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LoserKid Pinball Podcast
LoserKid Pinball Podcast
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Ep 113: That Venom Has a Booty!

PodcastAnalysis updated 5d ago57 min listen
From the creator

We're talking all things Venom on this episode! Also, we read some of the emails we've received.

Listen on LoserKid Pinball Podcast

Highlights

  • Venom was delayed/pushed back a year from original release plan, possibly due to licensing issues involving Todd McFarlane or Ozzy Osbourne
  • Venom released at version 0.72 code despite year-long delay, which seems inconsistent with expected maturity level
  • Venom's ruleset PDF is over 30 pages, indicating extensive rules complexity
  • Venom features an RPG progression system where players gain XP, level up characters (Eddie Brock, Hulk, Captain America, Wolverine), and unlock content tied to Insider Connected accounts
  • Premium and Limited Edition versions have state-change mechanics that reconfigure the playfield based on which host character is selected, effectively creating four different game layouts
  • Pro version of Venom has static layout and lacks the mechanical doppelganger toy and state-change mech present in Premium/LE versions
  • Venom has lukewarm market reception with distributors reporting slower-than-expected sellthrough on their allocations
  • Stern messaging and marketing for Venom was poor; they failed to communicate the core RPG/progression system upfront
  • Venom's gameplay is very fast due to ball dispensers positioned at 50-66% down playfield, creating rapid ball return similar to Shane Black Knight issues
  • Early gameplay shows severe balance issues with Mayhem Multiball mode, where one player scored $2 billion vs. $33 million next closest, indicating need for code tuning

Notable quotes

“I don't think he's [Jeremy Packer] had a bad art package yet... he's really brought it with this one.”
Matt Scott Larson
“I just don't feel like this has been communicated properly. Like, they have not controlled their own message.”
Matt Scott Larson
“This is brand new territory in pinball. I don't – this has never been done before.”
Josh Roop
“So this is a huge risk in that they have completely deviated from what their historic titles are.”
Matt Scott Larson
“I'm concerned that this won't have enough velocity for people to experience it because you at least need people who are willing to take a chance at buying this and letting people play it.”
Josh Roop
“It's the same thing as a movie. Sometimes movies come out the big weekend, and then the second weekend, there's a huge drop-off... it's going to need a slow burn.”
Josh Roop
“Premium Edition or nothing at this point. If you want all the features, yeah.”
Matt Scott Larson
“If you're like Jon Hey, I just want a game... the Stern 'AC/DC (Pro Vault Edition)' version of this looks a lot like a home pinball version.”
Matt Scott Larson
“I'm not sure what this is. And so they're evaluating it based on historical games.”
Josh Roop
“The doppelganger toy... Someone gave that doppelganger some cake. What is up with the sculptor and that doppelganger?”
Matt Scott Larson

Entities

  • Flip N Out Pinball· company
  • Stern Pinball· company
  • Pinball Expo· event
  • Attack from Mars· game
  • Bond· game
  • Game of Thrones· game
  • Ghostbusters· game
  • Godzilla· game
  • Indiana Jones· game
  • Stranger Things· game
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles· game
  • Venom· game
  • Dwight Sullivan· person
  • Gary Stern· person
  • Jeremy Packer· person
  • Josh Roop· person
  • Matt Scott Larson· person
  • Nicole· person
  • Raymond Davidson· person
  • Sam Stern· person
  • Theatre of Magic· person
  • Todd McFarlane· person
  • Travis Murray· person
  • Zach Sharpe· person
  • Insider Connected· technology

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