Quoted from Rewdood:To be fair, Bally/Williams dipped out of pinball because making flashy video penny-slots became a money tree around the late 90s and every casino and gas station (and even grocery stores) sported a line up of paycheck-busters instead of pinball machines
That’s right. And it was a very smart move then.
The real world we live in today?
Maybe I’m a little negative on the sustainability of these price hikes when Inflation data remains persistently high.
The PCE number came in hot again today.
The Fed is trying to kill another 2-4 million jobs to get inflation under control. Looks like the Fed will have to keep rates higher for longer.
That’s called “demand destruction” . Housing, Autos etc already there
Credit card debt is increasing while the savings rate is decreasing. Post Covid realities
Both stock and bond markets are down. The wealth effect is negative.
Wealthy people, others still with jobs and savings, credit card lines still untapped….those people are still here and buying and some always will. None of the above matters to some.
The flipper/FOMO effect is gone that used to drive sales.
Like most everything else, Pinball will be fine but the adjustment period I think is upon us.
Stern can keep running popular games and selling them, the buyers at these prices will dwindle and they will have to lower them.
The ride up the pricing mountain has been fast and furious but The Goose is worn out.
Now bring on Foo Fighters!