Pinball Pursuit reacts enthusiastically to new Stern Transformers G1 game, praising design and condemning LE pricing.
Summary
Dr. Seek and Jay from Pinball Pursuit react to the newly announced Transformers pinball game by Stern, covering theme selection (G1 cartoon vs. Michael Bay films), game design by Elliott Eisman and Elizabeth as lead code designer, mechanical features including 14 unique shots, pricing tiers (Pro $7k-8k, Premium $10k, LE $13k), and production plans. They express enthusiasm for the game's accuracy to the source material, voice actor cameos, and overall design quality, while discussing the reliability trade-off of removing a planned transforming Optimus Prime mechanism.
Key Claims
The Transformers game covers the first two seasons of the G1 cartoon and received permission to include the Transformers movie halfway through development
high confidence · Dr. Seek citing information from designer interviews about Elizabeth's research process
Frank Welker (original voice of Starscream, Soundwave, Megatron) and Peter Cullen (original voice of Optimus Prime) provided voice work for the game
high confidence · Dr. Seek discussing licensing achievements with Hasbro
The game features 14 unique shots on a three-flipper layout with a VUK, ramps, and complex ball paths
high confidence · Jay's playfield analysis from gameplay footage
Optimus Prime was originally designed to transform mechanically but this feature was removed due to reliability concerns
medium confidence · Jay observing leaked footage and pictures showing tall Optimus Prime figure that 'looked damned' and speculating on removal rationale
The LE includes sculpted Dinobot, cassette ball lock with Soundwave that shoots balls, and moving Megatron that shoots from cannon; Pro/Premium have flat plastic versions
high confidence · Dr. Seek and Jay detailing tier differences from game materials
Elizabeth is serving as lead code designer on Transformers—her first lead role after supporting on Jaws and Dungeons & Dragons
high confidence · Dr. Seek citing designer credits and interview information
Stern plans to produce location Pros in June, then Premiums, then LEs in subsequent production runs
medium confidence · Jay relaying production schedule information from unspecified source
Hasbro was 'really good to work with' and provided extensive assets; contrast with Pokémon Company restricting Stern's ability to update Pokémon code
medium confidence · Dr. Seek making comparative observation about licensing cooperation
Notable Quotes
“I was not initially intrigued by the theme, okay, but I think it sounds really fun. I think it looks really cool. I am very excited.”
Jay@ 0:56 — Shows sentiment shift from skepticism to enthusiasm after seeing design details
“Hasbro, who owns the Transformers license, was really good to work with. They were like giving them everything. Unlike, you know, the Pokémon Company who has not given anything new for Stern to do.”
Dr. Seek@ 6:12 — Key industry signal about licensing cooperation differences affecting game development and code updates
“This is his second. Dom is very hard. The ramps and the shots are very tight. Just struggle... this is like I don't know what you would call it. The redemption tour. This game by Ellie Elliot Eismin looks amazing.”
Jay@ 9:12 — Frames Transformers as Elliott Eisman's redemption after lukewarm reception to John Wick (his first design)
“She talked about in one of the interviews that she had to go watch it... they had to watch like the whole cuz I think the game covers the first two seasons of the show.”
Dr. Seek@ 9:59 — Illustrates Elizabeth's research process and scope of source material integration
“Do you think that they would only put that in an LE? Maybe if they were going to do it. Of course. I think they would still do the premium. That would push people to get those LE.”
Jay@ 16:54 — Speculation on transforming feature and tier differentiation strategy
“I do not blame them for not having that. That's got to be so hard to have it like transform and just like not break.”
product_launch: Stern officially announced Transformers G1 pinball game; content creators reacting positively to design details, voice talent, and mechanics after press event access
high · Full gameplay footage, trailers, and press event coverage available; Dr. Seek and Jay reviewing multiple sources (interviews, gameplay videos)
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design_philosophy: Stern and designers chose G1 1984 cartoon aesthetic over Michael Bay live-action film IP; prioritized cartoon accuracy with period-appropriate visual style and hundreds of animation clips
high · Dr. Seek noting 'very 80s' visual impression and hundreds of cartoon clips; hosts discussing deliberate choice to avoid Shia LaBeouf Transformers legacy
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licensing_signal: Hasbro (Transformers IP owner) provided extensive cooperation and assets to Stern; secured original voice actors Frank Welker and Peter Cullen; contrasts with Pokémon Company's restrictive approach
high · Dr. Seek explicitly stating 'Hasbro was really good to work with. They were like giving them everything' and noting Pokémon Company blocks Stern code updates
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personnel_signal: Elizabeth promoted to lead code designer role on Transformers after supporting roles on Jaws and Dungeons & Dragons; positioned as redemption project for Elliott Eisman after John Wick's mixed reception
high · Hosts calling it her 'first game as a lead code designer' and 'incredible' achievement; framing Transformers as Eisman's 'redemption tour'
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design_innovation: Optimus Prime figure originally engineered to physically transform but removed from design due to reliability concerns; decision reflects operators' preference for durability over mechanical novelty
And today we're going to give our first thoughts, reactions to the new Transformers game, Transformers. >> More than meets the eye. Uh, we actually
The original Transformers pinball by Stern (circa 2011, Michael Bay theme) 'did not do well' and most people don't like it
medium confidence · Jay discussing legacy game reception
LE units will likely sell out within the week of announcement
low confidence · Jay's prediction based on observed community hype
Jay@ 16:45 — Acknowledges reliability as legitimate design constraint, reflects operator/collector tension over features vs. durability
“If people have games that are breaking all the time, people are going to be mad. But if you just have a regular one standing in the back there and people don't know the difference clams, that's what I think very it's okay.”
