Does stern actually know the market they are targeting these days???
That seems to be the real question.
To be honest, I stopped trying to work out the difference between Pro, LE, and whatever else Stern makes, just seems to be a shotgun approach, hoping to find the next big thing in pinball by trying to cover all bases and confusing the market.
Credit to them for trying with this abomination, but I do think a stripped down game that still looked like a modern pinball (in particular a decent backbox, even with cheaper displays) would have been a more attractive way to go.
it is being sold By amazon which might be the smart part, amazon is HUGE, they are the walmart of online shopping, If i was a kid i would want it because its close to a real pinball although I wouldnt have been spoilt enough for my parents to buy it. price could be a concern but who knows a rich kid might see it and want it. and amazon is the place to sell that sort of thing.
All that is fine, and could sell, but when they seem to be making home market pinballs already thats where it is so confusing.
Stern will need to start making a clearer line in the sand on their fullsized models targeted buyers, as to which they are commercial or for home use. maybe they can start with their rule sets on the full size model? if they can define the markets then this can make sense.
I'm going to say i am a fence sitter on this one, the fact Amazon have picked it up gives it a little hope, its like getting a product into Target here, not an easy thing to do and they would only stock it if they thought it could sell. You have to understand how Big Amazon is as far as a online market place, amazon has pretty much killed the Bricks and mortar BOOK Shop here in Australia and is taking over the CD and DVD sales from places like JBHI, its the number one online shopping website and they are very savy on what they stock and dont stock, so getting that product exclusive on amazon is a good start for stern. it might also be the case stern tried to get amazon to stock their regular pins and amazon have told them to come back with a home version??? that sort of shit happens. If i was a Stern supplier id be a little concerned that amazon start to try and get exclusive dealer with full sized pins. amazon now have one step in the door.
EDIT. oh wait Amazon now sell Full sized pinballs. hmm id be very worried if i was a dealer amazon have the power for exculsive sales.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_sporting-goods?_encoding=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=Stern%20Pinball&node=3375251
