Stern Insider Connected

Quoted from OLDPINGUY:
Im late to this thread, so my apologies if this has been covered.
Is the system designed to "push"?
You register on a game, and do poorly, or fantastic....
Can an operator send you a Free Game that you redeem with a Phone Scan?
To me, THAT would generate additional revenue on location.

Yes. Unsure how it's going to be implemented but that's my understanding and can be specific to the location or game.

Would be cool if it allows things like - I haven't seen you in x amount days. Here is a free credit to get you back playing. Or you just played 10 games (any games over any amount of time) - here is a free credit.

#752 2 years ago

ART

OLDPINGUY

Arts Arcade

12y 171K 12,507 7

Quoted from GoodOmens:
Yes. Unsure how it's going to be implemented but that's my understanding and can be specific to the location or game.
Would be cool if it allows things like - I haven't seen you in x amount days. Here is a free credit to get you back playing. Or you just played 10 games (any games over any amount of time) - here is a free credit.

Thanks! That Alone, and what you suggest, will create great Marketing ideas, unique to user.
Buiuld a Small Library of ads...."Free Beer, and Game",
"Someone Beat your high score, heres 2 free games to get it back!"
Your DNA Champ title has been stolen! Seek revenge! Your Free Game awaits!
or by time. Free Games during slower hours.

If used well, and thoroughly, it should inspire serious players to benefit, and marketing and revenue for Operators.

Any future TV/Vid Productions can Tap into this for Leader Boards, and recognition too.

#753 2 years ago

JDN

BaxterStockman

Pinside member

3y 38,650 401

Can't wait for a mod for the QR scanner to be on the coin door or somewhere else.

And judging by the images from Godzilla, it looks like games going forward the best apron art packages will be on the Premium/LE. While the Pro gets nothing.

#754 2 years ago

JDB

Joe_Blasi

Pinside member

Quoted from NoQuarters:
Codes are for individual players not the machine. You scan to join and enter your personal information and then are issued a unique code to track you and your accomplishments. Latter on you will be offered some feature or content for a fee - subscription based. Revenue stream for Stern - that's really what this is about and the end game.

subscription based for the player or for the op?
and if for the op per game fees?

#755 2 years ago

JDB

Joe_Blasi

Pinside member

Quoted from NoQuarters:
Codes are for individual players not the machine. You scan to join and enter your personal information and then are issued a unique code to track you and your accomplishments. Latter on you will be offered some feature or content for a fee - subscription based. Revenue stream for Stern - that's really what this is about and the end game.

we need an IFPA ruling on that.

Must all games be locked to free mode? offline / local tournament mode?
If the network goes down the game must not turn off anything mid game?
What about in Herb format? NO online play? Games must be able to let people use online stuff even if network is down at login time? (work like old dial up golden tee?)

#756 2 years ago

STK

flynnibus

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 134K 13,218

Quoted from Gotfrogs:
I have asked the exact same question. What you described is how Scorbit has implemented things. It works perfect on WOZ and hobbit with no extra hardware required (just a WiFi usb dongle).
https://scorbit.io/

Everyone had this conversation 3 weeks ago...

#757 2 years ago

JWP

JPloof

Pinside member

St. Albert, AB

10y 64,050 438 3 31

Really interested to see if they integrate in the future a slick setup that can used within tournaments or via streamer channels. Graphics and score overlays, so to speak.

#758 2 years ago

JDB

Joe_Blasi

Pinside member

Quoted from cabal:
But if everything is only app based you will need to put 30% back to apple store. In game purchases will not be possible and gets very complicated.
With the feature to integrate it into the machine they will have control on what ever app stores will do. It will be just a free app to see your stats and achievements. You can still go to pc with a browser and just print your individual code and be happy and do your purchases there. On the Boom side i guess it's way exagerated 200$. My guess it's an 12$ scanner and a hole in the apron and a 8$ wifi adapter.
from Stern side i think it's a smart move to go this way and keep everything in their own control.
and get as much information as possible from the games.
to have the price increase and the customers pay for this another thing. Everybody is paying for features they may use or not.
But in the end it is coming and we still have the choice to buy pinball machines or not.
Personally i do not like it.

and a $100+ node board?

#759 2 years ago

BGM

GoodOmens

Pinside member

Quoted from Joe_Blasi:
subscription based for the player or for the op?
and if for the op per game fees?

It would only make sense if it were for the operators unless it unlocked some sort ability to get rewards from Stern itself (t-shirts etc).

For operators, as I mentioned earlier, paid features could be things like online access to earnings, ability to export to things like quicken, remote access to machine issues (and maybe ability to change settings remotely?), analytics about play frequency and times etc. Things a player or home user wouldn't care about.

