So with these new Sterns, do you have the ability to change the GI led colors (sockets?) or are they surface mounted? Kind of disappointing to have the traditional white GI light if so.

I thought that as far as setting a minimum sales price, that was always MAP (Minimum Advertised Price), and that a manufacturer cannot set a hard minimum sales price for a product from their distributors as that is akin to price-fixing. The difference is that MAP is exactly as it sounds - a distributor cannot post the price anywhere if they go below it, but could still sell the item for whatever price they wanted.

MAP is the reason why you see things on Amazon, retailer sites, etc, that say "Add to cart to see price" - that is all about MAP agreements.

This may be stupied because I don't know how the system works with pins. But is there any chance that stern themselves were selling to distributors at different prices due to a certain distribtor being able to sell or do more business they would cut them a bit better deal and in return the distribtor was able to offer a much cheaper game and keep the margins in line close to a competing distribtor that had to sell for a bit higher price. Could that be where the confusion is coming from. That Stern is now selling to all distribtors at the same price but distrubtors can charge as the feel. And by the way if it's just that stern set one price and one price only that's what Apple does. The only way and iPad can be cheaper is if the store selling offers an incentive such as a gift card!

MAP is different.

See Leegin Creative Leather Products, Inc. v. PSKS, Inc., 551 U.S. 877 (2007).

TLDR: vertical price fixing is no longer a per se violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Companies used to get dinged for this all the time (famously, Nintendo). Pretty big shift, certainly made waves in the antitrust community.

on recent Sterns the GI is still bulbs. Inserts are little boards.

6 balls on Baywatch is a heckuva good time too.

Thanks, took a look into it. Looks like you also have to look at state laws as well.

It appears many states have actually outlined RPM after this ruling, such as Maryland, so therefore in many states Stern would not be able to have such an agreement with its distributors/dealers. That's gotta be tough, because then you have distributors in one state that can't sell below Stern's price, and one in another state that technically can because of state law. The only fix for that would be for Stern to terminate distributors in those particular states that outlaw RPM, and that would be a horrible business move as well. Thoughts?

Three words: Well of Souls.

I can't wait to play this at TPF to decide if I want a premium. So many good games coming out (TBL, Hobbit, FT, Aliens, P3) competing for my money.

This machine looks amazing and hopefully bodes well for future games down the road.

With drop shipping and self-reliant customers... its turned to a commodity market, not a Value-add reseller market. Guys like Pinball Refinery took an angle to differentiate themselves. Some distros actually operate as retailers and actually provide services, etc.

The race to commoditization started when the distributors basically just started selling wholesale to the end-users.

Is it confirmed that there will be a playable GB at TPF? Pro, premium, or both?

I'm just really happy Stern gave artwork credit to Jeremy

It's not about protecting the value of their product as much as trying to protect the viability of the distribution channel. Stern doesn't want to be the direct retailer.. so for that to happen you need a viable business model for distributors. That means they gotta be able to make ends meet selling the product. When people disrupt the economy of things by racing to the bottom... all distributors lose.. and the manufacturer loses when their distributors can't survive or do not offer the services you need them to.

That's mostly right. There are a handful of states departing from the Leegin approach with respect to state competition law. Antitrust lawyers are super excited for a potential constitutional challenge---because that's the sort of thing that excites antitrust lawyers.

There are several ways to institute RPM generally without withdrawing from the more restrictive markets.

I hope jpop called and congratulated him at least.

Someone talked to Marco who said they are bringing two games.
Did not say which model, but I would assume Pro.

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This is weird. Why is the Bill Murray on the backglass - and the other guys as well - so odd looking when this one is a SPOT ON LIKENESS?

Is it a result of art direction or direction from Sony? Like, they WANTED them kind of derpy looking and ZY was FORCED to do it?

I always found it really weird that the faces were so off when everything else was laser perfect and how Zombie Yeti's work otherwise was always so excellent. It is literally the only thing wrong on this entire game (other than Aurich's lettering thing which is also probably art direction.)

Ghost bukkake was rejected.

Enough about the pricing and if its set or not bc if it was supposed to be you all are ruining it yet again talking about prices . Cant we all just be happy that stern put a amazing looking pin out with awesome theme and toys .

This game looks amazing. This is the first time I have even considered buying NIB (Monopoly is the most modern pin I've owned).

The Premium looks like it has enough extras to justify the upgrade from the pro, but I'm looking forward to playing them before making a decision.

When he first presented it I thought it was "okay" - not amazing or anything but decent enough given the "limitations" he kept talking about. I found it acceptable and was willing to wait for a populated playfield.

Then I saw this playfield and I have to say, it's ten times better in every respect, and makes the whole excuse about how "movie studios won't allow hand drawn art" a giant load of horsepucky.

Sorry Aurich, you've been schooled. And, apparently he's taking a break from Pinside now. I guess he can't take it as good as he gives it.

That image you showed doesn't look like a spot on likeness of Murray to me... I think the GB translite has a better representation, and neither was intended to be photorealistic. Look to GOT LE if you want photorealistic art.

No confusion. Just because it's old news, doesn't mean we can't mention it.

I think it partly has to do with how shitty that red DMD looks. I know all we have is the prelim pics, but to me it looks like that red display just blends into the backbox. The LE is BURSTING with color; on the playfield, cabinet, and backglass. How much better would a color display compliment this game?? I think most people would've had told Stern to wait on a release if there was ANY chance a color DMD would make it into the game. Anywho...

Nevertheless, it is what it is. Enter Color DMD to make better what Stern failed at.

Chris

Bill Murray must not approve gunk on his head/face.

You'll notice that Venkman is the only character that doesn't have marshmallow goo on his head/face on the Premium translite:

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The colorful artwork does make the red DMD look out of place, similar to alphanumeric displays in 1990.

Well, I was in until I saw it was just red dots for Ghostbusters. I'm out.

Can't wait to kick Kirk's ass on this game at TPF...

I dunno, it might be the colouring but I think the left image looks better. Less forehead, eyes not so close together or narrow, cheeks not as exaggerated. It just looks more natural. I think he got it right the first time and someone made him change it.

Comp vs. Production

The only thing I have to say is your going to go out with a bang and switch to lcd... Sterns going out with a bang on this title. I ordered a le

Any one see this? Maybe the first look at game play!

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In the movie, he was relatively free of marshmallow man crap on his face/head - while the others were covered in it. It's a direct gag from the movie on the translite.

I know Hillary Clinton...and you, sir, are no Hillary Clinton.

It's like that at the end of the movie as well. Venkman is the only ghostbuster not totally covered with marshmallow goop at the end.

I'm thinking a Premium with a white LED display and white powder coating would look pretty bad ass. A true Stay Puft edition. Does anyone make a White LED DMD?

It looks like he definitely had some on his head though, even if he wasn't completely covered like the rest of the guys.

gb-marshmallow.jpg

They couldn't completely cover everybody or they'd be unrecognizable. Still seems like a nod to the movie to me.

Have you looked in your freezer?
It's usualy the last place you would look.

If you watch the first movie, you'll notice he barely has any of the marshmallow man goo on him at the end.

edit: Oh i see someone already posted a pic!

Anyone looking to drop their place with an LE?
Can't seem to find a distributor with one in stock and the ones I have are price gouging

I can't wait for the shitty sexy alternate translites to start appearing on Ebay. Maybe we can get one with the new female ghostbusters and one with Bill Murray being slimed.

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I'll be the first ghostbuster le with a headphone kit