The next stop in our Winchester Mystery House series introduces Eric Priepke — the software engineer and programmer behind the house’s mind-bending code. From scripting the complex logic that ties every haunted room together to balancing the chaotic layers of light, sound, and animation, Eric helped the house come alive in ways that only a true programmer could appreciate. His precision work is what makes each mode flow seamlessly into the next, turning chaos into a ghostly symphony of logic.

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00:00:00 – Introducing Eric Priepke and the brains behind Winchester’s code

00:01:07 – Falling into pinball from early computer life and ISP work

00:03:22 – Color DMD days and the puzzle-solving mindset that shaped him

00:05:50 – From Cactus Canyon rewrite to meeting Scott Danesi at Expo

00:07:29 – How Spooky Pinball led to Barrels of Fun and Rick and Morty

00:08:41 – Keeping passion alive when creative work becomes a job

00:09:52 – Transitioning from Dune to Winchester and tackling room logic

00:12:21 – Inside the Mission Pinball Framework and its pros and limits

00:14:52 – Making complex lighting and display code work efficiently

00:16:55 – Open-source curiosity vs. licensed reality – why code stays closed

00:18:44 – Lighting design teamwork with Trent and crafting attract modes

00:20:08 – Power efficiency tricks using RGBW LEDs and white channels

00:21:22 – Texture memory juggling for dual displays and transparency limits

00:24:10 – Taming the turntable – how to spin safely without chaos

00:26:49 – First seeing Winchester fully dressed at Expo and initial awe

00:28:24 – Balancing updates across Labyrinth, Dune, and Winchester

00:29:58 – How good is Eric at pinball? (And Jeff’s scale of doom)

00:31:00 – Tall people, low doorways, and genetic pinball theories

00:33:06 – Why both hate video modes and love mechanical mini-games

00:35:10 – Handling airballs and impossible switch orders in real pinball

00:38:09 – Lighting philosophy – purposeful, not constant spectacle

00:39:39 – Spirit Energy mode – turning a multiplier into a sensory moment

00:45:00 – How audio collaboration reshaped Barrels’ internal workflow

00:46:20 – Learning the audio side – Eric on trusting Jeff’s instincts

00:47:24 – David Van Es drops in – team gratitude and Expo reflections

00:48:19 – Coding empathy – making early gameplay rewarding for everyone

00:50:05 – Advice for coders who want to cross into pinball

00:51:04 – Hidden features still to come – yes, more flashers are coming

00:53:13 – 3 000 plays later – feedback loops and show-floor lessons

00:54:23 – Dune’s quiet comeback – how word of mouth changed minds

00:56:02 – Running down Eric’s 12-game collection in 30 seconds flat

00:59:35 – The Raven thing...

01:00:46 – Would he rather own Raven or Bone Busters? The answer burns bridges

01:01:35 – Closing thoughts – why he codes, creates, and keeps building worlds

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