Heck maybe this can start enabling things like dynamic pricing. A game is not being used a lot? Price declines. Or at least the ability for operators to gather metrics to make better decisions on things like price.

#760 2 years ago

STK

flynnibus

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 134K 13,218

Quoted from cabal:
But if everything is only app based you will need to put 30% back to apple store. In game purchases will not be possible and gets very complicated.

This has nothing to do with the handshake solution between the player and the game.

Besides, they aren't getting away from having an app - it's all about how they believe players will engage with and what friction they think exists for a player to actually "join" a game.

Quoted from cabal:
from Stern side i think it's a smart move to go this way and keep everything in their own control.

I think Stern just saw what their buddy company Raw Thrills was doing and followed along.

#761 2 years ago

ART

OLDPINGUY

Arts Arcade

12y 171K 12,507 7

Quoted from GoodOmens:
It would only make sense if it were for the operators unless it unlocked some sort ability to get rewards from Stern itself (t-shirts etc).
For operators, as I mentioned earlier, paid features could be things like online access to earnings, ability to export to things like quicken, remote access to machine issues (and maybe ability to change settings remotely?), analytics about play frequency and times etc. Things a player or home user wouldn't care about.
Heck maybe this can start enabling things like dynamic pricing. A game is not being used a lot? Price declines. Or at least the ability for operators to gather metrics to make better decisions on things like price.

Good Points.

T shirts Sell for $3.99 inc shipping from overseas to your door.
Sending out T-shirts that Promote Stern, and Your Play, would be a low cost Boner.

#762 2 years ago

BGM

GoodOmens

Pinside member

Quoted from OLDPINGUY:
Good Points.
T shirts Sell for $3.99 inc shipping from overseas to your door.
Sending out T-shirts that Promote Stern, and Your Play, would be a low cost Boner.

At the end of the day operators are the reason the HUO market has gone nuts. I do hope Stern throws them a bone and doesn't make some of the more innovative potential too big of barrier to be used. I'd love to be able to message operators and let them know something on a particular machine is not working right and for them it'd be great if those "bug" reports can be tracked in a sensible manner.

#763 2 years ago

JDB

Joe_Blasi

Pinside member

https://www.replaymag.com/stern-pinball-insider-connected-0921/

Quoted from GoodOmens:
It would only make sense if it were for the operators unless it unlocked some sort ability to get rewards from Stern itself (t-shirts etc).
For operators, as I mentioned earlier, paid features could be things like online access to earnings, ability to export to things like quicken, remote access to machine issues (and maybe ability to change settings remotely?), analytics about play frequency and times etc. Things a player or home user wouldn't care about.
Heck maybe this can start enabling things like dynamic pricing. A game is not being used a lot? Price declines. Or at least the ability for operators to gather metrics to make better decisions on things like price.

But if they start doing DLC with operators?
They did have the topper DLC for at least 1 game. And if they start doing that for connected with need paid Tiers? for some mode?

#764 2 years ago

???

hmannn1

Pinside member

Unknown

5y 22,050 16

Quoted from flynnibus:
I think Stern just saw what their buddy company Raw Thrills was doing and followed along.

Stern system looks likes it works exactly like the Starbucks mobile apps. That has to be the end goal.

#765 2 years ago

CAB

cabal

Pinside member

Bremen

4y 43,400 760 4

Quoted from Joe_Blasi:
and a $100+ node board?

i am not sure about this, i think it's just plugging into an existing Nodeboard or the mainboard.
The pictures i have seen for the kid, there was only the apron, wifi, cable, sd-card, scanner.

But you could be correct that it may be integrated in the scanner

Post last edited 2 years ago: “addes last sentence, after reviewing answer again”

#766 2 years ago

MSL

SantaEatsCheese

Pinside+ Pro!

Crofton, MD

5y 209K 9,620 6 85 1

From Replay Magazine: Stern to charge monthly fee for code and features associated with online platform.

Quote:

All-Access Connected is a subscription version of the experience, focused on providing additional player features along with behind-the-scenes development stuff, early access, special events and quests. In the future, we intend to create exclusive game extensions, such as special access to new modes or new rules and features to increase the All-Access Connected value.

