I think that would work if the pin itself could be easily rethemed but whole new layout and experience even if its cookie cutter style is tough to beat. Theres something about the NIB experience and the goodbye process to a pin uv had ur time with, like women. you can change the hair, teach her a new language, new clothes but......................nuff said.

Public relations wise, Munsters is a critical title to the long run of Stern. Everyone will point to as an example, how Stern treats the coding, depth and most importantly show series integration of that table. They must get it right there, even though selling well and show the fans they will give us our monies worth in regard to code. The game looks and shoots well. Code is the only achilles heal of the game. It is fun, but needs that lasting depth for us home buyers.

If Stern shows us they don’t care, as long as sales are good, because no matter the game everyone wants more code, a keystone title like Munsters won’t go down well with the community in the long run. They simply need to hit it out of the park on that title for sure, imo.

Without a doubt the elephant in the room with Stern is definitely coding or lack thereof. if somebody there at this point doesn't know they have a problem with coding than that is a serious issue. One of the absolute biggest bitches as far as lack of coding is Ghostbusters and how many years ago was that now? And now here we are still talking about a lack of depth and coding on the newest game that they're putting all their hopes on. It's a systemic problem and if they don't curb that problem now I think it's ultimately going to drive people to other vendors it's inevitable. Or at least my two cents worth I guess

Ok, I see where u going. I'm in.

Multimorphic already does this. If you want more of that, buy their pins and encourage others to buy them too. Their modular approach works best with a robust variety of game choices.

I really like Sterns and the ones I have. But after seeing the cheapness of the pins versus what they used to be and getting burned on my last two NIB from them I just can't and won't. On top of the coding issues. I just added a Houdini and love how solid and packed it is. Which definitely has me more interested in Octoberfest these days. I would love to add a MET back in the house but after two bad playfields just on that one I'm just to afraid to try.

You guys are really on to something here.

Makes a lot of sense that the #1 pinball company - by far - should radically rethink their business model. I’m sure they are tired of making money and staying in business.

And as players and collectors, I’m sure we’d all be better off if they took cues from their competition. They should start with eliminating whitewoods, abandoning popular licenses, and ending their troublesome practice of releasing numerous titles a year.

Sterns been doing this for 32 years bro.

“Long game” LOL.

Its a little early to be drinking.

Naa, it’s a beautiful Saturday afternoon worthy of a cold beer.

I would be happy if they could make a pin that Didn't have bad playfields or cabinets.

Or some vodka and pinside. After all it's five o clock somewhere

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Or so you and your ilk have been saying for 5 years.

Why not lead by example and put your money where your mouths are? I expect you guys to go all in on AP and multimorph. That’s where the innovation is boys, buy up their stock!

Sears has been in business since 1893. How's that working out?

The pinball machines that don’t exist and can’t buy are always way cooler than the games that do exist and you can buy.

Have fun flipping your innovative deep root games this weekend gang.

Stern is innovating too, just in ways that aren't designed to upend the industry. They're making fun games, promoting the competitive landscape. As the market grows, every piece of the pie gets bigger.

i like their innovation of the power button in the backbox

Yeah remember when they did this and it was the end of the world?

Sarcasm emoji

I just wish they would work on the quality. A multiple thousand dollar product that doesn't last will be their downfall if people do as I have.

Then find another thread bro!

This is about how stern needs to innovate if they want to keep up with world-beaters like Oktoberfest.

Quality shouldn't be innovative but it would be for Stern.

Shouldn't that apply to every manufacturer of pinball machines?

Very simple but I really like color changing lights like some other companies are using. ST LE is the closest example of this.

Remember Pin 2K?
Everyone wants new and different until it actually happens. Then they hate it.

I dunno about quality anymore.
A dirty 24 and new BK pro both looked great and equally reliable through a recent weekend show.
The new 12k YBR had issues.
Oktoberfest seemed ok.
Let me know when someone gets it right.

I can stone cold guarantee you that my next NIB purchase will be an Oktoberfest. After the first NIB being a Stern I doubt I'll ever buy one again. For the money the game shouldn't play like a whitewood with a pretty paint job. Fool me once. Other companies will and are start to eat their lunch by not chinsing out on their machines and it shows.

NOBODY, but some buttheaded exec, wanted P2k. Nobody.

It is true that you can read about any machine having some problems and some not. But playfield and cabinets seem to be a problem for one. Toys, boards, switches and stuff are just part of a complex item like pinball.

A pin that would allow you to play against someone somewhere else that owns that same pin. When it's their turn your pin plays in front of you just like they were there minus the crop dusting. Plus it would make for cool videos of pins playing on their own like they were possessed.

God I hope so...that would be great.

You say this sarcastically but it’s kind of the truth.

As long as Stern manages to release more games than anyone else and get them at 5k they will stay there for a while.

Have you been drinking again Iceman?

The same could be said for Gottlieb. They did it for 45 years and were by far the dominant pinball company for most of those years. When solid state came along, they refused to change, fell way behind and ultimately never caught up. They went from the gold standard to 'has been' in a few years.

Or how about playing against a computer player even. I think Joust was a cool concept and linked NBAFB. Some thing to give a social environment without being social. But worked better than pinside.

A s-l-o-w death

Stern? Meh, I much rather play B/W games.

JJP has been making arguably better pins in the sense of build quality, features, and code for years. Still, I don't think they pose a serious threat to Stern's overall business and you rarely see a JJP on location. When POTC was announced, it was supposed to be a dark night for Stern. LOL. Stern seems to be doing better than ever. Maybe not every pin sells well but they do move pins. Deeproot has been talking big but still have nothing to show while Stern keeps cranking out game after game. If someone can make a premium level pin for a pro price, then that might be something. I doubt that will happen though.

Bring back sam or even whitestar and you will have awesome sterns again that will dominate once more. The golden era for them. Now they are toys for a gameroom and not for location. A friend is an operator and will never buy another new stern until the board set gets fixed.
He cannot keep a new stern running reliably like the older sterns do. They used to be bullit proof.

Older sterns are going up in value all the time. They were built like tanks. not so much anymore unfortunately. I love stern ..please bring back SAM!

Ice makes good points. When I think of who I want to make a theme I’m interested in, the answer usually isn’t stern. They can make some amazing games, but they also churn out some real duds. It’s a crap shoot. Most of it related to code.

They don't even post an unserious threat. I hope they continue to make pins and I'd like to buy one in the future so let get our big boy pants on and make something cool JJP still its a boutique company and poses in my opinion zero threat right now. What the hell is "DR" and what games are they making?

Alvin G Football and Soccerball did that.