# Stern Pinball News...Insider Connected App, New Disney Theme?, Newer Music Pins? **Source:** Knapp Arcade **Type:** article **Published:** 2022-08-04 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/stern-pinball-news-insider-connected-app-new-disney-theme-newer-music-pins --- ## Analysis Knapp Arcade reports on Stern Pinball's latest Insider Pinball Podcast episode featuring new President Seth Davis (former Disney executive). Key revelations include 43,000 registered Insider Connected accounts, an upcoming Insider Connected mobile app in development, hints of future non-Marvel/Star Wars Disney IP licensing, and Stern's strategic pivot toward 1990s and newer music-themed games as classic rock/pop acts become exhausted. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Stern Pinball has 43,000 registered Insider Connected accounts — _Seth Davis (Stern President) stated during Insider Pinball Podcast episode, reported by Knapp Arcade_ - [HIGH] Stern is actively developing a mobile app for Insider Connected — _Seth Davis mentioned app in development during podcast; no timeline given_ - [MEDIUM] Stern is considering Disney themes beyond Marvel and Star Wars — _Seth Davis hinted at future Disney property that isn't Marvel or Star Wars; based on his Disney background_ - [MEDIUM] Stern is actively looking at music themes from the 1990s and newer acts — _Stern believes it's exhausting classic 70s/80s acts; podcast discussion suggests strategic shift_ - [MEDIUM] Wireless code updates via Insider Connected are functioning smoothly for most users — _Knapp Arcade's personal experience with four connected machines; some user reports of issues exist_ ### Notable Quotes > "His ties with Disney were obvious, so definitely look for more Stern Pinball machines featuring Disney properties in the future. There was even hints that a future Stern game may include a Disney theme that isn't Marvel or Star Wars." > — **Knapp Arcade (article author)** > _Direct hint at upcoming non-Marvel/Star Wars Disney licensing; suggests strategic IP expansion_ > "Stern seems to know that it's running out of famous acts from the 70s and 80s that it can create pinball machines around so the company has started looking at bands from the 1990s and possibly newer." > — **Knapp Arcade (article author)** > _Reveals Stern's recognition of music theme saturation; signals strategic pivot to newer IP_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer; subject of news article regarding Insider Connected and IP strategy | | Seth Davis | person | New President of Stern Pinball; former Disney executive; interviewed on Insider Pinball Podcast | | Nate Shivers | person | Host of Insider Pinball Podcast; described as 'pinball podcasting legend' | | Insider Connected | product | Stern's digital ecosystem app; wireless code update functionality; 43,000 registered accounts; mobile app in development | | Insider Pinball Podcast | event | Stern Pinball's official podcast series; latest episode featured Seth Davis interview | | Knapp Arcade | organization | Article author; arcade operator with four Insider Connected machines | | Disney | company | IP licensing partner with Stern; potential future themes beyond Marvel and Star Wars being explored | | Marvel | company | Disney property; existing Stern pinball licensee | | Star Wars | company | Disney property; existing Stern pinball licensee | ### Topics - **Primary:** Insider Connected ecosystem expansion, Disney IP licensing strategy, Music-themed pinball games - **Secondary:** Stern Pinball leadership transition, Wireless code update functionality ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.75) — Article is optimistic about Stern's direction under new leadership and future IP prospects. Author expresses satisfaction with Insider Connected wireless updates. Tone is informative and appreciative of strategic pivots. ### Signals - **[business_signal]** Insider Connected showing strong adoption with 43,000 registered accounts; wireless update infrastructure stabilizing (confidence: high) — Seth Davis reported 43,000 registered accounts; Knapp Arcade reports smooth wireless update experience across four machines in different locations - **[licensing_signal]** Seth Davis's Disney background signals strategic pivot toward expanded Disney IP licensing beyond Marvel and Star Wars (confidence: medium) — Seth Davis is former Disney executive; article notes 'His ties with Disney were obvious' and hints at 'a future Stern game may include a Disney theme that isn't Marvel or Star Wars' - **[personnel_signal]** Seth Davis appointed as new President of Stern Pinball; former Disney executive signals leadership transition toward IP-licensing-focused strategy (confidence: high) — Seth Davis introduced as 'the new President of Stern Pinball, the former Disney executive' - **[business_signal]** Stern recognizes saturation of classic 70s/80s music catalog; deliberately shifting focus to 1990s and newer music properties for future themed games (confidence: medium) — Podcast discussion revealed 'Stern seems to know that it's running out of famous acts from the 70s and 80s that it can create pinball machines around so the company has started looking at bands from the 1990s' - **[technology_signal]** Stern developing mobile app for Insider Connected ecosystem; represents expansion of digital platform beyond web portal (confidence: high) — Seth Davis mentioned app in development during podcast; Knapp Arcade notes 'an app certainly would be easier than logging into Stern's website' --- ## Transcript Last night, Stern Pinball rolled out the latest episode of its Insider Pinball Podcast series, hosted by the pinball podcasting legend Nate Shivers. The new episode featured an interview with the new President of Stern Pinball, the former Disney executive Seth Davis. The main topic of discussion was the company's Insider Connected system, including what's new and what's coming. I was able to glean a few interesting pieces of information from the episode, including that Stern currently has 43,000 registered Insider Connected accounts. The other noteworthy thing that I came away with was that Stern is actively working on an app for Insider Connected. There was no word on when the app will be ready, but an app certainly would be easier than logging into Stern's website when you need to look at your Connected account. Beyond the Insider Connected talk, it was cool to get a sense of what Stern's relatively new President is like. To me, Seth Davis came across as being very likeable and competent. His ties with Disney were obvious, so definitely look for more Stern Pinball machines featuring Disney properties in the future. There was even hints that a future Stern game may include a Disney theme that isn't Marvel or Star Wars. The theme discussion also delved into music pins for a little while. From what I could gather from the conversation, Stern seems to know that it's running out of famous acts from the 70s and 80s that it can create pinball machines around so the company has started looking at bands from the 1990s and possibly newer. Speaking of Insider Connected, I updated all four of my connected machines with the company's new code last night. I personally thought that the process couldn't have gone smoother. The wireless updates are so much more convenient than having to break out a computer and memory stick. I have heard some reports of people having issues with wireless updates, but at my house they were flawless on two games that came from the factory with Connected kits and two that I installed myself in different parts of my house nowhere near my wireless router. I did update all of the machines one at a time though. I wonder if the people who are having issues are trying to update all of their connected games at the exact same time? Anyone who is interested in hearing the interview can do so by logging into their account on the Stern Pinball website: https://insider.sternpinball.com/login _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 2a01c2a8-58c4-4037-a149-5a49270795c1*