#767 2 years ago

ELJ

crujones4life

Pinside member

Cedar Hill, MO

9y 110K 4,313 10 16

Quoted from SantaEatsCheese:
From Replay Magazine: Stern to charge monthly fee for code and features associated with online platform.
Quote:
All-Access Connected is a subscription version of the experience, focused on providing additional player features along with behind-the-scenes development stuff, early access, special events and quests. In the future, we intend to create exclusive game extensions, such as special access to new modes or new rules and features to increase the All-Access Connected value.
https://www.replaymag.com/stern-pinball-insider-connected-0921/

This is the largest, steamiest, stankest pile of bulljive in the history of bovine droppings!!!

#768 2 years ago

JDB

Joe_Blasi

Pinside member

Quoted from SantaEatsCheese:
All-Access Connected is a subscription version of the experience, focused on providing additional player features along with behind-the-scenes development stuff, early access, special events and quests. In the future, we intend to create exclusive game extensions, such as special access to new modes or new rules and features to increase the All-Access Connected value.

per player subscription? or per game (op) side subscription?

exclusive game extensions that are paid per player are very bad for tournament play

#769 2 years ago

JDB

Joe_Blasi

Pinside member

Quoted from OLDPINGUY:
Thanks! That Alone, and what you suggest, will create great Marketing ideas, unique to user.
Buiuld a Small Library of ads...."Free Beer, and Game",
"Someone Beat your high score, heres 2 free games to get it back!"
Your DNA Champ title has been stolen! Seek revenge! Your Free Game awaits!
or by time. Free Games during slower hours.
If used well, and thoroughly, it should inspire serious players to benefit, and marketing and revenue for Operators.
Any future TV/Vid Productions can Tap into this for Leader Boards, and recognition too.

Operators needs to be in control of free games on there games and not have you got 10 free games on ANY connected game any where.

#770 2 years ago

BGM

GoodOmens

Pinside member

Quoted from Joe_Blasi:
Operators needs to be in control of free games on there games and not have you got 10 free games on ANY connected game any where.

Well you could potentially offer credits across different titles from the same operator (be it at one location or multiple), which is cool and can’t be done now.

#771 2 years ago

JCS

jeffspinballpalace

JeffSPinballPalace

20y 242K 19,062 556

Scan QR code.

Enter money and start a game.

Flippers are locked and message from Stern pops up. Your subscription is past due. Please update your cc on file before you proceed. Any deviation will result in complete termination!

#772 2 years ago

BRI

Zaxxis

Pinside member

19y 67,400 414

I didn't see this posted elsewhere, but it seems the main page went live yesterday. https://insider.sternpinball.com

You get this page when you scan the QR code they show in the videos.

Note that they are blocking logins and signups and some things have changed since yesterday.

#773 2 years ago

DAV

mahony

Pinside member

4y 26,150 93 4 8 1

Quoted from BaxterStockman:
Can't wait for a mod for the QR scanner to be on the coin door or somewhere else.
And judging by the images from Godzilla, it looks like games going forward the best apron art packages will be on the Premium/LE. While the Pro gets nothing.

Kinda like new cars. I'm unable to order the paint color I like unless I get the higher trim.

#774 2 years ago

JDB

Joe_Blasi

Pinside member

Quoted from jeffspinballpalace:
Scan QR code.
Enter money and start a game.
Flippers are locked and message from Stern pops up. Your subscription is past due. Please update your cc on file before you proceed. Any deviation will result in complete termination!

and then the OP's get's an smashed up game.

#775 2 years ago

JDB

Joe_Blasi

Pinside member

Quoted from mahony:
Kinda like new cars. I'm unable to order the paint color I like unless I get the higher trim.

new car smell is an $250 DLC now

#776 2 years ago

DAV

mahony

Pinside member

4y 26,150 93 4 8 1

Quoted from Joe_Blasi:
new car smell is an $250 DLC now

Yes this is true. They will add foul smells and ruin your new car smell unless you pay the fee. It's like cooked cabbage or something.

#777 2 years ago

NAD

Bublehead

Pinside member

San Tan Valley, AZ

8y 92,300 4,441 10

Quoted from SantaEatsCheese:
In the future, we intend to create exclusive game extensions, such as special access to new modes or new rules and features to increase the All-Access Connected value.

Ok, let me ask some elephant in the room sized questions. User story: I walk up to a connected machine with my buddy. We want to play doubles. We both log in with our Qr code. I have access to game modes my buddy does not due to my advanced status or even possibly due to my level of subscription. Does the machine use my profile and temporarily give access to the exclusive modes to my buddy, OR does it limit my access to the least common modes available to both players, OR does it limit my buddy but give me the advantage of access to modes he does not, thus allowing me to kick his ass?

How will this affect head to head play on the machine? Is this a level playfield anymore? Or will we have to agree NOT to login so the machine treats us both the same? If this is true, then how do my achievements accumulate if we are always playing unconnected games? I think we need to see this in the wild, figure out the weak points and see where we end up. Personally I don't play a lot of location pinball, so all of this is moot to me really, but it would be nice to know going forward.

