Pinball Heroes: LTG :)

The Pinball Blog·article·analyzed·Jan 17, 2009

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.020

TL;DR

Profile of LTG :), RGP authority and SS Billiards operator on 50 years in coin-op and pinball community building.

Summary

Profile interview with LTG :), a legendary Rec.Games.Pinball (RGP) technical authority and operator of SS Billiards in Hopkins, Minnesota, discussing his nearly 50-year career in coin-op, philosophy on community support for new pinball enthusiasts, memorable business milestones, and reflections on the industry's future. LTG emphasizes the importance of welcoming newcomers to preserve the hobby's health and highlights Stern Pinball as the likely survivor in a challenging market.

Key Claims

LTG :) has spent nearly half a century in the coin-op business, starting around age 4 scrubbing playfields
high confidence · LTG :) stated directly in interview that he spent 'near half a century in coin op' with early memory of being 4 years old cleaning a baseball machine
RGP (Rec.Games.Pinball) is generally more welcoming to new people than other hobby newsgroups, which has strengthened the pinball community
high confidence · LTG :) explained that RGP's humane approach to newcomers contrasts with other hobbies that 'destroyed it themselves' through flaming and dismissal
SS Billiards set a single-day income record on October 23rd, 1987, representing a major business recovery during difficult video game market times
high confidence · LTG :) cited this as his most significant business moment, occurring 5 years after the video game crash with a new Sega Afterburner arcade cabinet
Funhouse was LTG's most successful pinball machine for his business and 'kicked off the modern era of pinball as we know it' in the 1990s
high confidence · LTG :) answered directly about business success, noting he wore out two playfields on one Funhouse machine
Stern Pinball will likely continue operating and survive difficult market conditions in the next 5 years, with possible emergence of limited custom manufacturers serving wealthy clientele
medium confidence · LTG :) offered prediction about Stern's survival and potential for boutique custom manufacturers in future; acknowledged uncertainty about Gary Stern's personal involvement
The Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas is a destination LTG :) has not yet visited but considers worth visiting for all enthusiasts
high confidence · LTG :) listed it among places he'd like to see but hasn't yet visited
Pinball Expo in Chicago is one of the best pinball events in the world, organized by Mike and Rob with strong community engagement
high confidence · LTG :) described attending Expo with enthusiasm for its tournaments, seminars, and social networking opportunities

Notable Quotes

“If a new person comes for help and gets it, the hobby grows and gets stronger, and that helps everybody.”
LTG :) — Core philosophy on community building and mentoring that has shaped RGP culture
“One of the few things built by man that is almost alive.”
LTG :) — Poetic summation of pinball's appeal and philosophy
“I believe it was the game that kicked off the modern era of pinball as we know it. It really launched the 1990's for pinball.”
LTG :) — Historical assessment of Funhouse's industry impact
“There are a lot of people there who contribute a lot, and sadly a lot of them don't get the recognition they deserve.”
LTG :) — Humble deflection of personal credit while acknowledging broader RGP community contributions
“I don't ignore them or blast them out of the water. I always respond and start off with 'Hi my friend, good to hear from you'.”
LTG :) — Demonstrates approach to welcoming newcomers and mentoring philosophy

Entities

LTG :)personSS BilliardsorganizationRec.Games.Pinball (RGP)organizationPinball Hall of Fameorganization Pinball ExpoeventSteve TsubotapersonLyman SheatspersonStern Pinballcompany

