They were right: the Bambu Lab P1S was plug-and-play. The 3D printer was calibrated. It then asked me to try a print with one of the built-in 3D models. George and I decided to go with the model scrapper. That’s meta. Making something with a 3D printer for the 3D printer. Then, we turned to Maker World and found a cool F1 fidget toy. It turned out well. My confidence grew. It was time to go big.

I have a Godzilla 70th edition pinball machine by Stern Pinball. It is my favorite theme. The pinball game is spectacular, one of the top-rated pinball machines of all time. The 70th edition has black and white… and red artwork. One thing that I always noticed is how punny Godzilla is in the machine. Godzilla is ticked in the corner. I searched around for mods and found some options. They all have a Pinside waitlist, and I didn’t get my name called after six months, so it is time to make my own.

My goal was to have a Godzilla model inthe game that was slightly larger than Mechagodzilla. Even Mechagodzilla got more prominence than Godzilla. I found someone on Printables who shared my challenge and goal. This is also a big part of what has changed in the 3D printing hobby. You are standing on the shoulders of giants. There are so many places to find 3D models, inspiration, tutorials, and videos. No excuses at this point.

First Step: Print the Godzilla 3D Model

I downloaded the STL files and imported them into BambuStudio. It was a straightforward process. I had to add supports. I recommend trees. Move from the prepare to the preview tab to start the slicing. I picked Bambu Lab Jade White PLA Basic filament. I checked out the 3D preview for a bit and hit Build. It said it would take 6 hours, and it did.

Second Step: Prepare the model for painting

I removed all of the support trees and lightly sanded Godzilla with 400-grit sandpaper. After that, I sprayed a black primer on the model. This will help acrylic paint adhere to PLA. This is a fantastic thing. I tried painting the raw PLA, but it didn’t work at all. Let it dry.

Third Step: Paint the Godzilla Model

This was a fun part for me. I had a lot of apprehension about painting it. I was going to run it. Then I realized that, at worst, I was six hours away from another model. At best, I prime it again. I chose Gray, Metallic Silver, and Metallic Black paints. The last model I painted was my Yoda model from the 80s, my toy Yoda. Classic joke.

After I finished it, I sprayed a UV-resistant top coat. It dried quickly. I am not sure if this step was needed, but I wanted to make sure everything was protected. I loved how it turned out.

Fourth Step: Install Godzilla…

The tiny Godzilla sits in the back corner, held in place with a couple of screws. The 3D model came with a base plate. I put that in first, checked clearances, and used two-sided Gorilla tape to hold Godzilla down to the baseplate. The Gorilla two-sided tape is also magical. It has held all of my mods in place over the years.

A spotlight shines on Godzilla, illuminating him during specific game modes. I adjusted it since this model is so huge. Looks awesome.

Fifth Step: PROFIT!

This 3D printer is just printing money. Okay, okay. I am getting ahead of myself. This was my third print. I went big, and I felt confident that this would work. It was fun to go the whole way. I overcame some fears of painting a model. I did it with the help of literally millions of people sharing on forums, YouTube, and 3D modeling sites.

What an amazing community. Hobby.

I found a King Kong figure on Pinball Life. My trick is to use Gorilla mounting tape to bond figures to the pinball plastics. I think it is kind of appropriate to use the Gorilla brand here. Irony aside, it’s the best tape I used for modding pinball machines.

I cut two squares for King Kong’s feet and pressed each square firmly for two minutes. Then, I removed the backing and placed it on the protector plastic near the powerlines area, again holding it down for two minutes. This seemed to fit and not mess with the ball path. It turned out marvelous.

What mods have you done? What is your dream pinball theme?

Update: May 2025

Well, I bought the Stern King Kong Pinball machine and put it next to Godzilla. Although it turned out the games are unrelated, I still love both themes.

But, for pinball, they have an excellent lineup. You get a sweet selection of new, the hotness, and some classics. At the time of this post, Hometown Arcade in Norwood, MA, has 14 pinball machines. Check the Pinball Map app for the up-to-date listing of pinball machines.

