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"Serving pinballs to the web since 2001!"sopranos to be stern's next pinball
Written by Fearless_Leader,
published December 16th, 2004.
Read 3206 times,
6 comment(s).
It is now confirmed that the next Stern pinball game will be The Sopranos ®, based on the license of a popular American cable-television show about a ficticious New Jersey mob-boss and his inner circle. Several Stern-affiliated distributors are now taking deposits for the game, which has a release date of January 2005.
Currently, the details about the game's design, including both the lead designer and layout of the playfield are unknown. What is known about the game is that it will feature voice supplied by the original Sopranos cast members, and that the game's ruleset will not follow any original plotline.
Speculation on the theme for the next Stern pinball has become a popular hobby for pinball enthusiasts. It seems as though the company has adopted a product strategy built upon using existing commercial licenses to boost popularity and sales of their games. Several of the company's recent offerings have been for licensed products, such as "Elvis", the "Lord of the Rings" movie trilogy, and "Harley-Davidson". The last non-licensed commecially-produced Stern pinball was ten games ago, 2001's "High Roller Casino".
Rumors abound about the theme of the next Stern game, to be released in Fall 2005, but is thought to be NASCAR. 
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This story was written by Fearless_Leader,
Member since July 2003
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Pinhead_Bob commented on December 22, 2004 03:02:54
That is an interesting choice for a pinball theme, to say the least.
Fearless_Leader commented on December 23, 2004 04:35:41
I agree. But I'm kind of surprised at it- I mean, the show peaked at least 2 years ago. Also, since Stern exports 50% of their new games abroad (to alive pinball markets), how will this theme be received ?
pilot_dane commented on December 26, 2004 22:10:13
I wonder what the cycle time is to create a new game??? Sopranos seems two years late. I have heard that Stern is planning a World Series of Poker (WSOP) game to follow NASCAR. I'm afraid it (WSOP) also might arrive after the current wave of popularity passes, and is also based on a US fad. Stern released Simpsons and LOTR at the hight of the themes popularity (and their themes last many years).
mnpinball commented on December 28, 2004 00:42:14
I also am surprised at this choice of a theme. A US based TV show may not have the appeal overseas. But least no judge untill played !! I spoke with Steve Ritchie personally at the Oct. '04 pinball convention, he is working on the next project of a poker based theme pinball. Should be interesting.. Spiderman (marvel comics look) is in the works as well as MAD magazine, and maybe the Munsters ???
Crusader commented on January 02, 2005 08:24:56
Well I'm a big fan of the show (unfortunately it looks like HBO dropped the ball on it though) and was looking into getting one. Of course the $4000 price tag might be a bit steep for me right now. Any suggestions on the best place to buy a new machine? Thanks.
riccardo5 commented on January 03, 2005 17:13:15
Speaking from the UK I would say that Sopranos interest is strong abroad, but as has already been pointed out, the series is now over - unless Stern know about a further series, I hope so!!