Signals

?
business_signal: SS Billiards operated for 36+ years despite industry average lifespan of 1.5 years, demonstrating exceptional business resilience in coin-op sector
high · LTG :) noted surprise at surviving longer than typical game rooms and cited major recovery milestone on October 23, 1987 with Sega Afterburner investment
?
community_signal: LTG :) philosophy of welcoming newcomers and mentoring to strengthen pinball hobby health demonstrates deep community support orientation
high · Stated philosophy: 'If a new person comes for help and gets it, the hobby grows and gets stronger, and that helps everybody' and practice of responding positively to direct inquiries
?
competitive_signal: Funhouse identified as pivotal game launching modern pinball era in 1990s; LTG :) wore out two playfields on single machine indicating market demand
high · 'I believe it was the game that kicked off the modern era of pinball as we know it. It really launched the 1990's for pinball.'
$
market_signal: Stern Pinball predicted to survive difficult market conditions and remain viable operator; limited custom manufacturers may emerge for wealthy clientele only
medium · LTG :) prediction: 'Stern pinball...they are surviving in the worst of times, and I think will continue for some time to come. If the economy turns around...we may see a custom manufacturer or two pop up. But it would be very limited runs and extremely costly.'

Topics

Pinball community culture and knowledge sharingprimaryCoin-op/arcade business history and operationsprimaryMentoring and welcoming newcomers to preserve hobby healthprimaryLegendary pinball games and industry historysecondaryPinball events and destinationssecondaryStern Pinball's future market positionsecondaryGame room business sustainabilitymentioned

Sentiment

positive(0.85)— Interview reflects deep affection for pinball community, optimistic outlook on hobby's resilience, pride in business longevity and mentorship role. Nostalgic tone regarding past industry conditions. Some concern about current difficult market conditions but confidence in Stern's survival.

