Episode 60 - Die on This Hill: World Poker Tour

PodcastAnalysis updated 3d agoDec 9, 202456 min listen

Highlights

World Poker Tour was the first SAM game, replacing the White Star platform
Finside lists production run at 3,000 units, though hosts express skepticism about this figure since Stern doesn't release official numbers
The game has 16 drop targets, an absurd amount for the era
Keith Johnson's design philosophy favors long, grindy, deep games
Steve Ritchie invented the upper playfield but isn't particularly good at designing them
There's a setting to disable the post that stops the ball on ramps, which would increase flow
The 2000s era of Stern games will eventually be re-evaluated positively like 1990s Japanese cars
Keith Johnson and Lyman Sheets pioneered deep rule sets in pinball

“It's all killer, no filler.”

Jeff Hart

“Steve Ritchie invented the upper playfield and he's not good at them. I'm sorry.”

Jeff Hart

“You give me that many drop targets like, this is why I love EMs, dude. I'm just like. Yeah, I'm like a simple man.”

Alex

“I have an uncle who does yoga.”

Jeff Hart

“If you think you've played it, it's not for you, that's okay. That's fine. But when Austin Powers and Stern Avengers is above it...”

Jeff Hart

“Cheap looking that's subjective i think i'll concede that point honestly but repetitive i don't know all pinball is repetitive”

Jeff Hart

“It's unfortunate that it's not maybe a better looking game. Oh, I thought you were going to say it's unfortunate it's not 17 drops.”

Jeff Hart / Alan (exchange)

“This is like the dark era. It's just fell out of favor hard at the moment.”

Alan