Chicago’s annual pinball gathering showcased a clear resurgence: Stern Pinball remains the dominant commercial force, with company leadership and designers like Gary Stern and George Gomez guiding a factory tour and claiming roughly 90 percent of the current market, but the show floor buzzed with independent makers, licensed new releases (Fallout, Beetlejuice, Sonic, Bon Jovi) and experiments in VR-linked physical controls. Attendees preferred traditional tactile machines over VR novelties, and the event underscored a healthy mix of nostalgia and new product momentum across established and boutique builders.
The biggest shifts are technical and modular: Multimorphic’s P3 platform uses a reactive lower-screen playfield with floating mechanisms and a swappable upper third, offering about 10 physical playfields now and a free SDK that has produced roughly 30 community games. Dungeon Crawler Carl - structured as seven book-length modes with production slated to start at year’s end and deliveries early next year - illustrates the depth possible on the system. On the hobbyist side, Pocket Pinball’s free Android APK runs Visual Pinball X tables, while Johnny Zen’s browser-based Pinball Construction Set (closed beta) promises drag-and-drop table design and an artist marketplace, signaling wider democratization of pinball development and home customization.
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Airbnb has updated its policies to prohibit hosts from making guests do chores like dishes and taking out the trash, limiting requests to 'reasonable' actions such as putting dishes in the sink. The change aims to improve guest comfort and clarify host responsibilities. (theverge.com)
Asia Kate Dillon, known for roles in Billions and John Wick 3, states that acting opportunities have significantly decreased over the past years. They are now seeking customer service jobs after eleven years in the industry, citing a decline in acting work especially for trans and nonbinary performers. (variety.com)
Artificial intelligence is criticized for promoting conformity and suppressing individual expression, which conflicts with punk values. Its influence in culture and society is seen as undermining rebellious ethos. (techdirt.com)
King Ghidorah is a fictional monster (kaiju) from the Godzilla franchise, known for its three heads and destructive power. It has appeared in various films, media, and cultural references since its debut in the Showa era. (en.wikipedia.org)
Many Americans moved to Europe seeking a better quality of life and new opportunities, but often found the reality to be disappointing, with issues like lower healthcare standards and cultural challenges. Some now regret their decisions and plan to return to the US. (wired.com)
Buford, a former homeless convicted felon who was pardoned, has built multiple companies and written novels, including science fiction works. He openly shared his past after hiding it for 20 years, emphasizing personal transparency and resilience. (buford.bg)
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