I hope they are done for a while with band pins. I just don’t find that there are many bands that have enough visual assets to make it worthwhile as a pinball machine. I love Zep but as a pinball theme it just doesn’t work for me. I would rather play Metallica with Zep cranked up. They did a great job with AC/DC, Metallica, Maiden and Aerosmith but enough. I know Ozzie and a few others have great assets too but still, it’s time to move on.

I am an old rock Dad but it is time to move on. I get the demographic that they appeal too but it is time to start on boarding a new group of pinheads as we won’t live forever.

I agree with those that point out that you can’t get the full experience of a modern pin without hearing it. I am not against not having good music or soundtrack in a pin - I just don’t know about having the theme focus on a band. Daft Punk worked in Tron. AC/DC works in Ironman and so forth but the primary theme is not the band. And JJP did a great job with GnR but they focussed the theme as much on a concert experience as they did the band. Nice integration.

Playing a pin on location (barcade, etc) is a terrible experience if you want the complete feel of a pin due to the background noise. You can’t hear shit usually. For the home setting, once you have learned the rules you can play some of the time with your music in the background or immerse yourself in the full experience - you can chose.

I love music and I love pinball but doesn’t mean I want a Band themed pin. If it is well integrated with the game (modes) then it works but it is getting to be an old recipe now. I am ready for something new. Even the superhero theme is starting to get a little old but at least there are so many assets and storylines it doesn’t have to feel as much like rinse and repeat.

I own it and it is ugly as intended. I was not sure about owning it due to the ugliness but it is a great playing pin that gets the blood flowing. It is bolted to the floor - but damn it is noticeably ugly next to Tron, Metallica, Ironman, Spider-Man and IJ. ... next to most pins. Good thing it is such a great game.

No question that a ZY or DD style would not have been a good fit. It did need to be ugly but not sure I wanted something that ugly at home. As ugly as it is - it will never leave because it is a rush to play.

My vote would be for a Mortal Kombat pin.

I have to ask, “why do so many pinsiders drool over BTTF as a theme”? I loved the movies and think it would be a good theme with lots of potential. I am just not sure I understand the absolute love fest. What is it that is driving this that so many people would put an LE deposit down sight unseen based solely on Theme? Was this series of movie(s) popular overseas or is this just a North American thing?

Actually I worked at a movie theatre as a projectionist in 1985 when it came out. It was an awesome movie which I still quite enjoy. And I think the 80s was the best decade but I still don’t get the over-the-top love for the theme as it relates to pinball.

Good response. That was the type of response I was really looking for. Why other pinheads like the theme so much for a pin? As opposed to more general commentary on why I am not over the moon in love with the BTTF theme for a pin. I do find other people’s opinions of different games/themes interesting as they often point out things that I hadn’t thought of.

The theme is like a book cover as it generates the initial interest but it is what the design team does with it that ultimately defines the greatness. The theme certainly peaks my interest but doesn’t fascinate me.

I am so glad many of you don’t work for a pinball manufacturing company. Then again it wouldn’t be very long because it would be bankrupt. LOL. Fun stuff to read though. Keep on posting your dreams as it makes for some interesting reading.

For all you Rush fans:

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/rush-announces-beer-collaboration-with-toronto-s-henderson-brewery-837519475.html

If you don’t get your Rush pin you can drown your sorrows with their beer. But I hope you get both.

How about?

Stern had their chance with IJ. They failed miserably. Their first attempt should have been amazing … but it wasn’t. Can’t see them going back to that well again.

I agree that it is a great IP - probably my favourite IP but there are many great IP’s out there that would sell well. If it was to be done again I would prefer JJP and not because I like them over Stern but would like to see a new approach to it.

Back in the day half my friends and I looked like that. LOL.

Off topic but, Yeah sorry but the definition of “Dad Rock” will always be a little influx. But it is safe to say that if you are 40+ then anything you listened to as a young adult is now in the category of Dad Rock. We don’t decide but our kids do! Just like we don’t get to decide if we are cool or not - our kids do! Just like when we were kids - anyone over 40 is out-of-touch (according to them). Our time in the sun is ending.

Love the enthusiasm for it but I don’t think a BTTF is in the near (2 year) future any more than a TRON VE. Stern just has too much else going on. I am sure both of those titles are in a product backlog somewhere though. Unless Stern can regulate supply chain issues and decide to expand their operation (extra shifts, 7 day operation, or move to a bigger building) I think they have a full plate for the next while. I also wouldn’t like to see Stern expand too fast as many good companies have met their demise by expanding too fast during good times only to fall apart when things slow down. Don’t want them to overextend and go under. I would prefer they remain a little cautious and still keep putting out great pins.

Agree but with all the exciting new stuff and backlog any announcement they make is not going to involve a vault edition. So there goes Tron. And there have already been enough hints dropped to determine that BTTF is not in the short term plans (I do think we will see it but would be surprised to see it until 2024, but I do like surprises, but I won’t hold my breath.

I have no goal other than to participate in a forum discussion. If I end out being correct in my deductions I don’t win anything and if I am wrong in them I don’t lose anything.

There is always a doubt. Stern hit rock bottom in 2008 when they completely fubarred the Indiana Jones license which is arguably one of the greatest of all time. Thank goodness they have trended up from there (after 2009). They are on fire right now but a good license is only like the cover to a book - so yes there is always doubt. They are turning out some fun games now so let’s hope that continues. Looking forward to the gameplay.

You mean like most businesses? Ever gone to a car dealership? Yes, every model has exactly the same options - no choice! Typically you have several trim lines and in many cases can order a mix of option packages. I guess the auto manufacturers never figured out the one model/package suits them all and would maximize profits (I think Former Communist countries tried this approach and it didn’t work very well).

Think about what you just wrote. Different models for different class of buyers works very well and will maximize profits.

But here is the big plus for Stern. With their LE model - they never have to worry about a BOMB because they have recouped their costs even if they never sell many Pro’s. That Limited title causes people to buy before they see/play. So even if a title doesn’t do as well as expected they never lose money (just do not make much). They never have complete busts like CSI, 24 and even IronMan initially. They nearly went bankrupt because of their losses when a title underperformed. The LE model has completely solved that for them. Now they still have to put out fun games but they could tolerate several underperforming games in a row now and not miss a beat. This was not the case in2008/2009.

We may not all like the side-effects of the model (higher prices, unfulfilled demand, etc.) but from a business perspective it is a top notch approach. Stern did not invent it they just modelled it after something that works in many many industries.