Jay@ 17:31 — Articulates operators' preference for reliability over mechanical novelty
“I think they're going to make Transformers all of June. The production schedule apparently is location pros, which is smart.”
Jay@ 20:17 — Reveals production timeline and location-first strategy
“I think the Ellies are going to sell out this week... I would not be surprised. People are hyped on this game.”
Dr. Seek@ 15:24 — Indicates strong LE demand prediction based on community enthusiasm
“So kudos to you guys, Elliot and Elizabeth. E squared. Equ what looks like a banger. So excited.”
Jay@ 11:50 — Recognition of design team accomplishment and community enthusiasm
medium · Jay observing 'leaked footage' showing tall Optimus Prime and inferring transformation removal; both hosts agreeing reliability justifies feature elimination
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gameplay_signal: Game features 14 unique shots on three-flipper layout with VUK, ramps, and complex ball paths; requires viewer analysis to understand flow; positioned as having substantial rule depth
high · Jay counting 14 unique shots and noting tight ramps requiring gameplay analysis; comparison to John Wick's difficulty
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product_strategy: Stern released three tiers: Pro ($7k-8k, flat plastic figures, no cassette lock), Premium ($10k, sculpted figures, mobile mechanics), LE ($13k, full features). Gameplay shots identical across tiers; differentiation purely cosmetic/mechanical
high · Hosts discussing tier-by-tier breakdown; Dr. Seek noting gameplaywise you're fine with Pro; LE includes unique Soundwave cassette lock and Megatron cannon mechanics
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collector_signal: LE units predicted to sell out within one week of announcement; community hyped on game despite high pricing ($13k); FOMO dynamics evident in raffle participation and tier differentiation strategy
medium · Dr. Seek predicting LEs 'going to sell out this week' based on 'people are hyped on this game'; Project Pinball raffle context
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manufacturing_signal: Stern planning June 2026 production of location Pros first, followed by Premium batch, then LE runs; location operators prioritized in production sequence
medium · Jay citing 'production schedule apparently is location pros, which is smart'; unspecified source for timeline information
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content_signal: Stern hosted press event with select content creators (Retro Ralph confirmed attendee); multi-source coverage via interviews, gameplay footage, and YouTube reactions; Pinball Pursuit unable to attend due to logistics
high · Dr. Seek mentioning press event invitation, Retro Ralph's on-site texting, Elizabeth interviews, and multiple gameplay sources reviewed
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competitive_signal: Elizabeth positioned as rising competitive player (tournament commentator); Elliott Eisman's design credentials strengthened after Rush success; team framed as 'E squared' rising talent
medium · Hosts noting Elizabeth's 'incredible player' status and tournament commentary role; 'E squared' nickname and redemption narrative around Eisman
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market_signal: Stern positioning Transformers (1984 G1, 80s nostalgia) and Pokémon (multi-generational, current trend) as complementary cornerstone releases targeting different age demographics in 2025-2026
medium · Dr. Seek noting 'they are like really tugging on the heartstrings of different generations' and comparing 80s kids (Transformers) vs 90s kids (Pokémon) appeal
I am very excited. I was texting Retro Ralph uh while he was there and he was like, "Dude, I wish you were here. This looks great." >> So, we're going to talk about our first
So, we're going to talk about our first impressions. Obviously, we haven't played it, but we've watched a whole bunch of stuff. All the trailers, the game play. Um I've listened to the interview with Loser Kid. I watched the gameplay that uh Elizabeth and Elliot did >> of the game. So, I think we could talk
Um, so let's start off with this is long rumored. People were worried it was going to be Shyabuff Transformers, >> which is the Transformers I know and I
which is the Transformers I know and I wouldn't necessarily be mad about. That was like prime time high school for me. >> Yeah. Like you you were in high school,
Uh, oh, Bae. Um, so many things to say about him. But yeah, so what's your connection? Obviously, the Shia Buff movie to Transformers. How many of those movies did you see? >> I think I saw one and two. And then I
I can't remember. Travis Knight directed Mobile. He's doing the new He-Man. He's the creator of Leica Studios. He does all the weird uh Claymation stuff that I love. >> Oh, interesting.
Yeah. Um, it was so fun. I loved that show. Um, I remember it very fondly. We had the Transformers from Beast Wars toys. >> We had an Optimus Primal. We had a
Megatron, who is like a prolific voice actor. I love voice acting. I've watched many a cartoon um documentary about like voice actors. >> He is so good.
Um, and they got Peter Cohen, who's the original voice of Optimus Prime. He also did Optimus Prime for all the movies cuz his voice is so good. and so Optimus >> that it's hard to replace it.
