# The Mystery Redditor Was Right, Does This Mean We'll See a Boutique Stern Pinball Machine This Fall? **Source:** Knapp Arcade **Type:** article **Published:** 2023-08-17 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/the-mystery-redditor-was-right-does-this-mean-we-ll-see-a-boutique-stern-pinball-machine-this-fall --- ## Analysis A Knapp Arcade article revisits a June Reddit post from an anonymous insider who predicted Stern would release a re-release title before Venom, which proved accurate. The article speculates whether the same source's second prediction—a limited-run, expensive Kapow/Studio game in fall—will also materialize, with King Kong 90th Anniversary or a Stranger Things re-run as possibilities. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] A mysterious Reddit poster correctly predicted Stern would release a re-release title before Venom — _Knapp Arcade article confirms the first part of the rumor 'came true rather spectacularly'_ - [MEDIUM] The same Reddit poster predicted a Kapow/Studio-type limited-run, expensive game from Stern could drop before Jaws — _Direct quote from mysterious Redditor; second prediction remains unverified_ - [MEDIUM] There is a mysterious production schedule hole at Stern in November of this year — _Knapp Arcade mentions this has been discussed for a while but provides no specific sourcing_ - [LOW] King Kong 90th Anniversary pinball designed by Keith Elwin is a rumor circulating in the community — _Knapp Arcade attributes to 'that rumor has been out there' without naming source_ - [LOW] A never-produced 1990 Data East King Kong game layout may be the basis for a Stern remake — _Speculation by Knapp Arcade based on rumor circulation_ ### Notable Quotes > "I do know what's coming next from Stern, and it's not Venom. It's a re-release title that will be announced soon-ish." > — **Mysterious Reddit Poster**, June (original post date) > _This prediction proved accurate, establishing credibility for the source's second claim about a fall Kapow/Studio release_ > "Lets say, this game has a lot of teeth on it, and it will be expensive..." > — **Mysterious Reddit Poster**, June > _Cryptic description of the predicted fall release; teeth suggest mechanical complexity or animal/predator theme_ > "For a while we have been talking about a mysterious hole in Stern Pinball's production schedule in November of this year." > — **Knapp Arcade**, Article publication (implied present) > _Suggests community has noticed unexplained gap in Stern's public roadmap_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Mysterious Reddit Poster | person | Anonymous insider with apparent knowledge of Stern's production pipeline; account deleted after article | | Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer at center of rumor; predicted to release re-release and limited-run boutique game | | Knapp Arcade | organization | Pinball news/analysis outlet reporting on the rumor; tracks production schedule gaps | | Venom | game | Stern Spider-Man/Venom pinball; predicted to come after re-release title | | King Kong 90th Anniversary | game | Rumored Stern Kapow/Studio limited-run; possibly designed by Keith Elwin | | Keith Elwin | person | Legendary pinball designer; rumored to design King Kong 90th Anniversary | | Jaws | game | Stern pinball title mentioned as potential follow-up to fall boutique release | | Stranger Things | game | Stern pinball title; speculated as possible November re-run candidate | | Kapow | organization | Stern's premium/limited-run imprint; predicted to release expensive fall title | | Data East King Kong | game | 1990 never-produced pinball game; layout possibly basis for Stern remake | ### Topics - **Primary:** Production roadmap and schedule gaps, Limited-run boutique releases and Kapow imprint strategy, Insider leaks and community speculation - **Secondary:** King Kong pinball remake rumors, Licensed IP and theme announcements, Designer assignments (Keith Elwin) ### Sentiment **Neutral** (0.5) — Article is investigative and speculative in tone; no strong editorial bias but maintains journalistic curiosity about whether the Redditor's predictions will continue to be accurate. Mix of excitement about potential announcements with acknowledgment of unverified rumors. ### Signals - **[business_signal]** Stern maintains deliberate production schedule gaps for strategic announcements (November placement for fall reveal) (confidence: low) — Community has 'been talking about a mysterious hole' in November schedule; no official source provided - **[leak_detection]** King Kong 90th Anniversary pinball rumored as possible fall Stern/Kapow release with Keith Elwin design (confidence: low) — Community rumor; no official confirmation; speculative based on unproduced Data East 1990 layout - **[market_signal]** Stern appears to be planning premium-priced, limited-run boutique releases alongside mainline production (confidence: medium) — Kapow/Studio tier games discussed as separate production track from Venom/Jaws mainline - **[announcement]** Potential Stern Kapow/Studio boutique release scheduled for fall (November) with high price point (confidence: low) — Mysterious production schedule gap noted; rumor source mentioned timing but account now deleted - **[rumor_hype]** Mysterious Reddit insider accurately predicted Stern's re-release strategy before Venom; same source predicts Kapow/Studio limited-run in November (confidence: medium) — First prediction confirmed; source account deleted; second prediction remains unverified but credibility increased by successful first call --- ## Transcript Back in June, we had an interesting discussion here and on Facebook about a mysterious poster in the Reddit Pinball forums who claimed that they knew about an "expensive" unknown pinball machine that "has a lot of teeth on it" coming soon from Stern Pinball. At the time the poster said that this as of yet unknown game was going to be released at San Diego Comic-Con before Stern's latest cornerstone pinball machine, Venom. That part of the rumor didn't pan out, but I'd say that the first part did rather spectacularly. Here's the exact quote: I do know what's coming next from Stern, and it's not Venom. It's a re-release title that will be announced soon-ish. I have not seen any news on this yet, but .... it's coming. Venom/Spider-Man after that, then a Kapow/Studio type game from Stern could drop before JAWS as well... Lets say, this game has a lot of teeth on it, and it will be expensive... The first part coming true begs the question...is the second part? Will we see a new Kapow / Studio smaller run type pinball machine from Stern in the fall of this year. For a while we have been talking about a mysterious hole in Stern Pinball's production schedule in November of this year. Could Stern be launching a small run, expensive pinball machine then? Will the mystery Redditor be two for two in calling upcoming Stern releases? If they are right about the second part, what theme will this limited run pinball machine have? Will it be a low production Kapow King Kong 90th Anniversary pin designed by Keith Elwin or based upon the original never produced 1990 Data East King Kong game's layout? That rumor has been out there. Will there be another run of Stern's Stranger Things pin in November? A new Vault of another game perhaps? Some say that Jaws is next. I'm thinking that there's something to this fall studio game rumor, but time will tell. This afternoon I went back into Reddit to see if this mysterious individual has had anything else prophetic to say lately and alas the person's account has been deleted. Farewell Mysterious Pinball Redditor. We barely knew ye. Mysterious Redditor: Venom is not Next From Stern...Is This Possible? https://www.knapparcade.org/post/mysterious-redditor-venom-is-not-next-from-stern-is-this-possible Pinball Theme Watchlist: King Kong https://www.knapparcade.org/post/pinball-theme-watchlist-king-kong _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 611e1217-5e1e-4b7e-82b3-3950adb7870d*