Episode 297: One year ago
It was February 22, 2020, and it seemed like a different world a year ago. For me personally, it was the end of something special...The Pinball Profile World Tour. Hear some great memories from the...
Highlights
- February 22, 2020 marked the last major pinball memory for the community before pandemic lockdowns, with Pinburgh ticket sales ('Round Zero') going online that day
- Over 400 people participated in the 10-event Pinball Profile World Tour across five months
- Seven sponsors supported the World Tour: Comet Pinball, Deep Root Pinball, Jersey Jack Pinball, Measel Mods, Pin Stadium Lights, Stern Pinball, and Ulex Store
- The Flip Frenzy tournament format was chosen to maximize games, accommodate varied skill levels, and allow players to accumulate IFPA Whoppers
- Travis Murray is currently ranked #15 in the IFPA world rankings and is the second-best Colin (behind Colin McAlpine, the 'OG Colin')
- Bluffs arcade in Scarborough, Ontario hosted a pre-IFPA 15 World Championship event
- The Flipper K. Lardin venue in Denmark no longer exists
- Ryan C's Dirty Dungeon in Melbourne hosted 47 players for the Australia World Tour event
Notable quotes
“it seems like there has been this huge void in pinball for almost a year hopefully with vaccines masks and other safety measures, we'll be able to get back to leagues and arcades and tournaments and more”
“The F5 keys on computers were bashed almost as much as Stern's Star Wars action buttons”
“I consider myself extremely fortunate in every aspect. And maybe because of that, it's why I miss an event like this so much.”
“I think that was one of the attractions to the Pinball Profile World Tour... You had just as much chance of winning prizes. And I think that was one of the attractions”
“It's so simple. Hitting the ball. Keep the ball alive. Why do people try to do anything else?”
“I thought that pinball was dead. But it's not. It's alive and thriving, and I'm so happy that I fell on my lap.”
“You've got to keep the fun in it. Otherwise, it just doesn't become a thing anymore.”
“Enjoy your retirement. Well-deserved, although I imagine you're going to be a little more busy with ULIC.”
Entities
- Comet Pinball· company
- Deep Root Pinball· company
- Jersey Jack Pinball· company
- Measel Mods· company
- Pin Stadium Lights· company
- Stern Pinball· company
- Ulex Store· company
- Pinball Profile World Tour· event
- Pinburgh· event
- Project Pinball· organization
- Colin McAlpine· person
- Elizabeth Nebaker· person
- Jack Danger· person
- Jeff Teolis· person
- Peter Anderson· person
- Phil Birnbaum· person
- Ryan C· person
- Stephen Bowden· person
- Travis Murray· person
- Zach Sharp· person
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