hoping with 500 increase the BOM could go up a bit. Dont expect all 500 but would be nice to get an extra mech here or there.

Who is saying the next game will be a $500 increase? Are distributors saying this? I've enquired about (rumored) Godzilla and was not advised it will be more expensive than Mando.

I personally welcome a price increase, if it is paying for an awesome feature and BOM increase on Godzilla.

Distros won’t know until the game is announced to them formally.

If that's the case, where are the increase rumors coming from? In my opinion Stern "needs" to keep that Pro price under 6K to still be an attractive entry level price. "The Pin" isn't gonna cut it lol.

The Pro won’t have the mech, thus price won’t increase most likely.

I guess I'm not up to speed on Godzilla rumors. So, there is supposed to be super cool mech in the premium/le that will increase them from 7700 to around 8200?

Well, Spooky have gone quiet now, so maybe.

I do think Godzilla is going to have the new platform, whatever that is.

Also, interested to see if Spooky are using a newer, more reasonable power supply, or if they just also asked Meanwell to put in a quieter fan for their orders.

I don't think we will see a new platform. I think Stern will stick with Spike 2 for a while and just add internet connectivity via WiFi. Stern said whatever is coming in September will apply to current titles too.

There isn't any specific rumor, other than it might have a higher BOM for a cool feature that Keith wanted. The LE/Premium package always includes mechs and features that aren't on the pro. As such, if there was one particular mech that increases the BOM on the LE/Premium package, it wouldn't be carried on the pro BOM. Or they could go the Elvira HOH route and offer no pro.

I don't have ANY idea if any of this is even remotely true.

People acting like a higher msrp means a higher bom lol.

You will get what we give you and like it dammit
-Gary Stern

And I think this out of cycle price increase has more to do with pricing of raw materials and parts going up substantially over the last year than any single mech on the next game. JJP went up $1000. Stern at +$500 would not surprise me at all.

you are right, my distro hasnt said it. Only kaneda so far.

Damn dude lol. There's been price increases by Stern for literally years and it hasn't resulted in more features. Actually there's been cuts in features and hardware designs to save on costs. Everything from the new head design, lock down bar removal for brackets, plastic versus metal leg protectors, removal of the head lock mech for bolts, cheaper coil stops, and hell even the entire Spike 2 system have been designed to save on costs. Have any of those changes resulted in more hardware features? No, just more money for Stern. NIB prices were already insane a few years back and are in crazy town territory now.

I wouldn't be surprised if this price increase is partially the result of Stern seeing JJP raise prices by $1k. Both JJP and Stern have been playing the back and forth price raising game for years. At some point customers are going to say no which I think has already been occurring. In the past two months I picked up a NIB TMNT Premium for $7500 and a NIB GNR LE for $9500. There's no way in hell I would have bought either game, at least new, if they were $8k and $10.5k.

Your best buddy Huckster Jack taught Gary all about price increases and milking the consumer. Stick it up your butt.

There's been price increases by JJP for literally years and it hasn't resulted in more fun.

I see we have another two people blaming JJP for Stern raising prices...my goodness lol. This is Stern's choice to raise prices, try holding them accountable for once and what they are putting in their games (or lack of). Instead of blaming JJP ask yourself why Stern isn't putting more into their games with each price increase and overall increasing value. Maybe don't do that though and just be happy for paying $1k per orbit and ramp, if it's fun who cares what the price is!

You know who’s to blame for price increases? The consumer and the secondary market. You’ll buy it no matter the cost. When a company sees that you’ve paid $5k for a topper or $25k for an LE it’s only natural for them to arrive at the conclusion that if they raise prices, you’ll pay it.

If back to the future rumor is true I am selling everything to buy it

Is that what you're hearing?

For the life of me I don't understand why you visit threads other than the Huckster Jack threads. Are there not enough people in them to play with?

You don't like any criticism directed at Stern and then lash out. Criticism doesn't mean a company or product is bad. I post in Stern related threads because I own, enjoy, and will continue to buy Stern games.

Godzilla then BTTF

I could totally see an increase with BTTF, especially if Kapow. I just don't know why they would jack the price up on Godzilla, a regular release.

