# Stern Reintroduces Home Models **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2012-10-01 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/news/sternpin.html --- ## Analysis Stern Pinball introduced the Transformers Pin, a downsized home version of their commercial Transformers pinball machine, in October 2012. The machine features simplified electronics (LED displays instead of dot matrix), reduced dimensions (about 20% smaller), and a lower price point of $3,999.99 ($2,999.99 on Amazon). This launch marked the beginning of Stern's new 'Stern Home Arcade' brand line targeting home buyers and casual players. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Transformers Pin is approximately 20% smaller in each dimension than the commercial model, occupying about half the overall volume — _Article provides specific measurements: home model 21.5" wide vs 27" commercial; 43" long vs 55" commercial; 64" high vs 75.5" commercial_ - [HIGH] Stern previously attempted home versions with Batman and Iron Man Classic models without much success — _Opening sentence of article states this directly as context for the new Transformers Pin initiative_ - [HIGH] The Transformers Pin replaces the dot matrix display with two 8-digit LED displays, limiting play to two players — _Article explicitly describes the technical downgrade: 'taking out the dot matrix display completely and replacing it with two 8-digit LED displays, thus limiting play to just two players at a time'_ - [HIGH] Amazon held exclusive US sales rights for Transformers Pin through December 31, 2012 — _Press release states: 'Through December 31, 2012, the TRANSFORMERS Pin will be available in the United States exclusively at Amazon.com'_ - [HIGH] The All-Spark Cube became a spinning toy resembling the genie lamp from Tales of the Arabian Nights — _Article describes playfield redesign: 'The All-Spark Cube has moved to the centre of the playfield and become a spinning toy like the genie lamp on Tales of the Arabian Nights'_ ### Notable Quotes > "The Pin is specifically designed to provide quality family entertainment and bring pinball to more homes everywhere. TRANSFORMERS is a great title for the entire family and we're very pleased to add The Pin model to our TRANSFORMERS offering" > — **Gary Stern, Founder, CEO and Chairman of Stern Pinball, Inc.**, Press release, October 1, 2012 > _Official positioning of the Transformers Pin as a family-friendly entry point into home pinball ownership_ > "Stern is the only maker of full-sized, arcade quality pinball games on the planet" > — **Stern Pinball Inc. (press release)**, October 1, 2012 > _Competitive positioning claim emphasizing Stern's market dominance in arcade-quality pinball_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Stern Pinball Inc. | company | Pinball manufacturer launching the Transformers Pin home model under new 'Stern Home Arcade' brand | | Transformers Pin | product | Downsized home version of Stern's commercial Transformers pinball machine; part of new Stern Home Arcade brand; priced at $3,999.99 ($2,999.99 on Amazon) | | Stern Home Arcade | product | New brand line launched by Stern for home-oriented pinball machines targeting casual players and families | | Gary Stern | person | Founder, CEO and Chairman of Stern Pinball Inc.; quoted in press release regarding Transformers Pin | | Amazon.com | company | Exclusive US retailer for Transformers Pin through December 31, 2012; offered $1,000 discount reducing price to $2,999.99 | | Hasbro | company | License holder for Transformers IP; provided art, music, speech, and sound effects from franchise for the game | | The Playdium Store | company | Exclusive Canadian retailer for Transformers Pin alongside Cineplex Starburst, Inc. | | Transformers (franchise) | product | Hasbro-owned franchise dating to 1984; expanded to pinball with Transformers Pin game featuring Optimus Prime, Megatron, and other characters | | Batman Classic | product | Previous Stern home pinball model attempt that was unsuccessful | | Iron Man Classic | product | Previous Stern home pinball model attempt that was unsuccessful | ### Topics - **Primary:** Home pinball market entry and positioning, Product downsizing and feature reduction for cost savings, Stern's strategic expansion into casual home player segment - **Secondary:** IP licensing and theme selection for home audience, Distribution exclusivity agreements (Amazon, Canadian retailers), Pricing strategy for home vs commercial models ### Sentiment **Neutral** (0) — Article is factual, press-release driven reporting with no critical commentary or sentiment indicators. Presentation is informational and promotional without praise or criticism. ### Signals - **[licensing_signal]** Hasbro licensing Transformers IP to Stern for home pinball, indicating IP holder openness to diversified product applications (confidence: high) — Press release documents license agreement with Hasbro; game features art, music, speech, and sound effects from franchise - **[market_signal]** Stern attempting to enter or re-enter home pinball market after previous unsuccessful Classic models (Batman, Iron Man) (confidence: high) — Article explicitly states 'They tried it before with Classic versions of Batman and Iron Man without much success' before announcing new Transformers Pin initiative - **[market_signal]** Home model priced at $3,999.99 list price with significant Amazon discount to $2,999.99 suggesting aggressive market penetration strategy (confidence: high) — Article reports $1,000 discount from $3,999.99 to $2,999.99 on Amazon; price point substantially below full commercial models - **[announcement]** Stern officially launches Transformers Pin as first product under new Stern Home Arcade brand targeting home and casual players (confidence: high) — Official press release dated October 1, 2012; Gary Stern quoted as CEO; specific technical specs and pricing provided - **[business_signal]** Stern pursuing distribution exclusivity arrangements (Amazon in US through end of 2012; Playdium/Starburst in Canada) to control market access