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)

On Saturday a new Barcade named "82" opened in the Arts district of downtown Los Angeles to plenty of classic and contemporary pinball machines and video games.

Watch the 2 minute news segment here 
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/video/9973767-new-bar-and-arcade-is-decidedly-old-school-in-scope/

Great story about John Reuter and his massive collection of pinball machines.

GORHAM, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The game of Pinball has a rich history, with it's origin dating back to the days of Louis XIV. It of course has evolved from the days of the 1600's, to the machines you're more familiar with. Like any sport, it's gone through its lulls, with the evolution of the internet changing the game. There is one Mainer, who's doing his best to keep it alive.

After playing his first game of pinball in 1964, John Reuter was hooked. He's been an avid player participating in competitions all across New England. After seeing the game die out after the 1980's, he decided to create an environment in his own home for others to be able to come play.

"I wanted a variety of machines and I didn't want to get bored with the ones I had so that's what I did what I did. I bought a bunch of them," said Reuter.

He now has around 95 pinball machines total in his Gorham home. Alot of sound and alot of options for other players to choose from like Mike Haycock. He took home first place in the 2014 Maine Pinball Championship, that was held at John's home.

"There's no slouchers," said Haycock. "Anybody can have a bad game at any time. That's how pinball is."

To find out more about John and his pinball tournaments, you can visit his Facebook page, New England Pinball.

Read more and watch the video here http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/271568/50/Pinball-player-collects-95-pinball-machines-in-his-home

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.

In the pinball world there are but a few designers that have truly revolutionized the game. Pat Lawlor is among the top of that very elite list of people. Let's put it this way, if Pat were a president hey might be George Washington, Abraham Lincoln or Thomas Jefferson. Love his style or not, Pat has changed pinball forever with the groundbreaking introductions of the shaker motor, talking heads, a vertical playfield, you name it. If it was a crazy idea, it came from Pat. An innovators innovator always looking to push the limits of pinball. 

Having been outside of pinball since his stint at Stern pinball Pat has never stopped working on his pinball designs. As such it is with great privileg that JJP welcomes Pat to their team. Pat will rejoin working with long time friend and programmer Ted Estes to create his new game which will be, for the first time in many years, an original themed game from a major manufacturer and not a license which is great news for pinball fans who recall the era of Funhouse, Whirlwind and other games from Pat and team.

We look forward to seeing what this new team brings to pinball as it's rebirth is upon us here in 2014.  

Read the Press Release and video after the break.

LAKEWOOD, NJ -- Jersey Jack Pinball Inc. said it has entered into an equity partnership with an investment firm identified only as JDA. The up-and-coming pinball machine manufacturer said the partnership will provide means to fund multiple game platforms, allow it to expand into related technologies and markets, and attract "deeper management" resources. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Jersey Jack Pinball's announcement provided little detail about its new partner other than that "JDA has a proven track record of success and generated over $40 million for their shareholders in their last transaction," and that the firm's principals are pinball enthusiasts who own more than 40 machines, including Jersey Jack's The Wizard of Oz. "We are very excited to combine the strengths of these two dynamic organizations," said Jack Guarnieri, who founded the pinball company in 2011. "The expanded talent, experience and financial strength that this brings will enhance the future products we are able to build and add to the enjoyment of our player base." Reaction to the news from the pinball community has been mixed, but many fans see the deal as a necessity. (See comments at Pinside.com). At the end of 2009, Stern Pinball Inc. brought in a group of investors led by David J. Peterson, a founder and managing director of Hagerty Peterson & Co. LLC (Barrington, IL). 
Jersey Jack Pinball began shipping the Wizard of Oz flipper game, now in full production, in the second quarter of 2013. At the end of last year, the factory had shipped more than 700 games. Much of the funding for Wizard of Oz development was provided by down payments for preorders. Its next title, The Hobbit, is scheduled to ship at the end of this year. The Wizard of Oz line consists of various models, including the 75th Anniversary game, the Emerald City edition and a "standard" machine. The latter is targeted at coin machine operators, who represent the smallest number of buyers. The 1,000-unit production run of the Emerald City edition is expected to end soon. The 75th Anniversary model, which pays homage to MGM's 1939 Technicolor classic, recently entered production; about 1,500 units are planned. Once 3,000 WoZ pinball machines are sold, Jersey Jack Pinball can likely say it's a $20 million company.

