Star Trek - Stern 2013

[Caveoftreasures]

Pinball machines and titles are a weird thing.....very much like cars really.

You walk onto a car yard, see the ugly-est of colours n think no one will buy that, 2 days later it sold and the new owners love it....same with makes n car brands, they are also like pinball themes, u think who would buy a car from that manufacturer, but alot of people do....funny world.

I think the point made about Stern only making limited numbers to make a title sell etc, is spot on. Stern have probably got their business model to the point where they sell the 500 LE models, sell probably 500 to 1000 Pro models and they are OK. Anymore than that and its all double cream.

Now that Stern are making a much better pinbal machine, I think they will do better n better compared to before, because even if u liked the theme, sometimes the game wasnt up to scratch. Now if u like the theme, the game is well n truly made so much better with better designs, so instantly, they have a better chance of selling, and u have a better chance of buying.

Also siting a game must be getting harder n harder to make money......3 new titles a year means the operator has to have bigger pockets to keep up with the latest n greatest title, or a desire to find new sites over n over again each year to accomodate the new titles as they come. Thank the heavens for home users n collectors otherwise Stern probably couldnt stay open on operators alone worldwide. Also, I dont think there is really such a thing as a good or bad title for putting onsite, it all gets down to the age demographic, and the style/location of the place u are siting a machine.

Example, motorbike shop for say a NO Fear pinny.
Example, a Gilligans Island pinny in a travel agent
Example, a Avengers pinny in a comic book shop
Example, a Wizard of Oz in a bowls club (only joking)....have to think about where u would site a WOZ ??
Example, a AC/DC in a Pub, but people will walk up to anything anywhere if they feel like a game or if they are bored.....

Also, because Stern send machines to 30 countries, u have to remember that alot of other countries think completely different compared to us Aussies.
In some countries, just by playing the Star Trek at a pub, might score u 2 girls for the night instantly cause they are trekky fans bigtime because they study at a coolege accross the road.lol     Live Long n Prosper.lol 

[GORGAR 1]

Arcades are gone most pins are in pubs am I right? and there far and few between,  Sited pinballs is a thing of the past its home use now and that's what stern aims for hence the themes.

Peter

[Pop Bumper Pete]

you gotta understand peoples frustration including my self, we just want something different or new.

Try The Blue Oyster bar

[ktm450]

Who hangs out in pubs any more anyway? Surley most games are played waiting for something else eg fish and chips, car tyre rebalancing etc.
If you play in a pub, not really socialising are we?
University rec rooms, home use, Time Zone/arcades, thats where I see most machines.

Maybe my old  belly just stops me haning around pubs now.............

and how many towns have arcades these days?? maybe half a dozan arcades in the entire QLD and maybe two have pinballs.

look at the sited pinball list and see which has more pinballs, in pubs and clubs or arcades.

I dont think ktm would be making a deal of this if Gary stern didnt say him self he wasn't interested in the home market and was making pinballs to make money for operators over putting them into homes.
when clearly he is catering for the home market with this title.

you gotta understand peoples frustration including my self, we just want something different or new.

That's right mate, I'm just having a bit of a gag
But if what Brett states bout Gary wanting to aim at the pub crowd he is way off the mark on Star Trek. Sure people interested in pinball may have a game or two. But joe public will not and the game will most likely be turned off in the corner growing dust and cobwebs

[pinsanity]

I dont think ktm would be making a deal of this if Gary stern didnt say him self he wasn't interested in the home market and was making pinballs to make money for operators over putting them into homes.
when clearly he is catering for the home market with this title.

you gotta understand peoples frustration including my self, we just want something different or new.

I think GS is being a bit disingenuous when he makes statements like that, because I think he is really trying to do a bit of a juggling act and keep all his balls (operators and home market) in the air at the same time for as long as he is able. He really cannot afford to drop either of them so in response he makes half hearted attempts to please both. The result is that neither group are ultimately satisfied with the final product and he will in the long term end up alienating both.

The attractive part to GS is the amount of quick short term profit that can clearly be made from the home market. From a manufacturing perspective, how can you go wrong when you add a $2k plus price tag for what amounts to little more $50 worth of powdercoating and a laminated certificate?

I've said this before, but there is no long term future for a pinball company that caters primarily for the home market. The demographics just aren't compatible with a long term business plan since it isn't drawing in new buyers to the market. But I guess when you are approaching 70 and your kids have publicly stated they have no intention of continuing the business, why would you care about a long term future?

Regarding frustration, I hear ya, they are doing little more than just plodding predictably from one title to the next.

