Redneck racing popularity invades pinball world

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

I suppose it could be viewed as somewhat inflammatory, considering the percentage of Stern NIB machines earmarked for outside-US shipping. NASCAR appeals only to a certain segment of the US population- those that consider it "sport". And the latest craze over WSOP is isolated only to the United States- few others across the world enjoy Texas Hold 'Em, or even consider it "poker" (including those who've seen "Rounders".
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Then again- pinball is an exclusively American tradition, both in terms of both history and market share. It shouldn't be much of a surprise that the themes are borne out of Hollywood movies (e.g. Addams Family, Back to the Future, Krull, T2, T3), American sports (e.g. NFL, NBA Fastbreak, Shaq Attaq, Bobby Orr's Powerplay). Like it or not, it is American companies that will decided on these themes... for love or profit.

I don't know why, but I always assumed that the US made up about half the pinball market with the rest of the world making up the other half. I wonder if a tightly focused theme like NASCAR has a larger appeal than a general racing theme (NASCAR, Formula, Cart, IMSA...). Would each racing series demand it's own full royalty? I also wonder about Elvis. I think an Elvis in Vegas could also cash in on the current Las Vegas popularity (maybe fat Elvis is not as popular?).

I've never understood the problem with licensed themes, after all the fast majority of top rated machines made by Williams were all licensed themes - Addams Family, Twilight Zone and Indiana Jones!! I think we should start worrying if they stop making licensed themes!

NASCAR has only a miniscule awareness in Australia. The Sopranos has a cult (read: "small") following. These themes are unlikely to incite much INITIAL interest outside of the US. However, if these machines offer particularly good GAMEPLAY then I'm sure they will find a share of buyers here. An obscure licence is as (in)effective as original artwork, in that sense. All things considered, a licence with broad appeal has got to be better than one with only US appeal. If I ran Stern I would be looking for licences with more international appeal.

Good point, Virt. That would certainly explain why "Terminator 3" and "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" were busts (of course, I thought gameplay suffered in those two games, coincidentally). My main point though was that, whether you like the particular license or not, NO new game is produced these days without being under an existing license. It's as though Stern is incapable, or perhaps frightened of producing a completely original game in concept.

Take Data East (Or Sega) for example, sega made a pinball machine called baywatch, and I played it, and I thought it was a fine pinball game. I like Licensed pinball machines anyway. I don't care what game I'm playing. Just as long as I understand the object of the game (Besides scoring points, getting replays, extra balls, etc), I'm happy.

After reading all of this discussion, it makes me wonder what kind of "original theme" are people looking for? Whatever it would be, I would assume it would have to reflect our current cultures. Characters like PinBot, Gorgar, Cactus Jack, etc - would a new character like "Harry Humdinger" (just making up something - you pick the theme) make for a pinball machine we would all pay/play/buy ? If playability is the factor, then why do we care if the theme is licensed and familiar? If one were to ask me for something out of the ordinary (albeit licensed) I would think a cool theme would be Halloween (the movies) with Michael Myers.... that mask...that music...Jamie Lee Curtis speech...think of the artwork and the BACKGLASS !!! This movie series has been well respected and it typically has never been considered "cheesy" like Freddy or Jason movies. The movies also have a cult following of fans - even annual conventions! Who knows, my secondary ideas would be The Muppets (seriously - hasn't been done!), King Of The Hill, etc... But for ORIGINAL themes, something appealing and groundbreaking would have to be something that appeals to a large audience - an original theme based around a dark evil broken down theme park (called "Carnival") with wooden roller coasters made of plastic as the ramps, lots of ghosts, rusty lamp posts with illumination that flickers, maybe even an upper playfield. Toys could be real broken down carnival rides that hold balls - The Scrambler, a old carosel, who knows. It would be like combining Haunted House with Cirquis Voltaire. Would we buy into it ? You have to put yourself into Gary Stern's shoes - it's a huge gamble. GARY - if you are reading, I would contact Moustafa Akkad (Halloween executive producer) if I were you. A machine by this halloween, or by the time their next sequel is released, could be a great machine based on this series' legacy.

In New Zealand NASCAR is played on cable tv (SKY) which is well subscribed. I often see NASCAR in pubs and other public places with cable tv. As long as the game is not boring to play, has good artwork, toys, humour etc who cares if it's a US theme? It may have a small production run but the license paid for it will be smaller too. Already STERN has shown it is aware of cultural sensibilities. "The Soprano's" has many modifications available for the Middle East market. It's good business. I'm sure many non-Christian countries like/love pinball so it's great tyo cater to them. Iraq sure needs some pinball machines for it's stressed out citizens, politicians, police and soldiers stationed there. Will STERN make it to Iraq? Or rather, when will they make it to Iraq? As for another licensed theme, I read Slash of Velvet Revover musing about making a Velvet Revolver pinball machine. Anyway, this discussion is really good as is this website. Keep up the good work whoever runs pinside and if you're a member I'd say don't be afraid to express your point of veiw, either in agreement/disagreement, or a little of both. We need to help STERN become a strong company so we're never short of a good new machine.

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