and drive volume (confidence: high) — Press release specifies Amazon exclusivity through December 31, 2012 and Canadian exclusivity with specific retailers --- ## Transcript Date: 1st October, 2012 They tried it before with Classic versions of Batman and Iron Man without much success, but now Stern Pinball Inc have brought out a new home version of their Transformers model in time for the holiday season. Stern's Transformers Pin backbox image The new model is dubbed the Transformers Pin and this time they have gone further in cutting features, taking out the dot matrix display completely and replacing it with two 8-digit LED displays, thus limiting play to just two players at a time. Stern's new Transformers Pin home model A single speaker and cut-down backbox complete the upper part of the machine, while at the bottom four height-adjustable legs are bolted into the inside of the cabinet. The backbox image, displays and speaker The playfield has also redesigned but retains a few features of the commercial models including the same flippers, slingshots, pop bumpers and plunger, plus tempered glass covering the playfield. The Transformers Pin game The playfield The All-Spark Cube has moved to the centre of the playfield and become a spinning toy like the genie lamp on Tales of the Arabian Nights. Playfield detail There is a spinner and what appears to be a drop target in front of the entrance to the right ramp. The left ramp entrance is now a vertical 180° curve while the whole playfield is lit with LEDs. The game weighs in at 120 pounds and is somewhat smaller than one of the commercial models at 21.5" wide (vs 27"), 43" long (vs 55") and 64" high (vs 75.5"). That makes it around 20% smaller in each dimension occupying about half the overall volume of the full-scale machine. The Transformers Pin's price is not cut by the same amount though. Its list price is $3,999.99, although it is available through Amazon (who have the exclusive rights to sell in the US for the remainder of the year) for a $1,000 discount at $2999.99 including shipping. In Canada, the Transformers Pin will be available exclusively through Starburst Coin/The Playdium Store, although prices there haven't been announced yet. Stern put out a press release about the new Transformers Pin model, which they say is part of the Stern Home Arcade brand, suggesting Transformers Pin may be the start of a new series aimed at home game buyers. Stern Pinball Introduces the TRANSFORMERS™ Pin™ - Stylish, Affordable Pinball Entertainment for the Home Innovative TRANSFORMERS™ Pin™ To Be Released under the Stern Home Arcade™ Brand MELROSE PARK, IL – October 1, 2012 – Today, Stern Pinball, Inc., the world’s only maker of real pinball games, introduced the TRANSFORMERS™ Pin™, a stylish, affordable and entertaining pinball game designed and engineered exclusively for the home.  For customers new to pinball ownership, the TRANSFORMERS Pin offers fun and timeless family entertainment at an affordable price.  The Pin™ also provides an entry into the rapidly growing community of pinball play and ownership driven by impassioned enthusiasts and collectors around the globe.  The Pin is the latest model to be developed by Stern and joins the company’s existing line-up of Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models. The licensed TRANSFORMERS Pin features art, music, speech, and sound effects from the blockbuster TRANSFORMERS franchise.  Since the birth of the franchise in 1984, the TRANSFORMERS brand has been celebrated with toys, comic books, animation, summer blockbuster movies and more.  Under license from Hasbro, Stern is now proud to be adding an additional pinball game model to its lineup.  Players can expect the classic battle between the heroic OPTIMUS PRIME and the villainous MEGATRON as well as other beloved AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON characters. The easily assembled TRANSFORMERS Pin is built to last and engineered with genuine Stern commercial-quality parts including flippers, slingshots, pop bumpers, tempered playfield glass, and the traditional pinball plunger.  The playfield is housed in a stylish cabinet with modern, high definition artwork.  The all-LED playfield lighting provides optimal color and performance. “The Pin is specifically designed to provide quality family entertainment and bring pinball to more homes everywhere.  TRANSFORMERS is a great title for the entire family and we’re very pleased to add The Pin model to our TRANSFORMERS offering,” said Gary Stern, Founder, CEO and Chairman of Stern Pinball, Inc. Through December 31, 2012, the TRANSFORMERS Pin will be available in the United States exclusively at Amazon.com.  To order in the US, please visit: www.amazon.com The TRANSFORMERS Pin will also be available in Canada exclusively through The Playdium Store and Cineplex Starburst, Inc.  To order in Canada, please visit: either www.theplaydiumstore.com or www.starburstcoin.com. About Stern Pinball, Inc. Stern Pinball, Inc., located just outside Chicago, Illinois, designs and manufactures arcade-quality pinball games. Stern is the only maker of full-sized, arcade quality pinball games on the planet and has released many popular titles including X-Men, AC/DC, TRANSFORMERS, Avatar, The Rolling Stones, Iron Man, Tron and many more.  Stern’s games continue to be enjoyed by both pinball enthusiasts and casual players around the globe.  For more information, please visit www.sternpinball.com.  © 2012 Stern Pinball, Inc.  All Rights Reserved. About Hasbro, Inc. Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world-class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY.  The Hub, Hasbro’s multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), launched on October 10, 2010.  The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com.  The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC.  All rights reserved.  Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com.  © 2012 Hasbro, Inc.  All Rights Reserved. Back to the News page Like this page? 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