# RUMOR: Stern Pinball to Release Back to the Future Pinball Machine in 2025

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2022-12-05  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/rumor-stern-pinball-to-release-back-to-the-future-pinball-machine-in-2025

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## Analysis

Knapp Arcade reports a rumor that Stern Pinball is developing a Back to the Future pinball machine for 2025 release tied to the film's 40th anniversary. The rumor suggests Keith Elwin as designer, with potential involvement from Joe Kaminkow and Christopher Franchi based on their existing relationships with the BTTF license and prior collaborations.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] George Gomez stated Stern is working on pinball machines as far out as 2025 — _Direct statement from Stern executive; cited as basis for rumor credibility_
- [LOW] Keith Elwin rumored as designer for Back to the Future pinball — _Unverified rumor; source explicitly labels as speculation_
- [MEDIUM] Joe Kaminkow has existing relationship with BTTF license holders — _Presented as established fact to support rumor plausibility_
- [LOW] Christopher Franchi could return as artist if Kaminkow involved — _Conditional speculation based on prior collaborations_

### Notable Quotes

> "Stern Pinball...is already working on pinball machines as far out as the year 2025"
> — **George Gomez**
> _Official confirmation of long-term product development pipeline; grounds the rumor in documented company activity_

> "Back to the Future would be an amazing title for Stern. I know that I personally would go bananas for it."
> — **Knapp Arcade (author)**
> _Personal enthusiasm but signals community desire for this IP; acknowledges speculative nature_

> "Again, this is just all rumors at this point but it sure is fun to think about."
> — **Knapp Arcade (author)**
> _Explicit disclaimer of rumor status; manages expectations_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer rumored to be developing Back to the Future title for 2025 |
| George Gomez | person | Stern Pinball executive; stated company is developing games through 2025 |
| Keith Elwin | person | Legendary pinball designer; rumored as designer for potential BTTF pinball |
| Joe Kaminkow | person | Pinball designer with existing relationship to BTTF license; potentially involved if project moves forward |
| Christopher Franchi | person | Pinball artist; potentially returning for BTTF project if Kaminkow involved based on prior collaborations |
| Back to the Future | game | 1985 film; rumored as next Stern pinball release for 2025 40th anniversary |
| Dan Rosenstein | person | Credited with sparking discussion that led to this rumor |
| Knapp Arcade | organization | Source of article; community commentary on pinball industry |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Upcoming game announcements and rumors, Stern Pinball product roadmap
- **Secondary:** IP licensing and theme selection, Designer and artist involvement, 40th anniversary marketing opportunity

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.75) — Author is enthusiastic about the rumor and expresses genuine excitement about potential BTTF title. Maintains cautious tone by clearly labeling as speculation, but underlying sentiment is hopeful and positive toward Stern pursuing this license.

### Signals

- **[personnel_signal]** Speculation about designer assignment (Elwin) and artist involvement (Franchi) based on prior relationship patterns with Joe Kaminkow (confidence: low) — Conditional reasoning about team composition based on existing collaborations; not confirmed by sources
- **[product_strategy]** Stern Pinball confirming development of titles extending to 2025, indicating multi-year planning horizon (confidence: high) — Direct statement from George Gomez about long-term pipeline
- **[rumor_hype]** Back to the Future pinball rumored for Stern 2025 release tied to 40th anniversary (confidence: low) — Explicit disclaimer that this is unverified rumor; sourced from community discussion rather than industry insider
- **[licensing_signal]** BTTF license positioning as achievable for Stern; Joe Kaminkow referenced as having existing relationship with license holders (confidence: medium) — Rumor source implies license accessibility; Kaminkow connection presented as established fact

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## Transcript

In a recent interview, Stern Pinball's George Gomez stated that the company is already working on pinball machines as far out as the year 2025. Very appropriately, I've heard a rumor that this "Future" pinball title may be none other than the iconic 80's movie that pinball fans have been clamoring for..."Back to the Future." The release would be tied in with the 40th anniversary of the movie.

Word is that work on the project has already begun. The designer of the rumored game isn't George Gomez, but rather Keith Elwin. Most likely Joe Kaminkow, who has an existing relationship with the BTTF license holders, would be involved with the title as well. If he is, look for the potential return of Kaminkow favorite Christopher Franchi for the game's art.

Again, this is just all rumors at this point but it sure is fun to think about. Back to the Future would be an amazing title for Stern. I know that I personally would go bananas for it. Kudos to Dan Rosenstein for the discussion that sparked my interest in this subject.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 3f188898-0be5-434a-bd28-e87bb2fb5c73*