I know the timing may seem a little insensitive, but has anybody considered a March in front of the Stern facility?
It’s really not that hard to do, just show up with signs and stay in public space. I’ve written up a press release, all we need is a date and time.
Who wants in on this? Could be a pretty amazing social justice movement if we play the media the right way.
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A crowd of pinball consumers, players, and activists will march in front of Stern Pinball, Inc., a global lifestyle brand based on the iconic and outrageously fun modern American game of pinball, in Elk Grove, Illinois, tomorrow evening to protest the release of their new Jurassic Park topper.
The activists say the topper - which is priced at $600, yet features no actual living dinosaurs, or Even lizards with fake horns glued to their heads - is a “cash grab” and affront to the pinball community.
“I’ve dedicated almost 18 months of my life to this hobby, living, breathing, and buying pinball machines, and this is how they repay me?!,” says BigMetalBalls1978 on community forum Pinside.
“This is just another example of the injustice and inequality in today’s society. They are trying to turn this into a hobby for the 1 percenters. How about us upper middle classers who now have to choose between a custom shooter rod and a pin stadium kit or this new topper? It’s outrageous, and it’s disgusting!”
“I don’t even want to get into the lies I’ll have to tell my wife when I finally break down and buy this thing. I’m getting sick of trying to convince her that all of those Stern Inc. charges on the visa bill are actually for a food bank,” BigMetalBalls1978 added.
The stern topper release is only the latest attempt by the world’s largest pinball company to make money. Activists say other offenses include building pinball machines and selling them for money, and also continuing to sell the cheapest full size commercial pinball machines on the market by a sizable margin. Activists also say Stern uses mind-control technology to force consumers to buy their overpriced, clunky add-ons, and that the company employs a sinister and controversial predatory “FOMO” strategy to exploit and pillage those most vulnerable in the pinball community.
The fiery debate and condemnation even spilled over to moribund cyber-wasteland and competitive pinball player discussion site Tiltforums, for about 3 minutes until the thread was swiftly locked and deleted by the insane Tiltforums moderation team.
“What is this, communist Russia?! It’s insane that they are selling this expensive add on nobody needs. $600 is an outrageous price for a hunk of plastic with LEDs on it, when I can buy a pinstadium kit with about $10 in raw materials for only $300. Plus, what are the untold ramifications of this topper on Tournament Play? THere's just too many questions!!!” ranted Corndog15 on the site before the post was swiftly deleted, banished to the cyber ether forever for violating site terms forbidding interesting posts and discussion.
Protesters will march in front of the facility, chanting slogans like “Topper is a Flopper!!,” “We are NOT your Topper Bottom Bitch!” And “We Wont Stop Till Theres Change at the Top!” Some will wear t-shirts bearing the movement’s popular and hilarious rallying cry of “For $600 this topper better gratify me sexually!!”
Bottles of KY jelly will be distributed to protesters to throw at Gary Stern’s goons and private army of riot consultants, and organizers plan a “Bend over for Gary” action to demonstrate how they feel personally violated by this topper release.
Local civic officials are expected to speak. Activists will attempt to deliver a petition to Gary Stern, urging him to engage with the community and reconsider his controversial “I like to make money” policy.
This is only one of of many pinball protests Planned by activists this week. A “BTTF, Not Hot Wheels!” rally is planned in front of the American Pinball facility on Saturday, along with a “Release Something Already and Take my Money!” Protest planned at Illinois’ own Jersey Jack Pinball facility the following Sunday.