Weighted grading pulling up the "value" of the B, and discounting the value of the A+ ?

It does look odd, but I assume they have a spreadsheet that calculates stuff well enough. Only ~3/4 of the way through this episode so far but digging it! Glad to have you guys back to keep me company while working around the house .

So ... could it be that the "Boneman" has been getting a bad rap as "always" awarding B+'s then?

Perhaps not his fault, but rather the grading system which he has been forced to work with!

Man I love me some JP but this just feels like EA is taking over the pinball industry. If I want to see all features of this game, I have to buy a $600 topper that doesn't even really look much better than a Laseriffic or TiltTopper toppers. This is happening on the coat tails of Stranger Things and the UV LED Kit which was exactly the same scenario. If I'm buying LE versions of a game and then have to purchase additional accessories to really enjoy every feature, I'm calling BS on the value of an LE. Sorry to vent on this thread, but it's Stern seems to really embrace the idea of freemium. Makes me curious what feature on TMNT I'll have to pay extra for when it becomes available.

The 600 is probably justified, in their minds, because of the goat mode add on. Let's face it, they're probably needing an influx of quick easy money, and this is it. They will sell out, sadly, which will only perpetuate this trend.

It's all about the "Benjamins". Stern will continue to charge whatever the market will bear.

Just another step in their marketing evolution. Past questionable business decisions like selling Munster LE's as "limited" to 500 only and then increasing the quantity afterwards to 600 (because they could get away with it), was an example of bending willing customers over. Now they've moved on to charging them for the vaseline too.

Yup. Bought 1 of those 500 Munsters LEs.
Then they increased to 600. I get the money grab on Stern’s side.

On my side I have not bought a Stern since and sold my DPLE, GBLE, Guardians LE, etc.

Oh yeah, I have a beautiful Munsters LE for sale too.

I will wait for quite awhile to see what Stern does in the future. And this crap does not help my decision.

I am just hoping ALL big distributors are voicing buyer concerns. If so, I will continue to buy other brands from them.

In short term, the money grab will continue; however, the long term will catch up (it always does).

PS - I let Zach Sharpe and the rest know at Stern; as I was a loyal LE buyer. I even cancelled my JPLE order that was placed at the time.

Hey let's go easy on EA

So basically free shaker motor for all buyers?

Let's hope not!

Thats what the advertisement says. Well first 500 anyway along with art blades. Get mine in a few days looking forward to it.

I think he was implying they won't sell more than 500, therefore all buyers would get a free shaker. I hope they sell a lot more than 500! Will be interested to hear your review when you get it.

I've been hearing free topper

Houdini sold a few hundred more than 500. Octoberfest sold a lot less (some say just a few hundred sold), so everyone gets a free shaker on Hot Wheels is a pretty safe bet. The license isn't going to turbocharge AP sales, and whoever pushed for that annoying spinning car should sent to a Pat Lawlor re-education camp.

Such a negative Nancy! I heard in a podcast that the behavior of the spinning car has been changed from what we saw in the brief videos so far.

Just being real. We had Houdini. Passed on Oktoberfest. Passing on Hot Wheels.

Rooting for AP, but they need to get out of their own way.

Anyone else getting this error trying to view the vid?

"null
If the owner of this video has granted you access, please sign in."

Watched it fine on Firefox BEFORE...not it is set to "Private."

They've made it private now for some reason.

I "Think" a certain individual complained and they had to remove it....... Sad really. ANY marketing is GOOD marketing. I thought the video was rather good.

If AP requested to take this down, K man might be right about their business accumen. It was well done and now I'm excited to see the game in person.

Any marketing is good for American Pinball and distributors but bad for someone who has been doing a lot of work if they were promised first media unveiling. I don't know anything either but if I was doing a lot of work promoting doing more work on a Saturday then I may be annoyed.

Solid SDTM video and I appreciate the work everyone is doing but if your work is the promotion and not distributing I can understand.

This is a perfect example of how AP needs to get out of their own way. Hot Wheels is what it is, and no amount of editing is going to change that. Too late trying to control the narrative and piss off people like Zach that are trying to play by the rules AND HELP THEM SELL MACHINES. It's not his fault. Let it fly and make the next pin choice better.

Hot Wheels looks fast and fun to me, I wanna play it

Would understand if they were giving away answers to a test or the ending of a movie. Its a pinball machine that they Desperately need to sell in volume. ANY promotion or Support for that company should be welcomed with open arms and appreciated.

Just watched the video. Looks like a lot of fun.

My guess is that they’ll get to run the videos after tomorrow evening...but it still sucks that they’re down now!

Zach did you buy the game? Nobody can boss you around once you’ve paid for the game. wtf happened?

Whew .... Thanks for the explanation. I thought it becoming private had something to do with you and Greg's mom or something. ha ha ha

My guess is thats not the case with a distributor contract. Should have just put the video in Gregs name lol.

Game is way more loaded at about "Pro" pricepoint then it seemed at first glance.

"Animated" inserts, still Full RGB, real Backglass, Magnet, Backkicker, that spinning car, lenticular backpanel, colored ramps, artblades...

If you type sdtm into YouTube, the second video called - hot wheels unboxing & first look - is available if you act fast.

It's not ideal that people can tell you to pull your content. I get your a distributor but it's still strange if your posting it as SDTM. Is this a hobbyist unboxing or paid promotional material?

Always hard to tell with old Zach

I kid Zach, I kid

What about "unpaid" promotional material?

They were showing games at the AP Factory before Zach was a distributor.

The "nice" thing being "nice" is that people are "nice".

I get the whole nice thing and I understand timeline embargoes but when a company is telling influencers/content creators what they can show or say online that is a little suspect. I've never heard of someone being told to pull something after the embargo has passed because they dont like it.

Completely agreed. Especially like in This case where the feedback and content was done Unsolicited and unpaid.

I'm sure the videos will be back up by tomorrow night or Sunday morning. I've been saying this a lot today, but man Pinball Media sure is a roller coaster! I've decided to just laugh off the drama and enjoy the ride. Can't control other people, just have to roll with the punches. Drama Queens gonna drama, and haters gonna hate.

Might as well just smile in their faces!

Was about to order the game .... now I'm out....

Thx for that unboxing, that was hilarious. XD

Had a good laugh!

Great video. My first SDTM and I've watched a dozen more since.

Dying to send you one of these after watching the Hot Wheels unboxing though.

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I just change blades. There are awesome to cut your floor/ carpet.

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