In about 2 months that weekend song is going to be a distant memory, much like “hey ya” Or “get lucky” and countless other ear worm pop hits before it, destined to be forgotten until it pops up in a Toyota commercial in 6 years.

Weve been over this a million times; the people buying pinball machines want Tried and true classic rock in their homes, proven by the fact that they are all big sellers.

Risking an entire production cycle on a modern pop theme makes sense only if you are trying to put your pinball company out of business, which is why people who insist we need a Rihanna Pinball machine are never those who depend on new pinball machine sales to put food on their table.

Give it up; a modern pop theme isn’t gonna “bring kids into pinball” and it’s not worth the risk when the classic rock pins continue to print Money for pinball companies.

If pinside ran Stern they’d be out of business in a month.

You just got done ranting about dad rock themes but finish with wanting one of the most dad rock themes. That pretty much explains it.

I don't think the weekend is a good choice.

I do think a long running band that is still timely is an option. IE one that has been around for a decade plus, but is still releasing hits.

So you think a weekend pin - In 2021 - is gonna sell better than a Rush pin?

If he’s really “the new prince” then his game can get made in 2045. Until then it seems kind of pointless when classic rock themes always do well.

You sound like a dynamic young executive with a mastery of buzzwords and I encourage you to start your own pinball company and move the needle with Cardi B pinball machines that nobody will buy.

You gotta take risks! Why just keep taking in piles of cash with can’t miss classic rock themes?

Also rick and morty for some reason.

I think the issue is that Pop music in general just doesn’t fit well with Pinball.

I can’t provide a detailed explanation as to why this is, but it just doesn’t FEEL right. Somehow the rhythms, phrasing, and lyrical themes of the typical Pop tune just don’t quite gel with the action in a pinball game.

All I know is that games like ACDC, MET, KISS, and IM almost instantly lock me into a groove of mechanical action, lights, sounds, and music that all fits together and sort of gives the same thrill a musician experiences when playing a perfect riff “in the pocket”, whereas the Pop games I have played like Elvis and Beatles just don’t generate that level of immersion.

Also, the radical changes in the music industry since the days of the dinosaur bands shouldn’t be overlooked. For numerous reasons beyond the scope of this thread, it’s almost impossible for a modern act of any genre to establish the kind of intergenerational staying power that becomes enough of a “phenomenon” to influence the wider popular consciousness to a degree that sustains long-term marketing and merchandising (including pinball) opportunities.

There are probably demographic factors in play as well, another topic too complex to unpack here. When I was in school in the 80s, the kids that tended to hang out in pinball-rich venues like bowling alleys, arcades, and pool halls tended to be more in the rocker/metalhead/stoner camp than Pop fans. (Just an anecdotal observation by one guy, but looking back it does seem as if it was that way.)

How about they just make a Prince machine. I'd buy one of those! Prince's Superbowl halftime show was the greatest ever.

You're going to give Crazy Levi a stress attack .

Daft punk
The Weeknd
Foo fighters (current and relevant rock and roll)
I’m in.

Multimorphic’s platform has a development kit available. Put your team together and prove to the world you’re right.

The most obnoxious fucking thing about every pinball tournament over the last 3 years has been a TNA in the bank at top volume pumping that never ending thumping sound track for three days.

Like, enough already. Can we please start keeping that game to normal fucking volumes?

I stopped reading after you posted, "this generations Prince". If that is true, then things have become so watered down that the Smiley Face emoji is this generation's Mona Lisa!

Stairway to heaven just celebrated 50 yrs old. Dad rock rules!!

It's not really what fits or doesn't work. It's about the risk level and knowing your market. Why would you take a huge risk developing a product aimed at a market that is not your main demographic? How many people are going to drop $9000+ for a Weeknd LE pin sight unseen? Answer nobody.

Prince played 27 different instruments, Weeknd plays the piano, and has been around for about a week.

Pinball themes are targeted at the people actually buying games. Older generations have way more disposable income, and are far more likely to drop $6k+ on a toy.

