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Aussie Pinball Forums => General Discussion => News & Announcements => Topic started by: swinks on March 29, 2015, 08:27:41 AM

Title: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: swinks on March 29, 2015, 08:27:41 AM
For those interested as yes a copy and paste from Pinside but thought it was interesting to post as they are the main manufacturers at the moment.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/gary-stern-tpf-talking-points-1

Gary Stern spoke tonight at TPF. Here are the more interesting talking points:
* Pro/LE business model with occasional Premiums as the market demands. They may revisit the Home version in the future - but admitted they didn't get it right the first time.
* 3 cornerstone Stern titles a year
* VEs will continue to be made - but NOTHING is planned currently
* If a VE was originally SAM/Whitestar - it will be remade as SAM/Whitestar. It will NOT be converted to Spike
* Accessories/Mods business will continue to grow
* Last day in the current Stern factory is 4/14
* AC/DC is DONE - no remakes, license is expired
* Whoa Nellie does not count as a cornerstone title. He referred to that as a "studio" game. Another facet of the Stern business model that he seems to welcome.

*The two names we haven't heard before to go with Pro/Premium/LE lines
Studio games - games like WNBJM where game is fully designed, but they add Stern electronics and maybe some additional sound/lighting effects.
Private Label games - totally engineered by another party (think MMR). No Stern parts/engineering involved, just assembling the games (I.e. Provide the manufacturing line).
Gary said these will continue if they are approached with complete, vetted games but that Stern isn't looking to build games for everyone that wants to make them.
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show
Post by: Freiherr on March 29, 2015, 08:49:48 AM
Fine tuning the business and admitting past mistakes is not a bad thing.
It is reassuring to know that STAR or SPIKE will support the Stern games in many years to come.
Also good to know that ACDCs should hold their value for many collectors.
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: swinks on March 29, 2015, 08:53:54 AM
under the hood of Whoa Nellie & has digital chimes
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: swinks on March 29, 2015, 08:55:34 AM
and just for fun
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: GORGAR 1 on March 29, 2015, 10:38:45 AM
Thanks for the update Jady :) these usa pinball shows are awesome! Can't wait to go to expo next year :)
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: swinks on March 30, 2015, 10:27:03 AM
apparently Stern has the licenses for:

Superman
Kiss
Game of thrones
Fast and Furious
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: oldskool1969 on March 30, 2015, 11:23:02 AM
apparently Stern has the licenses for:

Superman
Kiss
Game of thrones
Fast and Furious

aaaarrggghh! more licences  ^&^
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: Slash on March 30, 2015, 12:25:19 PM
apparently Stern has the licenses for:

Superman
Kiss
Game of thrones
Fast and Furious

Good thing Jpop wasted all that time doing the Kiss mockup.   !@#
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: intopins on March 30, 2015, 12:27:19 PM
How cool is that acrylic machine!!! Some people have a lot love for this hobby!
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: swinks on March 30, 2015, 12:30:51 PM
How cool is that acrylic machine!!! Some people have a lot love for this hobby!

I think he works in the acrylic industry so this would be a nice show off piece to say this i what I can do and he loves it and thinking of doing another now.
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: pinsanity on March 30, 2015, 03:11:24 PM
apparently Stern has the licenses for:

Superman
Kiss
Game of thrones
Fast and Furious

Superman - timeless winner. Probably a pipe dream but it would be great if the artwork could incorporate all the major actors who have played Superman from Kirk Alyn to Henry Cavill. Freedom of expression under the license terms will be a major factor.

KISS - lukewarm, but the KISS army will love it. Gene Simmons ego and creative control will be a major factor.

GoT - meh, a TV show I have never understood the hype for. Sopranos syndrome. Besides which Vikings on SBS is better.  @@*

Fast and the Furious - yuck, Mustang's ugly little brother.

Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: riverinapinball on March 30, 2015, 05:35:25 PM
Superman might be cool.
Even cooler if it was Superman vs Batman.
New movie coming out next year "Superman vs Batman, dawn of justice"
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: swinks on March 31, 2015, 04:10:54 PM
here is a local broadcast of the show (no GS to be seen)
http://cw33.com/2015/03/29/pin-ballin-pinball-wizards-take-over-frisco/
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: skywalker on March 31, 2015, 05:32:53 PM
apparently Stern has the licenses for:

Superman
Kiss
Game of thrones
Fast and Furious

Nice spread on themes, Liking F&F & Kiss  ^^^
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: Brunswick Brawler on March 31, 2015, 09:11:55 PM
Good thing Jpop wasted all that time doing the Kiss mockup.   !@#

I liked the look of the artwork of JPOP's KISS mockup.  I've been hoping that Stern approach JPOP to design it for Stern. He must be the best designer out of work.  (I'm excluding his Zidware company doesn't look like going far.)

Remember that what JPop prototype wasn't licensed, so the end product artwork would have likely looked completely different following the eventual licensee modification and approval.

...A wild guess: John Trudeau is working on KISS.
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: pinball god on March 31, 2015, 10:07:47 PM
How would pinball be relevant with game of thrones. Not watched much of the show, just remember lots of t & a and thats it. Be interested on true fans thoughts
Title: Re: What Gary Stern announced at the 2015 Texas Pinball Show & other stuff
Post by: Brunswick Brawler on March 31, 2015, 10:14:48 PM
My feel is that Game of Thrones is not old enough to be seen as a classic or cult show, so won't have as many people buying just on theme.  I thought Sopranos didn't sell well, but is popular years later on theme alone.  I can see Game of Thrones being similar to that.