A pinball app is still a video game more than it is pinball IMHO. Kudos to the marketing folks: the kids play pinball apps on the phone or tables, and the Goldfish cracker branding and mascot is ever present. "HEY MOM! I want Goldfish crackers!!!"

Marketing to kids is a waste of time. Kids don’t buy pinball machines nor hang out generally at places with pinball to play.

The focus by pinball companies (not snack companies) should be on marketing to people in their 20s and 30s.

Let's say "some" people. Value to whom? More people in pinball single largest impact in MY world: higher prices. I don't need more people in pinball, but they can have all the Goldfish crackers they want.

I actually really got the itch after playing pinball fx a lot so I can see it. About to buy my first real pin now

Wait, I'm confused. I thought we were all about spreading pinball and getting pinball to a larger audience. Broadcasting on ESPN, better streaming rigs, more views on Twitch etc, etc, and now you guys are saying, the less people, the better, and let's let pinball die with the current generation? Wait what?

There are tons of themes that can cross the boundaries of multiple generations without being an "old man's" 60's theme pin. Those should be the focus if companies want to lure in the next generation.

1) Phineas and Ferb - My son loved that show, and I'd argue that I enjoyed watching it even more. I know many parents in their 30s that share the same sentiment. There's a Doofenshmirtz figure under my monitor at work as I write this. That show was borderline perfect and lends itself very well to a pin.
2) TMNT - No brainer there.
3) Spongebob - See #2.
4) Greta Van Fleet - A band my 10yr old listens to because I got him into them.
5) Double Dare - A classic game show with endless possibilities for a pin. A must watch when I was growing up. A must watch for him now.

Themes that strictly go to kids may not work, but if they also have a connection to the generation of people who have the disposable income to fund these purchases, then you got something there.

Don't listen to the haters luckydogg, pinball is everywhere now and it's fantastic.

Don't think it'll take much to convince kids pinball is fun. Most that have been here
and seen pinball machines for the first time just jump in. The idea is to plant the seed.
Two things will discourage kids from getting their own; the crazy cost and lack
of ability to maintain them.

A neighbor just showed me something he got for Xmas. PinBox 3000, which is
a cardboard pinball kit. Very well done but a toy at best. A nice gift for young
kids that might lead to interest in the hobby later on in the same way apps do.
Steve

Agree that all of these themes could be a blast for pinball, especially F&F... except Greta Van Fleet. That band’s SNL appearance last weekend was so uncomfortable!

Aaron
FAST Pinball

I heard, so we didn't watch onDemand Sunday. But nonetheless, they're the only thing current out there with a guitar worth listening too... and finally the general public is realizing that too. This gave me a good laugh. Spot on review for the most overplayed and worst band I've heard in years - https://www.yahoo.com/sports/america-learns-imagine-dragons-terrible-band-cfp-halftime-show-034628170.html

I think the newer LCD screens with improved animations could help attract the younger players. Dialed In is a game that embraces new tech and toys while paying homage to the past. Kids seems to love the phone, drones, and selfie mode.