what he said

Why do I get the feeling that the guy that can afford a $15k pinball machine is not the same person that will spend hours making a video application begging Stern to give him a chance to buy their game?

Could be wrong.

The whole thing is absurd - the market for them is so tiny to start with do they really need an application process?

Google "Ferrari fires" and LMK what you come up with.

LOL, an application to buy a machine.

That's some JPop level stuff right there folks.

There difference is, Stern will actually make it.

I just think you should be able to see some pictures before apply for a game?

I am excited to actually see the game cause Batman 66 is awesome.

If I was rich like everyone on here I would take 2

How can they take a deposit when the actual price is not announced? Or, who would actually deposit on something they dont know if they can afford but i guess one can always cancel and get back the deposit when the price is announced?

Like I said, an auction would be the sensible way to go. Let he who has the deepest pockets and the greatest desire win the trophy! I'm guessing the reason they have some to sell might be because the pockets they thought were deep.....eh not so much.

Not to mention a certain ex-Pinsider whose podcasts are no longer allowed to be linked here...

Despite avoiding those from the beginning, I'd watch his video submission for the entertainment value and "meltdown" potential alone...

No chance he'd get one but can imagine thousands of posts and tens of threads if he does

I never thought I'd see the day where people were fighting over the opportunity to pay $15K for a game designed by Joe Kaminkow.... Just buy a Lethal Weapon and save all the drama

I might be on his Podcast again soon.....and get ready for some surprises...

What are the chances all the features on the game will actually work like zero - this is my application zero nothing you will hand deliver the game to me and apologize for a a X-Men toy that is too big for the orbit - a Metallica le that broke targets every time I played with bad initial code and all your other sins

Just saw that crazy post on Facebook for a "video application" to earn the right to buy a machine- is beyond a dumb marketing move.

I think this hurts the Stern brand- and makes me not want to buy a game if I need to get an invite....nuts...just nuts....

You're wrong. There's a few on this forum who have the money and will absolutely submit a video to try to be one of the elite.

I *CAN NOT WAIT* to watch every single one of these sit in a box for 18 months after release, then get sold on ebay for double or triple the price, and then that will be the last we will see of this stupid, stupid business model. Anyone that gets in on this "application" thing is a fool if they open it after taking delivery.

Nothing technically wrong with what Stern is doing, I guess. It is though, another sign in a very clear shift in the company away from being a manufacturer being proud of what they do and confidently offering a quality product, to one that simply "creates want". Marketing is clearly taking over the reigns. No self respecting person would enter the competition just like no self respecting person would enter the X-Factor. But plenty of people will, and plenty of noise will be made. No big deal really, but you hand your company over to marketers and you deserve everything you get in the end.

I submitted an application. Why not ? If picked, I might have the only one on location. I always try to do the best I can for my customers.

LTG : )

I mean it's actually crazy..your telling them serious info. They can take the amount of applications they get in, see how much money each of those people have into their collections in games, get a ballpark of how many big money spenders they have by seeing those videos, then just increase the 30 to 60 or what ever... Or just take all that free info and set the game totals for the next SLE down the line...and your signing a document that say u can't sell it to someone else? Signing that document puts you liable?

And I'm excited to get this game.. Shaking my head...but excited...

Now this......is the best thing I have heard all day. I think Stern should base the decision on those that are going to put them out in the wild for play. hell, I might even come by and carve my initials in it, or at least leave a cigar burning on it. lol OK, kidding about that part, but anyone wanting to put one on route would be a front-runner in my books.

Batman 66 was my dream theme pin. Now Inflated prices. Add ons from the factory at extra cost.

Direct deposit on an unseen pin.
Now a essay?

No more Stern for me.

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Because supporting a marketing gimmick makes stern forget why they are in business to make great fun games not a hyped up game. However your amazing to this hobby so let this be such a slight difference of opinion.

Is there some fine print that Stern can use the application videos however they want? I wonder if they'll show any somewhere...

It would be great, if the winning application videos were installed in the machine for posterity. It should be recalled on the LCD as an easter egg by secret button sequence.

Would be hilarious to see those later...

what a crock of shit.

Which bit? Are you saying there IS something technically wrong with what Stern is doing?

Your last sentence. Absolute bullshit. Have you ever run a successful business?

