It's hard to believe that a city that fell head over heels for Caine Monroy and his faith-in-mankind-restoring cardboard arcade once voted to ban arcade games like pinball and claw machines, but it's true.The LA Times's Framework blog(coincidentally?) took a look at this bizarre chapter in our civic history this weekend, the same day Caine announced he was packing it in. In 1939, the mayor and police commissioner urged the public to support an ordinance that declared the games "nuisances in public places" and subject to seizure by the police "on the grounds that the machines are used forpetty gambling, so widespread that the police are totally insufficient in number to enforce the law." In October of that year, 400 Angelenos packed the city council chamber to be heard on the matter, and six weeks later Proposition 3 was easily passed by voters. Even more surprising than the fact that it passed with a sizable majority is this: the ordinance stayed in effect until 1974.

via http://la.curbed.com/archives/2013/07/pinball_and_claw_games_were_illegal_in_la_from_1939_until_1974.php

LAKEWOOD — The “Wizard of Oz” pinball machine features an old-time story in which Dorothy needs to be saved from the flying monkey, the lion needs courage, the scarecrow needs a brain and the tin man needs a heart.

Yet in a 21st century twist, players follow the story — and their score — on a 26-inch LCD screen. The playing field brightens with colorful LED lights. A crystal ball displays 31 different videos.

“You’re basically telling a story through game-playing,” says Jack Guarnieri, president and CEO of Jersey Jack Pinball Inc. “You’ve got to get Dorothy home.”

Jersey Jack Pinball is rolling out its “Wizard of Oz” game, a painstakingly built pinball machine that is turning heads as fast as Dorothy’s house spins with a perfectly played shot.

It combines newfangled technology with an old-school game in a way that industry observers say could win back consumers who left pinball machines for video games at home and arcade games that offer redemption prizes.

By way of proof: Guarnieri started the Lakewood business in 2011 without the help of bankers, instead depending on pre-orders from customers to raise the $2 million he needed to get started. Two years later, the company is on pace for annual sales of $8 million.

The “Wizard of Oz” game is front and center at the Silver Ball Museum in Asbury Park, which offers visitors the chance to play dozens of pinball machines, some of which date to the 1930s.

Fedak Arashi, 19, a camp counselor from Middlesex supervising a field trip to Silver Ball last week, took aim at the record 136,461 points set by someone named Jim S. He didn’t come close to the record.

Arashi said he was neither a fan of “The Wizard of Oz” nor pinball. But he walked away with what sounded like new-found respect.

“It’s a pretty good pinball machine,” he said. “I give it two thumbs up.”

Jersey Jack Pinball employs about 50 workers at its 42,000-square-foot headquarters in an industrial park in Ocean County and at a smaller office in Arlington Heights, Ill.

It has given New Jersey a manufacturing company that — aside from the high-definition screens and digital stereo sound systems — is decidedly low-tech.

Workers have as many as 5,000 parts to assemble for the finished product. They make 10 machines a day, five days a week. And it’s tough to envision much room for automation.

Even with a six- to nine-month wait, sales have been brisk. The company sells a standard pinball machine for $7,000 and a limited edition pinball machine — one with emerald-colored rails, legs and wire ramps and a glass top that doesn’t reflect light — for $10,000. Guarnieri pulled up a photo on his iPad of musician Slash, standing in front of his new “Wizard of Oz” pinball machine.

Read more via thedailyjournal

An eight-and-a-half-minute video clip in which Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's leading maker of real pinball games and the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) Manufacturer Of The Year, takes you behind the scenes as its team works on the METALLICA pinball machine can be seen below.

Stern Pinball, Inc. earlier in the week announced its third annual Comic-Con International pinball tournament where players and fans will have the opportunity to play Stern's latest METALLICA Pro machine, celebrating one of the world's foremost heavy metal bands.

San Diego Comic-Con attendees will be able to compete in a pinball tournament for the chance to win a cash prize and pinball backglass by signing up to play at booth #503. The tournament starts July 17 on Preview Night at Comic-Con. Qualifying participants will be selected to return if they advance in the tournament. The finals will be held on Saturday, July 20. Stern is excited to offer game enthusiasts,METALLICA devotees and comic fanatics a chance to experience first hand the highly sought-after METALLICA pinball game.

"Since their launch in May, Stern's METALLICA machines quickly developed a massive following," said Jody Dankberg, director of marketing and licensing for Stern Pinball. "We are thrilled to 'officially' debut the Pro version at San Diego Comic-Con where our craftsmanship will be put to the test as players experience the unique features and addictive nature of METALLICA pinball."

In addition to the annual tournament, Stern Pinball will sponsor a few attention-grabbing giveaways, including a Kirk Hammett guitar, and will also host an exclusive autograph session with famed pop culture artistDirty Donny Giles on Thursday, July 18 at 2 p.m.

Attendees can find Stern Pinball at the Nuclear Blast America and JSR Merchandising booth #503.