These are made up

Star Trek LE Picard edition with blue powdercoat trim 8950 250 units
Star Trek LE Kirk edition with red powdercoat trim 8950  300 units
Star Trek Borg super limited edition with green powdercoat trim 9250 100 units

[Caveoftreasures]

Gary said for any title to do well, it has to be generally able to be sited at a arcade for kids, a pub/club where alcohol is served, and it must do well in the USA, most of Europe and Australia.

He went on to say himself in the speech, that designing a title to do all that was a tall order, but thats what they aim for. He then said that Simpsons worked when he thought it may not in adult bars etc, but Shrek and Family Guy only worked in arcades mostly.

He is not targetting Star Trek for pubs specifically, but his 2012 speech shows that he has to work with the above parameters to try n make a title work...not an easy ask at all......I also think Gary will want Stern to continue on, even if someone else is running it...

People have to stop n think, he is trying to keep both operators from 30 different countries, and the home market for 30 different countries all very happy at the same time ! Put ya self in the mans shoes....he doesnt need the money, he could have packed it in years ago, but for the love of pinball he has kept it going....

Very hard to keep everyone happy all the time......sometimes i think people need to visit Stern and see what a task they/he has before him...I would have retired years ago....what a nightmare to keep everyone happy.lol

[Olivia_jason]

Also, because Stern send machines to 30 countries, u have to remember that alot of other countries think completely different compared to us Aussies.
In some countries, just by playing the Star Trek at a pub, might score u 2 girls for the night instantly cause they are trekky fans bigtime because they study at a coolege accross the road.lol     Live Long n Prosper.lol  laughing laughing laughing

Just buying a stern will get you laid. Gary Lives in the playboy mansion didnt you know, stay positive and remember stern is LOVE

[GORGAR 1]

I wonder if jack hadn't come along would there be so many negative comments about stern? Weather you like the theme or not stern have kept pinball alive in a very tough industry in a very tough economy.  It's great seeing 3 different titles per year with a choice of levels keep going stern I for one think your doing a great job keep it up, I'm off to play acdc lol

Peter

[dendoc]

I have an idea - make pinballs pay out for certain scores/achievements. Stop making poker machines, and the pensioners can waste their money in pinball manchines. Can even employ the young unemployed on a percentage basis to play the machines for them to gain more profit. Poker machine makers can then go back to making pinball machines, everyone wins!

[Freiherr]

I have an idea - make pinballs pay out for certain scores/achievements. Stop making poker machines, and the pensioners can waste their money in pinball manchines. Can even employ the young unemployed on a percentage basis to play the machines for them to gain more profit. Poker machine makers can then go back to making pinball machines, everyone wins!

Woolies and Coles could then site pinnies at the front of their stores. Entertain hubby and kids while the wife shops.

[Olivia_jason]

Woolies and Coles could then site pinnies at the front of their stores. Entertain hubby and kids while the wife shops.

Mate every one would play that game because it is a stern.
stay positive, they are the perfect pinball and they dont need to change for any one.   

[Freiherr]

I was thinking more Bally and Williams for the Woolies pinball venture. Stern is only for the home market.
I know that Woolies own half the pokies in the southern hemisphere but there is more to tap in on via pinball.

[Caveoftreasures]

If I was marketing BNIB pinball machines in Australia, Bunnings and Masters Hardware places Australia wide would be my targets and I would have a finance package set up for people.

I reckon it would be the easiest way to get pinball in 2013 back on the map and extremely well entrenched again. Star Trek would be a theme alot of people could relate to as well being a sci-fi theme.

[Wotto]

SO - we want a game that attracts players in pubs  - OK then.

LCD screen that shows girls, skimpy girls - and loads of different flicks - real teasers
Some kick arse music in the game.
ANd have a token dispenser in it ( think Safecracker ) that when the player wins a a token he redeems it at the bar for a a midi or similar.

Theres something in there to suit all the barfly's and keep em coming back for more.
Think Full throttle Saloon in a pinball game , girls, titties, strip shows, awesome hard soundtrack and the chance to win free beer
Make a unique title around all of that and make it fairly easy to understand with some classic loop shots ( average Joe thinks he is a great player when hitting big fast loops and a couple of sweet ramps ) - keep it simple but fun and PLAYABLE for the average punter. Throw in a 'stripping' video mode or a drink skulling video mode )

Operator and bar owner can work out an arrangement re the free beer share payments

GAry Stern, you can send my $20k marketing fee to me by Paypal

[Caveoftreasures]

Good idea Wotto.

What about various naked Star Trek species.  Free Romulan Ale.

Beam me up Scotty, I am too pissed to walk home.