While certain games produced by Stern pinball have fallen flat on the sales and collectibility front, others have done the complete opposite and soared in collectibility as well as value. This action has led to the reality that some games such as Iron Man, Tron, AC/DC and others have become out of reach for players due to limited (though not intended) availability. 

Stern Pinball today announced a new 'Vault' edition Iron Man Pro in order to satisfy the consumer demand. The new run of machines will include updated technical specs inline with current production games features.

It is yet unclear as to how many of these 'Vault Editions' will make their way into production as licenses, parts availability and other factors have to be considered but either way it's a great way to keep the market in check while providing players with the games that they desire to play.

Stern Pinball Opens its Vault to Reintroduce Iron Man Pinball

World’s Leading Maker of Arcade-Quality Pinball Games Announces First Stern Vault Release With Iron Man Pro

MELROSE PARK, IL – June 12, 2014 – Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games, announced today it is opening the Stern Vault for re-release of Iron Man™ Pro. The Iron Man pinball machine features visuals, speech, music and sound effects from the Marvel blockbuster films Iron Man and Iron Man 2. After numerous requests from the pinball community, Stern is re-introducing this exceptional game.

Originally released in 2010, the Iron Man Pro model continues to bring the battle between billionaire industrialist, Tony Stark/Iron Man, and his enemies to the fingertips and flippers of pinball players. With non-stop action, Iron Man Pro Vault Edition heightens the excitement, bringing back a classic game for the players of any age and skill level.

 

Iron Man Pro Vault Edition features technological and manufacturing upgrades utilized by Stern in its current Pro models.  Among the improvements is all LED playfield lighting.  Iron Man is manufactured with Stern’s updated modern metal and wood back box with red t-molding and with a decaled cabinet and speaker housing.  The Iron Monger, War Machine and Whiplash figures have been molded in one piece construction for improved strength.

“Operators tell us Iron Man is a great earning pinball game, and enthusiasts tell us it’s a great playing game.  We didn’t make enough,” said Gary Stern, founder, CEO and chairman of Stern Pinball.

Look for future Stern Vault Editions.

Pricing and Availability:

Pro Version:  $5,495 (MSRP)

About Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern Pinball, Inc., headquartered just outside Chicago, Illinois, is the oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games in the world. Stern’s highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and manufacture a full line of popular pinball games, merchandise and accessories.  Recent Stern titles include Mustang, Star Trek, Metallica, The Avengers, X-Men, AC/DC, Tron, Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, Spiderman and many more!  All of Stern’s pinball games are crafted by hand and assembled by Stern’s expert team. Both pinball enthusiasts and casual players around the globe enjoy Stern’s games. For more information, please visit www.sternpinball.com. 

###

 

All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.

With today's celebration of Ford Mustang Day, Stern releases never before seen images of the Mustang Limited Edition pinball machine. Check out the pictures and news release after the break.

If you find yourself in or near Rochester Michigan this weekend you may want to take a trip over the the MPE 2014 and spend some time with the silver ball. With over 100 pinball machines, vendors and pinball tournament and guest speakers it is guaranteed to be a great time. Attendees will also have the chance to check out the latest and greatest pinball machines from Jersey Jack Pinball, Stern Pinball as well as custom pinball machines including Skit B Pinball based on the movie "Predator" as well as a custom home-brew game based off of the movie "The Matrix".

From the show organizer:

"This event is designed to be “FAMILY FRIENDLY” and we encourage everyone to come out and have a wonderful experience playing over 125+ machines at the Michigan Pinball Expo. All the pinball machines in the Expo room will be set on FREE PLAY. Those pinball machines will be available to the public to play for FREE* from the start of the Expo until the close of the Expo!!! 57 TOTAL HOURS!!!

