Eclectic Gamers Podcast - Pinball & Video Games

Tony and Dennis give you the minimum from Pinball Expo to survive, talk a bit about the upcoming Nintendo "console", and have a single tabletop game to trash. Lots of fun! Pinball: Dennis has completed his background research into American Pinball, and so provides an info dump regarding the articles of incorporation, the mortgages, possible parts supplies, and more. Tony and Dennis use this to transition into Pinball Expo 2016, where they discuss the American Pinball presentation, Stern Pinball's Batman 66 and Aerosmith pins, Jersey Jack's Hobbit Black Arrow and Dialed In! machines, and Heighway's Alien Pinball. Video Games: The focus is on the Nintendo Switch, but Tony and Dennis also give their list of listened-to video game podcasts in response to a listener request! Tabletop: A very short, very blunt discussion regarding Speak Out, half tabletop game, half torture device. Links: American Pinball Research: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0ByH8OkGICVbWSlB2Qi0tQXhkUUE?usp=sharing Dennis' Video of Firepower (Incandescent vs LED): https://youtu.be/amTpWuDknjM Comet Pinball: http://www.cometpinball.com/ Pinball Magazine's Interview with American Pinball: https://soundcloud.com/user-935579828/pinball-magazine-podcast-01-american-pinball Gameroom Junkies Arcade & Pinball Podcast: http://gameroomjunkies.com/index.php/episodes/ TrueAchievements Podcast: http://www.trueachievements.com/podcast.aspx Podcast Unlocked: http://xbox360.ign.libsynpro.com/

Tony and Dennis were so busy over the last two weeks that most of this episode had to be ad libbed, and it shows. A weird mix of pinball, pizza, hot dogs, and gaming. Pinball: Brief updates/thoughts on Pinapalooza IV, American Pinball, and Expo. Tony and Dennis do launch into a more enjoyable topic: what would they do if they each were to start up a pinball manufacturing company in today's climate? Video Games: Tony hits on a couple easy-play titles to provide some suggestions now that Dennis finally upgraded his PC. Tabletop: I hope you like TV networks, as there's a game for that! Links: Beige Knight Pinball Podcast: https://soundcloud.com/user-944860920 Skill Shot Pincast: http://www.skill-shot.com/content/category/podcast The Slam Tilt Podcast: http://www.podcastgarden.com/podcast/slamtilt Pinball Magazine's Interview with American Pinball: https://soundcloud.com/user-935579828/pinball-magazine-podcast-01-american-pinball

Tony is back, and there's so much news to cover, especially pinball news! Pinball: The guys talk about the newly announced American Pinball, their association with JPOP, and the stated offer to produce Magic Girl while moving forward with their own pin theme (also magic themed). From there, Tony and Dennis hit on Batman 66's pricing and the application process for the SLE models. The pinball talk is rounded up with Spooky and their new unit count and pricing model announced for as-yet-unkown game number three. Video Games: Dennis leads off with Firewatch, which is now available on Xbox One (and all versions have received some new features along with this release). Tony covers Mad Max, and the joys of vehicle combat. Tabletop: It is all about Secret Hitler, which both Tony and Dennis played against each other to the doom of all mankind. Links: Dennis' YouTube "application" video for a Batman 66 SLE: https://youtu.be/SMC5xt-VT3o Jeff's YouTube "application" video for a Batman 66 SLE: https://youtu.be/365KuFK6mxM Podcast Unlocked Episode 264: http://xbox360.ign.libsynpro.com/podcast-unlocked-episode-264-firewatch-creators-discuss-xbox-version

Past guest host Mike (Episode 11 - E3 2016) returns to help cover for the absence of Tony. Not that Dennis couldn't monologue his way through, there's just the question of alienating all the listeners. As such, despite the madness Tony's absence entails, Episode 17 actually follows the typical structure with all three gaming categories represented. Pinball: This segment starts with a brief mention of the clearcoat (aka "ghosting") issues that have been ongoing on several Stern Pinball machines. The bulk of the pinball talk is about Stern's announced Batman 66 game, their first pin to replace the DMD with LCD. Video Games: Thanks to a free-to-play weekend, Mike and Dennis are able to touch on last episode's big video game talk: Overwatch. Outside of this, Mike and Dennis put time into two pre-release iterations of a couple upcoming major shooters. The first such discussion is regarding Titanfall 2 and its technical test. The second, more significant, discussion revolves around the Battlefield 1 beta. Tabletop: Pandemic, a cooperative board game, has been mentioned several times on past episodes. Tony, however, has always prevented the full truth from being exposed. Mike and Dennis pull back the veil on one of the most devious tabletop games ever designed, and explain why it blows chunks. Links: EGP T-shirt Contest: https://goo.gl/forms/ikFV9qLBYzXVck7F2 Coast 2 Coast Pinball, Episode 229: http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/episode-229_86459 Pandemic: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/30549/pandemic