The METALLICA game continues both the Stern Pinball and the Sternfamily tradition of producing quality pinball machines for young and old. The company traces its lineage to Philadelphia in the 1930s when Sam Stern entered the business of operating pinball games. Sam Sternsubsequently became part owner and president of Williams Manufacturing, a pioneer in the pinball industry, and 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 America's favorite pastimes.

The METALLICA pinball machine is available through authorized Sterndistributors and dealers.

To learn more about the METALLICA pinball game and Stern Pinball, visit www.sternpinball.com


via blabbermouth

Walking into Kickback Pinball Cafe in Central Lawrenceville is like walking into a pinball machine.

A ramp leads into the restaurant and coffee shop, where simple red-and-white tables and stools are set up like bumpers in pinball machines. Exposed brick walls -- a standard feature in Lawrenceville eateries and businesses -- seem almost out of place amid the brightly colored floor and clanging pinball machines.

A gleaming red espresso machine sits behind the long, clean counter. The menu, neatly printed on large chalkboards, consists of lunch fare and coffeehouse staples -- drip coffee, lattes, hot tea.

My husband, Joshua, and I stopped by for a quick lunch and a bit of pinball over the weekend.

Joshua glanced at the menu, announced he would have the grilled cheese, and then inquired about tokens to play pinball.

We ordered $2 worth of tokens; the "almost famous" grilled cheese with sun-dried tomato, cream cheese, mozzarella and Swiss ($6.50); and a caprese sandwich with tomato, mozzarella, pesto aioli and a balsamic reduction ($7.50).

The barista passed a stack of tokens across the counter, and Joshua immediately selected a machine and started playing. The dings and clangs from the pinball machines make conversation a bit challenging, but that's part of this coffee shop's charm.

I asked for an iced tea and was told it wasn't on the menu, but the barista offered to make some for me ($2). I grabbed my tea and Joshua's iced coffee ($2) and sat at a table next to a pinball machine.

"It's your turn," he said.

Despite being horrible with anything involving hand-eye coordination and having no real strategy for playing pinball, I beat my husband twice at a game called "Silver Bullet." Expletives were uttered and he wandered off to play pinball by himself. He selected an Addams Family-themed game.

He exhausted his supply of tokens just as our food arrived. Tomatoes were secondary to cheese on both of our sandwiches, but we didn't mind a bit, and Joshua was pleased with the hefty slabs of mozzarella holding the cream cheese in place.

We enjoyed the meal, but I figured I wouldn't be doing my due diligence as a reviewer if I didn't test the mood at Kickback in the morning as well.

When we stopped by on a weekday morning on our way to work, the pinball machines were silent. I was disappointed to see a small pastry case containing only one sad cookie; I'd hoped for a croissant. We ordered a latte ($2.50) and a mocha ($3.50).

Joshua said his latte was a little too foamy, but my mocha was good -- not too sweet or chalky.

Kickback has been open since May, and while a breakfast menu would be a welcome addition, the cafe already seems at home among other nostalgic spots -- Arsenal Bowling Lanes, Rather Ripped Records and Tender Bar and Kitchen -- in the 4300 block of Butler Street.

Kickback Pinball Cafe is at 4326 Butler St., Lawrenceville; 412-682-3200.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sectionfront/local/munch-goes-to-kickback-pinball-cafe-694964/#ixzz2Yl91wXYT

As the resurgences of pinball marches on in the US and across the globe, another pinball museum, this time in sunny Southern California prepares to launch, IF fans of pinball are willing to pitch in.

From the Kickstarter page:

Long before video games found their way into the home, arcades across America were filled with the lights and sounds of mechanical pinball machines and the young people who were enamored by them. These machines are now finding their way back into the spotlight in barcades, private collections, and professional pinball tournaments. 

Pinball doesn’t need to be SAVED – it needs to be SAVORED!

We know YOU ARE GENEROUS and you'll want to be part of this historic opportunity. Before you CHOOSE A REWARD to the right, let us tell you a bit more about the project. 


Why a Museum of Pinball?

• Pinball is experiencing a massive comeback.
• We want young people to experience the excitement of an electronic game that doesn't just appear on a screen.
• We want people who grew up playing pinball to rediscover their passion for the game...or what we like to call a "sport."
• We want to help bring competitive pinball tournaments into the spotlight.
• We want to preserve the amazing history of the game.
• Ultimately, we just want more people to fall in love with pinball.  

We know you want to be part of this project, but don't contribute quite yet! 
There's still more to learn. KEEP READING. here 

Stern pinball has just issued a press release regarding their involvement at this years Comic-Con convention in San Diego California. Showcasing the new Metallica pinball machine, Stern will be giving away tournament prizes along with a Dirty Donny Giles autograph session.

MELROSE PARK, ILL., JULY 10, 2013 — /PRNewswire/ -- Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's leading maker of real pinball games and the American Amusement Machine Association ("AAMA") Manufacturer of the Year, announced today their third annual Comic-Con International pinball tournament where players and fans will have the opportunity to play Stern's latest Metallica Pro machine, celebrating one of the world's foremost heavy metal bands.

