claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.035
Slam Tilt ep 228: Code updates, HomePin Blues Bros reveal, Dutch/Pedretti news, Allentown show recap.
Jersey Jack updated Dialed In, Guns N' Roses, and Pirates with new code, including removal of score bits feature
high confidence · Ron Hallett and Bruce discussing recent updates; specific mechanics changes mentioned (score bits removal, hold left clipper button feature)
HomePin is making Stars 2 (Blues Brothers themed) and the playfield is based on the original Stars machine
high confidence · Ron Hallett describing playfield similarities; noted at Taiwan show with photographic evidence; playfield described as 'obviously use stars as a starting point'
Pedretti confirmed Funhaus as their first remake game, available in classic ($7,500) and limited edition ($10,000) versions with different artwork
high confidence · Ron citing official confirmation; specific pricing provided for both versions
Dutch Pinball will not reveal anything at Expo, contradicting NAP Arcade's claim about Back to the Future revelation
high confidence · Ron reporting per Pinball News conversation with Barry (Dutch Pinball owner); directly contradicts NAP Arcade reporting
Steph won the women's championship at Allentown pinball show with tournament game being Maverick
high confidence · Tournament results from Allentown show; confirmed by participants
RPC crew acquired 10-11 games (including an empty cabinet) at Allentown, notably Stern Viper and Counterforce
high confidence · Zach describing acquisitions from the show; specific machine names and quantities discussed
Stomp tournament at Rochester Pinball Collective has 7 spots remaining at $125 entry fee
high confidence · Ron promoting upcoming event; specific capacity and pricing stated
HomePin added a flipper to Spinal Tap prototypes because initial sales were poor
medium confidence · Ron discussing HomePin's development; described as 'supposedly' changed design due to market response
“Bye-bye, score bits. Bye-bye. They went backwards a little bit. They took out score a bit. We secured our platform by removing score a bit.”
Ron Hallett @ ~early in episode — Humorous critique of Jersey Jack's decision to remove score bits feature from updated code
“It's called Stars 2. It's coming out. Oh, that's what I got. Yeah. So, HomePin, who as far as I know are still making spinal taps. They are.”
Ron Hallett / Bruce Nightingale @ ~mid-episode — Confirmation of HomePin transitioning from Spinal Tap to Stars 2/Blues Brothers project
“NAP said that Back to the Future will be revealed by Dutch at Expo. But according to Pinball News, who talked to Barry, the owner of Dutch, he said we will not be revealing anything at Expo.”
Ron Hallett @ ~mid-episode — Directly contradicting industry rumor with official source confirmation
“The cool thing is it's a license just for the Blues Brothers, not the movie. You know, the thing everyone remembers about the Blues Brothers.”
Ron Hallett @ ~mid-episode — Commentary on HomePin's unusual licensing approach (band rather than film)
“Dialed In wasn't fun at the RPC... The only time dialed in was fun at the RPC. When it was gone.”
Zach (Flippin' Out Pinball) @ ~early-mid-episode — Critical assessment of Dialed In's playability and community reception at arcade venue
“Steph took home the women's championship in the tournament. Congratulations, Steph. Yay.”
Ron Hallett @ ~tournament section — Recognition of female tournament winner at Allentown show
“We overfilled the truck. No, there was still space. We could have bought one more.”
Ron Hallett / Zach @ ~Allentown acquisitions section — Humorous back-and-forth about acquisition haul size
“It's all modes. I just, like, time it out, whatever.”
