AVATAR LE

[Ant68]

Hi Guys just found this info

We are going to make a Premium Limited Edition version of our Avatar
pinball, and this Limited Edition will be unlike any we have done
before.
We are not just decorating the normal Pro version of this game.  The
Avatar Limited Edition will have added game play and mechanical
features.
Like all fine art and collectibles, each game will be numbered, with
it's plaque and its authenticity certificate marked from number 1 of
250
to number 250 of 250.
Additions to Avatar contained in the Avatar Limited Edition will
include:
--Amp Suit with legs that march up and down, activated by solenoids
--Transporter cover that opens and closes, operated by an added motor
--A white pinball mixed among the silver balls and a sensor so that
the
        game will increase scoring when the white ball is in play
--Shaker motor assembly
--Added game rules and computer code to operate these added devices
--More figurines decorating the game, including
        --Banshee figure hovering over the plastic ramp
        --Colonel Quaritch inside the Amp suit
        --Navi's mounted at the Navi target bank
--Increased number of control lamps and general illumination lamps
--Metal lower arch, enhanced with light up blue translucent windows
--Playfield support slides
--Traditional lockdown mechanism and front molding
--Playfields 1 to 25 will be signed
--Added playfield hard coat
--And of course full chrome package - side armor, lock bar, hinges,
legs
The distributor price for Avatar Limited Edition with this really
exciting added package is $4,899.  Games number 1 and 2 are already
committed to James Cameron and John Landau, the director and producer
of
the Avatar movie.  As is the case with numbered art and numbered
remakes
of pinball machines, the very low numbered art and games warrant a
higher price when sold by you.  The price from us for numbers 3 to 9
will be $5,299 and for 10 through 25 will be $4,999.
Production will be late this month.  We will not require deposits as
we
have with some earlier Premium Limited Edition games and as has been
required for numbered remakes of pinball machines.  As with our other
Premium models, there are no cash discounts or warranty allowances.
We
will require payment before delivery of these unique, numbered Avatar
Limited Edition pinball machines.
Best regards
Gary
--
Gary Stern
President
Stern Pinball, Inc.
2020 Janice Avenue
Melrose Park, IL 60160-1011. USA
Tel: +1-708-786-7036.  Fax: +1-708-345-7813
www.sternpinball.com

[Pop Bumper Pete]

I think they need to announce upfront that there will be different models of the same machine

If I want this super special edition, I would find it hard to find a buyer (at the right price) for the standard game I rushed out to buy
(if I had actually bought this game)

[wonder]

All these mods should have been on the first run of machines or at least they should have said they will be doing a LE version.

Next time, if they will be one ,i wont be buying a new one until they work out what they are doing.Feels like i been slapped in the face.

[Pop Bumper Pete]

This was mentioned on another forum
What is exactly ‘collectable’?

Stern games do not really go up in price, even when they are ‘limited editions’
There were special ‘Monopoly’s’, probably worth more than normal, but still less than what was originally paid for them
Same with the signed ‘Elvis!’
Spidy Black seems to have fared a little better, but with limited numbers being sold, hard to tell
LOTR Le, to early to tell, but with poor gold plating, missing figurines, and an underwhelming backglass, I doubt they will do much more than hold their value

Avatar was a bit average to begin with, I cannot see it being a ‘must have ‘ in peoples collections
(plus the movie sucked )

[necroscope]

will the white ball be the same as the powerball from TZ?

[Strangeways]

My feeling is that the LE model could be the original machine that Stern wanted to release, but it was too expensive, so they cut down the features to the model that was released to market. At the end of the manufacturing cycle, they have limited number of "extra" features - So they ramp up the price accordingly.

If I was an Avatar fan that bought the machine SOLELY becasue of the movie, I'd feel rather pissed off. They should announce an LE run at the same time as the production run, therefore you have a choice.