I'm 30 and the dad rock themes do next to nothing for me, but I also realize a Weeknd pin would not sell well at all. My age group largely doesn't have the kind of disposable income to drop on pinball.

This is right up American Pinball's alley.

We get it, you're old. Go sit in your rocker and tell kids to get off your lawn.

The Weeknd is fuckin shit. Modern music basically stinks. Sorry but way to many classic bands still to go before then try anything new and thank sweet innocent baby Jesus for that.
Slayer
Motorhead
Sabbath
The Priest
Deep Purple

Just buy a pin you love, and play your favorite music in the background. Way easier, right?

If I had a dollar for every "Why don't they make Millennial Pop Artist pinball instead of your old dad rock stuff?", I could afford a NIB JJP CE.

If I had a dollar for every "Why do flippers have to ruin the hobby?", I could afford a NIB JJP CE.

If I had a dollar for every "Are we in a pinball pricing bubble", I could afford a NIB JJP CE.

If I had a dollar for every "my band is better than yours and I question your sexuality", I could afford a NIB JJP CE.

Second thought, scratch that. Combined I still couldn't afford a JJP CE.

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current and relevant sure but not very good.

The answer is when new music gets good

Blasting TNA at obnoxious volume does not make you young nor hip. I don’t think most TNA owners understand that.

Exactly. To repeat a tired point “I’d buy a Motörhead, sabbath or priest pin, LE, sight unseen.”

Who the fuck is gonna say that about a weekend or Bunny pin?

Nobody. On earth. The consumer base simply doesn’t mix and never will.

Can hardly wait for this game! Diaper head multiball...

What-happened-to-The-Weeknds-face-at-Super-Bowl-2021-990x660 (resized).jpg

Hoping and praying for a Taylor Swift pin, a “wet ass pussy" pin, and {disposable artist 1} featuring {disposable artist 2 pin}.

Anything musically released prior to 1995 is crap, simply because it isn't new, it got moldy, and only old people were around then

Yes, I am being sarcastic......

Rick Beato does this fantastic "what makes this song great" series, but here he analyzes why boomers hate pop music. It's interesting as hell.

Pinball is a pretty expensive and complicated toy to bring to reality (at least $1Mill). The "Dad Rock" themes are targeted at customers that have the deeper pockets $$$. The pinball companies left today probably do some sort of market research on what would sell before investing in a theme. Logically, something "classic" is going to outsell the "new" when it comes to music and its less riskier.

I have no idea how they get that much volume out of that amp. Trying to use one in a homebrew and it SUCKS.

Wouldn't Pokemon, Halo, Call of Duty, Manga, Roblox, Lego or Minecraft make for better themes, if you are reaching for younger audiences , versus the Weeknd?

Why don't you start up a pinball company and produce those hip and new artists? Good luck.

No because The Weekend is the new prince.

Not even close

Deadpool’s soundtrack works well with pinball .I agree how about some 2 live crew .

The Weeknd ruined every commercial break during the NFL postseason, why in the blue hell would anyone want to see them in pinball form?

Snoop Dog is clearly the next music pin.

you are preaching to the wrong age demo on gender on here . It's pointless. I am with you though. i know plenty of people in their 20's who have money to buy pins and have their own collections. also, us operators also appreciate titles geared towards people age 12 to 38 (those who spend most on location) pinball isn't just for guys over 50. I had 4 games by the time i was 15 that i bought myself. Some people do actually work young.
GOOD NEWS THOUGH.
from what i gather, One of the current players is making a hip hop based pin soon. Finally---
so i guess we shall see what happens.

I’m sorry, but no.
You need to do a deep dive on Prince.

Can’t wait!

My guess is it will be the beastie boys, snoop, or someone else who has been around for decades. Thus - more or less - proving our point. It’s just dad rock you can bob your head to that is or will soon be in the rock n roll hall of fame with the rest of the pinball themes.

NWA; I'll take it.

Fuck yeah!

Honestly that dumb explicit lyrics tag would look awesome on a translite.

I could get behind that one.

Dopeman mode, hit the captive ball and slang another hit for huge points.