Well did a 2hr drive to Sydney, 2hrs with Gary with a small crew of guys (about 30 in total turned up), 2hr return trip and back on the computer for a update while it was fresh in my mind.
Gary definitely is a character, loves to reminisce, it is amazing how small the industry is with Sam Stern and Mr Williams having had a business together. So he went through some historical stuff (as a kid to growing up in the industry) which was interesting but very similar to many of his talks on youtube and then a Stern tour video. Then half way through or a touch more we got up to
the now which I will break up into sections and included info gained from question and answer time - which they actually did not give us a lot of time to ask:
The Pin- The Transformer home version pin not for the collector nor the pinball player but for the intro person that wants a more hassle free experience
- this pin will use the new SAM 2.0 System
- the pin will have a tilt up / lift up glass.
- the trim is actually finished with some new coating technique and is powder coated timber
- After the Transformer model will be a Avengers - The Pin
The SAM 2.0 System- after Sam Stern and Smoke and Mirrors (getting lots of use and effects out of new technology
- states is the future especially with node boards
- the main board has 2 usb ports, 1 sd port, 6 ultra bright leds which will replace the backbox fluro for providing light to the translate.
- SAM 2 board system will be linked into node boards so everything is connected with 6 wire like computer cables so less cabling
- this new board system will be tested in 10-20 AC/DC Premiums shortly to go to sited locations to get a work out and test - which will then go into every pinball only once tested and proven so looks like not in Avengers.
Pro, Premium and LE model- Pro for the operator and pinball player (base level)
- interesting facts are 30% of pros reach the operator in the US, 40% pro's reach the operator in Aus and 99% hit the operator market in Italy
- the pro once moved to the new SAM system will be all LED as it can not run incandescent globes at all so the end is near with older globe lighting
- Premium is for the pinball enthusiasts that wants the le features but saving on the bling
- the LE is for the collector and he feels 500 of one type is too much and not so exclusive and 2 lots of 250 is a good mix and he said the X-men magneto was not as good seller as they thought and he personally does not like green games (the hulk).
This sort of variants will be the future with the premiums not always done ???? a bit of a who knows. He also said that they still have not mastered the business model as it changes with each pin / theme, which at least he admits.
Design- one for you cavey - as long as he has some say in it there will be NO wide bodies machines as he thought they played slow, need more parts to fill it and in the end more expensive so would affect the price point of the games. He also said when a company brings out a wide body to him that means they are going down the drain.....
- does not like a full back box lcd but did not elude to anything else
- EDIT (added later) - Since all cabinets have decals now, decals will now be available through distributors to replace the faded or damaged ones on your cabinet
Titles- was asked about the hobbit licence and he said basically JJP paid ALOT for it.
- was asked when the hobbit comes out would he consider riding the coat tales and do a re-run of The Lord of the Rings and he said that sound a interesting idea. They did re-new that licence but would have to re-new again to do anything else.
- was asked if he has played the WOZ, short answer was no as he did not want his photo taken playing it
The Avengers- didn't give us anything new here except he has played the Pro alot and said it was a good fun machine - like he was going to say anything else.
- I asked about the leds - answer above in relation to the SAM system
- asked about the plate in front of the hulk and he hesitated, stumbled and stated didn't really now ????
- the hulk hits the table with his arms
- there is a magnet fitted to the table there ??? not sure where
AMD- Bruce said LE's have sold out in Aus with 10-20 sold, exact amount kept secret but for every Avengers LE he got he had to get a Hulk LE which was a Stern condition.
- Pro's coming into the country 3rd week of January
overall my first time experience of hearing Gary talk was very interesting and entertaining. He is a smart man with a degree in accounting / business and the a law degree and has had a few businesses including bars and pubs so hats off to him - smart guy and still passionate at 67 - well done
. I take my hat off to him again for keeping the industry alive because of his passion, as that has helped alot of other pinball companies stay alive, grow and new ones develop as well. At the end he happily signed flyers and a guys AC/DC mirrored back glass which was nice of him.
some photos
- Gary
- Gary and myself
- Sam 2.0 System
- Sam 2.0 System closer look
I hope you enjoyed the info