I picked Hometown Arcade to finally get to play Avatar: The Battle for Pandora pinball by Jersey Jack Pinball, designed by Mark Seiden and featuring artwork by Lea Faske. I love using Pinball Map to find new locations and locations that have the game that I want to play. Hometown had Avatar and Metallica Remastered. This was going to be a two-for-one trip!

I got to Hometown Aracde pretty much at the opening. I quickly scanned the pinball lineup to see if the Pinball Map listing was accurate. I saw all of the games that I came to play. BUT. Avatar was the only machine turned off.

While playing some other games, someone came over and opened up Avatar. I got to take a peak at the insides of this crazy complex machine.

It turns out that Avatar was only missing a ball. The tech added a ball, turned it on, and the machine came back to life. This someone turned out to be Matt, the owner of Hometown Aracde. Matt was awesome to chat with. He had created a welcoming arcade and a great place for pinball.

Avatar: The Battle for Pandora

I got to play Avatar: The Battle for Pandora pinball a bunch of times over a few hours. This game is glorious. I will try to summarize my experience here, but it is worth seeking out and giving it a try.

First, it’s the complete package: theme, art, code, and pinball gameplay. I didn’t get into the Avatar movies, but I could appreciate that the theme tied into the game. There were a lot of Avatar words and names that didn’t resonate with me: Meuia, Eyw’Eveng, Awa-atlu, Metkayina, Omatikaya, Oel Nagati Kameie. The labels seem too arbitrary to me since I didn’t see the movies. What I know about Avatar is that the movies are spectacles set in a huge world… and the papyrus font is used on off-brand teas and multibillion-dollar movie franchises.

The pinball gameplay is excellent. There are a lot of shots; some are straightforward, and others require clean hits from both sets of flippers. This game requires some time to learn the shots so you can experience more of the story and gameplay. My first few games ended quickly.

The big pinball moment for me came when I got to have the ball travel under the playfield and interact with the two “underwater” stations. Both stations offered a unquie pinball experience. Both were surprising on how to interact with them-a pop bumper and mini ball with smaller flippers. It was satisfying to defeat the “crab” (I am sure it has some Avatar-ified name).

As I played, I discovered Eclipse mode. This is where the whole game came together for me. At some point, the lighting changed, and it felt like I was playing a different machine. The game switched to UV lighting, which revealed a new world. Incredible.

This is the first pinball machine that I had to pay attention to balls that flowed down from the top sides. There are two upper playfield flippers. On most machines with upper playfield flippers, you can choose to flip them to get to new parts of the game or let the balls flow down to the bottom flippers and shoot the normal shots. This game required me to flip them from the upper playfield flippers every time. If you don’t move the pinball off the machine’s top sides, the balls will drain and end your turn abruptly. I found that I had to pay attention to the upper flippers.

I got to set the high score… the high score of the day. I was the only one who played it that day. I like that Jersey Jack Pinball has temporal high scores. It made me feel good. On other machines, you are not likely to have a high score, and not in my area, where some of the top-rated players in the world live.

All in all… I highly recommend you check out Avatar: The Battle for Pandora from Jersey Jack Pinball. It is an elevated pinball experience that will keep you wanting to get better so you can experience more of the game.

Material and Tools

I designed everything around 1/2″ PVC piping. It is sturdy and easy to cut. Speaking of cutting, use a ratcheting PVC pipe cutter (not a saw). This is a handy tool that does its job well.

• 1/2″ PVC Schedule 40 Pipe (5 sections of 1/2″ x 24″)
• 1/2″ PVC Side Outlet 90-Degree S x S x S Elbow Fitting (x4)
• 1/2″ PVC Schedule 40 Socket Cap
• Tape Measure
• Marker
• PVC Pipe Cutter

Size the TV

The idea is that you are going to frame the backside of a TV so it sits off the table. This allows access to the buttons, power connecting, and HDMI. Each TV will have a different back, so adjust the sizing accordingly. My TV is 32″ on the screen side, but on the back, it had a bump out that I can frame in PVC. This turned out to be 22″ x 16″. Use the marker to mark the cuts. The fittings allow for about 1″ of the pipe so you need to account for that. But I would not worry about everything being exact. There is a lot of play. Oversize now and trim later.