San Diego Comic-Con attendees will be able to compete in a pinball tournament for the chance to win a cash prize and pinball backglass by signing up to play at booth #503. The tournament starts July 17th on Preview Night at Comic-Con. Qualifying participants will be selected to return if they advance in the tournament. The finals will be held on Saturday, July 20th. Stern is excited to offer game enthusiasts, Metallica devotees and comic fanatics a chance to experience first hand the highly sought-after Metallica pinball game.

"Since their launch in May, Stern's Metallica machines quickly developed a massive following," said Jody Dankberg, Director of Marketing and Licensing for Stern Pinball. "We are thrilled to 'officially' debut the Pro version at San Diego Comic-Con where our craftsmanship will be put to the test as players experience the unique features and addictive nature of Metallica pinball."

In addition to the annual tournament, Stern Pinball will sponsor a few attention-grabbing giveaways, including a Kirk Hammett guitar, and will also host an exclusive autograph session with famed pop culture artist Dirty Donny Giles on Thursday, July 18th at 2 p.m.

Attendees can find Stern Pinball at the Nuclear Blast America and JSR Merchandising booth #503.

About Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern Pinball, Inc., headquartered just outside 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 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. 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 Evie Carter FortyThree, Inc. 831.401.3175 [email protected]

SOURCE Stern Pinball, Inc.

The folks at Farsight are at it again looking to crowd-fund another table for their Pinball Arcade series available on most platforms including iOS, PS3, Xbox and Wii. 

With licensing fee's sky-high, Farsight is looking for pinball fans to foot the bill for their next product. Take a look and see if their story is compelling enough to entice you into throwing down a few quarters in support of bringing T2 Judgment Day pinball to your living room.

From the Kickstarter page:

Here at FarSight Studios, we have over 20 years of experience developing video games on consoles, phones and tablets. We are also pinball fanatics. For the last seven years, we’ve been developing modern videogame recreations of classic pinball tables. We have licenses from the original manufacturers of the tables (Bally, Gottlieb, Stern and Williams) to do this. Our latest project is called the Pinball Arcade and is currently available on a wide variety of platforms: the iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, Ouya, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS Vita and Mac, with versions coming soon for the PC, Nintendo Wii U, and PlayStation 4. Check us out at www.pinballarcade.com.

Read more via kickstarter

BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif., July 3, 2013 --/PRNewswire/ -- FarSight Studios, developer and publisher of the Mobile Game of the Year, the Pinball Arcade have announced the launch of their latest Kickstarter project to preserve a classic pinball table, Terminator 2 Judgment Day®.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pinball-arcade-taking-aim-at-terminator-2-214109371.html

One of the most popular tables of all time, Terminator 2 was created by Williams® and sold over 15,000 units in 1991.  This table featured a number of pinball innovations.  It was the first pinball machine designed with a dot-matrix display, ball firing cannons, and video mode gameplay.  Twenty years later, there are fewer and fewer of these classic pinball machines in working order, and that's where FarSight wants to step in.

Following in the footsteps of their successful campaigns to preserve the Twilight Zone and Star Trek: The Next Generation pinball tables, FarSight is looking for fans of pinball and theTerminator movies to help them offset the licensing costs required.

While the cost of producing the actual game will be covered by FarSight, the T2 movie IP and actor rights are going to cost an additional $59,000.

The Kickstarter campaign includes many rewards for backers who help in preserving Terminator 2for future generations to enjoy. Check out this exciting project at:http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1067367405/pinball-arcade-terminator-2-judgment-day?ref=live

Pinball Arcade is currently available for iPhone, iPad, Android, PlayStation3, PSVita, Mac, Xbox 360, Kindle Fire and OUYA.  The game will be released later in 2013 for Wii-U, PC / Steam, Windows 8, and PS4.

For more information about the game, visit: http://www.pinballarcade.com.

About FarSight Studios

Based in Big Bear Lake, California, FarSight Studios has been developing videogames since 1989. Among their titles are multimillion unit selling NFL football games, casual mass market games, kid friendly sports games, and plug-and-play toys. They have made games for every major console from the original NES to the PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360. FarSight Studio's games have been awarded Game of the Year honors, Editor's Choice awards, Toy of the Year nominations, and Greatest Hits designations on multiple platforms.

FarSight Media Contact: Norman Stepansky [email protected]  (909) 866-0513

©2013 FarSight Studios, Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective holders. WILLIAMS, WILLIAMS (STYLIZED) and the WINGED W DESIGN are trademarks of Williams Electronics Games, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day, T2, THE TERMINATOR, ENDOSKELETON, and any depiction of Endoskeleton are trademarks of Studiocanal S.A. All Rights Reserved. Copyright:  ©2013 Studiocanal S.A. ® All Rights Reserved. 

SOURCE FarSight Studios


Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/07/03/5542465/pinball-arcade-taking-aim-at-terminator.html#storylink=cpy