THIS WEEK IN PINBALL – 6/26/23: Stern’s Next Cornerstone, Andrew MacBain Interview (Pinball Adventures), Banzai Run Tutorial & MORE

Stern’s Next Cornerstone Rumored to Debut at Comic-Con in July

According to a report from Knapp Arcade, an email sent out by game distributor Orange County Pinballs made reference to the availability of Stern’s next cornerstone game at the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con (July 20-23rd).

No official word from Stern yet, but the timing sounds about right for the next cornerstone announcement, and given Stern’s existing relationship with Comic-Con (the picture above is from last year’s booth), it all seems to check out. Of course, as with any rumor, your mileage may vary. Will we finally see Brian Eddy’s Venom? We’ll hopefully know in a few short weeks.

Read the full piece here

Andrew MacBain (Pinball Adventures) Interviewed on Don’s Pinball Podcast

Don’s Pinball Podcast, one of the newer pinball podcasts on the scene, had a discussion with Andrew MacBain of Pinball Adventures (related – check out our shallow dive on Punny Factory)

• Andrew says there’s a lot to pinball manufacturing, and the hardest part is getting the layout dialed in. Hard to balance difficulty with entertainment and sufficient ball times.

• Speaks highly of NorthWest Pinball and Arcade Show in Tacoma, WA

• Got into the hobby because he loves the design part of the process

• Pinball Adventures is being funded primarily by some of Andrew’s other companies

• Talks about getting a machine to market as a startup and sub-contracting things like cabinet production, printing, metal work, etc.

• Able to cover his initial startup costs with just 10 sales of their first machine

• Discuss the build quality of Punny Factory; parts supplied from Pinball Life as well as custom manufactured 

• Parts are warrantied for a year; if something goes wrong with a part, send it back

• Talks about some of the upcoming games that Pinball Adventures announced (like Elements)

• Elements will be an evolution in build complexity (for example, not a single-level playfield, switching to their own boards)

• UK has been a big customer, followed by the US and a few in Canada

• Punny Factory will be at this year’s YEGPIN

• Hope to have his next game, Elements, ready for showcasing (and selling) at the 2023 Pinball Expo

• The planned topper for Elements will have its own screen, as well as two speakers

• Punny Factory should be making its way to a few locations soon, including the Oasis Arcade Airbnb in Georgia

Listen to the podcast here

Challenge Accepted: Moving and Grooving to Williams’ Banzai Run

Kineticist has a new written gameplay tutorial posted for the 1988 Williams and Pat Lawlor classic Banzai Run. Learn everything you need to master the game with this in-depth Banzai Run tutorial.

LoserKid Interviews Martín Gonzalez from 99% Invisible

Wide-ranging casual, fun discussion about all things pinball fandom on the LoserKid Pinball Podcast. Great background listening while doing chores or another activity around the house.

Mark’s Basement Arcade takes us through an outhole kicker rebuild for a 1976 Bally Night Rider.

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Disclaimer: Any articles, interviews, or mentions of pinball manufacturers or pinball products is NOT an endorsement.