As reported in last month's Pinside expos' on the upcoming Sopranos pinball from Stern, NASCAR has now been confirmed as the next offering from that company. The game has been produced by Pat Lawlor's design team, and the game is expected to be released in late Summer of 2005.
Playfield toys and plastics for the game have already been produced, and prototypes are expected to be built in the March - April timeframe. One interesting feature of the game is that the machine will feature several different cabinet trims and playfield detailing. In this manner, owners of NASCAR Pinball will be able to pick their favorite driver/number, although gameplay and sound are likely to be unchanged.
News of the game is thought to leave hardcore pinball fans cautious of the title, rather than excited. Stern has received both worldwide acclaim, as well as harsh criticism for producing its recent games with themes from only commercial licenses, such as Lord of the Rings, Monopoly, and Harley-Davidson. "NASCAR" is targeted directly at fans of the popular American racing sport, itself a big moneymaker with its merchandising and product tie-ins. While hardcore devotees of pinball may eschew Stern's marketing practice, it is undeniably successful, as the number of "Simpsons Pinball Party", "Monopoly", and most recently, "Elvis" games, can attest.
Will "NASCAR" continue the trend of franchising popular commercial licenses into successful pinball themes ? Or will wholly orignal design concepts make a return one day soon for Stern ? Time will tell...
pilot_dane
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20y 19,750 4 13
I am curious what people outside the United States think of what I feel are games themed for a US audience. How many Europeans, Australians and New Zealanders... love NASCAR racing, followed the Sopranos on TV, or avidly watch poker tournaments?
Dane: North Carolina, USA