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LoserKid Pinball Podcast
LoserKid Pinball Podcast
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Ep 12: Keith Elwin!

PodcastAnalysis updated 2d ago49 min listen
From the creator

In Episode 12 we have the honor of interviewing the man, the myth, the legend...Keith Elwin! We cover an array of topics like classic pinball, tournaments, Jurassic Park, how to get better at...

Listen on LoserKid Pinball Podcast

Highlights

  • Iron Maiden's top-right target was removed due to reliability issues (balls getting stuck), not cost-cutting
  • Steel tariffs have significantly increased the cost of metal parts for pinball machines, affecting production economics
  • Stern's typical game development cycle is 13-14 months from start to release
  • Iron Maiden's licensing was for the comics and cell phone game, not the music directly, which influenced the design direction
  • Keith designed Iron Maiden with the expectation it would appeal primarily to hardcore/tournament players, but discovered broader appeal
  • Keith is currently working on his second game at Stern and is already brainstorming ideas for a third
  • Counter-tilting technique (nudging in opposite direction to absorb tilt bob momentum) is critical for competitive play without triggering the tilt mechanism
  • George (Gomez) provided feedback on The Beatles pinball that led to design improvements, including adjusting the loop and adding a spinner to the left side

Notable quotes

“I know the true story is like oh yeah that's exactly why this was done this way so I wish I could elaborate but it is it is really different being on the inside.”
Keith Elwin
“My goal is to not make the same game over and over. I like upper flippers, so I can't imagine doing a game that doesn't have upper flippers.”
Keith Elwin
“I'm having too much fun. So I'm glad people love Iron Maiden, but I think they'll like my next game just as much, if not more.”
Keith Elwin
“When you're in a tournament mode, the outlaying posts are gone, no extra balls, tight tilts. Chances you could get into the wizard mode are pretty slim as it is.”
Keith Elwin
“I think having those choices is good compared to like, well, I'm funneled into the hand of the king here. Now I need to blow it up. If I don't, I'm in real trouble.”
Keith Elwin
“So I think the advent of the Internet has made much of these mystery skills not so much of a mystery anymore.”
Keith Elwin

Entities

  • Stern Pinball· company
  • Expo· event
  • Archer· game
  • Iron Maiden· game
  • The Beatles· game
  • Loser Kid Pinball Podcast· organization
  • This Week in Pinball· organization
  • Bowen Kerins· person
  • George Gomez· person
  • Jeremy· person
  • Josh Roop· person
  • Keith Elwin· person
  • Lyman Sheets· person
  • Rick· person
  • Scott Larson· person

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