Assisted by guest host Jack Danger (Dead Flip; TILT THRU), EGP hits on the following in this episode: Pinball: The segment starts with a discussion of everyone's favorite/least favorite competitive tournament formats. From there, the guys tackle the announced Cactus Canyon remake. The final pinball topic is WatchMojo's Top 10 Pinball Machines (which recently aired on YouTube). Video Games: It is all about Overwatch. Dennis gets to sit back as Tony and Jack go into the characters, the maps, and the game modes of the arguably most addictive shooter of 2016. Tabletop: Werewolf, and the related One Night Ultimate Werewolf, social deduction games, get the full attention of the crew. Links: Dead Flip: https://www.twitch.tv/dead_flip TILT THRU: http://www.podcastgarden.com/podcast/tiltthru WatchMojo's Top 10 Pinball Machines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDYmKpHfgtQ

Assisted by guest host Don (The Pinball Podcast), the guys tackle these rad topics in Episode 15: Pinball: The segment starts with just a generalized pinball discussion, flowing into an examination of Pabst Can Crusher's for-sale price (only available through Pabst). From there, the guys go into the rumors that Slayer will be Stern Pinball's next music pin. They close out the pinball segment by talking about the bad/not great pinball machine (loosely defined as being ranked on Pinside beneath 200 if a solid-state machine, or beneath 100 if an EM) they'd each most like to own. Video Games: This segment leads with the most obvious topic in the current doldrums of summer, No Man's Sky. From there, a discussion about Curt Schilling's defunct 38 Studios (which recently had criminal charges dismissed regarding the loss to Rhode Island taxpayers when the company went bankrupt) ensues. Since the Xbox One S is now out, the guys look a bit more into the latest console release. Finally, BATTLETECH's #SuperPreAlpha first look is discussed. Tabletop: Thanks to Gen Con 2016, this segment is rich in content. First up is Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle (a cooperative deck-building game). Next is Potion Explosion, a game that lacks actual explosions but does involve marbles. Finally, Tony leads into some thoughts based around his in-depth examination of D&D 5e, and uses that as a basis to explain his theories of character/class creation in RPG games. Links: The Pinball Podcast: http://www.thepinballpodcast.com/ Pabst Can Crusher sale page: http://store.pabstblueribbon.com/products/pabst-can-crusher-pinball-machine BATTLETECH SuperPreAlpha first look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjEeDz51pHE BATTLETECH added a late backer group for people who want to get in on the game now that the Kickstarter is over: https://battletech.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Itmejp (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/user/itmeJP/playlists Itmejp (Twitch): https://www.twitch.tv/itmejp/profile Watch recommendations: Rollplay the original, Rollplay solum, Rollplay age of rebellion, Rollplay made RPG (very funny) The Dice Tower (great for all board game stuff): https://www.youtube.com/user/thedicetower Koibu (Neal Erickson; recommend the Dicing with Death videos) (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/user/Koibu0 Koibu (Twitch): https://www.twitch.tv/koibu/profile Geek and Sundry (tabletop): http://geekandsundry.com/shows/tabletop/ Nifty LED: http://www.niftyled.com/

Pinball: Dennis and Tony discuss the culmination of months of voting and the winner of the 1980s Pinball Machine Mania Tournament. In addition, each talk about what Pinside Top 50 solid state pin they'd most want to own, and which Top 50 pin is the most overrated. Video Games: Discussion is entirely Nintendo-centric, with a discussion of Nintendo's disappointing first quarter financial report (it's more interesting than this sounds!) and the leaked specs on the Nintendo NX. Tabletop: It's all about KantCon 2016. Tony discusses his gaming experiences during the Friday session (D&D 5E and Planet Mercenary) and Dennis and Tony talk about their Saturday experience (more D&D 5E and The Ultimate Hero). Links: Dungeons & Dragons: http://dnd.wizards.com/ Paragon Notion (The Ultimate Hero RPG): https://www.facebook.com/ParagonNotion/

Pinball: Dennis starts the segment with the 1980s Pinball Machine Mania Tournament, which is now entering its final phase. From there, Tony and Dennis' discussion centers around the Pabst Can Crusher pinball machine artwork which was recently revealed, and an in-depth talk about the Medieval Madness Remake's color DMD announcement and associated pricing. Video Games: Pokémon Go leads off the video game segment, given the craze is sweeping the nation. In addition, nostalgia gets a boost with the Nintendo Classic Edition console. Tabletop: Per a listener request, the guys tackle Mars Attacks: The Miniatures Game. They also talk about the upcoming KantCon and the RPGs they've signed up for. Links: 1980s Pinball Machine Mania Tournament-Round 6: http://goo.gl/forms/XKxNaVaHdB7T3EDw2 Dorkly Pokemon MMO comic: http://www.dorkly.com/post/52546/be-careful-what-you-wish-for

