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-1Gary 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.
