals community collaboration and aftermarket customization culture
“Marco Mandeltort passed away this past week. And he was just a like old school pinball guy who was always great to chat with... It just, like, yeah, it was just a really great, warm guy. And it's the hobby is a lesser – it's just – we've lost a giant in the hobby.”
code_update: Stern released Godzilla code version 0.85 from 0.81 with substantial changes including new Saucer Attack multiball light show, modified Train mode to prevent ramp spam, altered pop bumper qualification mechanics, and planned future Godzilla power-ups still in development
high · Taylor: 'Godzilla has new code. It only jumped up to .85 from .81, and there's a ton of updates, which is insane and also exciting about what's still to come because there's still a lot of stuff in there that's just not there, like Godzilla power-ups.'
code_update: Stern pushed code updates across Spike 2 games (Mandalorian, Turtles, Monsters) primarily for Insider Connected integration, with secondary balance/content changes to individual games
high · Taylor: 'Stern's really been cranking things out here for the holiday... Stern updated code on basically all of the Spike 2 games at this point. A lot of it is just to get Insider Connected in there, but I know Turtles has a scoring balancing, Mandalorian, they've altered the upper playfield. Monsters, they added stuff.'
gameplay_signal: Godzilla .85 update appears to have rebalanced Saucer Attack multiball qualification and Train mode to address exploitation while maintaining high scoring potential and player engagement
medium · Taylor describes new pop bumper rule replacing switch requirement, timer-based kill shot with visual feedback, and Train mode mechanical diversion to prevent ramp spam; still reports 160+ million scoring potential
design_innovation: Robust aftermarket mod community has emerged around Godzilla including sculpt replacements, LED-integrated mechanical toys, spinner-triggered effects, and backbox lighting modifications, with custom creators sharing designs on Pinside
high · Taylor created custom Godzilla vinyl bank mod with 3D-printed trains and flame LEDs; received mods from T. Diddy (Tesla towers), Brandon/Gov (pop bumper), and others; plans to share full Pinside thread with links and instructions
groq_whisper · $0.193
high confidence · Taylor and Tommy both confirm his passing and reflect on his impact to the pinball hobby
Marco Specialties has been instrumental in pre-selling games and bringing them to pinball shows, often providing games at events independent of Stern's direct involvement, especially during 'darker periods' of the hobby
high confidence · Taylor emphasizes Marco's presence and role in supporting the community at shows
Community members have created various mods for Godzilla including: a custom Godzilla vinyl bank with 3D-printed train cars with flame LEDs (by Taylor and Joe Zinkas/'Toyota Boy'), Tesla Strike spinner tower mods (by 'T. Diddy'), and backbox lighting mods tied to spinner hits
high confidence · Taylor and Tommy discuss specific mods they've purchased or received; Taylor created one and is sharing instructions
Official art blades are being released for pinball machines (including Ninja Turtles) and are becoming standard accessory upgrades, though some are expensive; Marco Specialties had many toppers available for purchase
high confidence · Taylor and Tommy discuss purchasing and receiving art blades; mention of Marco Specialties inventory
Taylor @ late episode — Tribute to influential industry figure; establishes Marco's stature in the community
“But that dude was always smiling when I saw him at a pinball event, and the reality is like he's still at work, like he's working when he's at a lot of those shows... that dude was happy to be around pinball.”
Tommy @ late episode — Reinforces Marco's character and dedication to the hobby despite the work involved
“I got my Jurassic Park from them. So it's like I have my Marco tag... they even printed it up so it says courtesy of Taylor Reese This Flippin Podcast... those little touches like that, that, you know, create loyalty.”
Taylor @ end of episode — Illustrates Marco Specialties' personalized service and community support approach
“Well, congratulations. That is absolutely like some of the most exciting news and positive news that I can think of right now. So I'm super psyched for you guys.”
Taylor @ early-mid episode — Celebrates Tommy's pregnancy announcement; establishes mutual support within the host partnership
“I love being a dad. It's a wild ride. It's a roller coaster, but it's absolutely the best. I mean, like, that is what I enjoy. I enjoy being a dad.”
Taylor @ early-mid episode — Taylor shares his positive parenting experience to encourage Tommy; establishes role model influence on the decision
community_signal: Marco Mandeltort, founder of Marco Specialties and beloved industry figure, passed away in December 2021; widespread genuine grief in pinball community; recognition of his outsized impact on hobby accessibility and event support
high · Taylor and Tommy both confirm passing; extensive reflection on his character, work ethic, warm demeanor at shows, instrumental role in game availability at events, and quality customer service; Tommy: 'we've lost a giant in the hobby'
operational_signal: Marco Specialties employed pre-sale strategy to bring games to pinball shows, supplementing or replacing manufacturer-provided game availability, particularly during difficult industry periods
high · Taylor: 'Even at recent shows, they've done a huge job of pre-selling games so that way they could provide more games at a show to go along with their booth, and then people like us get to take them home.'
product_strategy: Stern/manufacturers releasing official art blades as standard premium accessory for games (observed with Ninja Turtles); becoming expected upgrade for collectors; aftermarket availability through Marco Specialties and others
medium · Taylor: 'The Ninja Turtles that I picked up came with them... when you've got like these official art blades getting released, the Ninja Turtles that I picked up came with them... they just look really nice in there. I get it now.'
personnel_signal: Tommy transitioned to new job (unspecified role) motivated by impending fatherhood; managing multiple employment positions while coaching; life circumstances shifting due to growing family
high · Tommy: 'I've got a new job coming, I think, and I have started that. The big motivator for the new job is that I'm going to become a father.'
community_signal: Pinball community contains active fathers/parents who serve as role models for younger community members considering parenthood; informal mentorship on balancing family, work, hobby; Tommy specifically credits Taylor and others for setting examples
high · Tommy: 'I've spoken to several other of my friends in the hobby who have kids and have shown me how they can do family and jobs and taking care of kids and having a hobby still... There's a lot of you who have been very good examples of being good fathers to me.'
collector_signal: Limited availability and custom nature of Godzilla mods driving community collector behavior; Taylor creating exclusive mod, Joe Zinkas being asked to print for others, Brandon selling pop bumper mods; high demand for official toppers and art blades
medium · Taylor: 'I'm not making them for other people... Joe is willing to print people the 3D parts'; Brandon 'is selling them now'; Marco Specialties 'had a lot of toppers available'; custom mods being shared and discussed extensively
event_signal: Taylor and Tommy conducting charity streams (Sleep in Heavenly Peace) as community engagement strategy; integrated into personal life events (pregnancy scares interrupting stream)
medium · Tommy: 'We were in the middle of our charity stream for Sleep in Heavenly Peace... I had to immediately leave there and head to the ER.'