Pinball: Dennis goes over the latest in the 1980s Pinball Machine Mania Tournament. From there, he and Tony give their thoughts on the Domino's Pizza pinball machine, talking about the art, layout, and gameplay already shown. Video Games: Dennis brings up Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ) 2016, a charity speed-running event, and Evo 2016, the premier fighting game tournament. Tony and Dennis also talk about some of their favorite fighting games from days gone by. Tabletop: Tony discusses Castles of Mad King Ludwig, a tile-laying game. From there, Tony outlines a variety of games that are good to play with young children. Links: 1980s Pinball Machine Mania Tournament-Round 5: http://goo.gl/forms/pisXnuA2BdxYsgkC2 Summer Games Done Quick 2016: https://gamesdonequick.com/ Evo 2016 Championship Series: http://evo.shoryuken.com/ Castles of Mad King Ludwig https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/155426/castles-mad-king-ludwig Enchanted Cupcake Party Game https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/140675/enchanted-cupcake-party-game Unicorns in the Clouds https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/159566/unicorns-clouds Tsuro https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/16992/tsuro Timeline https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/85256/timeline-inventions Ticket to Ride https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9209/ticket-ride

Due to the heavy volume of E3 coverage, the tabletop section has moved from the end of the podcast to the beginning. Tabletop: Tony provides some information about Hero Realms and its ongoing Kickstarter campaign. Pinball: Dennis goes over the Round 3 results of the 1980s Pinball Machine Mania Tournament and announces the Round 4 match-ups. Video Games: Comprehensive coverage of E3. Broadly broken out by press conferences, the following are the areas of discussion: Square Enix: Final Fantasy XV, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Deus Ex GO, Hitman, I Am Setsuna, Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness, and NeiR: Automata. EA: Titanfall 2, Madden, FIFA 17, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Fe, various Star Wars games, and Battlefield 1. Bethesda: Quake Champions, Elder Scrolls Legends, Fallout 4 DLC, Skyrim Remastered, Prey, Doom DLC, Elder Scrolls Online: Dark Brotherhood, Bethesda VR games, and Dishonored 2. Microsoft: The Xbox One S, Xbox Play Anywhere, Gears of War 4, Killer Instinct: General RAAM, Forza Horizon 3, ReCore, Final Fantasy XV, Tom Clancy's The Division (DLC), Battlefield 1, Xbox Network Update (Clubs, Looking for Group, and Arena), Xbox Design Lab (custom controllers), ID@Xbox (We Happy Few and Gwent), Tekken 7, Dead Rising 4, Scalebound, Sea of Thieves, State of Decay 2, Halo Wars 2, and Project Scorpio. Ubisoft: Ghost Recon: Wildlands, South Park: The Fractured But Whole, Tom Clancy's The Division (expansions), Eagle Flight, Star Trek Bridge Crew, For Honor, Grow Up, Trials of the Blood Dragon, Watchdogs 2, and Steep. Sony: God of War, Days Gone, The Last Guardian, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Detroit: Become Human, Resident Evil, Playstation VR (Impulse Gear, Star Wars Battlefront VR X-Wing demo, Batman Arkham, and Final Fantasy XV and its VR experience), Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Crash Bandicoot Remaster, Skylanders Imaginators, Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Death Stranding, and Spiderman. Nintendo: Pokemon SUN & Moon and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Other: Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, Persona 5, Akiba's Beat, Fate/EXTELLA: The Umbral Star, and The King of Fighters XIV. Links: Hero Realms Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1172937197/hero-realms-a-deckbuilding-adventure-card-game/description Round 4 of 1980s Pinball Machine Mania Tournament: http://goo.gl/forms/7WZbLeM6XqhTI9ik1 EA's E3 2016 Press Conference: https://youtu.be/psEDJXl2ApY Bethesda's E3 2016 Press Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT3eAmu4FhQ Microsoft's E3 2016 Press Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xM_NYqY71Y Ubisoft's E3 2016 Press Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVt25bOM6eM Sony's E3 2016 Press Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Me4_rqefVE Nintendo's E3 2016 Press Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19B4wloShy0