Yes, it is pretty much official now Godzilla, then BTTF. 2 great themes back to back.

Official?

“Pretty much official” ain’t really official now is it?

We’ll see, Second week of September.

Why would Stern come out with a new pin anytime soon. They cant get the ones they have out to people. I paid for a amber shooter rod and there is no telling when I might get that.

Yes, there’s a parts shortage. Stern can crank out up to 400 games a week.

Jesus, there goes my money!!!!

BTTF for the win, heard it from Kaneda

I just hope all the orders that have been placed before this expected price increase stay the same. If they don’t then this parts shortage will be very convenient for Stern because ever NIB pin has been pushed back for months.

A popular trend in the consumer product world over the past 15 years is something called "shrinkflation." Companies keep the price the same, but sell you a smaller package of goods. In my day, you got a full half-gallon of ice cream (2 quarts) at the grocery store. For a while it was 1.75 quarts and today it's 1.5 quarts.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grocery-prices-rise-supermarkets/

Getting less while also paying more is an added kick to the nuts.

If my love for the hobby was guided by my head, I'd be backing away. Alas...

I'm not "blaming" JJP at all. You know (if you've been paying attention) that I'm a JJP fan and WOZ got me into this pinball mess. But that game started at 6500. Then went to 7500. Then 8k. Then 9k. Then to new "limited" editions that were upwards of 11-13k. Do you really think Stern sees that and doesn't realize there's a bigger profit to be made? Try to be intellectually honest for once. JJP is responsible for Stern upping their game with displays, sound, and light shows. But they're also responsible for prices going through the roof. Actually...let me amend that: The people that buy the games at their prices are responsible for prices being what they are. That means you, me, and everybody else.

Yep. Costco has done this in spades. People think the prices are the same, but they aren't.

Wait seriously?! Like for December/ January?

If it's BTTF, they have all of my money. Damn it stern - I wish you weren't doing that theme but if you do, I know I can't say no. I just hope it's not another fill in the blank by stern pinball game. Mando was a huge let down, LE including.

Anyone with a LE available PM me!

Especially pisses me off in Costco's food section. Half-size rice krispie treats, pot pies that are all crust and one sliced carrot piece inside, we just stop buying them. It's not value for money and kind of goes against what Costco is usually about.

No date, just heavy rumor right now but John Borg at the helm following Godzilla

Yep, I won't be able to conrol the FOMO at all...that is my all time Grail pin...I'm sure it won't be able to meet all my hopes, the expectations are just too unrealistically high, but I'll take it regardless

Things (toys) I would love to see:

Shooter lane 88 mph skill shot (hell, even color it with flame trail LED inserts)
all 3 movies represented
Delorean represented on the playfield in full model (not plastic)
hoverboard
train/bridge
flux capacitor
clock tower

The mods that this game could support would be limitless

I think these are the essentials and Borg could do an amazing job.

The FOMO is real on this title

I was surprised by Mando. Expected not to like it really. We play it all the time. Definitely has that one more ball vibe and isnt ovely punishing lkke the last few Elwin games ive owned. Give it another try

All correct, except it's Rush you're talking about. And yes...I believe BTTF is coming, but not until next year.

Surely, you're not under the impression that Elwin designed Mandalorian, right?

The only RUSH happening at STERN is when they RUSH half finished games out the door

....no.
Just that im about a 1 game per year guy and 3 of my last 4 Stern games were Elwins. This is my first non Elwin games since Metallica in 2017.

Project much, Ms. Guarnieri? You can't handle the thought that someone could possibly like something in an order of magnitude that is less than tenfold of their love for fucking Dialed In. Hark! A pin other than a JJP machine is being discussed somewhere! To the Jackcave, Panzer!

Your example doesn't make sense.
If you used to pay $1 for a half gallon, then you paid $1 for 1.75 gallons, and now you pay $1 for 1.5 gallons you're getting three times the amount of ice cream for the same price. Ok, you could complain you're not getting 1.75 gallons any more but you're not getting less than you got back "in my day". And you're not paying more in your example.

I took it that he meant quarts and mistyped it as gallons since a half gallon is 2 quarts.

This. Although normalizing two gallon servings of ice cream is a life goal!