KISS is pretty much a foregone conclusion.
If you don't like KISS or have no interest in another music pin - don't bother reading on.
This is NOT from the Stern camp - but I'm hearing that there are issues surrounding what line up (artwork) will be on the machine. Probably will be a huge discussion point AFTER the release, but if the artwork is representative of the current line up it will be a disastrous seller. If it is the original line up - then it will be a massive profit maker for Stern.
Problem is - Gene and Paul will do everything in their power to avoid paying royalties to Ace and Peter. KISS were inducted into the RARHOF this year - based on their contribution from 1973 - 1980.
Having a KISS machine with the cover band line up (current) is like a Beatles pinball with Pete Best. Most of you know I'm a KISS fan, and I have memorabilia worth a fair bit of money. I get asked at least once a week for a KISS machine, and friends I've know for 20 years are friends because we grew up listening to Hard Rock / Heavy Metal. If Stern have ANY interest in listening to the sound of wads of cash in their wallets, then they NEED to listen to the cashed up old fans that won't buy ANYTHING with the current line up. Just a quick scan of people i know who are KISS fans AND Pinball fans - Stern have their money - at LEAST 10 games will purchased - most LEs. I'll buy 2-3. That's IF the original line up art is approved. If it is the cover band version, then I'll get pounded to finish off the 1978 restorations. Stern won't get their money.
Yes - there ARE younger fans getting into KISS and there are fans of the current line up. That's the "magic" of this band. But the "business" side of KISS is well aware that at concerts, the older T-Shirts sell out before the shows, and they ALWAYS have a surplus of T-Shirts with the current line up.
This is NOT meant to be a KISS thread - but I feel this is a pivotal decision that needs to be made. This game fails or becomes Sterns biggest seller for 10 years at the design stage.
In my view, if the current cover band line up is used at KISS' demands, then Stern should VERY quickly can the idea and move onto Iron Maiden. I would be interested in an Iron Maiden machine for the right price.