Yes.

I remember expo after expo Gary saying how the home collector was a small part of their "tripod" model and the other segments were much more important (distributors and overseas). As someone who purchased a few NIB Stern machines I was always irritated how he felt the home collectors were insignificant. Amazing how the times have changed. Now he wants collectors to get on their knees and beg for a SLE. But yet when these same collectors mention code updates or QC issues they are ignored or deleted.

Lets hear it. I'm all ears. Because you talking like you are an authority on how to run a business.

Dear Father Stern,

I weally, weally want this new toy as I have been a very good boy this year.

Please, please let it be me.

Are you that bothered by other contests they have ran? Like to get 'exclusive' things like signed figures, translites, etc?

Sheesh. So many crybabies here. The one company that kept our hobby current for the last 16 years is going all out to produce a really special anniversary machine to commemorate 30 years in the industry and people a bitching about it? To me this whole BM66 thing is awesome. I think it is great that they are offering variety and mixing things up. Not to mention LCD displays. These are the good old days. I wish that I had the spare cash around and was one of the people offered an SLE. If you can't get excited about this, why even be in the hobby? Even if you are an EM guy or into original themes, can't you be happy for the others in the hobby?

Once again, BM66 is a special edition boutique game. Once it is done, Stern will return to the normal Pro, Premium, LE model that everyone normally bitches about.

Or have some fun and try to be part of a special anniversary event for Stern. See... its all about perspective and how you approach things.

If you want to just buy a game... they are selling LEs and Premiums. If you want to be part of a separate celebration of Stern's history... submit an entry looking to be picked to participate.

My god I've never heard so much f'ing drama over a simple special tribute item. If I were Gary I'd be telling Jodi to shut it all down and not offer them at all to these ungrateful whining children. He can share them with friends and employees.

Check out their response to Taylor's question. In other words.....NO! Lmao!!!

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Nope I like that sort of stuff - I just wish they would focus on the games and not the exclusive nature to sell.

So they should be chastised for spending any time and energy on celebrating their own success of 30 years in the business?

What's next.. you gonna pull the plug on christmas too?

I think the right or first sale unless it's being rented or leased makes it so they can't do that.

They are right tho... this type of item is not about being the best game.. it's about a special commemoration piece. Just like many one-off games built in the past. Good thing there wasn't pinside back around them to torch DE/WMS/etc for not making every game a socialism experiment.

in all honesty i own many les. whats so special? a premium is almost the same thing. new les have a plaque and different cab and backglass (tron le might be only exception). no big deal imho. we make it out to be more than it is.

super le? i have to see what really makes it special.

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Sure you can... it's called a contract between individuals. You can agree to whatever you both agree to. The game isn't for public sale, so they can put whatever conditions they want on it.

They are in business because of whom? The kid who took his bike to the arcade and wanted to own a game one day - the thank you could be something outside of give me 15k

Yeah I suspect Stern probably just figured this would be a "fun" thing to try. I doubt if they deliberately set out to antagonize people.

They're probably scratching their heads about it right now " How did we get everybody so PO'ed about this"??

I got my fingers crossed for ya Lloyd! Your place deserves one.

I was obviously coming on a little strong. My apologies. I respect your opinion but I respectfully disagree.

Certainly hope Stern doesn't actually believe this. No one wants to drop this much cash on a half assed coded game that just happens to look really cool.

I'm going to guess less of them will be the most significant difference.

I just think that it's a bit of a worry when a company starts making a major shift from simply making great stuff, to making a lot of noise *about* their stuff. I may have worded it badly, and there is certainly a need for good marketing, but this hyping seems to be getting more and more momentum at the same time that there are real, documented lapses in quality. But it's still pinball, so it's gotta be good, right?

This time we put a 10 on the box "tron"

Awesome collection! We love Stern but are waiting to see the playfield and let some of the hype die down before making a decision.

To this target audience... 'this much cash' is trivial.

We're talking about people that spend thousands of dollars to ship their game quicker so they have it first. Or spend $10-15k restoring games that otherwise are only worth about 2k.

Or spend $20k on a game that isn't fun at all.. but is historically significant.

If you don't think these buyers exist.. you are sorely mistaken.

The epic collections out there are not because some guy thinks these games are the best bang for the buck.