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In this special episode of the Great British Pinball Podcast, hosts Neil McRae and Scott Rundle dive into the excitement surrounding UK PinFest, sharing personal updates, discussing game collections, and exploring market trends. They also touch on maintenance issues, community engagement, and the latest industry news, including the controversial Predator pinball machine and quality control concerns with recent releases. The conversation is filled with humor, insights, and a deep love for the pinball community. In this episode, Neil McRae and Scott Rundle discuss the current state of the pinball industry, focusing on American Pinball's challenges, the future of pinball design, and the innovations from Stern. They also preview upcoming games, emphasize the importance of accessibility in pinball, and provide insights into the upcoming Pinfest event, highlighting community engagement and the need for personal cleanliness at events.

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Scott and Neil talk about venues and the state of the hobby in the UK then cover the usual questions about new games etc.

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Scott and Neil debate the recent pinball launches and ask the question is pinball in a panic?

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In this episode of the Great British Pinball Podcast, Neil and Scott discuss personal updates, including health issues and family matters, before diving into the world of pinball. They explore the challenges of maintaining and refurbishing pinball machines, the importance of parts availability, and the dynamics of the pinball market. The conversation also touches on recent game acquisitions, upcoming events, and the mixed reception of the Dune pinball machine. Throughout the episode, they share insights on the value of pinball machines and the impact of market trends on collectors and enthusiasts. In this conversation, Neil McRae and Scott Rundle discuss the vibrant pinball scene in the Bay Area, the excitement surrounding the upcoming Harry Potter pinball machine, and the future of pinball with various upcoming titles. They emphasize the importance of community engagement and supporting local venues to keep the pinball culture alive.

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It's the TPF wrap episode - And Neil gives Blues Brothers some Boomstick! More swearing warning :D

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Neil and Scott cover a wide variety of the rumoured goings on at TPF and Scott shares some fantastic news about a new delivery coming!

Apologies about the audio, we are going to move away from our podcast software as we keep having issues that don't show up in testing.

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In this episode of the Great British Pinball Podcast, Neil McRae and Scott Rundle discuss their recent experiences in the world of pinball collecting, including the challenges of moving machines, the intricacies of game mechanics, and the evolution of pinball technology. They share personal anecdotes about their collections, including a Metallica LE and an Indiana Jones machine, and delve into the technical aspects of modern pinball machines, such as audio and visual enhancements. The conversation also touches on the challenges of homebrew projects and the satisfaction of building custom pinball machines. In this segment of the conversation, Neil McRae and Scott Rundle discuss various technical challenges faced by Stern pinball machines, particularly focusing on the Rush Premium LE model. They delve into the community's frustrations regarding game code updates for popular titles like John Wick and X-Men, and share insights on upcoming pinball titles and industry rumors. The discussion highlights the balance between manufacturing challenges and community expectations in the pinball industry. In this conversation, Scott Rundle and Neil McRae discuss the current state of the pinball industry, focusing on upcoming game releases, the challenges of game development, and the importance of player experience in events. They delve into rumors surrounding new games, the significance of community support for pinball venues, and the need for effective communication in event management. The discussion emphasizes the players' role in shaping the pinball experience and the necessity for organizers to prioritize their needs.

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Why did the wizard bring a ladder to the dungeon? Because they heard the campaign had a lot of high-level encounters! Its new pinball week - its D&D!

Summary

In this episode of the Great British Pinball Podcast, hosts Neil McRae and Scott Rundle reflect on their holiday experiences, discuss their pinball collections, and share insights from their recent visits to pinball events and manufacturers. They delve into the challenges facing the pinball industry, including production issues and the importance of quality assurance. The conversation also covers personal projects, Christmas gifts, and the highly anticipated Dungeons and Dragons pinball game, exploring its potential impact on the market. In this engaging conversation, Neil McRae and Scott Rundle delve into the intricacies of a new pinball game that incorporates RPG elements, discussing its mechanics, layout design, sound features, and community engagement. They explore the differences between various editions of the game, the ambitious coding behind it, and the procedural generation of gameplay. The discussion also touches on homebrew projects, event highlights, and the recognition of community contributions in the pinball world.

