#005 - Are We Buying Too Many Games, or Is 15 Just the Beginning?

TL;DR

Hosts debate collection saturation at 15 machines and rank non-Stern manufacturers.

Summary

Key Claims

• JAWS Pro was the first pinball machine the hosts acquired and sparked their entire collecting obsession

  high confidence · Mike and unnamed co-host discussing their JAWS machines; described as 'gateway drug' and stated 'if there had not been a Jaws, we maybe never would have bought a pinball machine'

• The hosts currently own 15 pinball machines and are considering pausing further acquisitions

  high confidence · Co-host states: 'I think once we get that we're gonna pause Acquisition of pinball machines for a bit' and 'maybe 15 is enough for a while'

• Stern flipper mechanisms feel snappier due to the Spike 2 system having lower lag compared to other manufacturers' systems

  medium confidence · Host referencing content from 'the electric bat podcast' and creator Kale, discussing that even with Stern flipper mechs in Jersey Jack machines, they wouldn't feel snappy without the Spike 2 system

• An Atari prototype Wonder Woman pinball machine was made in 1979

  medium confidence · Host states: 'I think it was in 1979 Atari made one prototype of this' while researching dream themes

• Jersey Jack Pinball has better lighting than other manufacturers

  medium confidence · Host claims Jersey Jack has 'the best looking lights in pinball. Hands down' and that Wonder Woman 'screams like light shows'

• The hosts use a 'down the line' game format where all machines are started in four-player mode and players rotate through each machine sequentially

  high confidence · Co-host explains: 'we start them all in four player games and player one literally goes down the line and plays the first ball'

• Joe Sharp taught the host a post-pass technique on Iron Maiden during a ladies tournament

  high confidence · Host describes learning to 'post pass through the left flipper' to hit the middle ramp on weak flipper machines

• A recent tournament at Landmark in Peoria had 38 players and introduced many new faces to the hosts

Notable Quotes

• “That's a real friend. He likes to see you happy.”

  Mike (referencing Rob Kellenberger calling about the podcast) @ early in episode — Reflects community warmth and podcast's emotional resonance beyond pinball enthusiasm

• “If there had not been a Jaws, we maybe never would have bought a pinball machine.”

  Co-host (unnamed) @ mid-episode discussion of JAWS machines — Establishes JAWS Pro as pivotal to their collecting journey and podcast existence

• “I'm going to go get 200 million. I'll be right back. And I had no idea what I did.”

  Host recounting early JAWS Pro memory @ mid-episode — Illustrates early learning curve and genuine discovery moment on game

• “maybe 15 is enough for a while”

  Mike @ discussing collection size — Core claim about collection saturation that frames entire episode discussion

• “Why did they have to draw attention to the 50th anniversary sticker? It's a hologram sticker. It's a sticker. So dumb.”

  Co-host @ JAWS 50th Anniversary Edition discussion — Critical feedback on manufacturing/marketing choice; complaint about promotional element detracting from game

• “I choose Jersey Jack. Purely because they've got money... I think they have money.”

  Co-host (unnamed) @ You Choose scenario resolution — Strategic reasoning for manufacturer survival choice based on perceived financial resources

• “We're going to put you out of business”

  Host paraphrasing Jack (Jersey Jack founder) to Gary Stern @ discussing Jersey Jack's origins — Historical anecdote about competitive intent between manufacturers

• “I'd love to record our matches versus the bands that come through. Yeah. And just put those out as their own videos, like standalone.”

  Mike and co-host planning content @ near end of episode — Signals content creation expansion and cross-promotion with live music venue

Entities

Signals

• ?

  product_launch: Hosts recently acquired Stern JAWS 50th Anniversary Edition Premium model to replace traded JAWS Pro

  high · We just got the JAWS 50th Anniversary Edition a few days ago... the Pro is going to be traded away tomorrow

• ?

  collector_signal: Hosts report owning 15 pinball machines and considering pause on acquisitions due to gameplay/knowledge management challenges

  high · we've also got an uncanny x-men pro... John Wick and Led Zeppelin... I'm like, I've got to go play X-Men... maybe 15 is enough for a while

• ?

  community_signal: Recent tournament at Landmark in Peoria drew 38 players with significant new participation

  high · There were 38 players there and a bunch of people that I had never met before, which is pretty cool

• ?

  content_signal: Hosts planning to establish streaming rig for recording gameplay with commentary at home and tournaments

  high · we're going to try to create a streaming rig that we can use at our house... record our matches versus the bands... put those out as their own videos

• ?

  gameplay_signal: Post-pass flipper technique being taught and adopted by intermediate players in competitive context

  high · Joe Sharp... taught me this on Iron Maiden... post pass through the left flipper... I started trapping up on the right and passing it over to the left flipper

• ?