Good strategic move. Have to broaden the userbase and appeal to a wider demographic if pinball is to have a long term future.

That would definitely make good use of the LCD backglass - but I think there would be a lot a drained balls though (pun intended)

They would also have good video 'assets' for multiball as well.

Maybe if there's no Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow, they could get Michael Bolton to sub in...

I really hope they get Cars 3 license. Would be a great pin for the kids with there large LCD screen.

By the way....check the view count on that. Good stuff.

There is a pretty nice Bond 007 virtual pin the integrates different actors and eras pretty well.

Would be neat to see a similar design in a real machine.

Talk of Muppets, Toy Story and Cars 3? That's the opposite of what JJP needs to do. Muppets is much worse than DI as a theme.

Family pins are fine, I have a few, get some killer adult themes in the mix.

Fast and Furious OR Cars 3? Come on!

Guardians of the Galaxy has both, is fresh, loaded with possibilities and would be a grand slam.

Fast & Furious is a perfect theme for a pin, dozens of flashy over the top adrenaline fuelled scenes that could be turned into kick ass modes for a pin, plus it's a billion dollar franchise now making more and more at the box office with each release.

How there's not been a Fast & Furious pin already is beyond me

Guardians is with Stern which rules out a JJP GOTG but that would have been an amazing theme for Lawlor to get his teeth into!

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

JJP will do an R rated theme eventually. They aren't just going to do G and PG stuff. Their distributors are going to pressure them for show room floor diversification and product distinction. They will want a theme targeted at nothing but adults that don't want a WOZ or Toy Story type game in their collection.

I'm hoping Stern did not wrap up Deadpool yet and that product is available for JJP.

Too late, you're buying a Stern.

Yeah I had heard that rumour from several people that Stern had Deadpool in the bag along with GOTG.

One thing Stern cannot be faulted on is the themes they buy up, their themes are 90% awesome!

And GOTG too!?! Crap...

Oh well, at least Deadpool is being made. I hope Stern doesn't cookie cut from a layout of theirs I already have...

Stern's got Marvel locked up...they have for years, I highly doubt JJP's gonna snag any of those licenses away.

I see no problem with JJP doing licenses the whole family can enjoy...after all, that's what all the Marvel licenses are...and Ghostbusters...but, they'd be better served doing something that has massive nostalgia attached to it already, as that drives sales up front. WOZ has nostalgia, but is also equally divisive. Hobbit doesn't have nostalgia. POTC doesn't...it was cool when the Stern POTC came out, but the series has become pathetic. Toy Story is a good one - it is beloved, it has nostalgia, it's evergreen...Toy Story will always be something that families care about and enjoy together.

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Facebook!!!!!!!!!

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I hear you, but what are they selling to the people without small children?

There are a lot of different types of collectors out there. Some like sci fi, some like horror, some like innuendo and action. Not all people want a 100% family friendly title in their line up. The same people that didn't want a WOZ won't want a Toy Story (and wouldn't want a muppets). The themes target the same type of collector.

Questions Rarehero : do the same people negotiate Marvel licenses at Disney as do Pixar or other Disney properties? Or are they still run as independent companies? Does Marvel have the right to negotiate Deadpool anyway since the movies are Fox or are we looking at comic version of Deadpool on the way (like was done with XMen)?

Rumor says it might be Elwin's Archer layout.

Would make sense because I don't think GOTG was in the mix at expo at all. Elvira, Iron Maiden and Pulp Fiction along with Star Wars at the time.

Yea, I was more concerned with Deadpool. I think my post indicated I was concerned with GOTG (which I am, but far less so than with Deadpool), sorry for the confusion (I've edited the post to clarify that).

Hopefully both those games (GOTG and Deadpool) get unique layouts. Stern recycling old layouts with minor tweaks is concerning to me...one of the big reasons DI is winning my NIB money.

It's a misconception that Toy Story is for babies. Toy Story (and Pixar movies in general) appeal to a broad audience. All ages, all demographics. It's not Barney.

Disagree. Toy Story and Muppets are (relatively) contemporary pop culture icons. Toy Story and Muppets have humor that appeals to adults. Again, Muppets is not for babies...it's not Sesame Street. WOZ is appeals to a different sensibility and demographic...pure saccharin, "Classic Hollywood". There are people just don't think WOZ is "cool" ....those same people would find TS and Muppets "cool".

Intelligent people can disagree with one another. I can live with us having opposing views on that matter and understand (but do not adopt) your perspective.

Do you have any insight or ideas on the above?

So hope that is true Elwin's layout is awesome, GOTG arguably Marvels most unique property combined with the most unique layout to come out of Stern in years would be off the charts!

Hold on one sec...it's not an opinion. It's a fact that Pixar movies are not kiddie movies for babies. They're legitimate films with (usually) great storytelling & memorable characters that happen to be animated. They're not just TV babysitter fodder.