Frame the TV

Take one of the 1/2″ PVC Side Outlet Elbow Fittings and place it in the corner of the TV. Put the pipe into the side that does not face down. Repeat this around the TV.

Use the marker to decide where you want to make some cuts. I personally like the Milwaukee Inkzall Point Markers. They write on any material that I make stuff with.

Use the ratcheting PVC pipe cutter to cut each pipe segment.

Put each segment together. Do not glue it together. There is enough friction to lock everything in place. Plus, you might want to make adjustments in the future or switch out the TV.

Add Height as Needed

With the remaining pieces of PVC, you can make some legs for the PVC frame. This depends on how much clearance you need for the back of the TV and what the best viewing angle for people sitting around the table is. Put on the caps on the end of the PVC for a finished look.

Maps and Software

People have been using TVs for RPG gaming quite a bit. There’s a whole ecosystem of software, tools, and maps available to you.

• Arkenforge: It has everything that you would want for a low price tag: tools, pre-made assets, and a strong community. You can make maps, animate, and add audio for in-person only play. Arkenforge comes with a 30-day trial. Give it a try.
• MapTool: Free, open-source tool. This software also supports network collaboration.

Next Steps

If I keep this going, I am imagining some next steps and where to take this. I would paint the PVC black to help blend into the table and not look so DIY. I would create different sizes of the legs to adjust the height for other types of games. The biggest upgrade I would make is reconfiguring the riser for a much better TV. I used an old TV that only looked “good” from one angle. So, if I end up using this TV for gaming, I might make some upgrades.

What would you do?

We don’t know much about the new pinball machine from Stern, but we know more will be revealed on January 3, 2025. We know there will be three models: pro, premium, and limited edition.

The teaser video gives a glimpse into the main mech of the machine. It appears to be an angry dragon with three hit switches.

It might be a rumor, but I hear that the design comes from Brian Eddy. Brian has created two of the top 10 pinball machines of all time. Medieval Madness and Attach From Mars.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Popularity

Every year, I go to Gen Con. This is a board game convention with a pen-and-paper RPG convention at its heart. Over the decades, I have watched the small side rooms get filled with more and more DnD players. I could tell it was getting increasingly popular, but I couldn’t imagine how much in recent years.

Over at Reddit, I found some analysis from Fibbonacci4242. They mapped DnD interest over time and overlayed some key events. A combination of podcasts like Critical Role and TV shows like Stranger Things accelerated the interest in DUNGEONS & DRAGONS.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS seems like the perfect theme for pinball. I am excited to see how Brian Eddy innovates here. DnD offers a lot of story and game mechanisms to explore.

Stay tuned. I will update this blog post as I learn more.

Update: January 3, 2025 Reveal

The Stern Pinball website and YouTube channel were updated at noon EST. Information about all three models and pricing are now available. They also dropped an extended reveal video.

Playfield Photo

Update: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Tyrant’s Eye Pinball at CES 2025

Join Zach Sharpe and Seth Davis as they unveil the newest Stern Pinball creation, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Tyrant’s Eye, at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. GeekGamerTV shows the first look at the world of epic adventures, intricate playfields, and cutting-edge pinball design.

The jack looked like my friend’s but didn’t fit under my machine’s leg. I did some more searching and realized that I had to modify the base of the jack to fit under the leg and get around the foot.

Here’s what I did to get these cheap jacks to work with my pinball machine…

Remove the Base of the Jack

If you buy the exact jack that I did from Amazon, the jack’s base is held on by two 3/16″ hex bolts. Remove the bolts.

Mark The Cut Line

On the center toe, mark a cut line just after the bolt hole.

Cut Off the Center Toe

Here’s where the real work begins. You have to cut this portion of the center toe so the jack’s base will fit around the pinball leg’s leveling screw. You can take your base plates down to the local maker space and ask someone to cut them off, or you could use a rotary tool like one from Ryobi or Dremel. Use a cut-off wheel designed for metal. I found a three-pack at Harbor Freight.