Tournament machines will be located on the back wall where you can really test your pinball skills by paying low entry fees for a chance to win BIG MONEY and TROPHIES. We offer tournaments for every skill level. So whether you are a “Pinball Wizard” going for the title of “Michigan Pinball Champion” or a “Wizard in Training” competing at the kids level, we offer many divisions so you can compete among your peers.

It’s all about having FUN! We will also have many vendors along 3 walls of the Michigan Pinball Expo. Full size arcade pinball machines will be for sale from local collectors and businesses such as Prestige Pinball. We will also be announcing new additions to the show daily, so please check back often! With over 15,000 sq. ft. of pinball goodness going on, there is something for everyone at the Michigan Pinball Expo.

If you want to be appraised of the latest happenings, sign up for our Google Group mailing list, and join us on Facebook. Lots of great news is coming daily!

Thank you for your time and we hope to see you, your family, and all your friends at the Michigan Pinball Expo!!!"

–John Kosmal (Show Organizer)

With the release of impending production of the high end models Stern pinball has released details and images of the upcoming Mustang pinball variants. If you notice some details have been blocked out with a "Top Secret" banner on the translight and cabinet of the LE model. Astute Mustang fans who look closely will be able to identify the cars represented so it's not too much of a secret.

It appears that Stern has kept with it's new metal speaker panel design first introduced with Star Trek as well as lighted speakers on the LE model. The premium model also sports a center racing stripe on the speaker panel which is a nice touch. It also appears that the Premium and LE models get a revised side-rail design.

Update: In addition to the differences in games it also appears that different versions will come with varying playfield artwork, an additional "crossover" ramp and more. In addition the return of 6-ball gameplay makes a return. Check the feature matrix sheet below for details.

Read more after the break

American Pop Culture Icons Converge As Stern Pinball Announces Three
New Ford Mustang-Themed Games

· A new pinball game from Stern Pinball, featuring the all-new Ford
Mustang and celebrating 50 years of the original pony car, debuts at
the Chicago Auto Show

· Stern Pinball will also offer a premium game featuring Mustang Boss
302, Boss 351 and Boss 429, plus a limited-edition game honoring the
1965 original and all-new 2015 Mustang

· Champion pinball player Zach Sharpe will challenge journalists to
beat his high score on the new machines during media preview days at
the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 6 and Feb. 7

CHICAGO, Feb. 4, 2014 - The all-new Ford Mustang headlines a trio of
new pony car-themed pinball games to be revealed at the Chicago Auto
Show. Crafted by Chicago's own Stern Pinball, the Mustang-inspired
games combine two prime examples of 20th century American pop culture
- the coin-operated pinball machine and the original pony car.

"For five decades, Mustang has represented some of the best of
American culture, inspiring a feeling of freedom and independence for
people around the world," said Steve Ling, Ford car marketing manager.
"We're excited to have Stern Pinball join us here in its hometown of
Chicago with its brand-new games featuring Mustang."

Stern is introducing three new Mustang-themed games this spring
featuring cabinet and backboard artwork that pay tribute to 50 years
of Mustang. The pro-level machines, designed for arcades and other
public spaces, feature Mustangs from the past five decades. The more
feature-rich premium edition focuses on Mustang Boss 302, Boss 351 and
Boss 429 of 1969 to 1971 and 2012 to 2013.

Stern Pinball is one of many companies producing officially licensed
products to celebrate 50 years of Mustang. Other licensees include
Mattel with a 50 Years of Mustang Hot Wheels collection, Caddyshack
with a limited-edition Shelby GT500 Mustang golf car and the Mustang
GT pedal go kart from Berg. A range of apparel and other products are
available from http://shopfordmerchandise.com.

The all-new 2015 Mustang makes its first Chicago appearance at the
auto show alongside six of Stern's pro-level Mustang games. Top-ranked
competitive pinball player Zach Sharpe will also be on hand to
demonstrate the new game and set benchmark scores for show visitors
and media to challenge.