Steph (sarcastic Valley Girl impression) — Comedic critique of Dialed In's gameplay requiring mode focus rather than varied play styles
code_update: Jersey Jack removed 'score bits' feature from updated OS code for Dialed In, Guns N' Roses, and Pirates. Score bits removal described as 'securing platform' but criticized as going backwards.
high · Ron: 'Bye-bye, score bits... They took out score a bit. We secured our platform by removing score a bit.'
product_launch: HomePin's Stars 2 (Blues Brothers machine) shown at Taiwan show with playfield based on original Stars layout; represents transition from Spinal Tap project
high · Ron describing Taiwan show reveal and playfield similarity: 'they obviously use stars as a starting point for this play field, very obviously'
product_strategy: Pedretti introducing multi-tier pricing for Funhaus remake: classic version $7,500 with original artwork, limited edition $10,000 with new Brian Allen artwork
high · Ron reporting: 'The first one priced at $7,500 for the classic version... then $10,000 for the limited edition... has the new, the different art'
rumor_hype: NAP Arcade reported Dutch Pinball would reveal Back to the Future at Expo, but Pinball News confirmed with owner Barry that Dutch will reveal nothing at Expo. Direct contradiction of industry reporting.
high · Ron: 'NAP said that Back to the Future will be revealed by Dutch at Expo. But according to Pinball News... he said we will not be revealing anything at Expo.'
design_philosophy: Dialed In criticized for forcing singular gameplay path through combo system; combos provide minimal points (300 for three-way combo) making alternative play styles unviable and demoralizing
groq_whisper · $0.409
Guns N' Roses code update included reduced multiball action compared to previous version
medium confidence · Zach noting changes heard; Ron commenting on magnitude of change
Dialed In's sling coils run at 20 volts while Elton John runs at 70 volts despite using same coil design
high confidence · Technical discussion between Zach and Ron about power differential and potential modifications
“We're going to be presenting in DPX soon. Yes. So, you know one of the three? 2965. Very good.”
Various hosts @ ~RPC introduction section — Announcement of RPC expansion and multi-suite facility development
“Judge Dredd and I need to have a talk on a rooftop.”
Steph @ ~game preferences section — Humorous expression of dislike for Judge Dredd machine
high · Steph: 'the combos... it sort of encourages one way of play over any other... you get, like, no points' and 'Demoralizing is a great way to describe dialed in playing'
competitive_signal: Allentown pinball show tournament results: Steph won women's championship, Ryan Garbera won A division, tournament game was Maverick
high · Tournament results confirmed and documented; Steph acknowledged as winner
manufacturing_signal: Rochester Pinball Collective expanding from 50 games across multiple suites (2965, 2970, etc.) at The Channel Works; expansion space not yet operational
high · Zach describing expansion: 'You had 50 games. Now you have how many? 50... expansion is not open yet. We're expanding.'
product_concern: Dialed In and Elton John use identical sling coils but run at different voltages (20v vs 70v), resulting in significantly weaker sling response on Dialed In despite same hardware
high · Technical discussion: 'ones on Elton John are running at 70 volts. The ones on dialed-in are running at 20 volts. But it's the same coil.'
licensing_signal: HomePin's Blues Brothers license covers only the band/music IP, not the movie, representing unusual licensing approach; unclear if original movie music included
high · Ron: 'The cool thing is it's a license just for the Blues Brothers, not the movie... according to Pinball News, there is going to be some music in there, but don't know what music'
event_signal: Saratoga Silver Ball Show scheduled June 21-22 supporting Saratoga Pinball Museum and Project Pinball funding; Coin Taker will be present
high · Ron announcing: 'Saratoga Silver Ball Show, June 21st and 22nd... All proceeds go to the funding of the future Saratoga Pinball Museum'
sentiment_shift: Dialed In experiencing significant negative sentiment from RPC venue community; hosts and Steph all express criticism of gameplay design and theme execution
high · Zach: 'The only time dialed in was fun at the RPC. When it was gone.' Bruce: 'It was gone, and it made more fun.' Steph: negative overall assessment
industry_signal: NAP Arcade producing inaccurate industry reporting (Back to the Future reveal) and unconfirmed personnel claims (Ray Day as designer); hosts noting pattern of NAP 'saying a lot of stuff' with 'little BS'
medium · Ron: 'They're saying that Dutch is going to reveal... They're saying a lot of stuff. They're saying a lot of stuff. Some of it's a little BS here.'