I 100% agree with you on old/stale licenses. And it will die if it doesn't bring in new blood. Too many licenses are targeted at the 40+ crowd. I have a few games in a pub and most of the people on them are in there 20s. It would be nice to see some themes that would appeal to that age group more. Granted location may be a smaller market than for home buyers but without location play pinball will die as there will not be another generation looking to buy the games they played when they were young.

Vid suggested a suicidegirls theme a while ago. On my location this game would pay for itself in weeks.

I'm with you Odin.

I don't doubt the fact that Stern is making money. They are targeting a particular market with a safe (it has worked so far) approach. There are other segments out there though and the collector market is finite and ageing. It will not matter for Gary and his investors though as short term they are doing well. Long term remains to be seen but I can't see things going like they are now 5-10 years from now. Maybe when they get their production issues sorted they will look to branch out a bit. Its nice to not be reliant on a single market.

Yes Stern has a lot of 'new' themes (WD, GoT, superheros etc). But these are all very safe and corporate. I was talking to some of my customers and going over new games with them. Got a lot of mehs at the theme. They didn't dislike it but were not excited about it. The GB approach is better at least artwork wise, it is just an old theme.

When we have had some older games around I get a lot of feedback on how awesome they look but they like the play in newer games better and play them more. Combining the two is where it is at. I hope Pat Lawlor's game is a cool theme.....

Totally agree with this. I am a small time operator but WOZ is doing quite well for me and it is bringing new people in I am getting a Hobbit because of it. I am going to put out a new Stern soon so will see how that does but am a little worried it will look too much like the Williams games I have put out in the past. WOZ is earning 3-4x what my Williams are making. I will be really curious to see how a Stern does sitting next to WOZ and Whitewater.

Stern production update:

Good morning Ladies & Gentlemen

As another month begins, I am updating our product availability. Remember-Christmas is fast approaching .

Our plans are:

Available Now:
Star Trek Pro and Premium. Last call. License is ending.
The Walking Dead: A few Pro and Premium. No more available this year
WNBJM A very few
Kiss : No Pro, but a few Premium and a few LE from band. No more available this year

October build:
Metallica Pro Filling back orders and more available
Ghost Buster Pro Filling back orders and more available
Ghost Buster Premium Filling many back orders

November:
Metallica Premium Fill back orders and some available
Game of Thrones Prem Fill back orders and a few available
Spiderman Vault Edition Fill back orders and a few available
Ghost Buster Prem Fill more back orders
Batman 66 LE and SLE, maybe a few Premium

December:
Game of Thrones Pro Some available
Ghost Buster Premium Complete backorders and a few available
Batman 66 Premium

Best regards

Gary

Gary Stern
President
Stern Pinball, Inc.