A special limited-edition model signed by the game designer features
the 1965 original and the all-new 2015 Mustang. Both premium and
limited-edition games feature genuine chrome Mustang badges on the
speaker grilles.

"The first car I ever bought was a 1970 Mustang Sportroof with a 302,
and I'm currently restoring a 1969 Mach 1," said George Gomez,
executive vice president for game design, Stern Pinball. "In designing
these new games, we wanted to celebrate the freedom and fun of driving
Mustang."

The games incorporate a mix of classic pinball play features and
modern technology to let players "go racing" with some of the greatest
Mustangs of all time, and even build up a dream collection as they
progress.

Different interactive sections of the playfield and sequences of shots
let players go drag racing, rallying, drifting and road racing in
pursuit of a high score. For example, hitting specific targets with
the ball enables gear shifting, and subsequent hits activate going up
or down through the gears. The games feature video displays in the
backboard and real Mustang sounds, giving players the visceral
experience of driving Mustang.

Chicago is the spiritual home of the classic coin-operated pinball
machine. The modern games were developed in the city in the 1920s and
1930s by companies such as Bally, Gottlieb and Williams as an
evolution of 18th century French parlor games. Over time, designers
added a wide array of features to enhance gameplay, and incorporated
pop culture themes from movies, television, music and comic books -
the same mediums that often incorporate Mustang.

Pinball pioneer Harry Williams said, "The ball is wild!"

"The beauty of pinball is that there is no set outcome, and it can't
be programmed like a video game," said Gary Stern, founder of Stern
Pinball. "That makes pinball a perfect match for Mustang, taking
drivers anywhere they want to go."

The very first Mustang-themed pinball game was introduced in 1964, the
same year as the car, by the now-defunct Chicago Coin Company.
Unfortunately, all of the other great Chicago pinball companies
succumbed to the challenge of the video game business. Stern has
committed to creating great games that remain true to what made
pinball fun in the first place, while incorporating modern design and
mechanical systems to challenge players.

2015 Ford Mustang

The all-new Mustang is the most advanced version yet of the iconic
pony car. The sleek new design of Mustang fastback and convertible is
backed up by world-class performance from a range of available
engines, including a new turbocharged EcoBoost(R) 2.3-liter and an
upgraded 5.0-liter V8 with more than 420 horsepower. In addition to
state-of-the-art connectivity systems, Mustang features available
advanced driver-assist systems, track apps, launch control and more.

# # #

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 181,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the
company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company
provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For
more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please
visit http://corporate.ford.com.

About Stern Pinball, Inc.
Stern Pinball, Inc., located just outside of Chicago, Illinois, is the
oldest and largest producer of pinball games in the world. Stern's
highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and
manufacture popular arcade-quality pinball games. Recent popular Stern
titles include Star Trek, Metallica, Avengers, X-Men, AC/DC, Tron,
Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, Spiderman and many more. All
of Stern's pinball games are crafted by hand and assembled by Stern's
expert team in the United States. Both pinball enthusiasts and casual
players around the globe enjoy Stern's games. For more information,
please visit www.sternpinball.com.

Tournament to raise funds for Kids Fight Cancer

MELROSE PARK, IL -- Stern Pinball Inc. will be a premier sponsor of the International Flipper Pinball Association's upcoming state championship series. The first-ever IFPA state series is expected to draw 440 finalists representing 28 different IFPA championships all taking place on Saturday, Feb. 8, in different locations across the country.

Every IFPA state championship will incorporate a special charity challenge to raise money for Kids Fight Cancer. Stern Pinball, a manufacturer of flipper games based here, will match funds during the tournament.

More than 5,000 players last year played in matches to qualify for this year's inaugural state series. The popularity of the series is a welcomed reminder of the renewed interest in pinball, according to the pinball manufacturer.

"We are pleased to sponsor the first IFPA state championship series. It is wonderful to acknowledge the talented players and be part of the resurgence," said Stern Pinball chairman and chief executive Gary Stern. "It's also a great opportunity for us to help out Kids Fight Cancer, a local Chicago-based organization, whose motto 'celebrate life' is represented in each creative project we undertake."

