The Founder's Corner: Takeover Edition
Originally published in The Monthly Multiball, December 2025.
Introduction by Jose Amaro. Column by Eric Rodriguez.
This month, we’re going to be highlighting one of the key members of our team. Eric Rodriguez, a Top 2000 player in the world in his hey day, has been in our corner every step of the way offering advice and insight only a true aficionado would provide. We like to refer to him as our CEO (AKA Customer Experience Officer). His main role is to make sure we always remain player centric and lean into the player’s experience above all else. In this edition of the Founder’s Corner, Eric highlights how Metallica Remastered is a game with “approachable depth,” and that not everything is as it seems. Enjoy!
“This is not just a game being reproduced again, it's being improved in every way.”
“This month, Pinball Passport will be launching another great Stern game release at one of its locations, that game is Metallica Remastered. Remastered games are a relatively new concept in pinball, where famous titles get rereleased with new visuals, a completely new art package, and significant mechanical improvements over their original counterparts. This is not just a game being reproduced again, it's being improved in every way. Metallica Remastered was the first game for Stern to be produced under this program. The original title was a beloved game that captured the music and soul of the band Metallica, which has rocked out an entire generation for 40 years. That game, and this new one, was filled with great features, like a giant hammer that knocks pinballs into an under playfield coffin and a giant electrical chair toy that interacted with the ball, using magnets.
Beyond all that though, the soul of the game has always been its amazing ruleset that was created by world renowned pinball tournament champion and genius programmer Lyman F. Sheats Jr. He created complex scoring strategies, filled with risk and reward that allowed experienced players to have various options when playing the game against others or for higher scores. At the same time, the modes he created were simple to understand and enjoy, even for novices and new players of the silver ball. This is a VERY tricky feat that most other pinball programmers fall short of, yet he was the best at it. Lyman was able to combine both simplicity and complexity in an engaging way for any player to enjoy and appreciate, hence, creating a ruleset of "approachable depth". Metallica Remastered was released a year ago, and Stern has committed to releasing one remaster every year with their regular new lineup of pins. This year, The Walking Dead is about to be released (you can see our photos of the game from the recent IAAPA Show on our socials). THAT game, was another title created by Mr. Sheats, and also exemplifies his trademark Approachable Depth. Rumor has it that next year, AC/DC might also get this treatment, again, another Lyman Sheats masterpiece. See the connection? Stern is re-releasing their most engaging and beloved titles, and they all share the same soul of their programmer.
Sadly, Lyman Sheats Jr. passed away in January 2022. The pinball community lost their greatest programmer and ruleset creator, and his passion and love for the game will never be forgotten.”
Eric
May your shots be dialed in and your flippers strong,
Jose
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