If you have never cut metal before, I would like to give you several warnings. Cutting metal with a rotary tool creates sparks and heat. I held the jack’s metal base with a wrench on a thick silicone mat. If I did this over again, I would have done it outside. Just take your time, make small cuts, don’t panic. Hold strong. Be careful.

Let the base cool and reattach it to the jack.

Profit.

You now have a set of pinball jacks for less than $40! Give them a try and see how awesome they are. You can now quickly level a pinball machine by yourself. You only have to slip the jack under the leg and pump the jack handle. This will slowly lift the machine so you can adjust the leg leveler screws.

Bonus. Teach Your Kid About Mechanical Advantage.

I used to watch Mr. Wizard when I was a kid. I distinctly remember an episode where Mr. Wizard tells a kid that they are going to be able to lift a car with one hand. Well, I got to teach the lesson to my son 40 years later. He loved the idea that he lifted a 300lb pinball machine with his hand.

Avatar: The Battle for Pandora

After a series of leaks and teases, we now know that Jersey Jack Pinball’s next release is Avatar: The Battle for Pandora, designed by Mark Seiden and featuring artwork by Lea Faske.

When we look between two ferns, we see some glimpses of the new pinball machine. “Prepare to immerse yourself in the world of Avatar like never before and experience the magic and thrill that only Jersey Jack Pinball can deliver.” If any company can pull this off, I put my faith in JPP. They have a track record of serving the theme well and giving us a spectacle, much like the Avatar films did for moviegoers.

I am excited to see the playfield cutouts and what they are/how they work. From the teaser clip, I noticed some waterways under the main playfield.

We’ll have to wait until September 12, 2024, to see the full reveal of the Avatar: The Battle for Pandora pinball machine. I’ll update this post when new details emerge.

Congrats, Mark!

Update: September 6, 2024 Tease

“An elevated experience awaits.”

Update: September 10, 2024 Trailer Video

Jersey Jack Pinball dropped a video trailer for Avatar: The Battle for Pandora pinball. The release will occur on Thursday, September 12th, revealing the Limited and Collector’s Editions. They also plan on having a “Deep Dive” video covering gameplay features, interviews with the design team, and a behind-the-scenes look at the game’s creation.

Update: September 2024 Deep Dive Video

Jersey Jack Pinball has launched its latest creation, Avatar: The Battle for Pandora, and a new exclusive video offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this groundbreaking pinball machine. The video features in-depth interviews with the creative team, including lead designer Mark Seiden, and delves into the inspirations and innovative technologies that shape this unique gaming experience. The video highlights the game’s innovative features and explores why it’s a must-play for pinball enthusiasts and Avatar fans. It also presents the two available editions: the Limited Edition and the Collector’s Edition, each boasting exclusive artwork, bioluminescent effects, custom Na’vi armor, and striking LED toppers. This behind-the-scenes glimpse invites viewers to see how the magic of Avatar has been translated into the pinball world, offering an experience that promises to thrill players and captivate fans of the films.

The Uncanny X-Men pinball game from Stern Pinball features Wolverine, Professor X, Cyclops, Storm, Colossus, Beast, Rogue, Gambit, Nightcrawler, Jean Grey, Bishop, Kitty Pryde, and Magneto, along with a supporting cast of allies and foes. The adventure takes players to familiar X-Men locations, including the Danger Room (the Jack Danger Room?), Beast’s Lab, the X-Mansion, and Genosha. Players will also interact with fabled X-Men devices like Cerebro and the X-Jet.

The Uncanny X-Men pinball machine is set in the The Days of Future Past storyline in Marvel’s Earth-811 timeline. This is why they are making exactly 811 Limited Edition (LE) machines. The LE model includes the new speaker lighting system with X-Men-themed game effects, a “Danger Room” inspired mirrored backglass, reflective foil “Future vs. Past” high-definition cabinet decals with artwork by Zombie Yeti, exclusive “Sentinel Armor” powder-coated pinball armor, custom designer-autographed bottom arch, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and a digital Insider Connected LE owner’s badge on registration.