Founded eight years ago, the International Flipper Pinball Association now ranks more than 22,000 players competing in over 1,500 leagues and tournaments around the world. There are IFPA directors in 29 countries.

The winners of the IFPA state championship series will qualify for the IFPA's U.S. national championship, which will be held in May in Denver.

More information can be had from IFPA's Zach Sharpe at (847) 877-6344 or Josh Sharpe at (847) 601-1609).

- See more at: http://www.vendingtimes.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=EB79A487112B48A296B38C81345C8C7F&nm=Vending+Features&&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=A9EB11D00B744246B1B44287F09D6A0B#sthash.2tFJjNwV.dpuf

Gary Stern and company rolled into Las Vegas with a lineup of games to showcase at this years Consumer Electronics Show (CES).  Games on the show floor include Metallica, AC/DC and Star Trek as well as their pint sized counterparts in "The Pin" model line up.

Read the press release below:

PR Newswire

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2014


LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's leading maker of real pinball games, today announced that it will exhibit at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and feature its full line of high performance pinball games. Located in South Hall 2 at booth 25112, Stern will be showcasing its arcade quality pinball machines, debuting its new Avengers and Transformers Consumer Pins™ and reveal new details about its soon-to-be released Ford Mustang pinball game.

CES attendees will be able to rock their flippers to Metallica and AC/DC pinball, embark on a voyage of the Starship Enterprise to defend the planets of the Federation in the highly-rated Star Trek game and join their favorite Avenger or Transformer for an action-packed adventure on one of Stern's stylish consumer machines.

"Our collection of pinball machines is sure to challenge and excite a range of gamers from music lovers to Trekkies to classic American car fanatics," said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. "Be sure to stop by our booth to play a few of Stern's chart-topping games and check out the newest editions to our lineup."

Stern Pinball is the leading designer and manufacturer of arcade-quality pinball games on the planet. The company traces its lineage to Philadelphia, PA in the 1930s where Sam Stern entered the business of operating pinball games. Sam subsequently moved to Chicago where he became part owner and President of Williams Manufacturing, a pioneer in the pinball industry. Sam passed his lifelong enthusiasm for the game and the business of pinball to his son, Gary Stern, who founded Stern Pinball. Today pinball remains one of the world's favorite pastimes.

About Stern Pinball, Inc.  
Stern Pinball, Inc., located just outside of Chicago, Illinois, is the leading producer of pinball games in the world. Stern's highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and manufacture popular arcade-quality pinball games. Recent popular Stern titles include Star Trek, Metallica, Avengers, X-Men, AC/DC, Tron, Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, Spiderman and many more. All of Stern's pinball games are crafted by hand and assembled by Stern's expert team in the United States. Both pinball enthusiasts and casual players around the globe enjoy Stern's games. For more information, please visit www.sternpinball.com. 

All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.

Media Contact: 
Amanda Brandt 
FortyThree, Inc. 
831.401.3175 
SternPinball@43pr.com

SOURCE Stern Pinball, Inc.




Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1669194#ixzz2pklzg1lt

For more than a decade, Stern Pinball was the only manufacturer of pinball machines. The Chicago-based company's last rival closed down in 1999.

But Stern's pinball monopoly may be drawing to an end. In 2011, the startup manufacturerJersey Jack Pinball opened for business, and it's working hard to grab a slice of the industry.

"You know, it would be a boring world, I guess, if there was only one company making shoes or handbags or anything," says Jack Guarnieri, the New Jersey company's owner. "So, I think more competition and more product in the marketplace raises the awareness of pinball."

Jersey Jack Pinball's debut game is based on The Wizard of Oz film. They plan to release a second game, The Hobbit, in the spring of 2014.

