It's easy to understand why Ritchie would want to go somewhere he could theoretically be working with a larger, or infinite BOM, since JJP is more than willing to ask the customer 9k+ for a game.

It won't be enough to save JJP, IMO. I don't care who they steal away....with the prices they ask for the level of issues and support they offer?

How does this work? Do they get paid by game or are they actually salaried? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

I saw this on Facebook the other day and the OP didn't have anything to back it up. Having a hard time believing this is true but I could be wrong.

I know for at least a little while, Ritchie was basically a contractor. If you look at some of his older games, they had the "SRP - Steve Ritchie Productions" logo on them as part of the contract deal. World Poker Tour, for example has his logo on the translite.

I saw this posted on FB yesterday and thought it had already been debunked

Would be happy if this is true. More JJP games would be great. They are loads of fun.

If true steve must know his next game wont be until like 2023 at best as they are backlogged with GnR and then toy story.

Having had the pleasure of meeting The King, I really cannot see this happening. It is just a rumor started at the University of Facebook.

I cant afford his games when they are new but if i live long enough......
I own and look forward to owning more of his earlier work.

He could be working on Toy Story with Lawler or have a game designed and ready to go for JJP. For all we know his work on LZ must have been done months ago so plenty of time for designing future game(s).

Best wishes to Ritchie.

I doubt it's true.

I do hope the bast for Steve in his continuing contributions to pinball !

LTG : )

posted on Reddit not by me
1 day ago
Steve Ritchie leaving Stern Pinball

A reliable source is saying that Steve Ritchie is leaving Stern Pinball to join Jersey Jack, effective immediately. This is not public yet, but it will come out in the next day or two.

Thoughts on this move by JJP? How big of a void is this going to leave at Stern?

Not posting on Pinside for the purposes of anonymity, but feel free to share.
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rpheuts
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Seems like a smart move on his part. I feel he'd get more creative freedom at JJP.
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If true, JJP is poaching the wrong designer.

Steve left Atari for Williams.
Steve left Pinball for Video games.
Steve returns to William's pinball.
Steve quits Willams.
Steve hires for contract Stern games.
Steve joins Stern full time.
Stern Fires Steve.
Steve returns to Stern.

So It's not inconceivable at all that Steve might want to join a company with a larger BOM, to finish his career on a high note.
JJP does need another designer if they want to ramp up.
JJP needs to get their playfield bullshit in order first though.

Steve is my favorite Designer, would love to see what he could do with a larger BOM.

I mean...it makes sense. His last couple of games weren't huge sellers. He might be frustrated at Stern....Who knows?

Steve designed Strange Brew JJP Widebody!
I'm in.

I think he will be able to spread his wings more and be more innovative in his designs at JJP.....so I think it could be interesting.

I’d give this 10 thumbs up.

I love a lot of Ritchie games and own a few right now but Keith Elwin would seem to have a greater upside.

Are there any more dad rock themes left for him to copy and paste that T2 layout to?

I think Steve should enjoy his retirement and bask in his pinball glory. I think JJP should focus on customer service and trouble free playfields. Steve's predictable layouts combined with JJP's chronic playfield issues leaves me completely underwhelmed.

If true, this would screw up the underlying notion that JJP is starting to wrap it up. Good news IMO. More pinball always better. SR could deliver some nice flow to JJP too!

Sometimes change is a good thing. Happens in every industry. It’s an interesting rumor, would be a good move for JJP and a big loss for stern.

JJP could say no thanks?

I'm pretty sure Lawlor and Steve hate each others guts. All those old williams guys do!

I’ve got 27 or so BW dmd pins and there isn’t an SR among them.

He's a pretty sensitive guy...maybe the LZ criticism got to him and he knows he could have done better with a higher BOM.

He's only 71. Still has a lot of years to give to pinball.

Problem is the “king of flow” (and speed) would be going to a company with soft flippers. ST and SM are flow beasts. BKSOR is empty but lightning fast.

Meanwhile I’ve played 4 different JJP’s in the past few months and thought they all were soft flipping games. Most recently was a NIB GnR and none of the shots feel that great (ramps especially).

If SR went to JJP, he’d need a full BoM and something better than wet noodles to feed the shots.

Edit - I should also say SR is my favorite designer and selling AC/DC Luci was the hardest decision I’ve had in the hobby.

Tell the ops to crank up the coil power. A JJP only flips soft if it's setup poorly, or intentionally cause the owner doesn't want the extra wear and tear.

Your collection says you have a T2 (And also a T3, but that was a Stern game). I just had to check.

3 were on location. The NIB GnR I helped unbox is in a home setting. Still feels weak and unsatisfying on the shots. Power I think is pretty damn high.

If true. I hope it's a step up for Steve.

And my old thinking of his masterpiece, the game he is most remembered for, is yet to come. Might be true.

LTG : )

Yeah I can't see this unless SR is being forced to retire by Stern. If he's going to leave I'd much rather see him go to a company that I have respect for like American Pinball.

Would have liked him at Spooky to do a game. His flow with the light show would have been new and fresh enough for me.

Wish him all the best!

Unfortunately I can see that happening, his last two weren't the biggest sellers and now with a full house of designers at Stern. If is true I hope he left on his own decision...

Sr is the king! And for the record he is still the best mortal kombat voice….

47E976B2-ED14-449F-84FB-737F3A2791C9 (resized).jpeg

All this does is make them flip harder for 10 minutes, then they turn into even wetter noodles. Their whole flipper system needs re-done.

Love Steve! I will support him no matter where he goes! All Hail the King!

3418CBD8-5695-4C3D-BB14-9854BE1906FD (resized).jpeg

maybe he's leaving Sterns payroll to work directly as a Kapow contract designer. just wild speculation on my part. the JJP rumor doesn't make a lot of sense, but who knows.

I hope this is true...I love his games even the ones I don't want to own. Maybe this could rekindle his creativity.

people gravitate to, and stay wherever they're given solid health insurance. use that as your gauge.

Listen, he may not have had a big hit for a while but this guy can still design with the best of them.

Elwin (if Stern has half a brain) is likely under a non-compete clause, being a newer designer. You want to lock someone like that up for a good while when you're investing (and risking) so much on their performance.

I think Elwin has shown he's not the risk.

Also, just don't take the subpar feeling flippers from me. This is from TWIP last week. I estimate over 500 votes and JJP gets like 7% overall.

Don't take it just from me... (resized).png

I have never experienced this playing my WoZ or DI for hour long play sessions. On my STERN LOTR this happens all the time though.

I'm not saying you've never experienced it yourself but the flipper system JJP uses is identical to a Bally Williams mech so I'm not sure what is supposed to be improved on it. Unless we're now saying that classic design is flawed and responsible for all those weak flipping Bally Williams games?

The best designer of all time going to JPP!! Yessir!!!

I believe it, I remember Jack telling me that he tried to sign him when he started, but Gary Stern already had him locked in.

Love this news, Stern can roll with the new guys like Elwin and JJP can harness SR’s brilliance with higher BOM. It’s a Win/Win