#778 2 years ago

JDB

Joe_Blasi

Pinside member

Quoted from Bublehead:
Ok, let me ask some elephant in the room sized questions. User story: I walk up to a connected machine with my buddy. We want to play doubles. We both log in with our Qr code. I have access to game modes my buddy does not due to my advanced status or even possibly due to my level of subscription. Does the machine use my profile and temporarily give access to the exclusive modes to my buddy, OR does it limit my access to the least common modes available to both players, OR does it limit my buddy but give me the advantage of access to modes he does not, thus allowing me to kick his ass?
How will this affect head to head play on the machine? Is this a level playfield anymore? Or will we have to agree NOT to login so the machine treats us both the same? If this is true, then how do my achievements accumulate if we are always playing unconnected games? I think we need to see this in the wild, figure out the weak points and see where we end up. Personally I don't play a lot of location pinball, so all of this is moot to me really, but it would be nice to know going forward.

also if your advanced status you can upgrade this one game for an XX fee billed to your account as the op just has basic on this game.

#779 2 years ago

ART

OLDPINGUY

Arts Arcade

12y 171K 12,507 7

Quoted from Joe_Blasi:
Operators needs to be in control of free games on there games and not have you got 10 free games on ANY connected game any where.

Of Course what I meant was Operator Control of Marketing.....They control any Pushed Ads to their Business, for someone who scans in.
Certainly, the Customer is not in Control.

#780 2 years ago

SEL

jedi42

Pinside member

Cornwall, PE

9y 45,300 401 6 25

So, looks like $39/year for added content.

Quoted from Zaxxis:
I didn't see this posted elsewhere, but it seems the main page went live yesterday. https://insider.sternpinball.com
You get this page when you scan the QR code they show in the videos.
Note that they are blocking logins and signups and some things have changed since yesterday.

Yearly Fee (resized).png

#781 2 years ago

TPK

Kneissl

Pinside member

12y 126K 3,865 7 121

Looks like a $300 kit going by the new note on older games like aiq and jp

I suckered into toppers, but i think I’m tapping out unless there’s some compelling huo use cases.

CBB3B8B5-EFAC-49A5-AEFB-07686DB68293 (resized).png

#782 2 years ago

???

Gizmata

Pinside member

9y 33,900 50

Does that imply you can save $300 and not get Insider Connected installed at the factory?

I though every game ships with that installed starting in September.

#783 2 years ago

TPK

Kneissl

Pinside member

12y 126K 3,865 7 121

Quoted from Gizmata:
Does that imply you can save $300 and not get Insider Connected installed at the factory?
I though every game ships with that installed starting in September.

Looks like it at the moment. Another discouraging bit to the scheme. If you don’t get large adoption it seems doa to me.

#784 2 years ago

DLD

Dent00

Pinside member

Ridgeland, MS

5y 55,550 929 1 5

Quoted from Gizmata:
Does that imply you can save $300 and not get Insider Connected installed at the factory?
I though every game ships with that installed starting in September.

On Godzilla, if the QR interface is not supplied, there is going to be a gaping hole in the standard apron where it would normally go, unless a different apron is provided instead, with that hole omitted. And, since the artwork is specifically made to go around that hole where the QR interface goes, there will likely be no artwork in that area anyway.

#785 2 years ago

JFH

jfh

Pinside+ Addict

10y 161K 10,141

Well, guess Stern doesn’t want me. It says the email address I’ve used for over twenty years has an invalid domain name and will not let me join Insider.

Obviously there are still some bugs in the system.

#786 2 years ago

BDB

bdaddy

Pinside member

Cypress, TX

4y 21,550 46 1

I was guessing they are checking for @stern.com domain while they are doing internal testing.

#787 2 years ago

DAD

docquest

Docquest Pinball Mods

North Attleboro, MA

12y 131K 3,946 8

Quoted from Dent00:
On Godzilla, if the QR interface is not supplied, there is going to be a gaping hole in the standard apron where it would normally go, unless a different apron is provided instead, with that hole omitted. And, since the artwork is specifically made to go around that hole where the QR interface goes, there will likely be no artwork in that area anyway.

According to the press release, Stern will provide art to cover the QR scanner for people who don't want to use it. It will be interesting to see if art that only goes over the QR window or new art for the whole apron.

rps20210916_000651 (resized).jpg

-2

#788 2 years ago

NoQuarters

Pinside+ Frequent

8y 124K 3,005 13 2

Quoted from jedi42:
So, looks like $39/year for added content.
[quoted image]

Coming soon - access to special game related content

Really - I would have to pay $39 to unlock something on a machine I buy for multiple thousands of dollars ?