Transcript

web_scrape · $0.000

If you've ever searched a technical question about pinball machines on the internet, then it's quite likely you would have come across an answer/solution posted by LTG :) on Rec.Games.Pinball (RGP). So who is this LTG :) fella, and what makes him tick? The Pinball Blog attempts to find out more about the man from SS Billiards who can.The Pinball Blog. On RGP you are possibly the leading authority on pinball repairs and tips. Where did you learn it all? LTG :) I sincerely doubt I'm the leading authority on RGP for pinball repairs. There are a lot of people there who contribute a lot, and sadly a lot of them don't get the recognition they deserve. Whether it's complicated tech help, parts, a favor, etc. RGP is loaded with a wealth of good help dedicated to pinball and this has always made me feel honored to be a part of this newsgroup. I do think a lot of people identify with me. Especially people new to the hobby. If I can help with their problem, I try to figure where their repair skill level is at, and work through to a solution for them so they can make the repair and gain in confidence and repair skills. My thinking has always been that if a new person comes for help and gets it, the hobby grows and gets stronger, and that helps everybody. On other newsgroups new people ask a question and get flamed, and that hurts the group and particular hobby. Check out one of the barren newsgroups and what stuff sells for in that hobby, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that they destroyed it themselves. RGP generally is more humane towards new people. A few are gun shy and will email me rather than take a chance on the newsgroup. They usually start off with an apology for contacting me directly, but they need help. I don't ignore them or blast them out of the water. I always respond and start off with " Hi my friend, good to hear from you". As far as learning, I've spent near half a century in coin op. I remember being about 4 years old and standing on a stool and scrubbing a baseball machine playfield with comet cleanser. Most of my years were pre-internet and instant help. You needed to get something fixed, it didn't matter if you knew how or had parts or not, you figured it out. The process of needing to learn probably helped me. TPB. Are you still learning today? LTG :) I think as long as a person is alive they are learning. Technology changes, parts quality changes, we are always learning better ways to care for our games. The manufacturers weren't building them for collectors many years later. The sheer number of years collectors are getting out of their games and the quality of the game's condition, is testament to a lot of learning. And I'm still forgetting too. As things change and we leave things behind, you don't remember everything. I used to be pretty sharp with EM games and pinball machines, it's probably been over 25 years since I've been in one. I'm sure I'd be lost for a while and have forgotten the basic problems and what to do for them. TPB. Although currently a tough-time for coin-op you must have some incredible highlights from your time in the business. Is there a moment that particularly stands out? LTG :) From a business standpoint it would be October 23rd, 1987. A Friday, I had just put in the new rug, gotten Sega's sit down afterburner. MEA week, kids had off from school on Thursday and Friday. That Friday I set a record for one day income in my business, just 5 years after the video game fad flopped, a time when I didn't know how much longer I'd be able to remain open. And I managed to bring my business back huge. A feat I'm trying to replicate again. From a humanitarian standpoint. It would be an incident at my 30th Aninversary party. Lyman F. Sheats Jr. was there and brought souvenirs to hand out. There was a father brought his little girl in to play pinball. She was cute, the perfect kid. About 8 years old, missing a tooth, freckles. I asked Lyman if he'd do me a favor. Autograph a Medieval Madness poster for the child. Lyman did. I gave it to the girl. She was thrilled. The next day the father called and thanked me for the poster and that he hung it on his daughter's wall. She loved it. I suggested he should get it framed. When he asked why I told him to look at the autograph and then the design credits on the playfield. He was all excited, he said he'd get it framed for his daughter. Nothing in the world like putting a smile on a child's face. TPB. We've all made some great friends through pinball. Is there an individual you have met this way who you're glad you did and what influence have they had on your life and/or business? LTG :) . Steve Tsubota. Only person I've ever met who I wished I was more like. TPB. In 5 years do you think there will be anybody designing or making pinball machines? LTG :) Stern pinball. I don't know if Gary Stern will still own it, or be as active in running it. But they are surviving in the worst of times, and I think will continue for some time to come. If the economy turns around and the hobby stays strong, I believe we may see a custom manufacturer or two pop up. But it would be very limited runs and extremely costly. Namely for the rich and famous. TPB. If you had a time machine and had a chance to go back to where you started in the business, would you take a different path? LTG :) When I got out of high school, if I had the money to start the schooling, I'd be in radio broadcasting now. I would have never continued working for my father. As far as my business, the average life of a game room is a year and a half. So I never dreamt of being there over 36 years. Had I known that then, I would have stood in the center of the room and taken pictures front and back to see the changes in games and technology. I would have kept a diary too. Why I got a game, why I didn't, and if I did, pictures and notes about it. I was a test operator for 19 years, so I had a lot of odd ball stuff come through here. TPB. Is there a pinball place or event, anywhere in the world (other than SS Billiard of course) that is worth a visit for every enthusiast? LTG :) Of places I'd like to see and haven't: the woodrail pinball museum in France, Pinball Hall Of Fame in Las Vegas, and any pinball show anywhere on the planet, big or small. Of things I have seen: Pinball Expo in Chicago. Especially with their Silver Anniversary this year. I've always loved Expo. So much to see and do. Mike and Rob put on a heck of a show. Stern tour, seminars, tournaments, increasing time pins can be played, banquet, which is a tradition in itself, fireside chat. And the people. You never know who you'll run into. Old friend, new friend, somebody famous from the industry, somebody famous from supporting and promoting pinball. I like to land there, grab some souvenir mugs to hand out, and then mingle. I like to go with the flow. A bunch of people go to lunch, tag along, get back, another group are leaving and go with. I've had three lunches in a row. You just never know who you'll all run into. I am sad I can't see everybody and spend time with them or even get in a game of pinball with them. I love Expo and all the people there. TPB. As an enthusiast, what in your opinion was the best pinball machine ever made? LTG :) While I'm not much of a player and rarely get to play, I've always loved Capcom's Kingpin. TPB. Now, as a businessman, what has been the most successful pinball machine for you, and if you know, why? LTG :) Funhouse. Wore out two playfields on one here. I believe it was the game that kicked off the modern era of pinball as we know it. It really launched the 1990's for pinball. TPB. If you had to sum up pinball in one word or sentence, what would it be? LTG :) One of the few things built by man that is almost alive. Many thanks to LTG :) from SS Billiards who despite his modesty, really is a leading authority on RGP. Many people join in and ask for help, countless thousands of others will just be finding his answers on a search engine from the other side of the world. If you ever find yourself in Hopkins, Minnesota, then be sure to pop along to play the games and meet the great man himself. And of course we welcome suggestions for future Pinball Heroes victims. Cheers Nick Pinballers Anonymous SS Billiards Pictures used with permission from SS Billiards