The playfield looks very unique. The Danger Room is set to the side of the main flippers. To get the ball over there, it looks like the ball crosses behind the flippers. I do not know of a game like that. This will feel fresh right out of the gate. I look forward to playing it as soon as it starts shipping.

Check it out at Stern Pinball.

My AI Prompting Process for Generating Fantasy Football Names

Step 1: Get a ChatGPT or Claude account (or both). I love both platforms for different reasons, but the prompt techniques that I am going to explain here apply to both chat apps.

Step 2: Start a new chat. Enter this starting text: My objective is to generate a fantasy football team name. Respond OKAY if you understand the objective.

Step 3: Use one of the following prompt templates by replacing the [BRACKETED] words:

• “Generate 5 funny fantasy football team names based on [PLAYER NAME]’s name or playing style.”
• “Create 5 clever fantasy football team names inspired by the [TEAM NAME] and their history or current roster.”
• “Come up with 5 witty fantasy football team names centered around [POSITION] players.”
• “Blend NFL references with [MOVIE/TV SHOW/BOOK] to create 5 unique fantasy football team names.”
• “Generate 5 punny fantasy football team names using football terminology and common phrases.”
• “Create 5 alliterative fantasy football team names starting with the letter [LETTER].”
• “Combine [CITY/STATE] references with football terms to make 5 locally-themed fantasy team names.”
• “Generate 5 playful trash-talking fantasy football team names that imply dominating the competition.”
• “Create 5 fantasy football team names that blend [PROFESSION] terminology with football references.”
• “Come up with 5 fantasy football team names that incorporate [HOLIDAY/SEASON] themes.”
• “Generate 5 appetizing fantasy football team names that combine [FOOD] with player names or football terms.”
• “Create 5 fantasy football team names that blend [MUSIC GENRE/ARTIST] references with NFL players or teams.”
• “Combine names of [HISTORICAL ERA] figures with football terminology to create 5 unique team names.”
• “Generate 5 epic fantasy football team names inspired by [MYTHOLOGY] and NFL players or terms.”
• “Create 5 geeky fantasy football team names that combine [SCIENTIFIC FIELD/TECH COMPANY] with NFL references.”
• “Come up with 5 colorful fantasy football team names incorporating [COLOR] and player names or football terms.”
• “Generate 5 wild fantasy football team names that blend [ANIMAL SPECIES] characteristics with NFL players or terms.”
• “Create 5 electrifying fantasy football team names inspired by [WEATHER EVENT] and football references.”
• “Blend elements from [FICTIONAL WORLD/UNIVERSE] with NFL references to create 5 fantastical fantasy football team names.”
• “Generate 5 multi-sport fantasy football team names that combine NFL references with terms from [OTHER SPORT].”

Step 4: Once you find a good direction or a direction that you like, ask the AI to generate more names. You are bound to find something that you like.

Example

I loved Deadpool and Wolverine. Others might want a fantasy football team named after the blockbuster movie. I will use this prompt: Blend NFL references with Deadpool to create 5 unique fantasy football team names.

I was pleasantly pleased with Mercs with a Mouthguard, since Deadpool is known as the Merc with a Mouth in the comic books.

Let me know what you come up with and what you learned. I am always interested in learning more way to produce great results from AI models.

Bonus?

Here’s the weirdest image that I have ever created with Midjourney.

Stern Pinball is teasing a new John Wick-themed pinball machine that will be released on May 7, 2024. Stern added an entry to its store page, allowing people to contact them for the availability of a limited edition of the new machine.

On X, someone asked if Keanu Reeves would be doing the voice for the in-game callouts. Stern replied that could not confirm or deny at this point.

Story in progress.

Update on May 6, 2024: John Wick Story Trailer

Stern Pinball released a John Wick Story Trailer video on their YouTube page. They are further building the anticipation of a John Wick-themed pinball machine release anytime now.