The change you're complaining about happened in 2008/9 when Stern was on its deathbed and they brought on investors. Gary is now basically a figurehead, but I'm pretty sure the investors are the ones driving the cost reduction at all costs and retail price increases, because it started in earnest when they came in. It's mentioned in this article, I'm sure more are out there:

https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150315/business/150319262/

Seems likes a perfectly fine thread to express my disappointment in Stern. When Stern was the only one making pins Gary had the bright idea he would just cost cut and at the same time raise prices to improve profits. Not a very nice thing to do to your loyal customers IMO. So now there are other companies making great pins to compete for sales and Stern is just continuing on with the same strategy? That’s arrogant man. And why would I want the company currently making the lowest quality pins to make my dream themes? Anyone but them right now.

Did you really just repost this to be at the top of the page?
We get it. You want attention.

4 Days ago wants this post back.

Some sort of smog machine or something to cloud up reality!

Premium comes with a pin gulp for a bong

If that's what it takes to make Led Zeppelin not a crappy rethemed Quicksilver but a full new pin, I say take your time, Stern.

Bad sense of humor man.

I agree . I hope they don't design pins according to tournament players. Randomness gives everyone a chance

Personally, I would be 100% good with a Quicksilver remake (with modern tweaks - maybe even ramps) with a Zep theme. I would enjoy this more than a Zep theme slapped on a Munsters or Elvira-type layout.

I remember in my younger days putting on black dog and rock and roll by Led Zeppelin on the jukebox at the pub and playing fishtails , great memories , so much so I brought a fish tales and will never let it go . Led Zeppelin deserves its own unique play field like ACDC and Iron Maiden

If it isn’t Led Zeppelin next in line it’s got to be Goonies or Bond!

I know this won't ever get made , but I'd love to see this , the most Australian band ever .
THE CHATS !

Nah the 3 titles for 2020 are:

Bill & Ted
Bill & Ted 2
Bill & Ted 3

I totally agree, Stern shot themselves in the foot with Beatles-when it comes to potential sales if it had been a modern machine with Pro, Premium, and LE models. Led Zeppelin is an epic theme-and again Stern will waste it on a re-hashed single level game. Flipping snooze fest-I would prefer a newly designed modern table or even a re-theme using Iron Maiden layout. At least my wallet is safe for now. If you want to bring back some classic titles-then just bring them back as all original-no need to waste good themes.

Smoko wizard mode?

Stern's qc guy has been on a long smoko. lol

Subtract your pinball emotions with running a company with investors who provided revenue for Stern to expand or survive. In return, ”the evil Gary” might not of had any choice per the covenants of the agreements. Fathom that companies regardless of private or public are about making as much money as possible. Stern is not a charity to your dreams. Your loyalties are replaceable by a new consumer.

As you know, you may exercise your consumer rights and don’t buy from them and utilize the other companies. The bonus, your dreams might be satiated soon with Deeproot.

You can keep Led Zep I’ll take one of each of the other 3! But Stranger Things needs hidden magents for randomness or at least a ball save between the flippers!

I would love to see a new BOND. Huge Fan.

Id love to see any of the older ones haha.

Top 3?

Dr. No
From Russia with love
The spy who loved me/license to kill

Great Bond movies, but don't forget about: Diamonds Are Forever, For Your Eyes Only, and Goldeneye!

License to Kill, absolutely!

Love them all....guess I am a fan. lol

My hope for a Bond pin is they cover all eras of Bond, if they have to count one out it can be On Her Majesty’s Secret Service with Lazenby.

Me too. Personally, I'd enjoy a greatest hits mix of their villains or Bond girls more than I care about which Bond they use.

I say villains and the girls for each movie scattered around the PF. We need Odd Job and nick nack . Take my money now.

I think most of us could have done without moonraker as well

Here you go.

https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/james-bond-movies/

I like Moonraker

That list is ridiculously off as a Bond fan. On Her Majestsy’s secret service at #7? View to a Kill #23 or thereabouts, no way.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service is a good bond film, and Lazenby is fine. Dalton is crappier than Lazenby, IMO.

Needs to based on porn. BALLS IN HOLES.

The unfortunate part is this is the lament of nearly all hobbies that turn into cash cows because 'investors'. It is no secret that companies are way more creative and take more risks when they aren't relying on making record profits and making investors happy. There is a sense of 'love' put into the product during that phase that seems to go away once it is all about 'what's good for the business'. While investors are supposed to make the company 'better' and able to do more, the reality is usually the opposite to the early adopters who watched the company grow. It's just how the world works unfortunately.

What I find interesting is people who defend any business practice, as if they are doing anyone a favor. As a consumer, I have no brand loyalty. I've never understood people who are so one sided regarding brands. Companies chase mass market. They don't really 'care' about the consumer, they care about market share. While those may seem like the same thing they are not. What I mean by this is a company will gladly drop its existing customers if it thinks its found a way to get more customers a different way. Companies stopped listening to the consumers years ago, and it is when quality and consumer happiness dropped drastically and continues to drop. (This is mostly general, not directed at Stern).

Um, Bride of Pinbot. You teabag her then put a ball in her mouth. Overtly sexualized art. Only Zingy Bingy was more explicit.

Yeah, but you're not really expressing your disappointment, you're basically calling everyone else crazy for discussing (not even buying, simply talking about) the next Stern game...

You're welcome to your opinions, you're even welcome to say you aren't buying Stern. But this is a thread for discussing the next Stern game. You've made it abundantly clear you aren't interested, soooooo, maybe this isn't the thread for you?

Edit: I just noticed you re-posted your troll comment a second time, hahahaha. It was a bad take the first time, and you re-post? I agree with @graysonsdad, need attention much?

Man I wish...

Many great ideas, I love james bond but what about the gremlins

https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/485/756/6a9.gif

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That would be great - I am still hoping for a Stranger Things pin too. Sounds like Stern has that license so it is more likely 'when' and not 'if'

Don't get my hopes up.

So looking like we will see something later this month?

Bring on turtles!

I have IM next to IMDN. The quality difference is absolutely insane. I can touch maiden with my pinky, and the whole machine shakes. I have to use both hands aggressively to do the same to IM. I wish Stern would reverse course on the cost cutting (bring back the older PSU with button in the right place, a knocker etc etc.) as I am sad that I can't support them anymore.

I guess this is a good time to ask: has anyone added weights into the cab of newer sterns?

Probably couldn't support them.