When will they start putting ad's on the LCD when you push the start button ?
( Could that be the "partnering" George Gomez mentioned in an interview )

-3

#789 2 years ago

AXE

YeOldPinPlayer

Inactive member

Unknown

8y 111K 6,454 4 12

Quoted from NoQuarters:
I would have to pay $39 to unlock something on a machine I buy for multiple thousands of dollars ?

No. You don’t HAVE TO buy additional content. If you WANT TO buy additional content, you may.

You don’t have to buy a color DMD with colorized game content. If you find value in that additional content you may buy it.

#790 2 years ago

AXE

YeOldPinPlayer

Inactive member

Unknown

8y 111K 6,454 4 12

Quoted from jedi42:
So, looks like $39/year for added content.

It’s already $39 a year. https://sternpinball.com/stern-insider/
Not clear yet if this will be a separate thing. Seems likely they would have a less confusing name if it were a totally different program than Stern Insider.

#791 2 years ago

FPG

luvthatapex2

Pinside member

North Wales, PA

11y 129K 5,768 7 100

Well that's great that you can choose to use the connectivity or not. Forcing to login to the game would be instant death of Stern pinball.

Quoted from docquest:
According to the press release, Stern will provide art to cover the QR scanner for people who don't want to use it. It will be interesting to see if art that only goes over the QR window or new art for the whole apron.
[quoted image]

#792 2 years ago

JDN

BaxterStockman

Pinside member

3y 38,650 401

Quoted from jfh:
Well, guess Stern doesn’t want me. It says the email address I’ve used for over twenty years has an invalid domain name and will not let me join Insider.
Obviously there are still some bugs in the system.

Yeah getting the same error.

#793 2 years ago

RCC

RC_like_the_cola

Pinside+ Frequent

Sellersburg, IN

12y 91,800 5,657 26 2

Quoted from BaxterStockman:
Yeah getting the same error.

It's not ready yet. I think someone said that way back in the thread.

#794 2 years ago

MBT

tbaum

Pinside+ Frequent

Champaign, IL

6y 54,550 378 5 7

Quoted from YeOldPinPlayer:
No. You don’t HAVE TO buy additional content. If you WANT TO buy additional content, you may.
You don’t have to buy a color DMD with colorized game content. If you find value in that additional content you may buy it.

Sure, but when does "stuff that should have come with the purchase price or in the past as a free update" suddenly become "additional content". For a product at this price point, you shouldn't have to worry that you won't get the full experience.

I'm not saying are absolutely going this, but it is starting to sound like the EA model of games, where you pay for 60% of a game and then have to pay more to "unlock" the rest.

#795 2 years ago

BGM

GoodOmens

Pinside member

Quoted from NoQuarters:
Coming soon - access to special game related content
Really - I would have to pay $39 to unlock something on a machine I buy for multiple thousands of dollars ?
When will they start putting ad's on the LCD when you push the start button ?
( Could that be the "partnering" George Gomez mentioned in an interview )

Machine owners really should get a year or two thrown in for free. Make the determination then if it's worth it to continue.

-2

#796 2 years ago

TMK

ExSquid

Pinside+ Frequent

Bohemia, NY

8y 98,550 2,341 3 12 1

Quoted from jedi42:
So, looks like $39/year for added content.
[quoted image]

Hmmm wont let me sign up with my GMAIL account. says unable domain or something.

#797 2 years ago

TPK

Kneissl

Pinside member

12y 126K 3,865 7 121

Quoted from GoodOmens:
Machine owners really should get a year or two thrown in for free. Make the determination then if it's worth it to continue.

As long as the prices can increase like they are and sales don’t decline there’s no way stern will do any freebies. It’s lame, but why would they leave money on the table.

#798 2 years ago

PWJ

Blindseer

Quasars

8y 43,550 285 36 11

Quoted from Joe_Blasi:
local game vs side wide vs muilt state

Every video game tournament that takes place on the internet.

#799 2 years ago

PWJ

Blindseer

Quasars

8y 43,550 285 36 11

Quoted from YeOldPinPlayer:
No. You don’t HAVE TO buy additional content. If you WANT TO buy additional content, you may.
You don’t have to buy a color DMD with colorized game content. If you find value in that additional content you may buy it.

Thats what they say about micro transactions or DLC but who wants to own a game that is not complete?

#800 2 years ago

JDB

Joe_Blasi

Pinside member