This hobby needs an annual award program to recognize the people and the work of pinball culture, voted on by the community. These awards will set the standard and help elevate the voice of the community (into one) in recognizing the exceptional achievments of the recipients and their commitment to pinball.
The Award categories are:
Best Pinball Machine
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinheads-choice-2016-best-pinball-machine-vote
Best Pinball Design
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinheads-choice-2016-best-design-vote#post-3515038
Best Software/Rules
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinheads-choice-2016-best-softwarerules-vote#post-3515115
Best Sound
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinheads-choice-2016-best-sound-vote
Best Artwork
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinheads-choice-2016-best-artwork-vote#post-3515694
Best Product Quality & Customer Satisfaction
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinheads-choice-2016-best-product-quality-cs-vote#post-3515776
Best Pinball Company
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinheads-choice-2016-best-pinball-company-vote#post-3515962
Best Aftermarket Mod
Best Pinball Parts Supplier
Best Pinball Distributor
I will set up a new thread per each category to list nominees and a voters poll for complete transparency in results.
What could help:
1. Anyone interested in designing a logo for the Pinhead Choice Awards? It helps create an identity and allows the award winners a logo to display on their site supporting the achievement recognized by the industry. *This would be a donation. I'm not funding the awards or attempting to make money, just trying to make this fun and bring a solid "one voice" to the community.*
2. Pinball Magazine - would be great to see you guys support and run award winners in an article to add credibility to community voice.
The community should determine who can claim to be the "leading ....(i.e. pinball company)" not company marketing organizations. Just like JD Powers awards for quality and the Academy Awards for achievements - people take notice of who won awards. It's time we recognize the hard work and achievements in pinball and set the bar for recognition - objectively.