See more at: http://www.vendingtimes.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=EB79A487112B48A296B38C81345C8C7F&nm=Vending+Features&&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=B6126CB1783844459FEB5E3C2DA854C5#sthash.V5ZljWwV.dpuf

FARGO – A pinball arcade is coming to downtown Fargo.

Tilt Pinball will open sometime this month in former office space on the main floor of an apartment building at 413 Broadway, said owner Scott Nelson.

Nelson, an entrepreneur who operates rental property in downtown Fargo, plans to run the arcade without a staff as a membership-only operation.

Access will be controlled using a key-fob security system similar to the kind used by health clubs, said Nelson, who intends to keep the hours flexible.

“If you get off work at 3 in the morning, you can go play. If you get a break at lunch, you can go play,” Nelson said, adding there’s “a whole ton of people” who love pinball machines.

He said the person who helps keep his machines running has about 100 clients in the Fargo area.

Nelson said Tilt Pinball, which will have about 11 “pins” or pinball machines, grew out of his own need for a place to keep his personal collection of machines.

A membership in the arcade will likely cost $35 for the first year, with subsequent renewals costing $20 a year, Nelson said.

The membership gets people in the arcade. Once there, members and their guests will have to pay to play, the price per game being whatever the pinball machine originally charged.

“If it was a quarter, it’s a quarter. If it was 50 cents, it’s 50 cents,” Nelson said.

To contact Nelson, call (701) 799-3885. The arcade will also have a website at www.tiltpinballfargo.com

Two longtime pinball fans are taking advantage of a recent revival of the classic game with a new place for everyone to play right in Kips Bay. NY1's Roger Clark filed the following report.

It's the unmistakeable sound of balls hitting bumpers, points piling up, the noise exuding from a place where pinball is king.

"It's like mixing old school with new computer games so you feel like everyone can be part of it," said one pinball player.

"I mean there's an actual metal ball and you are actually hitting it," said another pinball player.

Modern Pinball NYC opened two and a half months ago, the brainchild of Steve Zahler and Steve Epstein, pinball players who met at a tournament a few years back. They've latched on to what seems to be the recent resurgence of pinball, opening the interactive showroom at 362 Third Avenue where you can buy a machine, but also play the games until your fingers just can't take it anymore.

In Epstein's case, it was a return to the business. His family owned an arcade near Times Square for years.

"The whole idea that pinball was coming back in New York City was on my radar and I thought it was time to re-open and come back really strong with something that was really special," Epstein said.

Pinball was actually illegal in the city for years until 1976. It went underground again as video games started popping up in places where pinball machines traditionally held court, and maintaining video games was a lot less expensive. That's when pinball began disappearing from corner stores and arcades.

"Pinball I believe was taken away from the people, and I think when people come here and start playing and see how much fun they are and reconnect with their past, they get addicted, and there is no pulling them away from that machine," Zahler said.

At Modern Pinball NYC they even have pinball classes to give you some tips on the game. But most of all, Zahler and Epstein want folks to have some fun playing the game they fell in love with.

"In my old store I probably used to play two hours a day here I play about an hour a day so there is a real reason to come back and do this," Epstein said.

For more information, visit modernpinballnyc.com

Watch the video here
 http://www.ny1.com/content/news/201797/modern-pinball-wizards-unite-at-kips-bay-arcade

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 
[email protected]

SOURCE Stern Pinball, Inc.




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