Episode 23 - How to Talk to an Operator

“Pinball has always been a commercial product from its earliest incarnations until today... Pinball on location still remains the easiest, cheapest, and most rewarding entryway into the hobby of pinball.”

“When I first got into the hobby I was like oh it's all the same shit that you know the guys that own the jukeboxes and the pool tables and it's some big company that doesn't care about me... and then once you've been in the hobby for a bit you realize that's just some guy.”

“Players make the best operators because you are your own consumer you want the game to play well because you're going to play the game.”

“Any good operator will have a clear path of communication for you... that's honestly one of the best signs of a good operator is a very clear way to communicate with them.”

“Don't just do this at somebody else's place because it will piss people off... just because some arcades like if you go to a random bar and they see you messing with the button and you turn the game off and on they'll probably be like what the hell are you doing.”

“There's a symbiotic relationship with operators and players... neither one can get what they want without the other.”

“I don't mind if they just sit there and watch me and don't say anything. But I will say that if you're going to, I would just introduce yourself... Can I watch you work?”

“It's not weird at all you just unless you make it weird you got to just be like a normal person introduce yourself don't be pushy.”