Breaking Stern's monopoly and squeezing into this industry will be a challenge, mainly because demand just isn't what it used to be. Between 1955 and 1970, the games made more money than the entire American movie industry. Thirty years ago, there were nearly a dozen pinball manufacturers in the U.S.

Now, it's a very different story.

"Back in the day, they used to sell 5- to 10,000 of each pinball machine — now they're lucky if they hit 1,000 to 1,500," says Tim Arnold, owner of the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. "So it's exactly like the movies — if you get a hit movie, everything is great. But if you have one or two dud movies in a row, you're in deep trouble financially."

Arnold says Jersey Jack needs to do two basic things to succeed: create an incredible product and bring it to the masses.

Jersey Jack seems to be on track with that first goal. Arnold compares The Wizard of Oz game to going from black-and-white to color television.

The game has a multicolor LED screen that plays animation and clips from the movie. Special flipper settings and lights transform the board according to each mode of play.

"If you're going for the Emerald City, all the lights turn green," says Arnold. "If you're battling flying monkeys, it all turns red. It's really a spectacular visual presentation."

There's only one problem: The Wizard of Oz is hard to find. Even two years after its initial release, the game is unlikely to be in your local arcade. Many of the units have gone to homes of private collectors.

Molly Atkinson, one of the few who has played it, had to go to a collector's home to do so. She's a collector herself and runs a public-access arcade called Pins and Needles in Los Angeles.

"It's a real fancy game, Wizard of Oz," she says. "It has a lot of neat features on it. And for some reason, it's really grown on me."

Atkinson doubts it will join her collection any time soon. The machine costs about $8,000. "No new games are affordable! When it was a public play thing, games never cost this much," Atkinson says.

She only charges 25 cents per play at her arcade, but even if she charged double, it would take 16,000 games for her to recoup that cost.

Atkinson had hoped that if the pinball monopoly was broken, the machines would become more affordable.

"We finally do have someone else who's entered the market," says Atkinson. "But their games are maybe even more expensive. So it's just very unattainable for someone like me to get one."

Still, Atkinson says the arrival of a new game-maker is a good thing. She hopes that competition between the two companies will breathe fresh life into the industry.

Jersey Jack owner Guarnieri, a veteran arcade executive, says that's the whole point. "That's really what you want to hear," he says. "That's success."

With Jersey Jack's second game due out in the spring, Guarnieri says a third machine, with an all-original design and story, is already in production.

Stern Pinball did not respond to press inquiries for this story. A banner on the company's website declares it it is "the only maker of REAL pinball games on the planet!!"

Guarnieri says they probably just haven't updated the site yet.

via http://www.npr.org/2013/12/22/256328172/in-the-world-of-pinball-an-underdog-takes-on-the-giant

MELROSE PARK, IL -- Stern Pinball Inc. recently conducted its fourth annual factory tour for second-grade students of the Academy of Global Citizenship (Chicago), a charter school located on the city's underserved southwestern side. This year, 50 students visited the Stern plant to get a close and detailed look at the way in which complex electromechanical equipment is designed and manufactured.

This AGC class learns how to design simple machines as part of its coursework, and visits the Stern factory every fall. Instruction this year included the preparation of technical drawings and their use in fabricating and assembling the components of a pinball machine. They also had ample time to experience the results of these activities by playing the many games on display in the pinball plant's arcade.

Headquartered just outside Chicago, Stern Pinball is the world's leading manufacturer of flipper games. Its talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and manufacture arcade-quality amusement apparatus including such popular titles as Avengers, X-Men, AC/DC, Tron, Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman and Spiderman. Stern equipment is enjoyed by pinball enthusiasts and casual players around the world.

- See more at vendingtimes.com here

Stern Pinball today announced the production of a new pinball machine in currently in development. 50 years of Mustang licensed from Ford Motor Co. will highlight the grand history of the muscle car that started it all.  

Stern Pinball Press Release and 2015 Mustang media after the break