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In this episode of the Great British Pinball Podcast, Neil and Scott discuss various topics related to pinball machines, including their experiences with the new Labyrinth game, the differences in manufacturing and mechanics, the importance of maintenance, and the refurbishing of older machines. They also touch on the arrival of new games like Pulp Fiction and Metallica, the updates in game code, and insights into the pinball industry and future announcements. In this segment of the conversation, Neil McRae and Scott Rundle delve into various aspects of pinball games, focusing on aesthetics, gameplay complexity, and community engagement. They discuss the visual appeal of games, the trend of toppers, and the balance between game difficulty and enjoyment. The conversation also touches on the importance of risk and reward in game design, using X-Men as a case study, and highlights the evolution of technology in pinball. Additionally, they explore the rise of mods and the vibrant community surrounding pinball culture, emphasizing the positive impact of initiatives like Pinside's Secret Santa. In this conversation, Neil McRae and Scott Rundle discuss various aspects of the pinball community, including the challenges faced in online forums, personal achievements in the pinball industry, and the operational difficulties of running a pinball club. They reflect on the importance of game maintenance, the anticipation of new game releases, and the future of American Pinball, emphasizing the need for quality control in manufacturing. The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of pinball and the community's passion for the hobby. In this conversation, Neil McRae and Scott Rundle discuss various aspects of the pinball industry, including the long wait for code updates, the fluctuating values of pinball games, challenges in playfield quality, and the impact of material costs. They also touch on the role of influencers in the pinball community, the need for improvements in the UK Championship Series (UKCS), and the importance of supporting local venues and events. The discussion highlights the complexities and challenges faced by the pinball community as it evolves.

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summary

In this episode of the Great British Pinball Podcast, Neil McRae and Scott Rundle discuss the latest happenings in the pinball world, including the anticipated arrival of the Pulp Fiction LE, personal game collections, and the challenges of game deliveries. They delve into the intricacies of building and repairing pinball machines, share insights on new game releases, and reflect on the financial health of their pinball club. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of the pinball industry, including the introduction of redemption games by Jersey Jack Pinball and the importance of consumer engagement in driving the market forward. In this engaging conversation, Neil McRae and Scott Rundle delve into the intricacies of pinball gaming, discussing the importance of game audits, the nostalgia tied to game ownership, and the impact of game design on player experience. They explore industry insights, the significance of pop culture themes in pinball, and the reliability of games from various manufacturers. The duo also shares their thoughts on community opinions regarding new releases and the future of the pinball industry, emphasizing the need for quality themes and gameplay.

takeaways

• Pulp Fiction LE is on its way, creating excitement.
• Game deliveries can be unpredictable, especially around holidays.
• Building and repairing pinball machines can be a complex task.
• New game releases often come with updates and improvements.
• Clubs need to maintain financial health to survive and thrive.
• Challenges in the pinball industry include game reliability and parts availability.
• Redemption games are a controversial topic in the pinball community.
• Consumer engagement is crucial for the future of pinball.
• The market for pinball machines is evolving with new trends.
• Personal collections can become crowded, making it hard to decide what to keep. Game audits help in making informed decisions about game ownership.
• Nostalgia can heavily influence the decision to keep or sell a game.
• If a game isn't played often, it may not be missed if sold.
• A good game needs a decent theme and enjoyable gameplay.
• Reliability issues can deter players from purchasing certain games.
• Community feedback is crucial for game developers to improve their products.
• Themes play a significant role in the purchasing decision for pinball machines.
• The pinball industry has space for both large and small manufacturers.
• Engaging with the pinball community enhances the overall experience.

Sound Bites

• "My wife bought Metallica LE."
• "I just shake my head."
• "Theme is 90% of the purchase."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to the Great British Pinball Podcast

05:53
Scott's Home Brew Project and Challenges

13:09
Stern's Code Updates and Game Improvements

18:21
Pinball Game Mechanics and Design Challenges

25:22
Club Operations and Financial Insights

33:24
Challenges in Game Maintenance

40:15
The Evolution of Arcades

46:06
Jersey Jack Pinball's New Direction

52:04
Navigating the Pinball Market

58:07
The Evolution of Pinball Design

01:06:18
Concerns Over Reliability in New Games

01:12:27
Artistry in Pinball: A Discussion on Styles

01:19:16
American Pinball's Challenges and Opportunities

01:27:14
Industry Insights and Future Trends

01:33:26
Closing Thoughts and Community Engagement