[ktm450]

Sound great, but it is disappointing for people who already own the game.  I agree, Stern should anounce they will be doing a LE at the start of normal sales.

[Pinprick]

Yes, I would definitely feel white anted and royally pissed if I'd bought a "normal" Avatar.
Stern's marketing policies are becoming a bit suspect if not underhanded of late.
All the same, the LE version of Avatar seems to have a fair bit of bang for its buck, unlike most the other watery specials (Barring Spidey Black)
If I had the coin and could get a fair deal in Oz, I would be after one.

[Caveoftreasures]

I know a few guys have said that STERN should announce at the start of production if they are going to produce a limited Edition etc, BUT everyone is ASSUMING that STERN knew back then , that they would do a LE run.

Garry Stern has probably been asked by many many dozens of people are u going to do a LE Avatar like u did a LE Lord of the Rings etc.
Its more likely that 6 months down the track from the first Avatar production, that STERN has now decided that both the economy, and the demand/enquiry for a LE run of Avatar is worth while.

I am certain, that STERN never intended to do anything to its AVATAR customers except provide a good product.

As alot of us have seen with the other LE runs of STERNS, the difference in monetary terms or collectable terms for the LE machines, is minimal at best.
Paying an extra $800 for fake gold that rubs off in 5 minutes, or getting a few extra plastic toys, is really nothing to write home about.

You know what some say about buying the first model of any new car release, ALWAYS wait for the 2nd generation when they add the extra goodies and they iron out the bugs. Maybe it might apply to pinballs in some cases if the LE vs Std version is of concern to some buyers.   AVATAR, standard or LE is still a nice machine, either way. I wouldnt be too fussed if I already had a std one.  Perhaps more stuff to go wrong with the LE one. I would still be proud of owning the original std machine. 

[Ant68]

When I meet up with Gary on the Gold Coast , I asked him regarding the next LE , way down the track he told me maybe in the 2nd quarter of next year , I honestly think that this was a snap decision to produce it maybe before Xmas ( who knows ) maybe sales on the original where slow and had part ready to go ?  good way to get rid of another 250 pins .

[RatBag]

I know a few guys have said that STERN should announce at the start of production if they are going to produce a limited Edition etc, BUT everyone is ASSUMING that STERN knew back then , that they would do a LE run.

Garry Stern has probably been asked by many many dozens of people are u going to do a LE Avatar like u did a LE Lord of the Rings etc.
Its more likely that 6 months down the track from the first Avatar production, that STERN has now decided that both the economy, and the demand/enquiry for a LE run of Avatar is worth while.

I am certain, that STERN never intended to do anything to its AVATAR customers except provide a good product.

As alot of us have seen with the other LE runs of STERNS, the difference in monetary terms or collectable terms for the LE machines, is minimal at best.
Paying an extra $800 for fake gold that rubs off in 5 minutes, or getting a few extra plastic toys, is really nothing to write home about.

You know what some say about buying the first model of any new car release, ALWAYS wait for the 2nd generation when they add the extra goodies and they iron out the bugs. Maybe it might apply to pinballs in some cases if the LE vs Std version is of concern to some buyers.   AVATAR, standard or LE is still a nice machine, either way. I wouldnt be too fussed if I already had a std one.  Perhaps more stuff to go wrong with the LE one. I would still be proud of owning the original std machine. 

Dont know where you get 6 months from,Avatar only made it to OZ in early Sept and its only the middle of Nov,the pinball is lucky to be 3 months old world wide .Poor form on Sterns behalf I think

[Caveoftreasures]

AVATAR started production 6 months ago. Obviously released to the public a few months later. 

[Mr Tilt]

Im thinking about buying one in the 7-7.5k range if offered?
Would you guys buy it i this range?

[Ant68]

Not sure on the pricing yet , but I am told around the $7500-$8000

[pinnies4me]

Not sure on the pricing yet , but I am told around the $7500-$8000

I'd be saving the $ in the hope Kingpin gets done.