This is pretty awesome news. Can't wait to see what Keith comes up with!
http://funwithbonus.com/keith-elwin-announces-he-will-be-working-for-stern-pinball/
(Topic ID: 178021)
Avon, OH
Haha we posted our topics at the exact same time.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/world-champion-keith-elwin-is-now-working-for-stern
Quoted from WaddleJrJr:Haha we posted our topics at the exact same time.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/world-champion-keith-elwin-is-now-working-for-stern
Mine was 1 second ahead of yours, if you check the timestamp 
It's a shame, because it doesn't mean much if Stern can't finish coding a machine. The best layout in the world won't save a game with bad or missing code.
too bad both were after this one: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/no-posts-about-kme-working-for-stern
Uk
If his version of Archer makes it to production, well, Stern might have a purchase, if it isn't more than a new Tesla!
At least the code for Archer will have a healthy-ish start upon release to help quell some of Pinside's vocal patrons.
As long as they don't dink with the layout too much I'm in for a Lana LE.
Quoted from NimblePin:At least the code for Archer will have a healthy-ish start upon release to help quell some of Pinside's vocal patrons.
As long as they don't dink with the layout too much I'm in for a Lana LE.
No it wouldn't. If he builds archer for Stern it'll use SPIKE and have to be re-coded. It's got a full plan for rules, but the code would have to start over. That is, if he can even make that game with Stern. He may have to start fresh on whatever they have in the hopper to work on for now.
Quoted from epthegeek:If he builds archer for Stern it'll use SPIKE and have to be re-coded.
True, but that's still a far cry from where most games start out. Translating the old stuff over has to be faster than just dreaming up a whole new game on the fly.
If Archer doesn't work out (due to licensing, or whatever), they could still use Keith's Archer layout and just re-theme it.
If they did re-theme it I'd vote GOTG as the best layout fit.
Could theoretically keep all the Elwin toys/mechs in place (e.g. Rocket's weapons testing area in the center) and it would obviously sell more games for Stern.
Personally would rather keep it KME's version of Archer though...
Quoted from MrBally:Great news. Hopefully, it will result in lower machine prices.....
LOL
Well that kind of sucks for Stern; all their showroom games will now be plagued with initials KME 
Congrats to Keith!
This is exactly what we need: new blood in the pinball design department!
The layout for Archer looks amazing to me based on the videos I've seen. Seems likely that this layout will now make it to production.
Congrats Keith! 
Quoted from LTG:Interesting. Once worked for an op. Great player. Nice person. Neat step in his pinball history.
LTG : )
I wonder if it has anything to do with JJP getting new blood in the design team. Stern sure could use it.
Edmonton, AB
Quoted from NimblePin:True, but that's still a far cry from where most games start out. Translating the old stuff over has to be faster than just dreaming up a whole new game on the fly.
hmmmm... not if you've seen the code! I think my coding style is "technical debt"...
A rewrite is in order.
He won't be allowed to play
Quoted from Eskaybee:Well that kind of sucks for Stern; all their showroom games will now be plagued with initials KME
Congrats to Keith!
Part of the deal is he isn't allowed to play other machines on company time. Dude can eat up some time in a single game....
Quoted from transprtr4u:Link to photos of Archer?
Pinball news has some pix and video:
http://www.pinballnews.com/shows/arcadeexpo2016/index.html
So happy to hear of stern hiring anyone new. He'll be cutting his teeth while the Williams guys are still there. I'd like to hear stern hire at least one other new designer.
It would excite me far more if Keith was a coder than doing layouts / concepts for them.
But he's a fairly big guy, maybe he can pin Lyman, Dwight and Lonnie against a wall at some point and 'encourage' them to finish some code.
Seem to remember he was very pissed off about some of the Star Trek bugs, which Lyman went on to say that he and Dwight were aware of and working on fixing .... that was over 6 months ago? Isn't he also critical of AC/DC balance?
Can only hope he continues to make the case for better code from within, rather than staying quiet and getting paid.
Quoted from MrBally:Great news. Hopefully, it will result in lower machine prices.....
More employee's..... another 500 dollar price increase.
Quoted from L8vid:I think my coding style is "technical debt"...
Pretty sure it's a shade better than that.
I'm mean, there was no hamster+wheel running in the cab when we set up the game at AE 2.0...
Unless Babou ate it? 
It's got humor, jiggly boob bumpers, a kick-ass video mode and explosions. What more can a modern pinhead want?
More importantly,
What wood Hank doo in this sitchewashun?
Quoted from NimblePin:Pretty sure it's a shade better than that.
More importantly,
What wood Hank doo in this sitchewashun?
Even more importantly, does it match the Spy Bar?
Quoted from NimblePin:At least the code for Archer will have a healthy-ish start upon release to help quell some of Pinside's vocal patrons.
As long as they don't dink with the layout too much I'm in for a Lana LE.
Archer isn't coded on stern's platform... so you start over. Concepts, rules, media, are known... but all game code and drivers would have to be replaced.
This is really exciting. When you hear Keith talk about layouts, toys, and rules, its obvious he gets it and has some great ideas. Archer has a Lawlor feel but is still very unique. This is a great move by Stern. I would be very surprised if Stern didn't already have the license locked up for Archer now. Or could it be Pulp Fiction with the Archer layout??? Wow.
I am sure he will give the other programmers some great rules ideas also!
Quoted from rubberducks:It would excite me far more if Keith was a coder than doing layouts / concepts for them.
100% agree - I love Stern machines more than most but it's really gotten to the point where it's Lyman or bust on code. If Lyman gets involved, the code will be spectacular, and if not, it may not even ever get finished. Add another really dedicated player (maybe the most dedicated?) to the coding team and Stern's stock goes way up for me.
Quoted from rvdv:Keith who ?
Nope, this is Keith Elwin
This is great news. I bet he has more than playfield design in store for his games. No reason he can't give innovative new rules to the programmers and just let them code it.
#1 pinball player in the world working for the #1 pinball mfg in the world. One of two things will happen: Sterns' games get a hell of a lot better or Keith learns the harsh side of manufacturing and ends up leaving. Let's hope it's the first!
Sweet news, pinball needs new blood and it's awesome that Keith has accepted the challenge!
Enjoy the Chicago winters KME! 
rd
Quoted from hoby1:More employee's..... another 500 dollar price increase.
Pull your wallet out. 
Looking forward to a fresh perspective from one of the best pinball players out there besides myself. 
Great addition to Stern pinball!
Quoted from rvdv:Keith who ?
Most pinside response ever!
You haven't heard of him? He designs under cab lighting and super cool pop bumper caps.
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