claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.032
Stern teases new Marvel/Avengers cornerstone; hosts debate strategy, licensing, and Zombie Yeti's role.
Stern Pinball has announced a third cornerstone title for 2020, likely the last of the year
high confidence · Host confirms via Flippin' Out Pinball stream that the Marvel teaser represents confirmation of a third cornerstone title for 2020
The new Avengers game uses comic book art style by Zombie Yeti rather than movie assets
high confidence · Host identifies artwork as Zombie Yeti style based on hollow-eyed character design; confirmed Zombie Yeti was working on another Stern project
The game includes obscure Marvel comic characters like Supergiant, not just film characters
high confidence · Travis Murray noted Supergiant in artwork (not portrayed in films) and other obscure comic characters, suggesting comic book focus over film adaptation
Stern may have accelerated this announcement due to competitive pressure from JJP and Deep Root announcements
low confidence · Host speculates Stern might be showing a 'burn move' to preempt competitor announcements, but co-host is skeptical of this level of competitive concern
The original Stern Avengers cornerstone was not well-received
medium confidence · Host states 'it was not a good game' regarding the original George Gomez Avengers cornerstone, citing Black Widow ramp frustration
Marvel Studios (film) licensing is more restrictive than Marvel Comics licensing
medium confidence · Hosts discuss that Deadpool worked well with comic license rather than film, suggesting comics offer more creative freedom and are easier to work with than Studios
Chadwick Boseman died from colon cancer at age 43
high confidence · Host mentions recent loss of Chadwick Boseman, citing colon cancer as cause; treated as sad but timely given Black Panther inclusion in game
“I think this pin was likely slated to be released in July... end of July would have made the most sense.”
Host @ ~midway — Speculates on Stern's production timeline and backlog recovery post-COVID
“If the eyes are hollow and it looks like the character wants to kill you, it's most likely Zombie Yeti artwork.”
Host @ ~midway — Identifying signature art style; confirms Zombie Yeti involvement in new game
“Stern is Apple. Yes, correct. JJP is not Apple.”
Co-host/Host @ ~midway — Market positioning: acknowledges Stern's dominant market share vs. competitors
“I would rather have the money for mechs.”
Host (paraphrasing Keith Elwin) @ ~midway — Suggests designer agency in licensing decisions; trades licensing assets for mechanical budget
“Do they really care? ...probably right.”
Co-host/Dennis @ ~midway — Skepticism about whether Stern restructures releases to counter competitors
community_signal: The Pinball Show launching giveaway program (Ninja Turtles banner) to increase listener engagement and review submissions on iTunes/TwipDB
high · Hosts detail giveaway mechanics: random draw from iTunes/TwipDB reviewers; requires email submission for contact; banner valued at $200+ on Pinside
event_signal: Stern implementing community engagement via Marvel game reveal teaser with broad character inclusion (comic focus on Black Order, Supergiant, etc.)
medium · Teaser artwork analyzed for Easter eggs and character inclusion; Travis Murray identified comic deep cuts
competitive_signal: Possible (but unlikely) competitive response: Stern accelerated Marvel announcement to preempt JJP (Guns N' Roses/Toy Story) and Deep Root announcements
low · Host speculates 'burn move' theory; co-host dismisses as unlikely given Stern's market dominance (Apple vs. Samsung analogy)
design_philosophy: Hosts question strategic value of redoing Avengers cornerstone so soon after original George Gomez version; Black Widow ramp gimmick already improved on Deadpool
medium · Host states redoing theme 'is a mistake to redo Avengers this soon'; questions whether gimmicks worth saving after Deadpool improvements
design_philosophy: New Avengers game uses comic-book license and art style rather than film assets, following Deadpool precedent for creative freedom over movie tie-in restrictions
high · Hosts discuss comic characters like Supergiant (not in films), note easier Marvel Comics licensing vs. Studios, reference Deadpool success with comic approach
groq_whisper · $0.270
design_philosophy: Hosts speculate designers (e.g., Keith Elwin) may negotiate to trade movie assets for expanded mechanical budget ('BOM'), suggesting creator input on licensing choices
low · Host speculates 'if we do the comic license instead of the movie license, how much more money can I spend on my BOM?' based on Elwin's player/designer profile
licensing_signal: Marvel Comics licensing offers more creative freedom and character variety than Marvel Studios film licensing; easier negotiation pathway than Deadpool
high · Hosts reference Deadpool precedent; discuss that comic license allows obscure characters and original story arcs without film restriction
manufacturing_signal: Stern may have caught up on backlog after COVID delays, enabling earlier third cornerstone announcement than expected
medium · Host speculates game was originally slated for July (end of April Turtles + 3-month gap), now accelerated to October, suggesting production recovery
market_signal: Third cornerstone announcement suggests Stern's production capacity has improved post-COVID, enabling faster release cadence than anticipated
medium · Host expected December announcement for third cornerstone; now in September/October, indicating accelerated timeline
personnel_signal: Zombie Yeti assigned to Avengers game artwork; one cornerstone project (likely this one) was a surprise assignment to him
high · Host states 'one of them came up as something of a surprise to him' and identifies Zombie Yeti signature art style; previously public that Zombie Yeti working on another Stern project
announcement: Stern Pinball officially teased Marvel/Avengers as third cornerstone of 2020 via 'Assembling Soon' video with Marvel film intro style, Zombie Yeti artwork, and dynamic sounds
high · Host confirms via Flippin' Out stream; teaser video titled 'Assembling Soon' with Marvel montage aesthetic
technology_signal: Hosts uncertain whether new Avengers will use LCD screen (Spike 3) or traditional playfield display, questioning Stern's platform strategy evolution
medium · Host asks 'Will the world be under glass?' expressing skepticism about Stern's recent trend of custom digital worlds vs. traditional playfield