In this episode, Tony and Dennis hit the three gaming categories with a force of a mecha-clad death bunny armed with grenades that can destroy planets. Pinball: Results of Round 2 of the 1980s Pinball Machine Mania Tournament are discussed, and the match-ups for Round 3 are revealed. Dennis conducts an interview with Daniel Spolar and Amber Streath of the Project Pinball Charity. They discuss Project Pinball's mission, their upcoming July 2016 fundraising campaign, and ways the public can get involved in their efforts to install pinball machines in hospitals across the land. Tony and Dennis also sit down with Keri Wing, recent victor of Cactus Jack's Silverball Showdown, a PAPA circuit event. They go over what the PAPA circuit events are, talk about some of the games Keri played, and about her being the first woman in history to win a PAPA circuit event. Video Games: Discussion is lead off with talk regarding No Man's Sky. Specifically, the game's recent delay in release and the resulting death threats received by both the developer and the journalist who broke the news. In addition, an examination about Fable Fortune, a game trying to crawl out of the ashes of Lionhead Studios, and whether its prospects of a successful Kickstarter are realistic. Tabletop: Tony does a deep dive on Strike Legion, a sci-fi RPG that throws every trope in the book, after injecting them with steroids, at the player. He also discusses upcoming efforts to organize some RPG play in the area. Links: Round 3 of 1980s Pinball Machine Mania Tournament: http://goo.gl/forms/bxr7E3OSYvrzCG7H3 Project Pinball Charity: http://www.projectpinball.org/ GoFundMe for Project Pinball's July campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/projectpinball Project Pinball Charity Sweepstakes (win a pinball machine!): https://go.rallyup.com/9fad63 PAPA (Professional & Amateur Pinball Association): http://papa.org/ TILT THRU: http://www.podcastgarden.com/podcast/tiltthru The CoinBox Pinball Podcast: http://coinbox.libsyn.com/ Fable Fortune's Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flamingfowl/fable-fortune-a-fable-ccg-with-co-op-pvp-and-quest No Man's Sky delay and death threats: http://www.polygon.com/2016/5/29/11807840/no-mans-sky-delayed-death-threats-creator Original No Man's Sky delay post: http://kotaku.com/sources-no-mans-sky-delayed-1778797365 Strike Legion: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/93237/Strike-Legion

Pinball: Dennis goes over the results of Round 1 of the 1980s Pinball Machine Mania Tournament, and announces the Round 2 match-ups. As a transition topic (since virtual pinball can be thought of as a pinball topic AND a video game topic), we feature Dennis' interview with Brad Baker, founder of VPCabs. Dennis and Brad discuss the VPCabs product line, future plans, and what it was like for Brad to be on the ABC TV show Shark Tank. Video Games: Tony and Dennis go over the Civiliation 6 announcement and their thoughts on the series of Strategy games. Tabletop: Here we feature Tony's interview with Stephanie Bryant, creator of the Threadbare RPG. Tony and Stephanie go over the Threadbare concept, how it developed, and how it will work in final form. Links: Round 2 of 1980s Pinball Machine Mania Tournament: http://goo.gl/forms/fZGaUg51J7AGxEhA3 VPCabs: https://virtualpinball.com/ PinballSTAR Amusements: http://www.pinballstar.com/ Threadbare RPG: A stitchpunk tabletop role-playing game: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mortaine/threadbare-rpg-a-stitchpunk-tabletop-role-playing?ref=users

Pinball: Dennis walks through a March Madness-style pinball tournament contest to determine the best pinball machine of 1980-1989. From there, Tony and Dennis share their ideas for cool homebrew pinball rethemes. Video Games: Discussion centers on Dawn of War III, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Battlefield 1, and Stern Pinball Arcade. Tabletop: Tony provides an update for Noisy Person Cards and The Planet Mercenary RPG. In addition, discussion revolves around RPGs broadly, Kantcon, and the Threadbare RPG. Tony and Dennis give their thoughts on Dead Flip's Twitch presentation of Ghostbusters LE (after the Tabletop section since they forgot to do it earlier!).

Pinball: Tony and Dennis open with a discussion on Ghostbusters LE/Premium magnaslings, and conclude with The Big Lebowski finally shipping (and the option for air delivery). Video Games: Star Fox Zero, Pinball FX2's Alien DLC pack, and BattleFleet Gothic Armada round out the software discussion. Sony's PS4 upgrade is also examined. Tabletop: The third edition of Warmahordes, the Dresden Files cooperative card game, and Noisy Person Cards are three new upgrades/games that get attention, along with International Tabletop Day.

Pinball: Dennis interviews Nick Dangerous of the Dallas Makerspace VECTOR Committee to talk Freedom pinball, restorations, and long-term plans in the Dallas area. Video Games: Tony and Dennis discuss the (finally!) announced release of Final Fantasy XV, their history with the franchise, and thoughts on the JRPG genre as a whole. Tabletop: Tony dives deep into tabletop miniatures and what goes into playing such games.