Yeah... they're doing another run... and they're gonna charge $10k. The result? The market is going to get pushed higher

I hear that!

I don't understand two things:

1) why would any current owners care? You have your game and you get to enjoy it.

2) why are current non-owners so excited? Plenty of AC/DC machines come up for sale. They aren't unobtanium... and if you think prices are crazy for modded Premium machines, just wait until you see the prices Stern is going to ask for unmodded NIB machines. It's not going to be pretty. Remember: they aren't re-running games out of kindness. They are doing it to make money and will go to great lengths to gouge the hell out of the market.

To anyone buying a new Stern, you are absolutely guaranteed one thing: your machine does not have value as a collectible. Which is weird to say since Stern markets some of their new machines as collectibles, but they are not. The days of the 90s when the industry was driven by the demands of the operator market (which limited runs for market reasons) are OVER. Collectibility during that decade (and decades prior) was unknowingly created.

Now?

Now, nothing is collectable. The consumer market is driving the show. Any time you buy a Modern Stern you can never assume you're going to have something (a) unique by numbers or (b) that won't be re-run. And if it's re-run, you can bet the bank that there's a good chance it will be modified in some way that makes it more desirable.

The collector market used to have a solid base created by simple supply and demand. The original supply was a known entity (at least the upper limit numbers were known) and pricing was driven by demand. Now, company's are creating collectibility on their own, and market pricing is being driven by the company making the machines.

It's a house of cards, folks. It's the equivalent of those ridiculous "special edition" mint coins that you see for sale on late night TV.

If Stern does this (specifically: re-release TWD with new art): foolish. They're quickly going to create a scenario where collectors will be gunshy on paying top dollar for what they perceive to be special/exclusive releases only to be one-upped a year or two later by another version of the same game.

And, by the way, the art doesn't change how these games play. If you're a player collector, all of this art silliness is just that: silly.

Stern is becoming the master at throwing up smoke to help control cash of hobbyists. Great way to keep money from flowing to other manufacturers

Not talking about IMVE or resale value.. I'm talking about NIB sales

I speaking specifically of the notion that Stern would release a new TWD art package on game that was originally released with LEs just two years ago. That has zero to do with the secondary market as Premiums can be had for under NIB prices.

Shrek and Family guy feel different because the sound and DMD are completely different... as is are the rules

Stern dropping rumors that it might do a run of TWD with comic book art has nothing to do with CGC re-releasing a bear original version of MB. And, yes, I would be interested... but if I were an owner of MB, then no, I wouldn't.

Where did I ever say I cared about the TWD getting re-released? What makes you think that I would care...? Frankly, they could release 10 more versions of TWD and I wouldn't lose a wink of sleep.

My comments were simply:

1) Stern as company would be foolish to so quickly turn around and release TWD with all new comic book art. It would probably get the same reaction that this community had when Stern announced the LE and Pro only for the game, only to turn around and slip in the Premium. It's really a simple statement. No different than JJP sneaking in the RR WOZ.

When you market direct to collectors and you have collectors paying top dollar up front for something they perceive to be exclusively unique, only to turn around - relatively quickly - and sell something that the collecting world might perceive to be even more unique... well, you might end up with some sour faces. Hence my comments that folks buying Stern games should never look at them as collectables, because they are manufacturing to sell and make money for themselves... not to please small segments of the pinball community.

My other comment is that Stern really benefits from all of these silly rumors, because it helps them control $$ in the collecting community. Dropping hints about future titles on games (whether true or not) might keep someone from rushing out and plopping down money on a machine from another company.

Ah.. I see... you think the fact that I'm a Walking Dead owner means that I'm being disingenuous in what I'm saying?

Well if helps you to calm your concerns, I just sold my TWD premium last weekend --- it's getting picked up in a few days. But if I hadn't, I'd feel the same way as I do about my AC/DC. I really don't care if Stern were to remake a pin that I own or owned... and I don't believe Stern is re-releasing TWD with comic art as the next VE.

.

Even if Stern sells NIB for $7700 street... the currently highly modded games (selling in that range) are a good deal.

If this game is really real, It will be interesting to watch the collecting community eat itself alive trying to buy it.

If that's what happens... so be it. Truth is... even if NIB costs $7700... you could dump $500-$1000 in mods and it will easily become a $8500 machine.

With Stern quality hitting the crapper and materials cheapening, there's a good chance the originals will end up feeling better made.

While I generally agree... there were some key mods for AC/DC (especially the pinbits lightning bolts) that make the game that much better.

You're right, of course... mods aren't necessary to make a game more fun. They can kick up the interactive experience, tho. Lots of good ones in that realm for AC/DC...

Different strokes for different folks

Is it really that visually appealing? I've never seen one in person. It looks like it would make the whole area much more crowded and hard to see.

I do agree with Beezleboob... shaker... upgraded sub/speakers...pinbits bolts...color DMD... topper...speaker lights...drums...

They all really just make the pin that much more interactive and immersive. AC/DC is one game that really ups the playing experience when it gets dressed up. To The Law's point, you don't need those mods to play the game and have fun... but, wow, those add on's just crank AC/DC to crazy levels of pinball fun.

Who did you buy from?

Godfather's handiwork really tightened up the look of my train!

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