Yes. In the new Optimus or sorry, Transformers one animated flick, people were not happy that they didn't bring back Peter Cole, but he's playing like a young Optimus. So >> different.
that one. It is so cool that they got those original voice actors to be in the game. Like kudos to CERN for getting all the assets. From what I heard in a couple of things that I've seen, Hasbro, who owns the Transformers license, >> was really good to work with.
giving them everything. Unlike, you know, the Pokémon Company who has not given anything new for Stern to do. They're still on the original code because they can't make an update. >> Interesting. And speaking of Pokemon, I
Interesting. And speaking of Pokemon, I find that it's really funny that they are like really tugging on the heartstrings of different generations in their childhoods. I mean, Pokemon spans many different generations. I mean, it's the cool thing right now as it is. But then right after that, you've got Transformers, which is really totally throwing it back to those8s kids. You have the '90s kids who watch the Pokemon show cartoon. Now you have 80s kids watching. I thought that was funny. It's It's quite the good play that they have going on there. >> So, we've talked about Transformers, the
Okay, deal. Well, one of them has a cannon and gets shot out of it and it goes straight into a ramp which is really cool. The other one is the cassette dude. soundwave >> and he shoots out balls that are locked.
And the coins they've announced will allow you to play some of those free modes at like an arcade after you've played a real game. You can play that as like a little bonus mode. A little bit of extra for your money. Okay. I want them to do training modes for all the machines. >> Wouldn't that be great?
Which is nuts because it's a three flipper. It's got that that flipper on the upper right can hit a lot of shots. It's got some crazy ball paths. >> It's got a VUK. It's got ramps. It's got
I don't know what you would call it. The redemption tour. This game by Ellie Eisman looks amazing. I mean he has a background as the engineer. He designed the time machine ramp on Rush. >> Oh, which I love.
I mean, I'm judging him by the way he looks and his age, but I feel like he's too young to have known Transformers, and I know for a fact that Elizabeth is. >> Oh, yes. She talked about in one of the
I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK you that. Like, did they just have to sit down and watch a million episodes of Transformers for their job? >> Yes, that's what they did. How would
And she was like the I don't know what you would call it, like the secondary coder or like the support coder and rules person for both Jaws, which >> Okay.
Stop it. That's nuts. Um, and they have like Decepticons on the right and Autobots on the left like in the armor and everything. And they have the Decepticon and the Auto, sorry, Decepticon Autobots in the speaker light panel. So, you have those symbols. So cool. >> Um, it's gorgeous. I just can't get over
Um, it's gorgeous. I just can't get over the price for a LE when even if I got a premium, I could put in some of those things for less than that cost. >> Yeah, but then you have to do the work
Yeah, but then you have to do the work and you have to like there are people that just want it out of the box. I will say Project Pinball, which is the charity raffle. >> Oh, that's right. I love Project
So, the shots are all the same. Does not change. You're not getting a lesser game in that way. And I think that's smart of Stern to do. >> What you don't get is the cassette ball
He's so cool. And Megatron, he's still in the game. He doesn't move and he doesn't shoot balls out of his cannon. >> That's too bad. And I like how they both
I mean, it makes a difference. Like, I saw a Godzilla pro for the first time at Texas Pinball Festival and I was like, >> but that changes the game play.
Uh, I do think the Ellie looks really cool. Like I said, I always am a sucker for the little cutout. Yeah, the lights the light speakers always look really cool. I like it. I don't think they did on this one when they do the special thing on the um the puller. Yep. >> I think it's coming later. They haven't
Cuz I don't think it was a cost thing. I think it was a reliability thing. If people have games that are breaking all the time, people are going to be mad. But if you just have a regular one standing in the back there and people don't know the difference >> clams,
Um, except for the fact that there are very iconic songs, two of them, and all the pinball songs and certain callouts get stuck in my head all the time. >> All the time.
Okay. You want to hear some funny facts about the Transformers movie? For those that don't know, I find the Transformers movie so funny. >> Number one, uh they wanted to sell more
Number one, uh they wanted to sell more toys and they realized that people of the age had all the original cast. Mhm. >> So 10 minutes into the film, they
So 10 minutes into the film, they decided to kill off all the major characters and reintroduce new ones just to sell more toys. >> Is that where Beast Wars came from?
Yeah, um so that's one thing. Get like like Optimus Prime dies in the first 10 minutes and I think kids were traumatized cuz it's not it's not like a subtle death. >> Oh my god. He like disintegrates into
Oh my god. He like disintegrates into gray. It's bad. Um, and then I think it's his last performance. Orson Wells, Citizen Kain, one of the famous most famous actors of all time was the voice of oh, I forget the name of the robot, but the real big evil robot baddy of the game of this movie. >> Big evil robot baddy
Man, so fast. I feel like they've been pumping out Pokemon really fast and they still have such a backlog for Pokemon which is great. >> Yes. Yes. People are like waiting on
Um, I'm excited for this one. I'm sorry I couldn't be there. We're very excited. Congratulations again to Elliot and Elizabeth. >> Very cool. Looks so cool.