If *you* don't like them - that's an opinion, and that's fine...I have no reason to argue with you about that...but the appeal of Pixar movies to all ages and all audiences is just a fact. I personally think the Cars movies are pieces of shit...but that's my opinion...the fact that they're hugely popular is something I cannot argue with.

Depends on the property. If Stern wants to do movie Deadpool and get Ryan Reynolds, they'd have to deal with Marvel & Fox. If they just wanted to do Comic book (like Spider-Man Vault), they'd only have to deal with Marvel.

I'm pretty sure Marvel has autonomy and doesn't need the Disney people for their licensing deals.

That's true.

They are better suited for neonates.

Fact? You really see the target demographic (white men 40-60) being more interested in Toy Story than another more adult theme if they don't have any children in their lives? I like the movies but it is only a "good" theme for me. JJP could really use a slam dunk theme right now.

Relativity of any theme is mostly dependant on the age of the consumer. I'm 38, and so obviously anything from the 80's & 90's is hugely important to me and my household in general. I have nearly zero interest in most themes before the 80's, and only some interest in themes from the 2000's. When the discussion of "relative" themes always gets brought up, it always leads to disagreement. Certain age groups will often have the same appeal to themes they grew up with. A young guy will be into Harry Potter, while the older pinheads will hate it, and want another Elvira or Munsters or something. Theme appeal is strictly subjective. I personally respect jjp for marketing more family friendly games. I wouldn't be mad if jjp did an adult oriented game, but I don't feel they need to.

I disagree. Do you have kids? Did they watch these over and over like kids tend to do? If so your opinion is tainted.

I have the ability to enjoy "childish" things; especially if they have some connection to my childhood. Scooby-Doo and The Jetsons for example. But I have no attachment to Toy Story.

What I hate about these discussions is there is rarely talk about the "how" to implement the themes. People just throw out "I like Teletubbies" and don't explain the modes or why it would make a good pin.

When Ben Heck talked about an Bible theme we actually talked about what would be in the game. I have thought about a Logan's Run game and would compare it to a re-theme of POTC. And have thought out sections of the game. The Mix Master being a New You shot, the chest shooting Box, final mode going for Renewal ... When talking with the Buffy guys and saying you need a "hush" mode or a ... they were already there ahead of me.

Sorry pry peeve.

Agreed. And these are the modern day babysitters. Set to replay over and over and over.

No, I don't have kids....and I'm not even stating an opinion! It is a FACT that the Toy Story movies for 20 years have appealed to children AND adults. It's a simple fact...there's no debate on this one. They're not throwaway cartoons for kids. They're excellent FILMS.

Now, if YOU don't like Toy Story and YOU don't think it's a good theme...that's fine...that's an opinion.

I wasn't comparing TS to other themes that adults might enjoy. I was just making a point that it's a great, broad demographic theme that isn't just for children.

How would JJP#4 get my $$$?

I would hardly call TWD and GB rehashed layouts.

#1. Drop the ridiculous 2500 LE strategy. It means nothing and is partly why you see THLE sit on the market for $6700 and dropping

If JJP thinks their pins are worth at least $1k above what Stern sells their pins for then at least make a collectible in the $10k range

3 versions at 250 each or something like it.

Why? Because DI has ZERO chance of holding its value or anywhere close to Nib at 2500 and JJP can run the production forever

If not, the collector in me will always wait

#2. Theme matters. Something adult

#3. Pat Lawlor layout on an adult theme

#4. Any other designer that brings something unique, ala Woz

My wallet is open and ready!

The Shadow, now there is a good example of game>theme .

Terrible movie, but excellent pinball machine.

But it helps when you can trick people into themes they think they're attached to. Such as Transformers which EVERYONE agrees were the worst movies ever 100% (yes even the peopl ethat watch them and like them!), but people bought it because there was some other Transformers stuff that was good before that.

Pretty amazing really.

I'm always interested if companies will do something like Muppets that has just recently failed pretty bad on TV.
People keep asking for munsters which has the same recent history

EDIT: To me it's all kind of crazy...just arguing over such similar age groups. Toy Story is just as "adult" as frikkin POTC is; It's not like it's Deadpool or anything.

No one is saying they are garbage but it is certainly far from a fact that they have a lot of cross appeal.

They are movies that parents don't mind attending with their kids but a 40-60 year old man (target pin audience) isn't going to see Toy Story with his buddies on movie night. He's going to go see Deadpool or some other R rated movie.

How many 40 year old men do you see walking around with Toy Story shirts? I can't think of any and I'm an avid people watcher on Bourbon Street and Vegas and airports. I mostly see adult focused shirts like Game of Thrones. Never once seen a Toy Story shirt on a 40-60 year old adult.

You never know. If it is because of it not being a licensed theme I think MM and AFM show that game play is everything. If DI does well maybe Jack decides licensed themes is not always the way to go. Looking at my collection of games I love it is a 50/50 split.

Here is the interview with Eric Meunier

I saw this guy at LAX

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Man, I don't know about that either. Vegas has WOZ slot machines on the floor of every single casino on the strip and they make a lot of money. I've never seen a slot machine for either Muppets or Toy Story on the floor of a major Vegas hotel.

I'm not saying that the casino industry necessarily got it "right" in feeling people think WOZ is cool but don't think Muppets or Toy Story is cool...but they certainly spend more money testing and developing what will draw in customers than the pin manufacturers do...and they think WOZ is cool and they do not think Muppets or Toy Story is cool (for their target audience).

Disney would not license Toy Story for a slot machine. That is why you wouldn't see it.

I love my Lawlor RS, genius layout, and Whitewater

MM and AFM are great themes to me, maybe DI will click with the masses, who knows

The reason a DILE isn't going to hold value is because of the 2500 and potential other versions. Unless it just doesn't sell well and who wants that

I paid $6500 for my WozLE. That's probably about what I could get for it now, maybe a bit more

I want JJP to try and trick me into thinking I'm actually getting something limited. 2500 doesn't work and a lunch with Jack and Pat CE doesn't either

$12,500 is too much for a CE, especially when they still don't know exactly what you get

Willy Wonka is another hugely successful slot machine

Fair point. I hadn't considered it.

How about a Beatles pin? That would have been a great JJP pin too. Music sells the shit out of it. Why not?

Looks like Kamikow scooped up that one

That's just plain wrong. Sure, adults aren't wearing Toy Story shirts, but plenty of adults love the movies & the other Pixar movies. Adults CRY watching Pixar movies. Cars is really the only one that's full on "for kids". Have you seen Up? The first 5 minutes are about a miscarriage and death! They're not making "kiddie" films for the most part.

To back up my point:
https://mic.com/articles/50335/why-adults-are-flocking-to-the-movies-to-see-pixar-kids-films#.af2JZ49i0
Though Hollywood pundits had confidently predicted that Pixar's latest family film, Toy Story 3, which earned $109 million this past weekend, would do big business, few forecast how solidly the film would connect with adults: 40 percent of the non-family filmgoers were between the ages of 17–24, and older adults are also driving the movie's buzz.

http://theweek.com/articles/493325/3-theories-why-adults-love-toy-story-3
The Toy Story trilogy has amassed a loyal fan base that continues to cherish the animated pictures regardless of age. Pixar has truly redefined the family film genre. These are not pictures that parents can merely tolerate — they are films that older viewers might very well enjoy more than their children.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/9/7/story-toy-3-film/
In this way, “Toy Story 3” is a grown-up’s film for kids. It doesn’t resort to winking at adults with double entendres or on-the-nose pop culture references like so many animated flicks, but instead engages them deeply in the subtext of the film, which, at its core, is about the bittersweet truth of growing up. Though kids will walk out of the theater excitedly repeating the movie’s jokes and plot points, their parents will have appreciated its deeper resonance.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/7856218/Why-Toy-Story-3-plays-with-mens-emotions.html
Andrew Palermo, a 37-year-old Italian-American construction manager, thinks so. When he emerged with his eight-year-old son Frankie from a cinema in Manhattan's Upper East Side on Thursday night, both had tears streaming down their faces.
"Italy getting knocked out of the World Cup already made me emotional, but I wasn't ready for that," said Mr Palermo. "You expect a Pixar film to treat kids like adults, but that blew me away. It was a deeply moving study about family, friendship, loss and change."

There are thousands and thousands of good licenses out there. Why do we need to have ones that been done already?

Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Back to the Future, FFS pick something that's at least original even if it's a license.

Whilst I agree with your logic, it's most likely because this thread and many other are full of people with cash in their hands dreaming of the same repeated themes.

Nope, fact they where based on the movies made we hold out, when I saw that teaser George did with the transforming toy I admit I went a little weak, then that didn't appear on the final game I was out again. Those movies suck compared to the original G1 series and movie. If Stern had done Transformers as G1 I would have been all over it, shame they didn't do a G1 LE

*Raises hand* ...I got tricked on that one lol.

Thanks, great interview. Excited to see what Eric can do.

Is an adult that starts crying in a theater at a Pixar movie really the same adult that's buying pinball machines? There is a reason themes like Harley Davison and playboy have been done multiple times, they match up well with the pinball playing crowd.

If you aren't going to buy a $15 T-Shirt on a theme you aren't going to drop $9,000 on a pinball machine featuring that same theme.

It's one thing to enjoy a movie it's an entirely different thing to have a strong emotional attachment to a theme and very few people buying pins today were children when Toy Story came out and slept on Toy Story sheets or ate out of Toy Story lunch boxes...it is not nastalgic for the current demographic buying machines.

I've seen all the Toy Story movies, I even watched one on a flight once. They are well made high quality movies. I didn't hate any of them. That said, I'm certainly not collecting stuff on them and wouldn't feature any Toy Story products in my house or office.

Toy Story would be awesome.

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